Outdoors

The McLeod County Park Commission is not allowing the public to enter any of the six county parks from Nov. 6 through Nov. 16.

Deer: The animal

* Adult female white-tailed deer weigh about 145 lbs., males 170 lbs. - the average weight of female and male humans.

The white-tailed deer is arguably Minnesota's most popular wildlife species. Each year, approximately 500,000 hunters harvest roughly 200,000 deer. Firearms deer hunting season opens Nov. 7.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources sells about 600,000 hunting licenses each year so there will be a large number of hunters afield this fall in search of a variety of big and small game.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer (CO) Brett Oberg (Hutchinson) checked small game, archery and waterfowl hunters.

People looking for new outdoor adventures can explore the 4 million acres in Minnesota’s 58 state forests for free.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources urges people visiting state forests to use caution when operating motor vehicles or riding off-highway vehicles to avoid negative impacts to forest access

Standing corn is a safety concern this firearms deer hunting season, according to Capt. Mike Hammer of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Getting lost in the woods can happen to even the best hunter, according to Capt. Mike Hammer, DNR Enforcement Education Program coordinator.