Minnesota: Families can learn together at DNR’s deer day Aug. 14

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Families who want to learn the basics of deer hunting are invited to attend the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Deer Day program.  Women, men, and youth 10 and older accompanied by a guardian, are welcome to attend this free event. 
Also, people age 16 and older who are taking the online firearms safety course can complete their field day requirement at this event.
The event, hosted by the DNR’s Becoming An Outdoors Family Program, will be from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14, at the Wilkens’ Farm near Mora in Kanabec County. 
Lou Cornicelli, DNR big game program coordinator, will lead off the day with a presentation on white-tailed deer. Afterward, participants will move through a series of hands-on stations where they will learn how to track deer; deer stand placement and safety; and shotgun, rifle, archery and muzzleloader shooting.
Instructors will include DNR wildlife staff, DNR conservation officers, Becoming an Outdoor Family volunteers and members of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association.
“Deer Day is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in learning the basic of deer hunting to get hands-on experience,” said Linda Bylander, Becoming An Outdoors Woman program coordinator.  
Register by contacting Bylander by phone at 218-833-8628 or by email at linda.bylander@state.mn.us. Lunch is included with the program.
A complete list of programs available through the Becoming An Outdoors Woman and Family programs is available online.

Related articles

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Minnesota: August deadlines to apply for this fall’s youth hunts fast approaching

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Youth and their parents need to act quickly to participate in numerous opportunities this fall to venture out in field, forest and wetland on hunts specially designed to spark kids’ interest and involvement in the outdoors.
“We’re on a very short timeline for people to get registered for this fall’s youth hunts,” said Mike Kurre, mentoring program coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “But these are opportunities youth and their parents won’t want to miss.”
Lottery applications for this fall’s special youth deer hunts, many of them at state parks, are due Friday, Aug. 19. Applications for the mentored youth waterfowl hunt are due Monday, Aug. 22. The deadline to apply for the mentored upland bird hunt is Wednesday, Sept. 7.
Information about each of the hunts and participation guidelines are online.
DNR has authorized 12 special youth deer hunts throughout Minnesota. These hunts allow an adult to accompany a youth and assist with planning, scouting and hunting. Adults are not allowed to hunt, or to possess a firearm or bow in the field.
“These hunts, as well as the separate special youth deer season in October, allow adults to focus their attention, knowledge and skills on the youth hunter,” Kurre said. “The best way is to learn by doing, and that’s exactly the opportunity these special youth hunts provide.”
Youth ages 12-15 who want to connect to waterfowl hunting can apply to be one of up to 60 participants in this year’s mentored youth waterfowl hunt on Saturday, Sept. 10. DNR teamed up with Ducks Unlimited, the National Wildlife Refuge System, and the Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club to provide participants with hands-on education and outdoors experience.
Hunts will be conducted at Hamden Slough near Detroit Lakes, Morris Wildlife Production Area near Morris, Sherburne Refuge near St. Cloud, and several locations surrounding the Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club in Prior Lake.
Participants are selected in a lottery. Selected youth and their guardians work with an experienced waterfowl hunter, who does much more than take a youth and a guardian into the field on Youth Waterfowl Day. Before the adventure, mentors take time to discuss the importance and necessity of habitat, as well as explain and demonstrate waterfowl hunting safety, ethics, techniques and skills.
Much like the waterfowl hunt, the mentored upland bird hunt on Saturday, Oct. 22, at locations across Minnesota gives inexperienced youth and women an unparalleled opportunity for hands-on learning about pheasant and grouse habitat, behavior and hunting. DNR partners with Pheasants Forever, Woodcock Minnesota and the Ruffed Grouse Society to provide experienced mentors for participating youth and their guardians.
To participate, youth must be ages 12-17 and possess a valid firearms safety certificate and purchase valid game licenses. Like the mentored waterfowl hunt, a parent or guardian must accompany the youth at all times, and participate in all hunt meetings and activities. Women 18 and older may participate without a guardian provided they have a valid firearms safety certificate or apprentice hunter validation and all appropriate game licenses.
“Each of these opportunities does much more than provide an opportunity to hunt,” Kurre said. “Techniques, skills, safety, ethics, wildlife habitat and animal behavior receive just as much focus, so youth participants and their mentors gain a better understanding and appreciation of the outdoors.”

Michigan: DNR Offers Deer Hunting Workshop for Women Aug. 20

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Aug. 4, 2011
The Department of Natural Resources is offering women an opportunity to learn the skills needed to take part in one of Michigan's favorite hunting traditions with a Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Deer Hunting Workshop. The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Detroit Archers Club.
Both archery and firearms deer seasons will be covered, including:

• deer hunting regulations, rules and deer health; deer hunting equipment and scent control;
• scouting and habitat - where to find deer and places to hunt;
• safety and hunting etiquette in the field; and
• caring for and processing game after the harvest.

