Compiled by Sam Cook
scook@duluthnews.com
Minnesota hunters registered 111,000 deer through last weekend, the final weekend of Minnesota’s 16-day firearms deer season. That total was down 31,000, or 22 percent, from the same period in 2013, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
In Northeastern Minnesota (Series 100 permit areas), preliminary figures showed the firearms harvest at 29,000, down 41 percent from 49,000 in 2013, said Leslie McInenly, DNR big game program leader.
So far this year during special hunts and the archery, early antlerless and firearms seasons, hunters have taken 127,000 deer, down from the 2013 harvest total of 160,000 by the same date.
This year’s lower harvest is by design, DNR wildlife officials say, because regulations were implemented to place more deer - particularly does - off-limits to increase Minnesota’s deer population.
Additional deer will be taken during the muzzleloader season, which began Saturday and continues through Dec. 14. The archery season runs through Dec. 31.
Pheasant Summit set for Dec. 13
There’s still time to register for the first Minnesota Pheasant Summit, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Gov. Mark Dayton is inviting Minnesotans to register for the summit, which takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall. To sign up, go to dnr.state.mn.us/
pheasantsummit/index.html.
The summit is free and open to all Minnesotans. It will focus on why the pheasant population has declined in the state, and possible collaborative efforts to improve pheasant habitat statewide.
Discuss lake trout limits on Lake Superior
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources invites anglers, commercial fishers and interested citizens to attend a public meeting on Monday at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center near Ashland to discuss Lake Superior fisheries management plans. Among the topics to be discussed is the lake trout harvest outlook for 2015.
For the 2015 season, the DNR anticipates reduced limits that will affect commercial, recreational and tribal anglers. A temporary rule will be proposed to cover the season for commercial and recreational anglers.
The meeting will be from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, 29270 County Highway G near Ashland. Citizens also may provide feedback by mailing Terry L. Margenau, Lake Superior fisheries supervisor, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 589, 141 S. Third St., Bayfield, WI 54814; or emailing
terry.margenau@wisconsin.gov
.
Apply soon for Wisconsin turkey, bear permits
Wild turkey and black bear hunters in Wisconsin have until the close of business on Dec. 10 to apply for available permits for 2015 hunting seasons. For application information, go to dnr.wi.gov.
