Minnesota Mixed Bag: Deer hunters invited to share wildlife observations – Outdoor News
St. Paul — Minnesota deer hunters can use an online log to report wildlife they see while hunting. Data from the observation logs help the Minnesota DNR estimate population level trends for deer and track wildlife distribution for other species across the state.
Using a mobile device or desktop computer, hunters may enter information on the online log about wildlife they see each day of hunting, including deer, turkeys, bears, fishers, and other species. They’ll also be able to report specific information about any deer they harvest.
Hunters are encouraged to fill out a report after each hunt, even if they don’t see any deer that day. The online questionnaire will be available until Jan. 15, 2025.
MORE COVERAGE FROM MINNESOTA OUTDOOR NEWS:
Trapping season 2024 features new regulations, and a new zone in Minnesota
Dry, unseasonably warm weather hindering things for Minnesota bird hunters
Minnesota’s 2024 Governor’s Deer Hunting Opener to be held in Sandstone
DONATE YOUR DEER HIDES FOR HABITAT THIS SEASON
Grand Rapids, Minn. — Join the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association in transforming your hunt into a legacy of conservation. The MDHA’s Hides for Habitat program has turned more than 1 million donated deer hides into more than $6.2 million for habitat protection and restoration across Minnesota.
This fall, look for MDHA’s signature orange Hides for Habitat signs on collection boxes throughout the state. Your contribution helps MDHA chapters fund local habitat and education projects.
Visit mndeerhunters.com or call 800-450-DEER to find your nearest drop box location.
RED LAKE, LEECH LAKE BANDS RECEIVE WILDLIFE GRANTS
Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is awarding more than $6.4 million to federally recognized Native American and Alaskan tribes to benefit fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. This year’s funding will support 35 tribes for conservation projects across 15 states including Minnesota.
The Tribal Wildlife Grants Program helps fulfill federal trust responsibilities and achieve tribal sovereignty by expanding tribes’ natural resource capacity. Since its inception in 2003, including this year’s grants, the competitive program has awarded more than $124.5 million to Native American and Alaskan tribes, providing support for 697 conservation projects.
Projects approved for Minnesota this year include:
• Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians (within Minnesota) – $199,872 to create 350 acres of early successional forest habitat to support deer population recovery and increase habitat for golden-winged warblers during the breeding season.
• Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe – $199,727 to collect data that will assist in developing a moose-management plan to guide and support future decision making.
MINNESOTA DU KICKS OFF 2025 RAFFLE CALENDAR PROGRAM
Garrison, Minn. — Minnesota Ducks Unlimited now has its Raffle Calendar for sale. The initiative not only supports local critical conservation efforts, but also offers prizes to participants.
The calendar has more prizes than ever before, including a gun giveaway every day, cash prizes, two off-road vehicles, and more.
Tickets for the Raffle Calendar are available now through Minnesota DU volunteers and at local events. For more information about Minnesota DU, its conservation initiatives, or to get information on where to purchase a Raffle Calendar, visit www.duckscalendar.org/ or call (218) 820-0776
DNR URGES SAFETY AROUND COLD WATER
St. Paul — As the leaves fall and the nights grow cooler, water temperatures in lakes and rivers across the state have started dropping as well.
Whether you’re hunting, fishing, or paddling, the Minnesota DNR offers this reminder to anyone still using the water: Your safety is your responsibility. Even for strong swimmers, unexpected falls into the cold water this time of year can turn tragic quickly. Considering there are fewer people on the water to help in the case of an emergency, it is vital people take steps to ensure their own safety.
“If there’s one thing you can do to ensure you make it home safely at the end of your trip, it’s wearing a life jacket,” said Capt. Adam Block, DNR boating law administrator. While more boating-related accidents occur during the busy summer season, a higher percentage of cold-water incidents are fatal.
For more information, visit the Minnesota DNR’s cold water safety webpage.
CLARIFICATION
Plymouth, Minn. — Ron Schara’s Oct. 18, 2024, Outdoor News column said that if Oregon voters pass Petition 13, it would ban all hunting in the state. While there have been repeated attempts to place such an initiative on that state’s fall ballot, they have failed recently.
In 2021, Initiative Petition 13, the “Abuse, Neglect and Assault Exemption Modification and Improvement Act” failed to gather the necessary signatures to appear on the 2022 ballot. This year, a new version, IP3, that would’ve banned hunting, fishing, trapping, and ranching statewide also officially did not qualify for the 2024 ballot.
While there will be no ballot initiative banning sport recreation on the 2024 Oregon ballot, the National Rifle Association reports that another initiative, IP 28, the “People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions,” (aka, PEACE) already has been filed for the 2026 general election. Proponents must collect 117,173 signatures of registered voters before July 2026 for it to make Oregon’s ballot in two years.
