Minnesota Mixed Bag: First weekend of Game Fair runs Aug. 8, 9, & 10

Ramsey, Minn. — The first action-packed weekend of Game Fair kicks off this Friday, Aug. 8 and continues through Sunday at Armstrong Ranch Kennels in Ramsey. The second weekend is slated for the following weekend, Aug. 15-17.

Don’t miss your chance to watch or partake in Game Fair’s host of dog-related events, from the obstacle course to the ever-popular long jump; sit in on a seminar hosted by dog trainers, elk hunters, smallmouth fishers, and others; bring your (cased) shotgun or bow and test your skills; or just enjoy visiting with the many vendors at the show.

Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors 62 and over as well as veterans, $5 for kids ages 6 to 14 and free for youth under age 6 and active military members. For more information, visit gamefair.com

MORE COVERAGE FROM MINNESOTA OUTDOOR NEWS:

Audit of Minnesota DNR spending on wildlife management areas IDs some concerns

How will Minnesota’s recently-set 2025 deer regulations impact this season?

2025 Great Lakes Region ruffed grouse forecast

DNR INVITES CONVERSATION ABOUT WILDLIFE ON AUG. 21

St. Paul — Those interested in wildlife are invited to chat with Minnesota DNR wildlife managers in local DNR offices across the state from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, or by phone during these same hours.

“We’re asking people to please stop by or give us a call about anything related to Minnesota wildlife or habitat. We really want to talk,” said David Trauba, Wildlife Section manager. “These conversations give us important viewpoints that can make our work more effective.”

While the Aug. 21 office hours provide dedicated time for conversations about wildlife, DNR staff are always happy to talk with members of the public throughout the year.

These wildlife conversations began in 2018 with the release of the statewide deer management plan and have continued and broadened to encourage discussions about all wildlife and habitat topics.

To find an area wildlife office location and contact information, visit the Minnesota DNR website.

APPLY THROUGH AUG. 15 FOR PRAIRIE CHICKEN HUNT LOTTERY

St. Paul — Hunters may apply through Friday, Aug. 15, to be chosen for one of 125 permits for the 2025 Minnesota prairie chicken hunting season. The nine-day prairie chicken season begins Saturday, Sept. 27, and is open to Minnesota residents only. The hunt takes place in northwestern Minnesota from St. Hilaire south to Breckenridge.

Hunters who are awarded a permit in the lottery are required to purchase a prairie chicken hunting license prior to hunting. Hunters can find details about the prairie chicken season on the Minnesota DNR’s website.

ORTONVILLE TO HOST GOVERNOR’S PHEASANT OPENER, OCT. 10-11

St. Paul — Big Stone County’s grasslands will take center stage for the 13th annual Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener this fall. The traditional hunting celebration will be held in Ortonville, on Friday, Oct. 10, and Saturday, Oct. 11.

The Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener will showcase the many hunting, recreational, and community highlights that Ortonville and Big Stone County have to offer visitors. This includes 85,000 acres of public land in Minnesota open to hunting and other recreation within a 30-mile radius of Ortonville, and 12,000 acres of water that offer fishing opportunities.

The event is being coordinated by Minnesota DNR, Explore Minnesota, and the Big Stone Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.

Ortonville, which has a population of about 2,000, is in Big Stone County along the western border of the state, almost midway between the north and south Minnesota borders and about 190 miles west of the Twin Cities.

CPL GRANT PROGRAM ACCEPTING APPS FOR FY2026

St. Paul — The application system for the Conservation Partners Legacy grant program opened Aug. 1. CPL funds conservation projects that restore, enhance, or protect forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife in Minnesota. Grant requests may range from $5,000 to $500,000, with a maximum total project cost of $1,000,000. Nonprofit organizations and government entities are eligible to apply, and a 10% match of non-state origin is required. Funding for the CPL program comes from the Outdoor Heritage Fund.

Visit here for more information.

N.D. SEASONS SET; NO MORE STATEWIDE NONRESIDENT WATERFOWL LICENSES

Bismarck, N.D. — North Dakota’s 2025 small-game, waterfowl and furbearer regulations are set, with some noteworthy changes from last year. These changes include:

• Opening day for ducks, geese, coots, and mergansers for North Dakota residents is Sept. 27. Nonresidents may begin hunting waterfowl in North Dakota on Oct. 4.

• The number of nonresident waterfowl zones increased to six, and a statewide nonresident waterfowl license is no longer available.

• A waterfowl habitat restoration stamp is required to hunt waterfowl.

In addition to these changes for 2025, in 2026 the resident-only waterfowl dates will increase from the first seven days to the first nine days.