November 9-10 marks the start of Minnesota’s deer hunting season. Hunters across Minnesota are preparing their gear and updating new CWD regulations. Although there are two things the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wants people to keep in mind.

First, make sure you have a safety plan when you go on a hunting trip. Second, follow regulations to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease in the deer population.

Justin Frisch, a conservation officer with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, says hunting is a safe activity. But hunting is only safe if every hunter develops a plan to make it safe.

“One of the most common injuries associated with hunting occurs when a hunter falls from a deer stand. So special attention needs to be paid to making sure their equipment is in good working order,” Frisch said. “Focus when they go up and out of the stand. Wear bright orange, handle firearms safely, that sort of thing.

Erik Hildenbrand, wildlife health supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, says there are new CWD regulations regarding sampling harvested deer. He says when hunting deer in a chronic wasting disease area, it is important to have a piece of harvested deer sampled for CWD.

“There are several options for getting your deer sampled. We have a few staffed sampling stations,” Hildenbrand said. “Or free hunter mailing kits, where a hunter can cut out a sample of their deer themselves and mail it to our office. Hunters may take deer taken within a CW management zone or outside our state borders. They can bring the deer head with the skin attached into the state or out of the chemical weapons management zone. Provided it is delivered or brought to a licensed Minnesota taxidermist within 48 hours.

To prevent CWD from spreading, according to Minnesota, the DNR hunts deer infected with the disease to prevent them from congregating in areas where other deer might be infected.

“Every deer hunter plays a role in stopping the spread of CWD,” Frisch added. “We want to make sure hunters have a plan so they can comply with carcass movement regulations within each license area. »

With the opening of hunting season, safety should be the priority of any weekend in the deer stand. Mn-DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen says there are 400,000 hunters in Minnesota. She says it’s important that everyone returns home safe and sound, even if you didn’t come home with a deer.

“Whether it’s remembering your bright orange clothing, remembering to check your booth security. Make sure if you’re hunting from a tree, it’s securely tied to that tree,” Strommen said. “Now is also a great time to brush up on your gun safety. Last but not least, make sure you have your license and make sure you have read the regulations and know the highway code.

Another tip for those new to hunting is to make sure you team up with a more experienced hunter.

“Chances are you know a friend or family member. Ask if you can come with us,” Strommen said. “If you are an experienced hunter and you know someone who is not but would like to try it or you think they would like to try it, invite them to come and experience your hunting adventure with you .”

For more information on the new CWD regulations, you can read more here. Also for other stories about deer hunting you can read more here.