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ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Pheasants Forever are inviting hunters to join the Hunter Mentor Challenge and take someone hunting who has never hunted or has not hunted in a while.
“When you pay it forward and recruit someone new into hunting, it can be a life-changing moment for both of you,” said Colby Kerber, Hunting Heritage Program manager for Pheasants Forever. “There is satisfaction and a sense of achievement when an experienced hunter shares their wealth of knowledge with someone new, and it can also help a seasoned hunter learn valuable new things.”
When Minnesota hunters make a pledge through the Hunter Mentor Challenge to take a new hunter to the fields or forests, they will qualify for a discount code for ALPS OutdoorZ gear and be entered to win a custom YETI cooler from Pheasants Forever.
The program is open to all types of hunting in Minnesota that are legal and in-season – including but not limited to pheasants, grouse, waterfowl, squirrels, deer or, in the fall and spring, wild turkeys. People can also participate by taking someone hunting who hasn’t hunted for a few years.
To participate, hunters should visit the DNR page on the Pheasants Forever website – pheasantsforever.org/MNDNR – where they take the pledge . After taking the pledge, hunters are asked to mentor a novice or returning hunter during the 2022-23 season and snap a photo or short video of the hunting trip. The last step is to submit contact information, a story and a photo or video on the submission page to be entered for prize giveaways. All online entries must be received by June 30, 2023.
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The DNR has helpful information for new hunters and experienced hunters who would like to become mentors. To learn more, visit the DNR hunting mentor page at mndnr.gov/GoHunting/Take-Friend-Hunting.html .
– Herald staff report
Catfish League donates to GF, EGF authorities
The Red River Valley Catfish League donated $1,000 to the East Grand Forks Police Department’s K9 Unit and $500 to Grand Forks County Water Rescue on Wednesday, Oct. 5, during the league’s annual awards banquet at Half Brothers Brewing Co. in Grand Forks.
The donation was based on the league’s “Minnesota vs. North Dakota Night,” which pitted catfish league anglers from Minnesota against league anglers from North Dakota for an evening of competition. Because Minnesota anglers turned in the heaviest weights for this year’s event, the East Grand Forks Police Department got the larger of the two donations.
Trever Lunski was Angler of the Year.
The Catfish League holds Wednesday night fishing events for nine weeks throughout the summer, alternating between the LaFave Park boat access in East Grand Forks and the Whopper John Little North Landing below Riverside Dam in Grand Forks. A league membership is $25 annually, and the entry fee for regular league nights is $15 per two-person team.
For more information on the Red River Valley Catfish League, check out the league website at rrvcatfish.com or the Facebook page at facebook.com/rrvcatfish.
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– Brad Dokken
DNR to offer CWD testing webinar
ST. PAUL – The Minnesota DNR is offering a webinar at noon Wednesday, Oct. 19, that will focus on testing requirements for chronic wasting disease and other CWD-related information.
Logan Neu of the DNR’s wildlife health program will highlight changes to Minnesota deer hunting permit areas and new hunting opportunities, CWD testing requirements and options, and other important information related to deer hunting in areas with confirmed or suspected cases of CWD.
The webinars are part of the DNR’s Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series. The webinars are free but registration is required. More information is available on the outdoor skills and stewardship page of the DNR website at mndnr.gov/Discover .
– Herald staff report
NDGF: Replace lost deer tags soon
BISMARCK – North Dakota hunters who can’t find their deer license should contact the Game and Fish Department soon to get a replacement tag before the season opens, the department said in a reminder.
Hunters who need to replace their deer license must call the Game and Fish Department at (701) 328-6335 or email ndgf@nd.gov to authorize the online purchase of a replacement tag. Printable applications are not available.
North Dakota’s deer gun season opens at noon CDT on Friday, Nov. 4.
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– Herald staff report
Report game and fish violations with RAP
BISMARCK – The North Dakota Game and Fish Department encourages hunters, anglers and landowners who witness a fish or wildlife violation to file a report with the Report All Poachers program.
Witnesses should report a violation by calling RAP at (701) 328-9921.
Witnesses should note the vehicle description, including make, color, license plate number and state issued. Description of the violator should also be considered.
The RAP line offers rewards – from $100 to $1,000 depending on the nature and seriousness of the crime – for information leading to the conviction of fish and wildlife law violators. Reports can also go directly to game wardens or other law enforcement agencies. Callers can remain anonymous.
– Herald staff report
Permit required to possess dead deer
BISMARCK – A permit is required before taking possession of a dead deer found near a road or in a field, enforcement personnel from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department said in a reminder. Only shed antlers can be possessed without a permit.
Permits to possess are free and available from game wardens and local law enforcement offices.
In addition, hunters are reminded to properly dispose of dead deer. Carcass waste cannot be left on public property, including roadways, ditches or wildlife management areas.
– Herald staff report
