Wisconsin: Bonus antlerless deer tags and state park deer hunting permits available August 20

MADISON – Bonus antlerless deer carcass tags for regular deer management units, and hunting access permits for all state park deer management units go on sale beginning at noon Saturday, August 20. Tags and permits will be sold at the rate of one per person per day, and will continue until sold out or until the hunting season ends.

A list of units and number of tags available is on the DNR website.

The structure of the sale of bonus tags is new for 2011. All units with bonus tags available will go on sale Saturday. In previous years sales have been staggered over the weekend based on whether a deer management unit had an even or odd number.

Tags and permits will be available for purchase through the DNR Online Licensing Center, at DNR licensing sales locations, or by phone toll free at 1 (877) 945-4236.

Deer hunters are encouraged to check the 2011 deer management unit designations map or in the 2011 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulationsbooklet for the units they plan to hunt in this fall.

In 2011, 30 regular deer management units (DMU) will have bonus antlerless carcass tags available. To shoot an antlerless deer in these 30 units hunters must purchase a unit-specific $12 adult resident antlerless deer carcass tag ($5 for 10-11 year olds and $20 for adult nonresident).

Eight regular DMUs are designated as buck only to encourage herd growth. In these eight units some exceptions may apply to qualified members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are home on furlough or leave, Class A and C disabled permit hunters and youth ages 10 through 17 who have an unused statewide antlerless deer carcass tag. For more details, see the 2011 Deer Hunting Regulations booklet.

Every gun and archery deer hunting license will include an antlerless carcass tag valid for units designated as Herd Control or Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). CWD units have unlimited earn-a-buck (EAB) rules.

If hunters are planning to hunt in any of the 12 state parks that require access permits for deer hunting, they should plan accordingly, as many units will sell out quickly. Those interested in hunting these properties should first check the 2011 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations or theHunting Opportunities web page to learn about weapon restrictions and season dates. Some state parks that allow deer hunting may not require access permits, but may have different season dates.

Purchasing a deer hunting license before August 20 can speed up the permit purchasing process, since hunters must obtain a deer hunting license before they can purchase a bonus antlerless tag or state park access permit. Hunters can check for tag or access permit availability on the DNR website. Tag and permit availability are updated regularly. Units with relatively low numbers of available tags can be expected to sell out quickly. Units with a high number of tags available generally last longer or may not sell out.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Dan Hirchert, DNR Wildlife Biologist, (608) 264-6023

Minnesota: Youth hunting the focus of DNR booth at Game Fair

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will showcase youth hunting opportunities at its informational booth during the 30th annual Game Fair.

The outdoor show is Aug. 12-14 and Aug. 19-21 at the Armstrong Kennels Ranch, six miles northwest of Anoka. Show hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays.  

This fall the DNR is offering 12 special youth deer hunts. The DNR is also coordinating several special youth waterfowl and pheasant hunting events. For more information on youth outdoors opportunities, Mike Kurre, Mentoring Program coordinator, will be at the DNR booth on Friday, Aug. 12 from noon to 4 p.m.

The rack of a record-setting, white-tailed eight-point buck taken by poachers in 2009 will be on display at the DNR Turn In Poachers booth from noon to closing each day. 

The DNR booth at Game Fair will be in a tent in Area B along the lakeshore, near the dog trials area.

Outdoor enthusiasts will be able to buy hunting and fishing licenses and pick up informational brochures at the DNR’s booth. DNR staff and conservation officers will be there to answer questions about a variety of topics, including:

• Fall youth hunting opportunities.
•  Hunting rules and regulations.
• 2011 fall waterfowl season.
• Hunter education courses.
• Hunting and fishing licenses.
• Becoming an Outdoors Woman program.

Game Fair has more than 300 exhibitors, plus hunting, shooting and dog exhibitions that are expected to draw more than 50,000 people during this year’s run.

Indiana: Venison workshops held throughout the state in September

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Indiana DNR's Division of Fish & Wildlife is partnering with the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service in sponsoring venison workshops in September. 

A deer will be skinned, butchered, and prepared in a variety of ways to taste, during each workshop. Food safety and handling procedures, as well as an update on deer health issues will be presented.   

Dates and locations are listed below. Register by calling the appropriate phone number.

- Sept. 6 - Fayette County Fairgrounds, Connersville, (765) 825-8502
- Sept. 7 - Howard County Fairgrounds, Greentown, (765) 456-2313
- Sept. 8 - Kosciusko County Fairgrounds, Warsaw, (574) 372-2340
- Sept. 10 - Bass Pro Shops, Clarksville, (812) 218-5500
- Sept. 17 - Fort Harrison State Park, Indianapolis - register online at www.hoosieroutdoorexperience.in.gov

The workshops at Bass Pro Shops on Sept. 10 and at the Hoosier Outdoor Experience on Sept. 17 are free of charge. Adult admission is $15 and children are free of charge at the other three locations.

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

• Minnesota Deer licenses on sale Aug. 1; regulation changes announced (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

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.

Related articles

• Michigan Lady Hunters: DNR Offers Shooting, Archery and Hunting Workshops for Women in August (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Michigan: Results of Elk Drawing Posted on DNR Website (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Michigan - New Law Creates Mentored Hunting for Youth for 2012 Season (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Michigan Deer Hunting News: Natural Resources Commission Votes to Lift Deer Baiting Ban (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Michigan: DNR Seeks Public Input on Plan to Increase Hunting Access, Opportunity (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Michigan Hunters: Bear License Drawing Results Posted; Leftover Licenses on Sale in July (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Michigan Hunters: Fall Turkey Applications on Sale Today Through Aug. 1 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
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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