Minnesota Mixed Bag: Turkey harvest at 13,117 through May 5 – Outdoor News
St. Paul — The 2024 spring wild turkey harvest count was at 13,117 toms through Sunday, May 5, according to Nate Huck, Minnesota DNR resident game bird specialist. The turkey hunt had completed three seasons on Tuesday, May 7. The D season began on Wednesday.
The 2024 harvest looks like a potential record-breaker. The 2024 A season A total was 7,105 and the B season total was 3,640. Both records were previously held in 2020 with season A being 5,833 and season B being 3,504.
The season C record is currently held at 2,710 in 2023, but the 2024 season C count was at 2,372 with two days remaining as of Outdoor News press time.
With 13,117 turkeys currently taken, there only needs to be 880 more turkeys harvested during the second half to claim a new overall state record (13,996 in 2020).
As of May 1, there were 50,159 licenses sold for spring turkey hunting. This surpassed last year’s total of 38,503 at this point in the season.
— Brian Mozey, staff writer
MORE COVERAGE FROM MINNESOTA OUTDOOR NEWS:
Anglers have reason for high hopes entering Minnesota’s May 11 fishing opener
Jumbo perch are thriving on Minnesota/Wisconsin waters of the Mississippi River
Minnesota DNR seeking information on sandhill crane poached in Todd County
DNR REMINDER: MILLE LACS IS CATCH AND RELEASE TO START SEASON
St. Paul — Lake Mille Lacs walleye fishing will be catch and release during the spring and summer with the opportunity to harvest a walleye starting Friday, Aug. 16.
During the open-water harvest opportunity beginning on Aug. 16, anglers will be able to keep one walleye that is 21 to 23 inches in length or that is greater than 28 inches. The Minnesota DNR designed the regulation to keep the state’s walleye take within the limit agreed upon with tribal nations.
Complete Mille Lacs fishing regulations and regularly updated surveys showing ongoing state-licensed angler catches of walleyes, northern pike, and yellow perch are available on the Minnesota DNR website.
WILDLIFE DRIVE AT ROSEAU RIVER WMA OPEN MAY 18-19
Roseau, Minn. — The Minnesota DNR will open the wildlife drive at Roseau River Wildlife Management Area to the public Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19, weather and dike conditions permitting. The weekend will offer unique wildlife viewing and photography opportunities during the spring bird migration, as well as providing additional fishing access to the WMA pools.
The wildlife drive can be easily accessed at the main dike road, located one and three-quarter miles south of the WMA headquarters on Roseau County Road 3. Only motor vehicles licensed for use on public highways are permitted on this road.
The gate will be opened prior to sunrise May 18 and closed at sunset May 19. The wildlife drive is also scheduled to open as usual in mid-July and early August.
Visitors may call the Roseau River WMA headquarters at (218) 452-7610 for information on road conditions and closures. For a map or more information, visit Roseau River WMA.
MAY 11 PROCLAIMED CLEAN DRAIN DRY DAY
White Bear Lake, Minn. — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, along with Wildlife Forever and DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen, have proclaimed Saturday, May 11, as Minnesota Clean Drain Dry Day. With the Minnesota Fishing Opener serving as the official start to fishing and boating season, people are reminded to check their boats and help prevent the spread of invasive species.
Clean Drain Dry Day serves as an early-season reminder for boaters and anglers to check all watercraft before and after launch. Invasive species often spread on watercraft trailers, in boat hulls, and on docks and lifts.
View the Conservation Proclamation here.
HEY, RESIDENTS, LEAVE THOSE FAWNS ALONE
St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR asks that people avoid disturbing or touching deer fawns, which are born about this time of year.
Most fawns are born in mid-May to mid-June, and fawns do not attempt to evade predators during their first few weeks of life. Instead, they remain still to avoid being seen. During these times, fawns are learning critical survival skills from their mothers but are often left on their own while their mothers forage nearby.
Be assured deer fawns are likely fine even if they look abandoned or fragile. Even if the fawn is known to be wounded or abandoned due to car strike or animal attack, do not transport it without talking to a wildlife rehabilitator. Moving a fawn can be detrimental to the animal and increase the risk of disease spread.
For more information about what to do when people find fawns or other species of young wild animals, visit the Minnesota DNR website.
N.D. DEER SEASON SET; APPLY ONLINE
Bismarck, N.D. — North Dakota’s 2024 deer season is set, with 50,100 licenses available to hunters, down 3,300 from last year. In addition, muzzleloader licenses decreased by 66 and restricted youth antlered mule deer licenses remained the same.
Casey Anderson, North Dakota Game and Fish Department Wildlife Division chief, said population, harvest, and survey data indicate the state’s deer population is stable to decreasing in the southeastern part of the state.
North Dakota’s 2024 deer gun season opens Nov. 8 at noon and continues through Nov. 24. Applicants for regular deer gun, gratis, youth and muzzleloader can apply online through the NDG&F’s website at gf.nd.gov. The deadline for applying is midnight June 5.
Source: https://www.outdoornews.com/2024/05/08/minnesota-mixed-bag-turkey-harvest-at-13117-through-may-5/
