Month: August 2025

Minnesota waterfowl seasons are around the corner, and hunters have a wide variety of opportunities to look forward to in 2025, with seasons starting Saturday, September 6. Early teal season runs Saturday, September 6 through Wednesday, September 10, with shooting hours from sunrise to sunset.

“Hunters should review the regulations and hunting season dates this year. As usual, scouting and preparation will be key to success,” said Nate Huck, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources migratory gamebird specialist. “We have high water this year in many places, so hunters will have lots of ways to get duck boats through wetlands this year.”

The Waterfowl Hunting Regulations handbook is available wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold and on the Minnesota DNR waterfowl hunting webpage (mndnr.gov/hunting/waterfowl).

Early teal season reminders

The Minnesota DNR reminds waterfowl hunters who plan to take part in the early teal hunting season or early goose season (Sept. 6-21) to be aware of and cautious around wild rice beds.

Wild rice is an important natural and cultural resource that typically ripens in early September. Wild rice harvesters may be active in beds if the rice is ready to be collected. In addition, wild rice plants are susceptible to damage during this time, even if active harvest is not underway.

All waterfowl hunters who plan to hunt within the boundaries of the Mille Lacs, Leech Lake or White Earth reservations are advised to contact the appropriate reservation for more information:

• Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe’s (Misi-zaaga’iganiing) reservation: Early-season teal hunters may not hunt teal on wild rice beds posted by Tribal authorities as open to rice harvest. Contact the Mille Lacs Department of Natural Resources at 320-532-7896.
• Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe’s (Gaa-zagaskwaabiganikaag) reservation: Early-season teal hunters may not hunt teal within one-half mile of wild rice beds posted as open to harvest by Tribal authorities within the boundaries of the reservation during the early-teal season. Contact the Leech Lake Division of Resource Management at 218-368-4767.
• White Earth (Gaa-waabaabiganikaag) Reservation: The taking of teal during the early-teal season is prohibited on wild rice waters identified by Tribal authorities. Contact the White Earth Division of Natural Resources wild rice office at 218-935-3933.

Information to help hunters properly identify waterfowl is available in an illustrated guide that begins on page 21 of the 2025 Minnesota Waterfowl Hunting Regulations (mndnr.gov/regulations/hunting). Access to complete information on Minnesota’s waterfowl hunting seasons is available from the Minnesota DNR’s waterfowl hunting webpage (mndnr.gov/hunting/waterfowl).

Reminders about federal duck stamp and goose permit

As a reminder, electronically issued federal stamps are valid for the entire season. Each stamp purchase includes a validation available immediately for hunting and a pictorial stamp that is mailed to the purchaser after the close of waterfowl seasons.

Federal duck stamps are available through the Minnesota DNR electronic licensing system, in person or online (mndnr.gov/buyalicense), and cost $30 per stamp.

Federal duck stamps are required for all hunters age 16 and older. Waterfowl hunters must also possess a small game license, state waterfowl stamp and Harvest Information Program certification. The state waterfowl stamp requirement is for residents age 18 to 64 and nonresidents age 16 and older.

As a reminder, an early goose permit is no longer required for goose hunters. Hunters may still need a small game license, state waterfowl stamp, federal duck stamp and HIP certification, and hunters can find more information about these requirements on pages 6-7 of the waterfowl hunting regulations available on the Minnesota DNR’s waterfowl hunting webpage (mndnr.gov/hunting/waterfowl).

Waterfowl season dates and youth reminders

Hunting season dates for ducks, mergansers, coots, and moorhens are:

• Saturday, Sept. 27 through Tuesday, Nov. 25, in the north zone;
• Saturday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Oct. 5, and Saturday, Oct. 11, through Sunday, Nov. 30, in the central zone.
• Saturday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Oct. 5, and Saturday, Oct. 18, through Sunday, Dec. 7, in the south zone.

