Minnesota Hunters Should be Aware of Changes During Deer Hunting Opener

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – Deer hunting season begins Saturday in Minnesota.

More than 400,000 Minnesotans are expected to participate this year, but hunting will be slightly different than in the past.

The biggest change is mandatory testing for chronic wasting disease.

“It’s mandatory that hunters go to DNR check stations that are all set up there. There’s 21 of them total; 13 will be in person and 8 will be self-service,” Minnesota DNR Asst. Northwest Regional Wildlife Manager Blane Klemek said.

The Minnesota DNR conducts testing in areas where chronic wasting disease, or CWD, has been discovered in wild or captive white-tailed deer.

Hunters are also reminded to wear blaze orange or pink and to take precautions before firing their gun.