CWD suspected in a wild deer in the Bemidji area 

The DNR received preliminary test results indicating the first suspected case of chronic wasting disease in a wild white-tailed deer in the Bemidji area. The adult male was harvested opening weekend of the firearms season about 10 miles south of Bemidji in deer permit area 184.

While preliminary test results strongly indicate a CWD infection, this needs to be confirmed by additional analysis. The final result is expected later this week.

Following this preliminary result, the DNR will make self-service sampling stations available in deer permit area 184. If the preliminary positive is confirmed, the DNR will take additional management actions per the agency’s CWD response plan, which may include late special season hunting and targeted culling.

Information on self-service sampling locations in the Bemidji area will be available on the DNR website or by calling the DNR’s Information Center at 888-646-6367.

Archers do well at Camp Ripley hunt

Archery hunters who participated in the Oct. 28-30 Camp Ripley Hunt near Little Falls had good success. This year, 1,953 participating hunters harvested 221 deer during the three-day hunt, including several large bucks weighing more than 220 pounds. Last year, 1,949 hunters harvested 273 deer during the hunt.

The archery hunt at Camp Ripley is an annual event to manage the deer population. The DNR coordinates the hunts in collaboration with Central Lakes College Natural Resources Program, which sends students pursuing careers in wildlife management to help check deer, and the Department of Military Affairs, which manages the 53,000-acre military reservation. More details are available on the DNR Camp Ripley hunt page.

’Tis the season for white camouflage

Ermine turn white for winter! The ermine, also known as the short-tailed weasel or American stoat, has a dark brown coat with a white underside during summer, but molt to all white with a black-tipped tail during winter. This change in coloration helps them remain sneaky above or beneath the snow.

Ermine are nocturnal carnivores that will eat pretty much anything they can get ahold of — small birds, amphibians, insects and other small mammals. Pound for pound, weasels are one of the most formidable predators, capable of killing animals 10 times their weight, like a snowshoe hare. However, they mostly eat small rodents and can be very helpful at catching mice around your house or farm building. Just be sure to build a weasel-proof chicken coop, as ermine aren’t afraid of diversifying their diet with a nice chicken dinner. Check out the DNR website to learn more about Minnesota’s weasels.

Ermine in its winter coat courtesy of evan_7, iNaturalist.

Register for new webinars  

Winter is right around the corner! If you need some inspiration or fun ideas to get outside and enjoy the brisk air, check out our next series of Minnesota Outdoors Skills and Stewardship webinars! From hunting rabbits to ice fishing to dog sledding, we showcase some great ways to enjoy Minnesota winters during webinars hosted by the DNR. Upcoming webinars are scheduled every Wednesday at noon through the winter.

Upcoming webinars will cover Minnesota state parks, northern pike fishing, rabbit hunting, training a hunting puppy, snowmobiling, sturgeon fishing, camp planning and cooking, ice fishing for trout, shed antler hunting, dog sledding, Minnesota mussels, burbot fishing, bald eagles and fire-starting. The webinars are free and registration is required.