Iowa Upcoming Reserved Hunt Opportunities

Beginning July 1, hunters can apply for the following reserved hunt opportunities: Dove, Military/Refuge Deer Firearm & Archery, State Park Deer Reduction, and Pheasant Draw hunts. Go towww.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/5834.htm to get specific details about each hunt. 

The Pheasant draw hunts are at Game Bird Habitat Areas in Benton, Newton and White counties. These areas were purchased or leased with funds from the Game Bird Habitat Stamp that is required when hunting pheasant, quail, dove, wild turkey, and ruffed grouse. The game bird habitat stamp is included in the resident youth hunt/trap license and the comprehensive lifetime hunting licenses.

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North Dakota: 2012 Season Opening Dates, Calendar of Events

January 2012

8: ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian partridge, male pheasant, and tree squirrel seasons close

February 2012

15: spring turkey application deadline

March 2012

10: spring crow season opens
28: moose, elk and bighorn sheep application deadline

April 2012

1: 2012-13 fishing license required
14: spring turkey season opens (tentative)

June 2012

2: free fishing day
3: free fishing day
6: deer gun and muzzleloader application deadline

July 2012

5: fall turkey application deadline

August 2012

11: fall crow season opens (tentative)
15: swan application deadline
31: deer bow, mountain lion seasons open (tentative)

September 2012

1: dove season opens (tentative)
8: sharptail, partridge, ruffed grouse and squirrel seasons open (tentative)
14: youth deer opens
15: youth waterfowl and sandhill crane seasons open (tentative)
22: early resident waterfowl season opens (tentative)
29: regular waterfowl season opens (tentative)

October 2012

6: youth pheasant season opens (tentative)
13: pheasant and turkey seasons open (tentative)
27: mink, muskrat and weasel trapping seasons open (tentative)

November 2012

9: deer gun season opens (tentative)
30: muzzleloader deer season opens (tentative)

December 2012

1: darkhouse spearfishing season opens (tentative)

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• ND Tentative 2012 Season Opening Dates (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Ohio's Statewide Muzzleloader Season Opens January 7-10 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Final Iowa Deer Season Begins Jan. 11 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Conservation Commission sets 2012 deer, turkey regulations (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
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North DakotaLate-Season Hunting Opportunities End Soon

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Late-season hunters still have time to get out in the field and enjoy North Dakota’s deer, waterfowl, upland game, turkey, small game and furbearer opportunities.

The season for Canada geese closes Dec. 22, except for the Missouri River Zone, which closes Dec. 30. The Missouri River Zone was created in 2008 to provide additional late season Canada goose hunting opportunities without reducing harvest in areas where crop depredation by Canada geese is a problem. Following the close of the regular Canada goose season, more than 95 percent of Canada geese in the state are within the Missouri River Zone, which has little Canada goose depredation within its boundaries.

Light goose hunting also closes statewide Dec. 30.

High plains duck hunting runs Dec. 10 through Jan. 1, 2012.

Archery deer, fall turkey, sharp-tailed and ruffed grouse, partridge, pheasant and tree squirrel hunting seasons continue through Jan. 8, 2012.

Bobcat, mink and weasel hunting and trapping are open through March 11, 2012. The mountain lion season in zone 2 is open through March 31, 2012.

Muskrat hunting and trapping close May 6, 2012, with trapping restrictions beginning March 12.

Fox, coyote, raccoon, badger and beaver hunting and trapping are open year-round.

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Minnesota Hunters: Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge Closed to Wildfire Activity

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Due to the current wildfire activity, approximately 1,300 acres in the southwest corner of the Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge, (see map), will be closed to all entry and hunting from November 4th, 2011 through the close of the ruffed-grouse season on January 1st, 2012.

The closed area will be marked with signs. For more information stop at, or call the Agassiz Refuge Headquarters. Office hours are 7:30 am - 4:00 pm on weekdays. Phone: 218-449-4115.  You can also visit our website athttp://www.fws.gov/midwest/agassiz/.

Along with firefighters and equipment actively working within the closed area, burning duff and peat has weakened the root system of many trees posing potential hazards.

Your safety as well as that of our firefighters is our top priority. We appreciate your cooperation.
Specific information on the Silo Unit Fire can now be found on http://InciWeb.org.

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Minnesota: Hunting barriers keep falling; opportunities keep rising

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Hunting in Minnesota has never been easier.

Yes, it’s more work than clicking the remote to bring a television to life. But thanks to technology and other changes it’s never been easier to find places to hunt, purchase a license, or introduce someone new to the sport.

“If you’ve got a phone, you can buy a license,” said C.B. Bylander, outreach section chief for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “If you’ve got a computer, you can download hundreds of great hunting maps and aerial photos. And if you’ve got the time, Minnesota has abundant grouse, deer, and other game populations that provide memories for a lifetime.”

Bylander said introducing someone new to hunting is easier these days too, thanks to the apprentice hunter validation provision. This option allows an individual who would normally be required to have a firearms safety certificate (but does not have one) to try hunting for two years under the supervision of a licensed hunter. Cost of the validation is $3.50, plus the purchase of the necessary hunting license.

“This a great option for friends and family members who have not taken or completed their firearms safety training,” said Bylander. “They can experience a hunt this fall; they can do it in a safe setting with a person they trust.”

Bylander said the DNR has taken other steps in the past decade to make hunting easier and more family friendly. The cost of youth licenses have been cut in half or are free, depending upon age. The draw weight for taking big game by archery has been reduced from 40 to 30 pounds to better accommodate youth, women and older adults. Youth age 17 and younger can now purchase a turkey license without having to participate in the lottery.

Bylander suggests those looking for information on how or where to hunt visit the following website locations:

• General hunting information: mndnr.gov/hunting.
• Find public hunting lands: mndnr.gov/hunting/tips.
• Walk-In-Access areas: mndnr.gov/walkin.
• Hunting opportunities for youth: nssf.org/Minnesota.
• Ruffed Grouse hunting opportunities: mndnr.gov/grouse.
• Apprentice Hunter Validation: mndnr.gov/safety/apprentice.
• Purchase a hunting license: mndnr.gov/buyalicense.

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