DNR invites conversation about deer at March 26 open house in Tower

Ever wonder how the DNR sets deer hunting regulations? Or how you can provide input on deer management in your area?
Local wildlife managers across the state are inviting the public to come to open-house meetings to ask their deer questions and learn about the state’s most popular mammal.
In the Tower work area, the open house will be held Tuesday, March 26 from 5-7 p.m. at the DNR’s Tower area office located at 650 Highway 169, Tower.
These local, open-house-style meetings are a way to encourage discussions about deer and deer management, enhance local relationships and foster two-way communication between the DNR and the public.
The DNR began the meetings last year with the release of its statewide deer management plan.
In addition to discussing general concerns about deer, individuals can ask DNR staff about last year’s harvest data, share observations, discuss potential season changes and get a preview of the updated draft Chronic Wasting Disease Response Plan that will be formally released in April.
Season changes include a proposed statewide youth deer hunting season.
The meetings do not include formal presentations; people can arrive any time during the scheduled meeting times.
The DNR encourages people who can’t attend a scheduled meeting, but who have questions about deer management, to contact a local wildlife manager.
A list of area wildlife offices is available online at mndnr.gov/areas/wildlife.
The DNR released the Minnesota White-Tailed Deer Management Plan in July 2018, setting new goals and priorities, increasing formal opportunities for citizens to influence deer decisions, and aiming for a disease-free deer population.
The plan was a result of two years of planning that involved statewide meetings and hundreds of in-depth conversations with citizens and interest groups.
The full plan is available on the DNR website at mndnr.gov/deerplan.