News - DNR hires new big game program leader

[Rick]

The point person for management of Minnesota’s deer, elk and moose populations and hunting seasons for deer and elk will be Adam Murkowski. He starts Monday, Jan. 11, as big game program leader for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Adam Murkowski

Murkowski worked in a similar position, deer project leader, in Vermont from 2012 to 2015. Since March 2015, he worked for the Wisconsin DNR as assistant deer, bear and wolf ecologist in Madison.

“Adam is passionate about deer and deer hunting, and I think he is particularly well suited to our big game job because of his strong interest in big game and his professional experience,” said Steve Merchant, DNR wildlife populations program manager. “He is also highly trained and experienced in wildlife science and engaging the public. He is well-positioned to continue our approach of using science-based information and effective public engagement processes to manage Minnesota’s white-tailed deer and other species.”

The primary responsibilities of the big game program leader are to manage deer and elk populations and harvest seasons, and to work with groups and individuals interested in big game management to address the expectations of a diverse public.

“We look forward to Adam joining the DNR to begin his big game management duties and to meet and work with people and groups interested in this work,” Merchant said.

Murkowski was born and raised in Wisconsin, where he attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and received a bachelor’s of science degree in wildlife management and ecology. He also has a master’s degree in forest resources (with a wildlife emphasis) from the University of Arkansas-Monticello where he worked on bear, deer, and elk research. He has held temporary jobs working on deer projects in North Carolina and Colorado.

He replaces Leslie McInenly, who left the big game program leader position in October when she was promoted to the DNR wildlife section’s forest habitat team supervisor.

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