With the firearm deer season opening on Saturday, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is raising awareness about poachers.

“It’s the firearm deer season and some hunters don’t want to return home empty handed,” said Col. Jim Konrad, DNR Enforcement Division director. “Although the vast majority of hunters abide by the rules, there are some who resort to poaching to fill their tag.”

With just 140 field conservation officers across the state, the DNR is looking for law-abiding hunters to do their part to turn in poachers.

“If people see suspicious activity, such as a vehicle driving slowly at night shining a spotlight into a forest or field, they should contact a conservation officer or other law enforcement officer with as much detail as possible,” Konrad said.

He suggested noting the time the incident occurred, characteristics about the people involved, the type of vehicle used, the license plate number, and direction they were heading. Quick notification is also critical.

“People should contact us as soon as possible,” Konrad said. “The longer someone waits to report the activity, the less chance we have of stopping it. Almost everyone has cell phones, so we hope they put them to good use.”

The Turn In Poachers program offers rewards to citizens who report poachers or other resources violations. People can report a violation by calling 800-652-9093 or #TIP, and they can also locate their nearest officers at www.mndnr.gov/officerpatrolareas.

And along the same lines of deer hunting ethics, the DNR encourages hunters to share stories of exemplary behavior by nominating hunters for the 19th Annual Minnesota Deer Hunter Ethics Award.

The award, sponsored by the DNR, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association and TIP, honors a deer hunter who has exhibited conduct during the 2011 season that can serve as a positive example to all hunters.

Awards for youth and adult divisions will be presented to the selected recipients at an upcoming MDHA event held in their vicinity.

Nominate a hunter by writing a letter or e-mail explaining the actions of the nominee and why that person is worthy of recognition. The incidents for which hunters are nominated must have occurred during any of the 2011 deer hunting seasons in Minnesota. Nominations will be accepted until Jan. 20. Nomination letters should be sent to: Ethical Hunter Award, MDHA, 460 Peterson Road, Grand Rapids, MN 55744-8413, or faxed to 218-327-1349. Send e-mail nominations to kimhanson@mndeerhunters.com.

Deer hunting season schedule

The firearms deer season concludes in the northern Minnesota on Nov. 20, and Nov. 13, in all other parts of the state. A late season in southeastern Minnesota that stretches from Watertown in the north to Caledonia in the south opens Nov. 19 and closes Nov. 27.
Complete 2011 hunting and trapping regulations can be downloaded at www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/hunting/index.html or obtained at many area outfitters.