Hunting season dates for geese are:

• Early goose season is Saturday, Sept. 6 through Sunday, Sept. 21;
• Saturday, Sept. 27 through Friday, Dec. 26, in the north zone;
• Saturday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Oct. 5, and Saturday, Oct. 11, through Wednesday, Dec. 31, in the central zone;
• Saturday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Oct. 5, and Saturday, Oct. 18, through Wednesday, Jan. 7, in the south zone.

Youth waterfowl weekend is Saturday, Sept. 13 through Sunday, Sept. 14, when waterfowl hunters 17 and younger can hunt if accompanied by a nonhunting adult 18 years of age or older. Regulations for this hunt are available on page 12 of the waterfowl hunting regulations (mndnr.gov/regulations/hunting).

Former Fair Meadow Nursing Home and Assisted Living Administrator, Angela Leiting, settled the lawsuit against the City of Fertile and its former Mayor Daniel Wilkens, alleging wrongful termination of employment, gender and age-based discrimination, open meeting law violations, and intentional negligent infliction of emotional distress, in exchange for $340,000.

Below is a press release from Leiting’s lawyer-

On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, the parties attended an out of court settlement mediation with well­ known employment law mediator, Sheila Engelmeier from the Engelmeier & Umanah law firm. As a result of the mediation and months of post-mediation negotiations, the parties obtained a fully signed settlement agreement – today – resolving all the issues in the case, in exchange for a total settlement amount of $340,000.

Payment on behalf of the City of Fertile will be made by its insurance company, the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust. Neither side admitted fault or any wrongdoing. The effect of the settlement is that there will be no judicial determination on the allegations in the lawsuit. The case will be dismissed from the Polk County District Court docket at a date in the near future, after a legally required 15-day waiting period has expired and after payment has been received.
Leiting commented on the settlement, saying, “This settlement does not mean I gave up. It does not mean I believe the City and its officials were right; it means that I and my family needed to be done. The City has effectively drained my ability to continue defending myself, financially. But, they did not take away my truth, my integrity, or the public’s ability to know what is in the court files, documents and records – the court record speaks volumes about what really went on behind the scenes.”

Throughout the legal process, information surrounding the circumstances of Leiting’s termination became public – a result that she considers a personal and public victory.

“Although we will be winding down the case without a trial, I feel that I am a winner – because in my opinion, the community and the public won. The facts are out. The truth is no longer buried. My name has been cleared and my reputation restored- and that’s worth far more to me than any financial settlement.”

The settlement was not about financial gain, Leiting emphasized, but about the personal toll the experience had taken. “The entire amount was designated for emotional distress – a recognition of the personal cost I’ve endured. This has never been about money. It’s been about justice, truth, and accountability.”

Leiting also extended a message of deep appreciation to the local community:
“The level of gratitude I feel toward this community is immeasurable. So many of you stood beside me keeping my heart full – not because you had all the facts, but because you knew who I am as a person, and you witnessed me perform in my job day in and day out. You believed in my character. That will stay with me all of my life.”

In addition to restoring her reputation, Leiting views this case as part of a broader movement toward justice and equity in the workplace: “Women are a protected class in the workforce. We have the right to work free from bullying, retaliation, double standards, and those with ulterior motives. Every woman has the right to be treated equally to men in their same profession and held to the same standard. I’m proud of the role I played in standing up for equality in the workplace and for helping to pave the way for women in our community to be treated with fairness and dignity.”

A Special Message to Fair Meadow Nursing Home
Leiting also offered a heartfelt message to the staff, families, and residents of Fair Meadow Nursing Home, where she served for over three decades.

“To the staff of Fair Meadow Nursing Home: I want you to know how much I admire and appreciate you. I know the work you do, and I know the trials and tribulations you have been faced with the last two (2) years. I am proud of you, and you deserve credit where credit is due. The relationships I built over the past thirty-six (36) years of service at Fair Meadow – and the coworkers who stood by me, the families I had the joy of serving, and the beloved residents who have passed – will never be forgotten. I carry all of you in my heart.”

“While I’m moving on with my life now, my prayers remain with Fair Meadow and the challenges it may face in the future. I wish you nothing but success, and I continue to pray for strong, compassionate leadership to guide you forward.”