OUTDOORS REPORT: DNR pushes gift cards ... Some N.D. refuges open ... S.D. pheasant update ... more

DNR pushes gift cards

Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources is trying to snag a slice of holiday spending with its first-ever gift cards.

The DNR is selling cards of $10 to $1,000 that can be used for state park entrance fees, campsite reservations and rental of equipment such as canoes, kayaks and snowshoes.

Agency leaders say the cards are beneficial to the state too because it encourages people to invest in the park system.

There are limitations though. The cards can’t be used for hunting, fishing or other licenses or for some concession stand purchases.

Cards can be purchased on the Internet at stayatmnparks.com.

Some N.D. refuges open

The state Game and Fish Department says some national wildlife refuges in North Dakota are now open to late-season upland game bird hunting.

Arrowwood, Audubon, Des Lacs, J. Clark Salyer, Lake Alice, Lake Zahl, Long Lake, Lostwood, Tewaukon and Upper Souris refuges opened to hunting Monday. The hunting at Tewaukon is pheasants only.

Portions of each refuge will remain closed to hunting. Hunters should contact refuge headquarters for maps designating the closed areas and other restrictions.

Seasons for pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian partridge and ruffed grouse close statewide Jan. 3.

S.D. pheasant update

As crops continue to be harvested, South Dakota’s pheasants are finding fewer places to hide.

This year’s late harvest has offered plenty of shelter until recently.

State Game, Fish and Parks Secretary Jeff Vonk said pheasant populations in South Dakota are as good this year as they have been in the past. Hunters in South Dakota shot more than 1.8 million pheasants in five of the past six years, and Vonk said this year should bring the same good chances to bag a bird as crops are harvested and pheasants move to alternate cover locations.

Vonk said the annual pheasant brood route survey conducted in August showed the fourth-highest count for birds in the past 45 years.

S.D. pheasant proposal

State wildlife officials are set to decide next week whether to raise South Dakota’s three-bird daily pheasant bag limit to five cock pheasants daily.

The Game, Fish and Parks Commission will discuss the matter at its meeting in Pierre on Dec. 3-4. Under the proposal, the current 15-bird pheasant possession limit would increase to 25 male pheasants.

The proposal is being considered because of wet weather this fall delayed harvest of crops. The large amount of standing crops has provided cover for birds and hampered hunters.

If the emergency rule is adopted, it would take effect Dec. 5 and remain in place until the pheasant season ends Jan. 3.