News Releases
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Northeastern Minnesota moose count completed (February 12, 2009)
Northeastern Minnesota’s 2008 moose survey estimates a population of 7,600 animals. This is similar to last year’s count, but related factors suggest that the population is continuing to decline.

“The raw survey numbers were similar,” said Mark Lenarz, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wildlife researcher overseeing moose research. “But a historically low calf survival rate, a steadily declining hunter-success ratio, and a higher than normal non-hunting mortality rate all continue to suggest a downward trend in the moose population.”

Minnesota’s 2008 non-hunting mortality moose rate was 17 percent, down 3 percent from the 20 percent average rate reported during the past seven years. Elsewhere in North America, between 8 and 12 percent of moose generally die from causes other than hunting.

Moose remain abundant enough in the state to support a bulls-only hunt for a limited number of Minnesotans. But the percentage of hunters who successfully harvested a bull moose has steadily declined from 61 percent in 2001 to 45 percent in 2008.

Members of the DNR’s moose advisory committee are identifying management practices and research opportunities that may forestall the decline of Minnesota’s moose population. The committee will make recommendations to the DNR later this year.

Aerial moose surveys have been conducted each year since 1960 in the northeast. The Fond du Lac band and 1854 Treaty Authority contributed funding and provided personnel for the survey.

A copy of the aerial survey report and additional information about Minnesota’s moose population is available online.

An elk on a farm north of Rochester — the largest elk farm in the state with about 1,000 head — has been found to have chronic wasting disease.

click here to read full artical :  http://www.startribune.com/local/38331234.html?elr=KArksCCCWiaEyayP4O:DW3ckUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiacyKUUr

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the National Wild Turkey Federation will again team up to offer special hunts for youth who are first-time turkey hunters. And thanks to NWTF volunteers, about 130 more young people – up from 407 last year – will get a shot at one of the 39 mentored events.

But hurry – the application deadline is 4 p.m. on Feb. 23.

All but one of the special hunts will occur April 18-19, the first weekend of the regular wild turkey season. Nearly all of the youth will hunt on private land thanks to the generosity of private landowners.

To be eligible, a youth hunter must be age 12 to 17 on or before April 18, have a valid Firearms Safety Certificate, and be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Any youth who has ever purchased or been selected by lottery for a Minnesota turkey license of any type is ineligible. Hunters and their mentors will be assigned a NWTF volunteer guide, who must accompany both the youth and parent/guardian throughout the entire hunt.

“Mentored hunts are an opportunity for youth to learn from experience,” said Mike Kurre, DNR mentoring program coordinator. “They provide an opportunity for mentors to pass their turkey hunting knowledge onto the next generation.”

Applications for the wild turkey hunt are available online at the DNR Web site: http://mndnr.gov/youthturkey. Participants will be selected through a random lottery. A map of areas open to special youth hunts and a listing of hunts can be viewed and printed online.

To participate as a mentor or volunteer your land for the youth mentored hunts, contact your local NWTF chapter and click “In Your State,” on the left hand side of the page, for the nearest chapter

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A Blackduck man was recently found guilty of major wetlands violations in Itasca County. The violations were part of the Wetland Conservation Act, administered by local counties with support from by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Jeffery R. Swanson, 40, was sentenced last November to pay more than $15,000 in fines and fees, placed on a two-year unsupervised probation and had 180 days in jail stayed for two years.

The case resulted from a 2006 inspection by DNR staff involving more than 90,000 square feet of wetlands that was illegally filled near the Alvwood area of Itasca County. After a series of legal proceedings, Swanson was found guilty of violating a cease-and-desist order and a restoration order.

The Itasca Soil and Water Conservation District, Board of Water and Soil Resources, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Itasca County Attorney’s Officer, and DNR conservation officers were involved with the case.

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officers, deputy sheriffs, police and other law enforcement officers remind citizens that fleeing an officer on foot or in any vehicle, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and snowmobiles, is a felony offense.

Depending on the circumstances of the event and whether there were injuries or deaths, penalties can include significant fines and jail time.

“There is no excuse for not stopping for an officer. Running or driving away can put you and others in danger and compromise public safety,” said Capt. Ken Soring, acting DNR Enforcement chief.

