MLB TAKES ON MINNESOTA GOVERNOR'S DEER OPENER 2024
By Mashkodebizhikigahbaw, Benji Sam
In early November, upon opening day of the Minnesota rifle deer hunting season, the tradition of celebrating Minnesota’s deer hunting season took place at the Osprey Wilds Environ mental Learning Center. The 22nd Annual MN Governor’s featured guests from across the great state of Minnesota including Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, MN DNR Resources Commissioner Sarah Strommen, representatives from Explore Minnesota, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Bluffland White tails Association, Minnesota Conservation Federation, and Mille Lacs Band DNR Commissioner Kelly Applegate as the tribal representative.
This event leads the way into each white-tailed deer sea son to spread awareness, education, recipes, herd health information, and most importantly kicks off the annual best wishes for safe, successful hunts to all Minnesotans. Following the words of the LT. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, in addition to other educational sessions throughout the day, Applegate offered up representation of Tribal Nations in MN regarding deer herd health, population and habitat efforts, and the relationship with wolves that has recently gained negative attention in the media and general population.
“Deer protein is incredibly important to our people as deer and fish make up the majority of the proteins harvested and consumed annually by Indigenous people,” Applegate said. “Animals are sacred, and the hunting experience is a very spiritual practice among our people.” Along with the importance of hunting, gathering, and maintaining a healthy herd across the state, Applegate also touched on recent efforts of chronic wasting disease and current wolf management plans.
Those who follow politics, news coverages, and current standing across greater northern Minnesota are aware that a growing concern of state hunters is a declining deer herd, concerns of spreading chronic wasting disease, and a healthy wolf population. Biologists from multiple studies across the land scape of greater Minnesota have all resulted in showing that wolves have not had a detrimental impact on deer herd populations in Minnesota any more than harsh winters, coyotes, black bears, vehicle impact, and habitat management. Fawn survival rate across northern Minnesota remains consistent despite what the popular media outlets would lead on. “Wolves offer a useful herd management strategy in the realm of population control,” Applegate said, “They tend to target the sick, weak, and diseased animals across the herds and might offer a valuable resource in the long run of CWD management.”
The Ma’iingan, wolf, is often referred to as a brother of the Anishinaabe and Applegate exclaimed that what happens to the wolf so happens to our people. “If we just eradicate them from the landscape, we are taking out an incredibly special and unique piece of the food chain that is often portrayed in such a negative light. Their family groups reflect that of our own house holds with matriarchs and patriarch systems that all contribute to family dynamics to survive,” he said. “At the end of the day, we all want to see healthy deer herds across the state, but we need to focus on habitat management and creating balance in maintaining green space for all of our wildlife to thrive.”
As the human population grows and urban development continues to push into the greater reaches of Minnesota, thou sands and thousands of acres that once stood as beautiful timber stands, old growth forests, and farmsteads across central Minnesota have been taken over by malls, housing developments, and road systems. “I can remember driving up from the Twin Cities in my youth when the majority of the drive was surrounded by healthy wildlife habitat and most of that stretch is now developed,” said Applegate. “We can all learn from our mistakes to preserve green space for the betterment of our herds and our future.”
With increased efforts from private landowners, public land managers, state park and wildlife habitat experts across great er Minnesota we can continue to have a healthy, growing deer herd for generations to come. “In our culture, we always speak of doing our work to preserve the land, the resources, and the teachings so that our people may continue to enjoy what we have now and hopefully more than seven generations down the line,” Applegate said. “If we can all work together, we may be able to create a management plan that can maintain deer, reintroduce elk and moose, maintain wolf packs, and every thing in between on the landscape for all to enjoy.”
For more information on current DNR projects, wildlife in formation, current projects and land access initiatives, please call the MLB DNR office and watch the MLB DNR Facebook page for all updates and information on harvesting regulations, best practices, and more.
