5 Reasons to Get Outdoors Over MEA from Minnesota DNR

The weather looks promising and the opportunities are aplenty to get outdoors and enjoy some fall activities during Minnesota's MEA Weekend. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has some great programs scheduled over the weekend, according to South Region Information Officer Dan Ruiter.

Here are a Quick Five places to go or things to do.

WHITE WATER STATE PARK

Jeffrey M. Lawler (courtesy MN DNR)

Whitewater State Park is hosting a Fossil Field Trip. You will learn about animals that roamed the area hundreds of millions of years ago.

PHEASANT SEASON IS UNDERWAY

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Minnesota's pheasant hunting season began October 16. Ruiter says it should be a good season thanks to favorable weather conditions and farmers got off to a good start with their harvest. He adds, "Minnesota is blessed with thousands of acres of public lands. Check out those wildlife management areas (WMA) or Waterfowl Production Area (WPA)."

Remember to get your license and pheasant stamp. Ages 16 and 17 don't need a stamp. And those age 12 to 15 are free.

Visit the DNR's pheasant homepage for more details.

MYSTERY CAVE STATE PARK

Courtesy of MN DNR

Exploring the depths of Mystery Cave State Park is a pleasure. Ruiter indicates that Friday and Saturday reservations might be mostly booked. But there should still be some Sunday openings. Get more info.

YOUTH DEER HUNT AND EARLY ANTERLESS DEER HUNT

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The Minnesota DNR youth deer hunt is scheduled to coincide with MEA Weekend. Ruiter says it's a great chance for kids to get into hunting with better weather than is usually the case in November, more daylight, and less people hunting, "Just need to purchase a regular deer license."

The Early Antlerless season is going on in select Deer Permit Areas.

NERSTRAND BIG WOODS STATE PARK

Minnesota DNR

Make your way to Nerstrand Big Woods State Park for a Getting Ready Fall Nature Hike. A park naturalist will lead the walk Friday, October 22 from 10 to 11 am.

I have to say the Science of Skulls program at Nerstrand Friday at 1 pm sounds quite intriguing. So does the Nature at Night Hike Saturday, October 23 at 6:30 pm.

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