Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Bowhunt Proposed on Minnesota Wildlife Refuge

A 30-day comment period for a Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge draft hunting plan to reduce white-tailed deer population densities will begin on Monday and end Aug. 27.

Proposed is a plan to open hunting to the general public for those who possess a special refuge permit.

The permit would only be issued to people demonstrating a high level of archery marksmanship and bowhunting proficiency.

Migratory game bird, big game and upland game hunting is allowed in designated areas of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge during state seasons. The hunting plan is being revised to expanded opportunities to hunt deer and new species in the refuge starting in 2015.
The refuge special permit will be in addition to the appropriate state and local hunting licenses and permits. Additional upland game species (American crow and eastern red squirrel) and furbearer species (coyote, gray fox, red fox, raccoon, opossum and striped skunk) are proposed to be opened to the general hunting on particular Refuge Units.

The draft hunt plan is available online on the refuge website: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/minnesota_valley/. Paper copies are available at both the Rapids Lake Education & Visitor Center, located at 15865 Carver Highlands Drive in Carver, and the Bloomington Main Office at 3815 American Blvd. E. in Bloomington. Written comments will be accepted at the Bloomington Office or via email at minnesotavalley@fws.gov. Please include "Draft Hunt Plan" in the subject line.

The Refuge is conducting two listening stations to make it more convenient for people to comment on the draft hunt plan. One will be conducted at the Bloomington Education and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Aug. 5 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. The other will at the Rapids Lake Education & Visitor Center on Thursday, Aug. 7 from 1 to 8 p.m. People who want to comment on the draft plan or who are seeking more information are invited to stop by or drop off written comments, give oral comments or ask questions one-on-one with a refuge employee.

For more information on the listening station or draft hunt plan can call (952) 854-5900.