CWD detected in a wild deer in Grand Rapids, Minnesota

The discovery of a wild white-tailed deer infected with CWD within the city of Grand Rapids is prompting the DNR to update its response plan to better reflect a statewide approach to disease surveillance, management, control and education.

The health of Minnesota’s wild deer herd remains a top priority for DNR, and the department always has looked at CWD as a disease that could impact the entire state yet implemented aggressive disease management actions as needed in each area where CWD was found.

This new discovery doesn’t make CWD a statewide problem, but it does mean we need to take more of a statewide approach.

There now are eight areas spread across Minnesota, from north to south, where CWD has been found in wild or farmed deer. Despite these detections, the disease remains rare in Minnesota. Fewer than 1% of deer have tested positive for CWD in areas where the disease has consistently been detected during the past five years.

We’ll be seeking public input as we explore and implement enhanced efforts at statewide surveillance, information and education.

More details: Learn more about the DNR’s response to CWD

Get your 2 Cents Worth in On Minnesota Deer Hunting

 

Too often, we as outdoorsmen and women wait until after decisions are made - even when our opinion has been solicited - to get in our 2 cents worth.  Minnesota DNR is asking stakeholders to offer their ideas. Find information on the outdoors at Family-Outdoors.

Share your opinions on deer population trends by Feb. 13

Do you have an interest in deer management? Help us shape deer population goals for 28 of Minnesota's 130 deer permit areas by giving your feedback online through Sunday, Feb. 13. We’re looking for your input on deer population trends in the areas where you live, work and recreate. Regardless of your affiliation or interactions with deer, we want your opinions.

More details: Share your thoughts about deer populations

Making Your Property a Deer Destination - Wisconsin

 

Landowners can join DMAP year-round,
but the deadline is March 1 to be eligible for a site visit in 2022.
Photo Credit: iStock/Charlie Dobbs

Deer hunters know that the seasons they hunt are just a part of the picture.  Whether you own property and want to manage it to improve deer and other wildlife habitat, or are spending time year 'round in the woods on public land, learning trails and scouting, deer hunting offers a great way to learn about and conserve our resources.  Wisconsin is offering this program for landowners in this effort. At FAMILY-OUTDOORS, we want to support these efforts as part of the broader goal of getting families and individuals in the outdoors!

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a virtual open house for the public to learn about our Deer Management Assistance Program. 

Join DNR staff and current Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) members via Zoom at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16. Be sure to pre-register to reserve your spot.

DMAP is a cooperative effort between the DNR, landowners and hunters to provide habitat and deer herd management assistance to those interested in managing their property for wildlife. Simply put, DMAP is a partnership for healthy deer, healthy wildlife and healthy habitat.

The DNR’s wildlife and forestry staff assist landowners with management practices that consider the ecological and social impacts that white-tailed deer have on the landscape. In return, DMAP cooperators can choose to share habitat information, collect biological data and participate in DMAP workshops.

This one-on-one relationship encourages communication and cooperation and makes DMAP a flexible and effective deer management program for private and public lands alike.

Since 2014, DMAP has helped Wisconsin landowners manage habitat for deer and other wildlife.

If you enroll 160 acres or more in DMAP by March 1, 2022, you will be eligible for a site visit by a DNR wildlife biologist and forester, as well as a customized management plan tailored to your property goals.

Landowners with properties of any size may enroll in DMAP at any time. And those with less than 160 acres may combine acreage with neighboring landowners to reach the 160-acre requirement and enroll as a DMAP cooperative.

More information regarding DMAP and how to apply is available here.

To receive DMAP email updates and other information, sign up here. Follow the prompts and select the "Deer Management Assistance Program" option, found under Wildlife Management.

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EVENT DETAILS

WHAT: Deer Management Assistance Program Virtual Open House

WHEN:  6-8 p.m. Feb. 16, 2022

WHERE: Join live via Zoom. Pre-register here

Minnesota DNR seeks input on deer population goals

Get insight into deer population goal setting next week during webinars scheduled for the 28 deer permit areas that will have their goals adjusted in 2022.

Affected areas are in portions of the southeast, Arrowhead and north central areas of Minnesota. Webinars are scheduled:

• Monday, Jan. 24, for north central DPAs
• Wednesday, Jan. 26, for northeast DPAs
• Thursday, Jan. 27, for southeast DPAs

People are strongly encouraged to attend the webinar for their DPA before formulating their responses to the online questionnaire on goal setting. At each webinar, the DNR will present additional information about each goal-setting block, seek participant input and answer questions. 

The DNR establishes deer population goals — how much of an increase or decrease is desired in a deer population in a particular DPA — as part of managing the state’s wild deer.

More details: Learn about deer population goal setting

South Dakota: Third Deer Draw - Municipal Archery Drawings Now Open

 

The third draw for South Dakota rifle deer seasons is now open with licenses available for West River Deer and East River Deer units. Paper applications must be submitted by August 6, and online submissions must be made by 8 a.m. CDT, August 11. Residents will be able to apply for any season that they do not already have a license in. Nonresidents can apply for West River Deer if they do not already have a license for that season and do not already posses licenses for two deer seasons. If you are applying via paper application, and you have not already purchased a Habitat Stamp, you must purchase one ($10 resident, $25 nonresident) in addition to your application. Remember, Special Buck licenses count towards a license being held in that season. MUNICIPAL DEER Online applications are also still being taken for limited resident public archery deer hunts in certain areas for the cities of Custer, Rapid City and Sioux Falls.  Applicants must provide a valid email address as email is the only way you will be notified whether you are successful on unsuccessful in drawing a license.  Successful applicants must attend a mandatory hunter briefing meeting prior to hunting. The dates and times of the briefing will be supplied in the email to successful applicants. Visit gfp.sd.gov/pages/municipal-deer/to learn more about requirements, restrictions and hunting zones.

