Neighbors,

In a little more than a week, men, women, and children across Minnesota will wake up early and venture out into the crisp fall air for the opening of the firearm deer season. The annual trek into the woods is one of Minnesota’s favorite pastimes. According to the DNR, thanks to a few mild winters and regulation changes, deer population numbers look good; they expect hunters to harvest 200,000 deer this year – far more than the 173,000 that were taken in 2016.

No matter how many years you have hunted, it’s always a good idea to take a moment to review hunting regulations, permit requirements, and boundary designations at the DNR web site: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/deer/index.html

I also wanted to draw your attention to two quick reminders from the Minnesota DNR before you head out this year. Please read below for more details.

Stay safe out there and good luck!

Mike

Chronic Wasting Disease testing required for Southeast Minnesota deer

This year, hunters in southeast Minnesota have a special concern: Chronic Wasting Disease. The DNR wants to remind hunters in portions of southeast Minnesota that mandatory testing will be required for Chronic Wasting Disease.

According to the DNR:

Deer harvested in southeast Minnesota’s permit areas 343, 345, 346, 347, 348 and 349 also are subject to mandatory testing on Nov. 4-5 because they are adjacent to permit area 603, the only area of Minnesota currently known to have CWD-infected wild deer.

Please keep in mind that even if you plan to hunt in other regions of the state, your deer may be subject to mandatory CWD testing.

For more information on how to get your deer tested and other areas where the requirement in place, please read the full DNR news release: http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/2017/10/23/video-explains-mandatory-cwd-testing-in-central-north-central-and-southeast/#more-20128

Please remember to register your deer

Please remember to register any deer you get within 48 hours, before processing and removing the antlers. This important step helps the state manage and track deer populations. There are several ways to register your deer, and the process doesn’t take long.

By phone: 888-706-6367. Have a pen ready to write down your confirmation number.
Online: mndnr.gov/gameregistration
In person: you can take your deer to a big-game registration station. For a full list by city and county, visit mndnr.gov/hunting/deer. Please note the person whose name is on the license must be present.