In This Issue
A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife and habitat management.
Teach a kid to hunt small game during Take a Kid Hunting Weekend
Getting youth outdoors in pursuit of squirrels, rabbits and other small game is the focus of Take a Kid Hunting Weekend on Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Sept. 21. During the weekend, adult Minnesota residents accompanied by a youth younger than age 16 may hunt small game without a license, although they must comply with open seasons, limits and other regulations.
Hunting small game is a great way to introduce kids to hunting. Kids learn how to tell where wildlife have been, how to properly and safely handle firearms and how to access hunting land.
Anyone who wants to learn how to hunt can find helpful how-to guides on the Minnesota DNR learn to hunt webpage (mndnr.gov/gohunting) and watch a recorded webinar about how to get started small game hunting (youtube.com/watch?v=Y-GP0ASgC0w). Small game hunting season details are available at the Minnesota DNR small game hunting webpage (mndnr.gov/hunting/smallgame) and hunting regulations are available on the Minnesota DNR hunting and trapping regulations webpage (mndnr.gov/regulations/hunting).
Deer hunters invited to share wildlife observations
Minnesota deer hunters can use an online field log (mndnr.gov/mammals/deer/management/hunter-field-log.html) to report wildlife they see while hunting. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources uses the information to supplement its model-generated population estimates, which are important tools for managing wildlife.
Using a mobile device or desktop computer, deer hunters can enter information on the DNR website about wildlife they see while in the field, including deer, turkey, bear, fisher and other species. Hunters are encouraged to fill out a field log after each hunt. The field log will remain open through the end of 2025.
More information on the field log is available on the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/mammals/deer/management/hunter-field-log.html).
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 The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of the invasive algae starry stonewort in Benedict Lake, near the town of Benedict in Hubbard County.
A Cass County aquatic invasive species technician contacted the DNR after finding starry stonewort near the Benedict Lake public water access. DNR aquatic invasive species specialists confirmed starry stonewort in the public access area and will work with local entities to assess potential management options.
Starry stonewort is usually identified by the star-shaped white bulb-like structures on the plant for which it is named. These bulbils typically become visible in late summer. People can find more information about how to identify starry stonewort on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/invasives/aquaticplants/starrystonewort).
Since it was first found in Minnesota in 2015, starry stonewort has been confirmed in 37 waterbodies in the state. Starry stonewort can form dense mats, which can interfere with recreational uses of a lake and compete with native plants. The algae primarily spreads when fragments have not been properly cleaned from water-related equipment.
Starry stonewort has never been eradicated from any U.S. lake or river, but treatment or careful removal from waterbodies can help reduce the risk of spread and relieve associated nuisance impacts. Early detection is key to effective management.
Whether or not a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law requires people to:
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Clean watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
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Drain all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.
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Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.
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Never release bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.
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Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days before moving them from one waterbody to another.
These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species:
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Decontaminate watercraft and equipment – find free stations on the courtesy decontamination page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/decon).
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Spray watercraft and equipment with high-pressure water or rinse with water if high-pressure water is not available.
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Dry watercraft and equipment for at least five days before using in another waterbody.
People should contact a Minnesota DNR aquatic invasive species specialist (mndnr.gov/invasives/ais/contacts.html) if they think they have found starry stonewort or any other invasive species that was not already known to be in the waterbody.
More information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/ais).
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