Minnesota fish and wildlife

Two state agencies are connecting cattle farmers in need of additional forage to wildlife managers needing to manage habitat.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture have joined forces to update and improve information about haying and grazing opportunities on DNR lands. Research over the last two decades shows that grassland wildlife and pollinators respond positively to well-managed haying and grazing.

For many years, the DNR has used its conservation grazing and haying program to manage grasslands for the benefit of wildlife. This also produces forage from DNR managed lands, such as wildlife management areas, for cattle farmers.

COVID-19-related disruptions at meat packing facilities have caused farmers to hold on to cattle longer than normal. As a result, some farmers have larger herds and are running out of feed. These changes put additional pressure on an already low statewide forage stockpile. Find the news release announcing these changes on the DNR website.

A study details the attitudes of Minnesota residents, livestock producers and deer hunters toward wolves and wolf management.

The DNR conducted the study in partnership with the University of Minnesota through the Minnesota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, to support the DNR’s update to the state’s wolf management plan.

Results of the survey will help in understanding how people and different groups think about wolves and wolf management. While there may not be agreement on all aspects of wolf management, there is strong support from Minnesotans in maintaining a wolf population.

Feeding restrictions are in place in certain areas. These updates took effect July 1.

The restrictions require food to be kept out of reach of deer. Restrictions started July 1 in Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Rice, Scott and Washington counties. These counties were added to deer feeding and attractant bans that were already in effect in other counties affected by chronic wasting disease.

Keeping food that attracts deer out of reach can help prevent close contact between deer that can transmit chronic wasting disease.

Is your yard or campsite attractive to bears?

Bears rely on small, scattered patches of natural foods: specific types of young green vegetation in spring, certain species of ants and ant pupae in June, berries in summer, and nuts in fall. If bears can get concentrated, high-calorie, easily accessible foods around people’s homes and campsites, they are enticed away from their natural food sources.

Don’t condition bears to associate your home or campsite with an easy meal by leaving out unsecured garbage, birdseed or pet food. Learn more about how to reduce property damage, and the chance of human-bear conflicts, on the DNR website.

The DNR has set new deer population goals that reflect Minnesotans’ diverse perspectives about deer.

The DNR sets deer population goals – how much of an increase or decrease is desired in a deer population in a particular deer permit area – as part of managing the state’s wild deer herd.

There are new goals for 36 of the state’s 130 deer permit areas, generally those located in northwestern and western Minnesota. The goals set in 2020 provide the framework for annual decisions on deer season regulations and are intended to be in effect for the next 10 years, with a midpoint review at five years.

The DNR gathered information and feedback from over 700 online survey respondents, online comments, and conversations with area wildlife managers. People also participated in a new workshop format to facilitate eight small group discussions to both scope issues and create recommendations.

Hunters don’t need to apply to lottery this year.

Hunters who want to participate in the archery deer hunts at Camp Ripley near Little Falls will be able to purchase permits without entering their names in a lottery. Hunt permits will go on sale starting at noon on Friday, Aug. 28. The dates for this year’s event at Camp Ripley are Oct. 15-16 and Oct. 31-Nov. 1.

For 2020, the DNR has changed the process and timeline to apply to the hunts due to the ongoing uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not having a lottery allows the hunt to be quickly canceled in the event such a decision would be necessary. In August, hunters will be able to find hunt rules and details about how to participate in the hunt.

Recent law changes have simplified beaver management in Minnesota.

During spring beavers become more active, and the DNR reminds landowners, renters and land managers that removal of a beaver dam causing damage no longer requires a permit if the course, current or cross-section of the waterway is not changed.

If removal of a beaver dam changes the waterway, a public waters work permit from a DNR hydrologist is still required.

Beavers causing damage on private property may be removed without a permit by landowners, renters or an authorized agent. Government entities and road authorities only need a permit to remove beavers if the removal occurs two weeks before or after the beaver trapping season or within the season if removal is done by an unlicensed trapper. Additional requirements and more information are available on the DNR website.

A wild deer in Dakota County was confirmed positive for chronic wasting disease.

The deer, an adult male, was reported by a local resident near Farmington as displaying neurological symptoms and was tested as part of the DNR’s risk-based disease surveillance program.

It is the first detection of the fatal neurological disease in a wild deer in this county, and this deer was found nearly 100 miles from the state’s primary CWD area near Preston, Minnesota.

For more information on chronic wasting disease, including maps of CWD surveillance areas, frequently asked questions and hunter information, visit mndnr.gov/cwd.