Time to buy new fishing and hunting licenses It’s the time of year when hunters and anglers need to buy new fishing and hunting licenses. Minnesota fishing, hunting and trapping licenses for 2019 expired Feb. 29. Licenses for 2020 are now available wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold, online at mndnr.gov/buyalicense and by telephone at 888-665-4236. All 2020 fishing licenses become effective Sunday, March 1. New licenses are required for 2020 hunting and fishing seasons that continue past Feb. 29. Ice shelter licenses, though, are valid through Thursday, April 30. Anyone who wants to start fishing or hunting can visit the DNR’s learn to fish and learn to hunt pages.

Deer open houses start March 16 Local wildlife managers invite the public to ask deer-related questions and offer thoughts on deer issues at their annual deer open houses. The meetings will occur across the state over two weeks beginning March 16; find the specific date for your area on the deer open house webpage.