The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources issued a press release today which will impact those looking to be in the Savanna Portage State area over the upcoming weekend.  There will be a special resource management deer hunt both Saturday and Sunday.

The press release states that during the special deer hunt Oct. 27-28 Savanna Portage State Park will be partially closed, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Visitors are advised to wear blaze orange or brightly colored clothing if they will be in the park while the hunt is in progress. Visitors should also check for hunt-related information at the park office or contact station when they arrive.

Hunts will take place at several other Minnesota state parks and recreation areas this fall. Access to the parks will vary. Some will remain open to all visitors, some will have limited public access and some will be open only to hunters with special permits. The deadlines have passed for youth and adults to apply for a special permit to participate in the hunts, which include regular firearms, muzzleloader and archery options.

“The DNR allows these annual resource management hunts as a way to help control the deer population at state parks,” said Ed Quinn, resource management consultant for the DNR’s Parks and Trails Division. “When there are too many deer in one area, it can negatively impact the native plants and animals. Our goal is to ensure healthy natural communities.”

The DNR thanks visitors for their patience and understanding at parks where access will be limited during the hunts.

Details on which areas of each park will be affected by the special deer hunts are included in the “Visitor Alert!” boxes on the individual park Web pages at mndnr.gov/parksandtrails (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/parksandtrails/index.html). Park-specific information also is available by calling the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-646-6367, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

More From B105