Public comments on deer regulations sought at season input meetings (2005-02-15)

Early antlerless deer seasons, a deer hunting zone realignment and the possible creation of a metro deer hunting zone are among the topics the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will discuss with hunters at this year's annual public input meetings.

Each year, the DNR holds a series of public meetings across the state to gauge hunter opinions about regulations, seasons and other wildlife management issues. Additional topics at this year's meetings will likely include migratory bird hunting and wetland habitat, as well as issues related to bear hunting, small game hunting and trapping.

Those who cannot attend the meetings are urged to e-mail comments to wildlife@dnr.state.mn.us.

"We're giving deer hunters a jump on thinking about these issues before the public meetings," said Lou Cornicelli, DNR big game program coordinator. "We'll outline other issues as information becomes available."

Dates and locations of the meetings will be announced soon.

BIG GAME

EARLY ANTERLESS DEER SEASONS

The DNR is exploring the possibility of holding two-day antlerless only hunts to lower deer populations in permit areas 225, 227, 236 (north metro) and 209, 210, 401, 405, 406 (northwest). For 2005, the hunt dates would be Oct. 15-16. Hunters would need to possess a valid firearms license for the zone, and may purchase up to two early antlerless deer permits ($14 each) for use only in the special antlerless season. Deer taken in the special antlerless season would be in addition to the statewide bag limit of five.

DEER ZONE REALIGNMENT

Zone 4 permit areas north of U.S. Highway 10 would become part of Zone 2 under this proposal. This would create one continuous nine-day season instead of the current split seasons of two and four days. In addition, forested permit areas 205, 211, 214, 283, and 284 in Zone 2 would be moved to Zone 1, creating a 16-day season.

METRO DEER ZONE

To increase hunting opportunity and better manage the deer population in the in the Twin Cities area, the DNR would create a metro deer zone. The firearms season in this zone would extend from the start of the general season to the end of the 3B season (23 consecutive days). Any unfilled firearm license would be valid in the metro zone. There would be no special permit or authorization required to participate. Permit areas 228 and 337 would comprise the new metro zone.

SCOPES ON MUZZLELOADERS

Currently, scopes are prohibited from use on muzzleloaders during the muzzleloader hunting season. DNR is seeking information relative to continuing that ban (except for persons with permits), or allowing all hunters to use a scope during the muzzleloader season.

ALLOW USE OF BOTH ARCHERY AND FIREARMS LICENSE

The proposal would allow hunters to tag deer on both their regular archery and regular firearms licenses, but only one buck would be allowed. Currently, a hunter may purchase both an archery and firearms license, but they may only fill one of those licenses.

REQUIRING A BEAR LICENSE PRIOR TO BAITING

Under this proposal, bait stations would be established and maintained only by licensed hunters, licensed guides, or people operating under the direction of someone with a valid license. This would not preclude someone in northern Minnesota from baiting for a hunter out of the area. However, they would be required to have the hunter's license number in their possession. Any changes would not take effect before the 2006 bear season. Currently, an individual can establish and maintain a bear hunting bait station without purchasing a bear license. The act of baiting may preclude others from establishing bait stations in the same area. Consequently, if the baiter does not buy a license, the area may go unhunted.

BEAR HUNTING BAIT STATIONS

This proposal would limit the number of baits that can be placed by licensed hunters to three. Surveys conducted in 1998 and 2001 indicated bear hunters placed an average of 2.6 and 2.7 baits, respectively. Licensed guides would be limited to three baits per client. Any changes would not take effect before the 2006 bear season.

BEAR HUNTING BAIT STATION SIGNS

Currently, bait station signs must be a minimum of 6-by-10 inches. The proposal would cap the maximum size of a bait station sign at 18 by 24 inches and require that a person's bear license number be listed on the sign. DNR is aware of increasing occurrences of individuals placing large signs and other notifications warning people of bear baits in the area, in apparent attempts to discourage public access. The proposal would prohibit warning or other signs announcing the presence of bear baits. A prohibition of warning signs is currently being enforced on the Chippewa National Forest. Any changes would not take effect before the 2006 bear season.

PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL BEAR LICENSES

Currently, a hunter can have either a quota or a no-quota bear license. The proposal for the 2005 bear season would allow hunters to purchase both license types during the same hunting season. This would likely encourage harvest in the no-quota area, while still allowing a person to apply in their traditional quota area.

WATERFOWL

WATERFOWL MANAGEMENT AND REGULATORY PUBLIC INPUT MEETINGS

In response to concerns expressed by many duck hunters, DNR will be conducting additional public input meetings later this year to discuss waterfowl habitat management and season regulations, and solicit public comments on program direction and changes. Once the meeting locations and schedules are determined, they will be announced through news releases and on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us.

WATERFOWL FEEDING AND RESTING AREAS

Lake Henry, a 360-acre lake in Cleveland township, Le Sueur County, and Thielke Lake, a 350-acre lake in Big Stone County, have been proposed by petition for designation as waterfowl feeding and resting Areas. This designation would prohibit the use of motorized watercraft during the waterfowl hunting season.

MEETING DATES AND LOCATIONS

All public input meetings will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. The meeting in St. Paul will be "open house" style where participants can come at any time during the two hours to discuss issues and offer comments.

Dates and locations of the 2005 hunting and trapping season input meetings are:

March 1 - St. Paul - DNR cafeteria, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul

March 3 - Cambridge - DNR Area Office, 800 Oak Savanna Lane SW

February 28 - Appleton - Appleton National Guard Amory; HWY 7 and 59 to Schleiman Ave., one-half block west to the Armory parking lot

March 3 - Stewartville - Stewartville Sportsmans Club, 3 miles west of Stewartville on Olmsted County Road 6

March 7 - Aitkin - Mille Lacs Energy

March 8 - Two Harbors - Two Harbors High School cafeteria

March 2 - Perham - T-Bone, 805 West Main, Perham

March 3 - Ada - VFW Club, 415 West Main St., Ada

Written comments may be submitted to: wildlife@dnr.state.mn.us. or to: Hunting and Trapping Season Comments, DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4020.

Click Here To Return To The Previous Page