Opening dates announced for 2005 Minnesota hunting seasons (2005-01-04)
Opening dates for many of the 2005 Minnesota hunting seasons were
announced this week by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The dates are being announced now for the benefit of those who must
establish vacation or hunting plans well in advance. Although these dates
are tentative, pending final approval in June, it is unlikely they will
change.
SMALL GAME Sept. 17 - General small game, including grouse, gray partridge,
rabbits and squirrels
Oct. 15 - Pheasant
Oct. 22 - Prairie chicken opener
April 13 - Spring wild turkey (first season)
Oct. 12 - Fall wild turkey (first season) BIG GAME
Sept. 1 - Bear
Sept. 17 - Deer - archery
Nov. 5 - Deer - firearms
Nov. 26 - Deer - muzzleloader
Oct. 1 - Moose - northeast zone
FURBEARERS
TBA - Fox, raccoon, badger, opossum
Oct. 29 - Mink, muskrat, beaver, otter (North Zone)
Oct. 29 - Mink, muskrat, beaver, otter (South Zone)
Nov. 26 - Fisher, marten, bobcat
MIGRATORY BIRDS
Sept. 3 (tentative) Early Canada goose
Sept. 1. - Mourning doves
TBA - Youth Waterfowl Day
TBA - General duck and goose
Sept. 1 - Rails, snipe
Sept. 24 - Woodcock
March 1-31; July 15-Oct. 15 - Crow
The waterfowl season opener will not be finalized until the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service publishes proposed migratory bird hunting frameworks this
summer.
The DNR will be taking comments on wildlife hunting and trapping seasons
during February and March at meetings across the state. Details and meeting
dates will be announced in late January. Additional details on season
lengths, quotas and bag limits will be announced this summer, after the 2005
seasons are finalized.
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