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Nov. 4, 2020
Firearms season opens this Saturday, Nov. 7, a half-hour before sunrise, and we hope you have a safe and enjoyable hunt! Whether you're still getting details in order or just counting down the minutes, check out this issue for some helpful resources.
Make a plan for deer season
A successful hunting season requires planning, this year more than ever. Here are some key things hunters should pay attention to this season:
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Buy your license.
- Get your deer tested for chronic wasting disease if you hunt in designated areas.
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Know the regulations.
- Know how you’ll process your deer.
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Be safe.
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Protect your health and keep others safe.
- Enjoy your hunt!
See the full details and supporting hunter resources at mndnr.gov/deerhunt. Thank you for doing your part to keep Minnesota's deer hunting tradition strong.
DNR maps available for hunters
Deer hunters can access a variety of online maps from the DNR including the interactive deer permit area map that shows area boundaries, and public land locations. Hunters can click on “detail report” to find harvest history, permit area designation, winter severity history and other information.
By clicking “detail map” users can view and download a PDF map of the permit area. On a mobile device, the PDF maps can be used with the Avenza Maps app as a geospatial PDF (GeoPDF). GeoPDFs display a current location like Google Maps, but the user does not need to be connected to the internet or have cell service while using the maps.
Hunters can also find online maps of public land in Minnesota, including the state’s 1.3 million acres of land in wildlife management areas. One way to search for WMAs is using the WMA Finder. Additionally, the DNR provides background maps for GPS units that depict WMA boundaries and parking areas.
For hunters in chronic wasting disease sampling areas, check out the interactive map that includes sampling station and carcass disposal locations.
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We want to see your photos!
Share your deer camp and deer hunting photos with us, so we can share them back with all of you including on social media and in email updates!
You can upload your photos on the DNR website.
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Help out by providing CWD samples in designated areas
The DNR continues its aggressive management of chronic wasting disease by reducing deer densities, implementing feeding and attractant bans to reduce contact between deer, and restricting carcass movement. CWD sampling is voluntary this year to facilitate social distancing required during the COVID-19 pandemic, and hunters in CWD management zones, control zones or surveillance areas are strongly encouraged to drop off the head of deer 1 year of age or older at sampling stations.
Your samples are crucial in helping us understand the prevalence of CWD in these areas and we appreciate your participation. For more details about sampling, visit the CWD webpage.
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Make safety the first priority
Hunters should follow the basic rules of safe firearms handling: Treat every firearm as if it is loaded by keeping your finger off the trigger; always control the muzzle of the firearm; and be sure of the target and what is beyond it.
Tree stand accidents are the leading cause of injury to hunters, so it’s always important to wear a safety harness and follow other safety guidelines when using a stand.
Get hunting questions answered
Hunters can contact the DNR Information Center to get their deer hunting questions answered. Information consultants are available by phone at 888-646-6367 or email at info.dnr@state.mn.us. For immediate information, call instead of emailing, or check the DNR deer hunting page for information. Answers to common hunting questions are also available online.
Information Center business hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
To report a violation in progress, call the Turn In Poachers (TIP) Line at 800-652-9093.
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Register your deer
Deer hunters are required to register every deer they harvest before processing, before antlers are removed and within 48 hours after taking the animal. You can register your deer online, via phone or in person. Information from deer registration is essential to the DNR’s ability to track and manage deer populations. Detailed registration instructions for all methods are available at mndnr.gov/hunting/deer/harvestreg.html
What to do with a collared deer
People in southeastern Minnesota who either harvest a deer or discover a dead deer with a GPS collar on its neck should report it and the collar’s serial number by calling 507-380-1858 or emailing sedeer.dnr@state.mn.us. The report will provide valuable information to DNR researchers. For more information on the study, and information on how to get involved, visit the DNR deer movement study webpage.
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Deer hunters: Share what you see
Deer hunters, an online questionnaire will allow you to report what wildlife you see during your hunts this year. Please consider participating! We’ll compare the observations to DNR population estimates that are a baseline for managing wildlife.
You can enter information about wildlife you see each day of hunting including deer, turkeys, bears, fishers and other species, plus specific information about any deer you harvest, including antler size. Reports are valuable even if you don’t see any deer during a hunt.
Deer harvest map
Curious how many deer have been harvested and from where? Check out our interactive deer harvest map, which has been updated for this year, allowing you to select multiple deer permit areas.
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