DNR Urges Safety First as Minnesota Gears Up for Annual Firearms Deer Season

(KNSI) – Around 400,000 hunters will take to the woods and fields as Minnesota’s firearms deer season opens at sunrise on Saturday, and the Department of Natural Resources wants everyone to have a safe trip.

Assistant Wildlife Manager Peter Borash says his number one non-firearms related safety tip is “make sure you wear orange. Obviously, it’s a legal requirement too. But you want to be seen out there.”

Blaze orange or blaze pink must be worn on the visible portion of a hat and outer clothing above the waist, excluding sleeves and gloves. Blaze orange or pink camouflage patterns are allowed and must be at least 50 percent blaze orange or pink within each square foot. New this year is attaching blaze orange or pink to a ground blind on public land. If you are hunting on public land, Borash says to know where the boundaries are and drive by all the accesses before pulling into a spot.

If hunting from a stand, make sure you’re getting in and out properly. “Never climb into a stand with a loaded gun. Unload your gun so you can pull it up with a string or a rope.”

Other tips include treating every firearm as if it’s loaded, knowing what’s beyond your target, and letting people know where you’re hunting and when you plan to return.

Stearns County says all parks will be open, but there is no hunting in the parks. Officials add users can keep themselves safe by wearing brightly colored clothing like pink, red or orange.

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