Special CWD Archery Hunt In Cannon River Wilderness Park Planned In Rice County

Press release from the Rice County Government:

December 20, 2021

A special archery hunt to monitor deer in the Cannon River Wilderness Park for chronic wasting disease has been approved by the Rice County Board of Commissioners.

The hunt runs from Dec. 31 to Jan. 2. It’s the second consecutive year that the county has partnered with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to determine whether the disease is present in area deer. Chronic wasting disease affects deer and elk, and damages their brain and nerve tissue.

While the DNR is issuing permits for the hunt and the hunt area will be marked, Rice County is urging residents visiting the park during the hunt to be aware of the ongoing event and to dress in bright colors so they can be seen easily. Anyone walking in any wooded or undeveloped area should also wear bright colors throughout the winter and into the spring as hunting seasons lasts through March.

Hunters with a valid permit for the hunt will be guests in an area normally closed to hunting, and other use rules and restrictions remain in effect. Other visitors may be present in the park during this hunt. For general information on special chronic wasting disease hunts, visit bit.ly/3J8eVCY.

Additional guidelines and requirements for hunting in the Cannon River Wilderness Park:

• The hunt is archery only.
• Hunters must possess a valid permit for this hunt (Special Hunt #810) issued through Minnesota’s Electronic Licensing System. Permits are issued on a first come-first served basis.
• Unfilled 2021 deer archery license, bonus permit or disease management permit tags may be used to tag deer taken in this hunt.
• All hunters must display blaze orange on the visible portion of the person’s outer clothing above the waist, excluding sleeves and gloves.
• It is the hunter’s responsibility to avoid trespass.
• Portable stands are allowed, but must not damage trees or other vegetation. Screw in steps are not allowed. Only one stand per hunter is permitted and the stand must be labeled with hunter contact information.
• Stands may be placed up to 48 hours prior to the hunt and must be removed no later than 24 hours after the hunt.
• No hunting or stands are allowed within 300 feet of day use areas and 100 feet of hiking trails.
• Hunters must submit their harvested deer for CWD sampling. There are sampling stations in Faribault and Northfield. Find a list of sampling stations at dnr.state.mn.us/cwd/cwd-hunts.html
• Anyone with questions about the hunt should contact Area Wildlife Supervisor Jeanine Vorland at 507-475-2900 or jeanine.vorland@state.mn.us. Direct questions about the Cannon River Wilderness Park to Rice County Parks Director Matt Verdick at 507-332-6105 or mverdick@co.rice.mn.us.

This press release was produced by the Rice County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.