Opening dates announced for 2008 Minnesota hunting seasons (January 8, 2008)

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced opening dates this week for many of the 2008 Minnesota hunting seasons. The dates are being announced now for the benefit of those who must establish vacation or hunting plans well in advance. Although these dates are tentative, pending final approval in June, it is unlikely they will change.

SMALL GAME

April 16-May 29 - Spring wild turkey (first season)
Sept. 13 - General small game opener, including grouse gray partridge, rabbits and squirrels
Oct. 11 - Pheasant
Oct. 18 - Prairie chicken opener
Oct. 15-19 - Fall wild turkey (first season)
Oct. 22-26 - Fall wild turkey (second season)

BIG GAME

Sept. 1 - Bear
Sept. 13 - Deer - archery
Oct. 4 - Moose - northeast zone
Nov. 8 - Deer - firearms
Nov. 29 - Deer - muzzleloader

FURBEARERS

Oct. 25 - Fox, raccoon badger, opossum
Oct. 25 (north) - Mink, muskrat, beaver, otter
Nov. 1 (south) - Mink, muskrat, beaver, otter
Nov. 29 - Fisher, marten, bobcat

MIGRATORY BIRDS

March 1-31 - Crow (first season)
March 1 - Spring light goose
July 15 - Oct. 15 - Crow (second season)
Sept. 1 - Mourning doves
Sept. 1 - Rails, snipe
Sept. 6 (tentative) - Early Canada goose
Sept. 20-21 - Take A Kid Hunting Weekend
Sept. 20 (tentative) - Woodcock
Oct. 4 (tentative) - Waterfowl

The waterfowl season opener will not be finalized until the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service publishes proposed migratory bird hunting frameworks this summer. Additional details on season lengths, quotas and bag limits will be announced this summer, after the 2008 seasons are finalized.