Apply for a Deer License Today

Leftover Deer Licenses

Operation Deer Watch Launches Aug. 1 Wisconsinites Collect Scientific Data To Inform Deer Management

 

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will launch Operation Deer Watch on Aug. 1, allowing citizen scientists around Wisconsin to report deer sightings in their area, which provides crucial data for deer management.

Participation in Operation Deer Watch is simple, requires no registration and can be done using a computer or mobile device. DNR researchers ask participants to report deer sightings, including bucks, does and fawns, between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30 via an easy-to-use online form.

Data collected provides insights into the reproductive status of Wisconsin's deer herd and helps shape deer management for the state.

Many participants carry a printable tally sheet with them in the car to record sightings and then enter their results online later. For safety, participants should only record sightings when their vehicle is stopped, not while driving.

"This is a fun and useful opportunity for everyone to enjoy Wisconsin's plentiful wildlife," said Brian Dhuey, DNR Wildlife Population And Harvest Assessment Specialist. "The DNR encourages everyone interested in deer, from hunters and trappers to outdoor enthusiasts, to take part."

County Deer Advisory Councils also use data from the survey to develop deer season framework, harvest quotas and permit level recommendations.

Learn more about Operation Deer Watch by visiting the DNR webpage here.

Minnesota Deer Notes

Deer hunting season details available

Ready to plan ahead for the fall? Check out the details for the 2021 season in the Minnesota Hunting and Trapping regulations handbook, now available on the DNR website. Printed copies of the handbook will be delivered to hunting license vendors the first week of August.

Hunting licenses go on sale Sunday, Aug. 1. You can buy your license at any DNR license agent, by telephone at 888-665-4236, or online at mndnr.gov/buyalicense.

Archery deer season opens S

Saturday, Sept. 18, and firearms deer season opens Saturday, Nov. 6. Find out more on the deer hunting page.

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Deer bag limit name changes Bag-limit labels have been changed to make the limits clearer: "Lottery" is now "antlerless permit lottery" (one-deer limit) "Hunter choice" is now "either-sex" (one-deer limit) "Managed" is now "two-deer limit" "Intensive" is now "three-deer limit" "Unlimited antlerless" is now "five-deer limit" "Bucks only" remains the same, with the one-deer limit. Areas that were previously under an unlimited antlerless bag limit are now a five-deer limit.

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Early antlerless season expands

The DNR has expanded the early antlerless deer season, Oct. 21-24, to include more deer permit areas in central and southeastern Minnesota. The season increases opportunities for hunters in areas where deer populations are above population goals or where there is an increased risk of chronic wasting disease spreading. Permit areas open during the hunt are 213, 214, 215, 221, 227, 236, 277, 341, 342, 343, 604, 605, 643, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 655 and 701. Early antlerless permits go on sale Aug. 1.

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Check your deer permit area boundary Several deer permit area boundaries in southwest and northeast Minnesota have changed based input from the public, tribal communities and DNR staff. The permit areas affected are: 169, 171, 173, 179, 184, 197, 237, 259, 275, 276, 277, 281, 282, 283 and 295. Changes are depicted on the 2021 Deer Season Area Map and hunters should double-check the boundaries of any permit areas where they plan to hunt, as well as bag limits in those areas. Key CWD changes for the 2021 season Mandatory sampling of deer harvested in chronic wasting disease zones will resume this year during the opening weekends of both firearms A and B seasons. The names of the zones are simplified to three tiers: management zone, control zone and surveillance zone.  The surveillance zone has expanded following detections of the disease in wild and captive deer, adding deer permit areas 110, 184, 197, 233 and 342, and a portion of deer permit area 169. Late chronic wasting disease hunts are scheduled for Dec. 17-19 and Dec. 31-Jan. 2; additional details will be posted on the DNR website closer to hunt dates. Check out the regulations book (PDF) and the webpage for more information. Apply for special youth deer hunts Minnesota has special hunting opportunities for youth deer hunters. There is a limited number of permits for each hunt, with the individual hunts taking place on various dates during the fall in state parks and a national wildlife refuge. Adults must accompany youth during these hunts. Hunters may apply for special youth hunt permits through Friday, Aug. 20. Special youth deer hunts are different from the statewide youth deer season that does not require an application and takes place Oct. 21-24. Deer population goals released Results of the second year of deer population goal-setting are now available online. This year focused on portions of southwest and northeast Minnesota. Thank you to those of you who participated in the virtual engagement options this year! Next year will focus on deer permit areas in the northeast, north-central and southeast portions of the state (noted in green in the map) and will start later this winter. Stay tuned for details of when and how you can provide your input for those areas and check out the deer populations and goals webpage for more information. Webinar: How to get certified in firearms safety Do you know someone who wants to go hunting this fall? Join a chat with DNR conservation officers officers at noon Wednesday, Aug. 4, to discuss Minnesota hunter safety requirements, including how to get certified in firearms safety. The webinar is part of the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series that aims to give participants quick, relevant information on upcoming seasons and events, and skills to help enjoy these opportunities. Registration is free. Feeding ban reminder Feeding and attractant bans are critical in limiting the spread of chronic wasting disease in wild deer. Due to the detection of CWD in Beltrami county, the deer feeding ban is expected to expand to include Beltrami County and neighboring counties this fall. Currently there are deer feeding or attractant bans in the following counties: Aitkin, Carlton, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Olmsted, Pine, Pope, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, Stearns, Steele, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Washington and Winona. Learn more about what you need to do to help our wild deer, and the difference is between feeding and attracting deer, on the deer feeding ban webpage.