In This Issue
Public invited to comment about plan progress, attend webinar
Minnesota’s management of white-tailed deer populations shows numerous accomplishments, and work that remains before some goals and metrics are met, according to a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources midpoint review of the statewide deer plan.
The plan is in effect from 2018-2028. The midpoint review assesses progress toward goals, objectives and strategies put forth in the 10-year plan, and includes 15 performance metrics and associated targets. The midpoint review is available for the public to review, and the DNR scheduled a webinar on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 6-8 p.m. for people to hear more and comment about the midpoint review and the deer plan. The documents and a link to the webinar are available on Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/deerplan).
“This is a good opportunity to assess our progress toward the eight goals in the deer plan, identify what is going well and where more work is needed,” said Barb Keller, big game program leader. “This midpoint is also a great time to decide what work we should focus on over the next phase of the plan implementation.”
Among the achievements identified in the review, the Minnesota DNR revised deer population goals in all deer permit areas through a four-year process, expanded the youth deer season statewide, established a public deer advisory committee, sampled more than 70,000 deer for chronic wasting disease, acquired 28,000 acres of public land dedicated to hunting and managed a total of nearly 370,000 acres of public land to benefit deer habitat.
Metrics not yet met include having deer populations in 75% of deer permit areas within deer population goal range, achieving an annual target of 200,000 deer harvested each season, communicating about the deer hunting regulations significantly earlier in the year, and eliminating core areas of disease in the wild deer population.
The midpoint assessment document also includes a list of emerging considerations since the plan was adopted in 2018. Among them are public concerns about wolf and deer numbers, the growth of the footprint of CWD in the state, technological advances in hunting equipment, plans for a new electronic licensing system, increased hunter selectivity in what deer they harvest and the long-term decline in deer hunter participation.
“As we consider what’s accomplished so far, we are hoping people will review our recommendations for the next phase of the plan and share their thoughts on how they think the midpoint assessment has characterized deer management since 2018,” Keller said. “Importantly, the plan also contains a look at what’s changed in deer management since the plan was adopted, and we will need public awareness and participation on those issues as well.”
To learn more about the midpoint assessment and send comments online, visit the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/deerplan). Public comments may be submitted online, emailed to [email protected] or sent by mail to Minnesota DNR/Barb Keller, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN, 55155.
About the deer management plan
The statewide deer plan released in 2018 set goals and priorities, increased formal opportunities for citizens to influence deer decisions, and aims for a deer population without core areas of disease. The plan’s eight broad goals cover topics ranging from research, to keeping Minnesota’s deer populations healthy to how the DNR and the public work together on deer management.
The plan reflected a two-year planning effort that involved statewide meetings and hundreds of in-depth conversations with citizens and stakeholders. It included input from a 19-member citizen advisory committee, dozens of public input meetings and open houses, more than 1,100 submitted comments and letters from tribal governments, hunting organizations and others.
The deer plan and the mid-point assessment of the plan are available on the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/deerplan)
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A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife and habitat management.
Apply for turkey permits in ‘A’ season for Carlos Avery or Whitewater WMAs
by Feb. 21
Turkey hunters have through Friday, Feb. 21, to apply for turkey hunting permits for the A spring hunting season in Carlos Avery or Whitewater wildlife management areas. There will be 30 permits available for Carlos Avery WMA and 150 permits for Whitewater WMA.
In addition to a turkey license, a permit is required for those hoping to bag a tom turkey with a firearm in one of these WMAs during the A season. Turkey firearm permits for these WMAs are distributed via a lottery system for the A season. While a license is required for all seasons, hunters do not need a permit to hunt Carlos Avery or Whitewater WMAs during the B, C, D, E or F seasons. In addition, this year a permit will no longer be required for firearms hunters during any season to hunt Mille Lacs WMA, but a license is still required.
Turkey licenses will go on sale in early March for several hunting seasons from mid-April to the end of May, with the A season kicking off on Wednesday, April 16. Crossbows will be allowed by all hunters with an archery turkey license. Turkey hunting season dates and details for 2025 are available on the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/hunting/turkey).
Minnesota DNR webinars focus on red-headed woodpeckers, ice fishing with tip-ups
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites people interested in wildlife and outdoor skills to check out the winter program schedule for the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship webinar series.
On Wednesday, Jan. 8, Dr. Elena West from the Minnesota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Minnesota will share information on the Red-headed Woodpecker Research and Recovery Project. Red-headed woodpeckers are in decline in Minnesota and throughout their range. Learn about the collaborative work between volunteers, staff, educators, and partner organizations that is central to the research and recovery project.
Then, on Wednesday, Jan. 15, Scott Mackenthun, DNR area fisheries supervisor in Hutchinson, will talk about ice fishing with tips-ups, including what species can be caught, where to set up, what type of bait is used, new regulations to be aware of, and tips to improve your catch rate. Tip-up fishing involves a device that holds the bait at a set depth and then flags when a fish takes the bait.
The Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series webinars are free and offered year-round, though registration is required. Visit the Outdoor Skills and Stewardship webpage of the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/discover) for the registration portal, more information about upcoming webinars and recordings of past webinars.
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 For the first time, the Minnesota state park vehicle permit sticker and collectable mug features George H. Crosby Manitou State Park in northeast Minnesota. The park also celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2025.
