DNR to Host Meetings About Improving Spring Season

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Four regional meetings explore how to improve spring turkey season

How to increase hunter opportunity and satisfaction during the spring wild turkey season will be the focus of four public discussion meetings the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will host in late September and October.

In these regional discussion meetings the DNR is asking citizen participants to help review, evaluate and make recommendations on how to improve the spring turkey season.

Anyone can register to attend one of the four regional turkey hunting meetings that will take place in St. Paul on Tuesday, Sept. 29; New Ulm on Wednesday, Sept. 30; Winona on Tuesday, Oct. 6; or Alexandria on Thursday, Oct. 8. All meetings will take place from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and include refreshments. Registration is requested because space is limited to 36 participants per meeting.

Register between Thursday, Sept. 3, and Friday, Sept. 25, on the DNR website at  www.mndnr.gov/turkey  or by calling 651-259-5204. There is no registration fee.

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Attend a regional turkey season discussion this fall

Turkey populations have rebounded across the state but season regulations remain conservative. Is it time to consider new changes to the spring turkey hunt? DNR invites stakeholders to join us for one of four evening events in which stakeholders can discuss their preferences, ideas and concerns about spring turkey season structure, and suggest changes for DNR to consider for the 2016 spring season. Register to attend one of these discussions by following the links below.

What to expect

After registering, you are encouraged to read a packet of background information prior to attending the event. At the event, DNR staff will provide a brief overview of the history of turkey hunting in MN, current turkey population management, and options for changes to the spring turkey hunting season structure. Participants will then be led through a series of facilitated small-group discussions, where they can explore ideas with fellow stakeholders and DNR staff. Participants' input will be recorded and shared with Wildlife staff as they consider which changes, if any, to make to the spring turkey hunt. Light refreshments will be provided. Later this fall, the public will have an opportunity to comment on this topic before any final decisions are made.

Come prepared to share your ideas, listen to others and help impact the future of spring turkey hunting in Minnesota!

How to register

1. Choose your city. All discussions take place from 6-8:30 p.m. and include refreshments.
   • Maplewood (Sept. 29)
   • New Ulm (Sept. 30)
   • Winona (Oct. 6)
   • Alexandria (Oct. 8)
2. Register online by following the links above or by phone. You can register yourself and up to one additional guest. To register by phone, call 651-259-5204.
3. If you wish to attend more than one event, please start by registering only for your first choice and indicate which additional events you would like to attend in the space provided on the registration form. You will be put on a waitlist for your second, third or fourth choices and will be notified prior to the events if space is available.
4. If you have questions about the events or the registration process, call 651-259-5204 or 651-259-5182.

Additional information

• Each event can accommodate up to 36 participants. If the event you wish to attend is full, you will be placed on a waitlist and notified if space becomes available.
• The Winona and Alexandria discussions may be canceled if fewer than 10 participants register.
• If you are not able to attend an event, you will still have an opportunity later this fall to provide public comment on this topic. Information about how to comment will appear on this webpage when available.
• Background information to review before the meetings is available online.