Minnesota Mixed Bag: DNR asks upland bird hunters to voluntarily log hunting activities

St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR is inviting upland bird hunters to voluntarily log details about their hunts for grouse, woodcock, pheasants, prairie chickens, and partridge.

“We’re working with bird hunters to improve our understanding of what they see in the field,” said Nate Huck, migratory gamebird consultant. “Their information will complement our existing monitoring efforts.”

Bird hunters can use an upland bird-hunting diary to share their observations. The diary is available in electronic form using web browser or app versions on the DNR website. Hunters can also print off a paper version of the diary and enter their hunts online at a later point.

Participating hunters will be asked to report information specific to each hunt. Hunters are also asked to report the location of their hunt including: the county and if the hunt was on a wildlife management area, a hunter walking trail or a Walk-In Access program area.

More information for hunters and instructions on how to participate in the upland bird hunting diary are available on the DNR website.

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TEACH A KID TO HUNT SMALL GAME DURING TAKE A KID HUNTING WEEKEND

St. Paul — Getting youth outdoors in pursuit of squirrels, rabbits, and other small game is the focus of Take a Kid Hunting Weekend on Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Sept. 21. During the weekend, adult Minnesota residents accompanied by a youth younger than age 16 may hunt small game without a license, although they must comply with open seasons, limits, and other regulations.

Hunting small game is a great way to introduce kids to hunting.

Kids learn how to tell where wildlife have been, how to properly and safely handle firearms, and how to access hunting land.

Anyone who wants to learn how to hunt can find helpful how-to guides on the Minnesota DNR learn to hunt webpage and watch a recorded webinar about how to get started small game hunting (see below). Small game hunting season details are available at the Minnesota DNR small game hunting webpage and hunting regulations are available on the Minnesota DNR hunting and trapping regulations webpage.

ZEBES, VELIGERS, MORE AIS FOUND IN SEVERAL MINNESOTA LAKES

St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Roosevelt Lake, near Outing in Cass and Crow Wing counties, and Swan Lake, near Pengilly in Itasca County.

A surveyor hired by the Roosevelt and Lawrence Area Lakes Association found three adult zebra mussels at the Roosevelt Lake public water access. They notified the DNR, and DNR staff found additional adult zebra mussels at the public water accesses and throughout the lake in follow-up surveys.

Itasca County invasive species staff contacted the DNR after juvenile zebra mussels were found attached to settlement samplers in Swan Lake. Settlement samplers are solid surfaces temporarily placed in the water that people can regularly check for zebra mussels to aid in detection.

The DNR also confirmed the presence of zebra mussel larvae in White Earth Lake, near the town of White Earth in Becker County.

White Earth Nation invasive species staff contacted the Minnesota DNR after lab analysis showed microscopic zebra mussel larvae, called veligers, in White Earth Lake water samples.

Although adult zebra mussels have not been found during follow-up searches of White Earth Lake, the presence of veligers suggests reproducing zebra mussel populations. For that reason, White Earth Lake will be listed for zebra mussels.

And, the DNR has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels and starry stonewort in Anna Lake, near Underwood in Otter Tail County.

A lake property owner contacted the DNR after finding zebra mussels on a concrete block near a boat lift in Anna Lake. DNR staff found additional zebra mussels in the lake.

While searching for zebra mussels near the public water access, DNR staff also found several small patches of starry stonewort.

More information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the DNR website.

N.D. SANDHILL CRANE SEASON OPENS SATURDAY

Bismarck, N.D. — North Dakota’s sandhill crane season opens Sept. 20 and runs through Nov. 16.

Limits are three daily and nine in possession in unit 1 (west of U.S. Highway 281), and two daily and six in possession in unit 2 (east of U.S. Highway 281). Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 2 p.m. each day, with extended shooting hours to sunset on Saturdays and Wednesdays beginning Sept. 27 through the end of the season.

In addition to other licenses required, resident hunters need a $10 crane permit, while nonresidents need a $30 permit. Hunters can buy licenses online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov

WDNR SEEKS COMMENTS ON WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN

Madison, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is seeking public feedback on the updated Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan for 2025-2035. For more information on the process and to explore the updated plan, visit the WDNR’s Wildlife Action Plan webpage.

Questions and comments on Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan 2025-related topics can be sent to DNRWWAP@wisconsin.gov. by Sept. 24, 2025.