From the DNR

The 2006 Minnesota Firearms deer season begins Saturday, Nov. 4. There are more than 450,000 deer hunters in the state, many of whom wait until the last minute to purchase their deer license.

The DNR is encouraging hunters to purchase their licenses early to avoid long lines and any system issues associated with the high sales volume.

Deer licenses are available at approximately 1,800 license agents statewide or by phone at 1-888-MN-LICENSE (665-4236). There is a $3.50 convenience fee for telephone service.

Hunters who purchase licenses by phone will receive their deer tags by mail, which can take three to five days.

Staff members from the DNR Information Center and License Center will work extended hours this weekend to handle additional phone calls from deer hunters. Phone lines will be open on Friday, Nov. 3 until 6:30 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to noon.

Natural resources violations can now be reported online

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in conjunction with Turn in Poachers Inc. (TIP), has launched a new online service to report ìnon-time sensitiveî natural resources violations. Non-time sensitive means the nature of the complaint is informational and does not require an immediate response from an officer.

DNR Enforcement Chief Mike Hamm said reporting violations online is appropriate when someone wants to provide information about a violation that has already occurred or a situation that occurs annually, rather than situations that require immediate attention.

The online form, available at www.dnr.state.mn.us, is designed for people to report possible inappropriate behavior on public or private lands or waters, illegal hunting or fishing and other natural resources violations. The online service is only for violations that have occurred within Minnesota. The reports will be monitored Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

To report a violation online, people should fill out the form as completely as possible. The more information provided, the easier it will be for a conservation officer to investigate.

ìLocation is especially important, so people should include county and nearest town to the violation,î Col. Hamm said. ìThese are key pieces of information. If they know the identity of the individual committing the violation, they should indicate the name on the form.î

Online reporting will augment the TIP hotline that is in its 25th year of operation.

If the violation is ongoing or needs a time sensitive response, people should not report it online; they should call the 24-hour TIP hotline at 1-800-652-9093 immediately or #TIP on their cell phone.

ìPoachers need to know that the law-abiding sportsmen and sportswomen now have one more tool to report illegal activity,î Hamm said.

Nominees sought for 15th annual Deer Hunter Ethics Award

Although the relatively rare instances of unethical hunting behavior often draw headlines, the actions of those hunters who exhibit exemplary behavior usually goes unnoticed. Thatís why the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA), the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Turn In Poachers (TIP) annually present a deer hunter ethics award.

While deer hunting sagas are still fresh in mind, hunters are encouraged to share those stories of admirable hunting behavior with others in the form of nominations for the 15th Annual Minnesota Deer Hunter Ethics Award.

The Deer Hunter Ethics Award will honor a deer hunter who has exhibited conduct during the 2006 season that can serve as an example of admirable hunting practices to all hunters. The awards for youth and adult divisions will be presented at the 2007 MDHA Habitat Banquet on Feb.17 at the Kato Ballroom in Mankato, with the winners receiving gift certificates from Cabelaís.

MDHA Executive Director Mark Johnson said his organization is pleased to again co-sponsor this award along with TIP and the DNR. ìMDHA is proud of the ethical standards of our deer hunters,î Johnson said. ìPast award winners are excellent examples of the type of ethical hunters we hope all hunters aspire to be.î

Wayne Edgerton, the DNR agriculture policy coordinator, said the award honors hunters who do the right thing. ìEach year we hear about hunters who have done something special that makes us proud to be hunters,î Edgerton said. ìThis award provides a means to provide public recognition and appreciation for these actions.î

Chris Holm, president of TIP, agrees. ìThis award encourages ethical and legal hunting, with citizen and hunter involvement, which is what TIP is all about.î

Anyone may nominate a hunter by writing a letter or e-mail explaining the actions of the nominee and why that person is worthy of this recognition. Both youth and adults are eligible, but nominees must be Minnesota residents. The incidents for which hunters are nominated must have occurred during any of the 2006 Minnesota deer hunting seasons (archery, firearm or muzzleloader).

Nominations will be accepted for the Minnesota Deer Hunterís Ethics Award until Jan. 10. Nomination letters should be sent to Ethical Hunter Award, MDHA, 460 Peterson Road, Grand Rapids, MN 55744-8413, faxed to (218) 327-1249, or e-mailed to bri@mndeerhunters.com. More information is available on MDHAís Web site at www.mndeerhunter.com.