George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is located near Silver Bay, Minn., near the shore of Lake Superior. Known for its challenging backcountry hiking trails, the park features dramatic terrain, including steep ridges, cascading waterfalls along the Manitou River, and dense forests of mature yellow birch, cedar, and maples. Visitors can explore scenic overlooks and enjoy peaceful, remote campsites accessible only by foot. With its diverse ecosystems and serene atmosphere, the park offers a true escape into nature.
“The 70th anniversary of George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is the perfect time to celebrate the natural beauty of this north shore gem,” explained Parks and Trails Director Ann Pierce. “Although the waterfalls of the north shore are beloved by visitors, this is only the third time waterfalls have been featured on the state park vehicle permit and collectable mug; the others were Gooseberry Falls in 2015 and the Cascade River waterfall in 2007. In addition, this is the first time a backpack-only park has been featured on the permit and mug.”
The year-round permit, which is applied to a vehicle windshield, is valid for all 73 state parks and recreation areas in Minnesota. The permit costs $35 and is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. Permits can be purchased online at mndnr.gov/permit, or in person at state park ranger stations during open office hours. Visitors should check individual park websites (mndnr.gov/park-list) for office hours.
Since 1986, the DNR has offered a collectible mug that matches the state park vehicle permit sticker. The handmade mugs are produced by Minnesota-based Deneen Pottery. Mugs can be purchased at state park nature stores, or at the online nature store (mndnr.gov/naturestore). Nature store locations in state parks can be found on the state park nature store map (mndnr.gov/state_parks/nature_stores.html).
Revenue from permit fees is used to pay for operational expenses in state parks and recreation areas, such as cleaning and maintenance of facilities and amenities, utilities and supplies.
People wishing to visit George H. Crosby Manitou State Park can find more information and maps on the park’s website (mndnr.gov/crosby), including visitor alerts and seasonal updates. Given the limited cell service available in the park, visitors are encouraged to download the Avenza maps app and the George H. Crosby Manitou State Park map before arriving at the park. The app and all DNR maps are free. Learn more about geoPDF maps on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/geoPDF).
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 The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources State Forest Nursery is seeking individuals to collect black spruce and jack pine cones this winter. These seeds are vital for reforesting thousands of acres each year, but the number of collectors has declined in recent seasons—creating a need for new participants.
In addition to helping sustain Minnesota’s forests, cone collectors will receive payment for high-quality cones. Currently, a bushel (about nine gallons) of healthy, viable black spruce cones fetches $100 and jack pine cones are worth $30 per bushel.
“With growing interest in reforestation, this is an exciting time to get involved and help strengthen Minnesota’s woodlands,” said Nicole Schafer, DNR’s seed and cone consultant. “Each cone collected directly supports the future of our forests.”
Black spruce typically grows in northern lowland bogs and wetlands, while jack pine is found in sandy, well-drained soils in northern and central parts of the state. Seed collectors should make sure they identify the right species before collecting.
Drop-off stations accepting jack pine and black spruce cones include Baudette, Bemidji, Cloquet, Deer River, Hibbing, Littlefork, Orr, Tower, Two Harbors, Warroad, and the State Forest Nursery near Akeley. Before collecting, visit the DNR’s nursery collection webpage (mndnr.gov/forestry/nursery/collection-map.html) for DNR Forestry area office contacts and give them a call to see if that area is still collecting cones. The area office can also provide instructions on proper collection and labeling.
Cones must be ripe, closed, and free of stems and debris. The DNR collects seeds and cones from more than 20 native tree species throughout the year, with each ripening at different times. Be sure to check the website or call the local forestry office to confirm collection details. Currently, the collection window for black spruce and jack pine seeds is from now through the end of February. Nonnative trees like Colorado blue, Black Hills, or Norway spruce cones are not accepted. For contact information, seed collection tips, and more, visit the DNR’s seed and cone collection webpage (mndnr.gov/seedcone).
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has published the Groundwater Atlas of Dodge County. It covers groundwater flow, groundwater chemistry and the pollution sensitivity of aquifers, expanding on the geologic atlas previously produced by the Minnesota Geological Survey.
Eastern portions of Dodge County feature a distinctive type of terrain called karst, which allows for rapid water movement between the surface and underlying aquifers and increases the risk of groundwater contamination from any surface pollutants. Elsewhere in the county, thick layers of glacial deposits and bedrock help protect the underlying aquifers.
Groundwater atlas content can help people assess pollution sensitivity, identify viable water sources, evaluate supply, understand recharge sources and flow, manage groundwater sustainability, guide well and septic system construction decisions and provide wellhead protection for public water supplies.
The atlas is available:
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Online: The report (files.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/groundwater_section/mapping/cga/c50_dodge/dodg-report.pdf) is provided in PDF format. Oversized PDFs of the water chemistry and hydrogeologic cross section maps are also offered. Geographic information system (GIS) files, including the associated metadata and an ArcMap file, can be downloaded for use.
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In print: Copies can be purchased online (dnr.oceangrafix.com/shop/minnesota/p/dodge-c50-groundwater-atlas) from OceanGrafix (877-562-4278).
Dodge County and the DNR will hold a public workshop covering the atlas findings and providing instruction using its contents from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22 at the Government Service Building in Mantorville. Contact Melissa DeVetter, Dodge County Environmental Services project manager, at [email protected] or 507-635-6253 to register or learn more.
More information, including a status map of published and planned atlases, is available on the County Groundwater Atlas Program web page. (mndnr.gov/waters/groundwater_section/mapping)
Partial funding for the groundwater atlas project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund and the Clean Water Fund.
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