The workshop costs $20 per person, including lunch and all materials.
The Detroit Archers Club is located at 5795 Drake Rd. in West Bloomfield. For driving directions and more information about the club, visit www.detroitarchers.com.
For registration forms and information on this and other BOW events, visit www.michigan.gov/bow, email dnr-outdoors-woman@michigan.gov or call 517-241-2225.
BOW is a noncompetitive program for women, in which each individual is encouraged to learn at her own pace. The emphasis is on the enjoyment, fun and camaraderie of outdoor activities, and sharing in the success of one another.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

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NORTH DAKOTA: East River Deer

South Dakota east of the Missouri River comprises the East River Deer area. This is rolling farmland divided by two major river drainages, the James and the Big Sioux. Whitetails abound throughout the area, with mule deer mixed in near the central part of the state.
Nonresidents may apply beginning in early October for unsold licenses.

• Season Dates:
  East River Deer - Nov. 19, 2011 - Dec. 4, 2011 

Deadline - Sept. 2 

East River Deer Application

Ohio: American Electric Power and National Hunting Organizations Provide Opportunity for Disabled Sportsmen

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MCCONNELSVILLE, OH –Outdoor enthusiasts with disabilities will have the opportunity to hunt deer, participate in various field activities, and create lasting memories and friendships this fall during a special deer hunting event for disabled sportsmen according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

The tenth annual AEP Ohio Wheelin’ Sportsmen Ultimate Team-Up special deer hunt will be conducted on October 28 and 29 with the event activities at the Clarence E. Miller Armory while the participants will be hunting on land known as the AEP ReCreation Land near McConnelsville.  The “Ultimate Team-Up” is a program developed by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF).  Participants do not have to be confined to wheelchairs and the event is open to applicants with any type of physically challenging disability. An experienced guide will offer whatever assistance may be needed in the field.  Sponsored by American Electric Power, NWTF Wheelin’ Sportsmen, NWTF Wolf Creek Chapter, and the Ohio Division of Wildlife, this award-winning event will host approximately 40 to 45 hunters.      

To be considered for participation in the event, interested hunters must submit their names and subsequent information no later than September 2.  For registration information, contact Dave Dingey at (740) 962-1205 or Brian Cox at (740) 962-1215.

Hunters in the event must meet necessary Ohio licensing requirements, but do not need to be experienced in deer hunting.  Each hunter will be partnered with an experienced and capable hunting guide, which will make their hunting trip memorable, educational, and, hopefully, successful.

This special hunting event is designed to promote education, good health, character, sportsmanship, recreation, self-esteem, and disability awareness.  Those interested in becoming a sponsor for this event can contact Dave Dingey at (740) 962-1205.

North Dakota: City Archery Hunt Cancelled in Bismarck

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeThe Bismarck Police Department will not issue trespass permits for this fall’s special herd reduction deer and turkey bow seasons within the city limits, due to water still covering a large portion of the hunting zone and associated recovery efforts from this year’s flood.

A special herd reduction season on antlerless deer was scheduled to run in Bismarck from Sept. 2 – Jan. 31, 2012. In addition, up to 25 hunters licensed to bow hunt deer within the city could have received a turkey license to help control a growing population of birds in residential areas.

The city bow hunt is a cooperative effort between the city of Bismarck and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Hunters are required to receive a trespass permit from the Bismarck Police Department before receiving a hunting license from the Game and Fish Department.

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North Dakota: Third Lottery Deer Application Deadline Aug. 10

Deer hunters interested in applying for a first, second, third or fourth license have to submit a third lottery application no later than Aug. 10.

Successful applicants in the first lottery will receive their license in mid-August.

Hunters can apply online, or print out an application, at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov. Paper applications are also available from Game and Fish offices, county auditors and license vendors. Residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply.

After the third lottery drawing, Game and Fish will issue any remaining licenses on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hunters can use additional concurrent season doe licenses during the archery season with a bow; the deer gun season with a bow, rifle, or muzzleloader; or during the muzzleloader season with a muzzleloader. These licenses are for antlerless deer only, and hunters must stay in the unit to which the license is assigned.

In addition, youth deer license hunters ages 14 and 15 may purchase additional concurrent season doe licenses to use during the youth season.

Last year, licenses were sold out in all but three units prior to opening day of deer gun season. Hunters are encouraged to apply early if they have a specific unit in mind.

The regular deer gun season starts at noon Nov. 4 and continues through Nov. 20.