To report snowmobile violations or to request assistance, contact the Minnesota State Patrol for the name and phone number of a conservation officer in your area.

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Minnesota deer hunters harvested nearly 222,000 deer in 2008. This is a decline of 38,000, or about 19 percent, from 2007, but the ninth consecutive year the harvest has exceeded 200,000.

“Bad weather opening weekend, lower deer populations in many permit areas and more lottery areas all had a role in the lower harvest,” said Dennis Simon, wildlife section chief for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “Still, hunters found success and we were able to lower deer populations in some areas.”

Overall, the statewide firearm harvest was down 15 percent from last year. The archery harvest was down 7 percent and the muzzleloader harvest down 25 percent. Firearms hunters harvested 190,100 deer, archery hunters 22,550 and muzzleloader hunters 9,300. Hunters who participated in the early antlerless season, which was expanded to 30 areas in 2008, tagged 5,250 deer.

Despite the decrease from 2007’s harvest total of 260,604 and the lowest total harvest level in five years, 2008 ranked as the eighth-highest Minnesota deer harvest ever recorded.

“The majority of our deer harvest comes during the first weekend of firearms season,” said Lou Cornicelli, DNR big game program coordinator. “When the weather is bad like it was, we never fully make up the difference the next weekend.”

Deer populations in many permit areas also were lower than previous years, which is a direct result of aggressive antlerless deer management.

“In many deer areas, we’ve allowed hunters to take up to five deer each, which by design has likely lowered populations toward our established goals,” Cornicelli said.

Final population estimates will be completed after the winter ends and the DNR will re-evaluate populations relative to established goals. Additional significant winter weather in some parts of Minnesota this year could reduce deer populations in some areas.

“Many hunters will see lower bag limits and, in some cases, placement of their hunting area into lottery designation,” Cornicelli said. “It’s important that hunters pay close attention to the hunting synopsis when it comes out in late July.”

Looking ahead to the 2009 season, the deadline for the either-sex permit application is Thursday, Sept. 3. Archery deer hunting will begin Sept. 19 and the early antlerless deer season will be the weekend of Oct. 10.  The statewide firearms deer hunting season will open on Nov. 7 and the muzzleloader season will open Nov. 28.

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News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The state’s 2008 boating fatality rate was the lowest since the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) started keeping records in 1961. The 12 boating fatalities last year equal 1.38 deaths per 100,000 registered boats.

The DNR attributed the drop in boating deaths to several factors including increased life jacket use, more boaters taking boating safety classes, strong alcohol laws and enforcement, and larger, more stable boats.

“We’re encouraged that water fatality rates continue to fall, but there are still too many people losing their lives,” said Tim Smalley, DNR water safety specialist. “We still have room for improvement.”

Of the 12 fatal watercraft accidents, 11 were single-boat accidents. There were five falls overboard, four boat capsizings, one swamping, and one collision with a submerged object. There was also one fatal collision between two personal watercraft, also called PWCs or water scooters.

“In most cases, we aren’t talking about fiery collisions between high-powered speed boats when it comes to boating deaths,” Smalley said. “They are often one-boat accidents in which the craft capsizes or the victim falls overboard. The victims often have some swimming ability, but they inhale cold water and drown because they aren’t wearing a life jacket.”

Half of the boats involved were non-motorized canoes or paddleboats. Three of the other accidents involved anchored motorboats or boats next to a dock.

Ten of the 12 victims were not wearing a life jacket. Alcohol was a factor in five of the accidents. Cold water was a factor in five of the deaths. All victims were males ranging in age from 14 to 78.

DROWNINGS FIFTH LOWEST

In 2008, there were 33 non-boat related swimming and other drownings in Minnesota, which was the fifth lowest on record. Nineteen drownings occurred in a lake or river, 12 in a pool or tub, and two in a mine pit. Alcohol was a factor in nine drownings. Victim ages ranged from 13 months to 78, with six under the age of 7. Twenty-six victims were male and seven were female.

DNR water safety experts encourage people to wear their life jackets, take a boating course, watch out for other boats, take swimming lessons, and carefully watch their children while near the water.

Water safety information and accident statistics are available on the DNR’s Web site.

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