Minnesota Hunting – July 2015
Apply for mentored youth waterfowl hunts by Aug. 10
Youth ages 12 to 15 can apply for the chance to hunt waterfowl under the guidance of experienced mentors on Minnesota Youth Waterfowl Day, Saturday, Sept. 12.
Ducks Unlimited, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club and the DNR have teamed up to offer the hunts, which will take place in six areas:
- Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge near Detroit Lakes;
- Southern Twin Cities metro area locations;
- Morris Wildlife Production Area near Morris;
- Sherburn County private land between Fairmont and Windom;
- Private land in Fergus Falls; and
- Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge near Zimmerman.
The application deadline is Monday, Aug. 10. Names will be drawn in a lottery, with preference given to novice hunters. Applicants will be notified within two weeks of the hunt. Successful applicants must attend an orientation on Friday, Sept. 11. More information and an application form can be found at www.mndnr.gov/discover by clicking on mentored youth waterfowl hunt.
Apply by Aug. 14 for youth deer hunts at state parks and refuges
Minnesota youth have from now until Friday, Aug. 14, to apply for one of 18 special deer hunts in October and November.
Of the 18 special hunts, 16 are firearms hunts for youth ages 12 to 15, and two are archery hunts for youth ages 12 to 17. For hunt and orientation dates, and for more information on these hunts and more, visit www.mndnr.gov/discover and click on youth deer hunts.
In addition to the 18 application-only hunts in state parks and refuge areas, any youth ages 10 to 15 can also participate in the youth deer season that runs from Thursday, Oct. 15, through Sunday, Oct. 18, in 27 permit areas that encompass portions of southeastern and northwestern Minnesota and portions of the Twin Cities metro area.
Sign up now for a hunter safety course
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that it is never too early to sign up for a hunter safety course. In general, anyone born after Dec. 31, 1979, needs a firearms certificate to hunt game with a firearm in Minnesota. Classes are offered in a traditional classroom setting or online.
Field days are limited and hunter safety classes fill up fast. Find a class by visitingwww.mndnr.gov/safety/firearms/index.html, or by calling 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367.
DNR accepting applications for 2015 Camp Ripley archery hunts
Hunters can apply now for the 2015 regular archery deer hunts at Camp Ripley near Little Falls. The application deadline is Friday, Aug. 14.
Hunters may pick from only one of two hunting seasons: Oct. 15-16 (Thursday and Friday, code 668) or Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 (Saturday and Sunday, code 669).
Hunters may choose from four options to apply for the Camp Ripley archery hunts:
- Through any of 1,500 electronic licensing agents located throughout Minnesota.
- By telephone at 888-665-4236.
- Through the DNR’s online licensing site, www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses.
- At the DNR license center, 500 Lafayette Road in St. Paul.
A total of 4,000 permits, with 2,000 per two-day hunt, will be made available. Successful applicants must buy a valid archery license before the beginning of shooting hours the day of their hunt to participate. The bag limit for this year’s hunt is one, and bonus permits may be used to take antlerless deer. Hunt rules and instructions are posted on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources deer hunting Web page at www.mndnr.gov/hunting/deer.