Minnesota
Study to use trail cameras for research on northern Minnesota deer
GRAND RAPIDS — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wants a better handle on the deer population in northeastern and north-central areas of the state and is starting a three-year research project to get the answers.
DNR wildlife researchers will be placing trail cameras across a broad swath of St. Louis, Itasca and Cass counties, with a bit of Beltrami and Aitkin counties included in the study area as well — deer management units 169, 176, 177, 178, 197 and 679.
In the coming weeks, some private landowners will receive letters from the DNR requesting permission to put a camera on their property so the DNR can get results from a mix of public and private land across the region.
Gary Meader / Duluth Media Group
Landowners who receive the letter are asked to respond as soon as possible.
“One of the things we want to know is if there’s a different distribution of deer on private land compared to public land,” said Eric Michel, DNR wildlife biologist leading the project. “Across this study area, it’s almost 50/50 public to private land ownership.”
There will be 40 cameras placed at random locations across the entire study area, each taking photos every five minutes from July through August. The DNR will then pick up the cameras before hunting seasons begin. The cameras will be moved to different locations in 2025 and 2026.
Computer programs using artificial intelligence will be used to sift through the tens of thousands of time-lapse images and come up with estimates on not only the overall population of those areas but also the ratio of bucks to does and does to fawns.
“By July, the bucks are starting to grow antlers, the fawns are moving around more, but they still have spots, so we can differentiate between adult does, bucks and fawns pretty easily,” Michel said.
Steve Kuchera / 2018 file / Duluth Media Group
The time-lapse camera research technology and methodology were successfully used in earlier test studies conducted in 2021 and 2023, but this is the first time Minnesota DNR researchers have used it on a broad scale, Michel said.
Traditional deer population modeling relies heavily on hunter-harvest data and computer modeling. The camera project will provide additional data to increase confidence in making management decisions in the study area.
Some DNR wildlife managers have noted that deer in forested parts of the state seem to congregate near areas with at least some agricultural fields, if available, which may bring more deer onto private land.
The camera study, with results expected by 2027, could also help determine if the DNR should issue antlerless permits based on land ownership, potentially with more permits offered on private land if more deer are located there. Wisconsin already issues doe tags separately for public and private land.
“That’s one theory. But we really don’t know yet whether more deer are on private land in this area,” Michel said.
Deer across much of Northeastern Minnesota have been hit hard over the past decade, with seven of the past 10 winters being extremely harsh, with deep snow likely causing higher than normal deer mortality. That’s caused a big drop in the deer population, reduced antlerless permits available to hunters, and cut hunter success by half or more in some areas, especially north of Duluth, where the state’s heaviest snowfall occurs.
The record warm and snowless winter of 2023-24 should help the region’s deer to recover some, although several mild winters will be needed for deer populations to fully rebound to the all-time record levels of the early 2000s.
Meanwhile, deer in the Northland face ongoing issues of reduced habitat quality and predation by wolves year-round. In June, newborn fawns are also eaten by black bear and bobcat.
“One of the reasons we want to get three years of data is to compare the impact of winter on (deer) abundance,” Michel said. “We’re probably going to see at least one of the three study seasons come after a winter that’s higher on the winter severity index.”
Michel said that deer management unit 678 around Grand Rapids has seen the region’s only deer that tested positive for chronic wasting disease. Increased data on deer numbers in that area should help the DNR monitor any spread of the always fatal disease.
Meanwhile, DNR officials in Minnesota and Wisconsin remind people to leave any newborn fawns they find alone. It’s common for does to leave their fans alone for long periods each day, but they almost always return, and there’s usually no need for any human intervention.
John Myers reports on the outdoors, natural resources and the environment for the Duluth News Tribune. You can reach him at jmyers@duluthnews.com.
Minnesota prosecutors charged a federal immigration agent with assault accusing him of involvement in a February road-rage incident.
Trump administration ends Minnesota immigration operation
Border Czar Tom Homan announced the end of Minnesota’s immigration operation after fatal shootings heightened tension and community backlash.
Minnesota prosecutors charged a federal immigration agent with assault, saying the agent was involved in a February road-rage incident during the Trump administration’s Operation Metro Surge.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr., 35, faces two counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, according to April 16 Hennepin County court records. He has a nationwide warrant for his arrest.
On Feb. 5, prosecutors said Morgan allegedly drove illegally on the shoulder of a congested Minnesota highway in an unmarked SUV and pointed his weapon at two people in another car.
Morgan is the first agent charged in Operation Metro Surge, the controversial Minneapolis-area federal immigration operation that resulted in two American citizens fatally shot by federal officials, according to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
The charges “reflect an important milestone in our efforts to seek accountability for the harms inflicted on our community during Operation Metro Surge,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in an April 16 video statement.
Second-degree assault with a gun has a presumptive sentence of 36 months in prison if convicted, she said.
“Mr. Morgan’s conduct was extremely dangerous,” she said, adding his actions could have led to “another disastrous incident” in the community.
Neither ICE nor the Department of Homeland Security immediately responded to email requests for comment. A cell phone listed for Morgan, identified as a Maryland resident, didn’t immediately respond to a call or text message.
The incident came less than two weeks after two Customs and Border Protection officers shot and killed Alex Pretti, 37, during a protest in Minneapolis. Pretti would be the second American killed during Metro Surge after an ICE agent in early January fatally shot Renee Good, 37, while she drove her SUV in Minneapolis near an immigration operation.
Later in February, the Trump administration drew down Metro Surge, which officials called the largest immigration operation in modern American history.
Investigators said they interviewed Morgan, who identified himself as the driver. Morgan told investigators he and the other ICE employee were returning from a surveillance shift. Morgan said he feared for his life and others’ safety, so he pulled up alongside the vehicle and drew his Glock 19 firearm. He said he identified himself as police.
State investigators said neither Morgan nor the other ICE agent reported the incident to an ICE supervisor.
The April 16 warrant, signed by District Court Judge Paul Scoggin, said there was a “substantial likelihood” Morgan would fail to respond to a summons, and officials couldn’t locate him.
On April 18, Daniel Borgertpoepping, a spokesperson for the county attorney’s office, said there is no knowledge of Morgan being arrested yet.
Eduardo Cuevas is based in New York City. Reach him by email at emcuevas1@usatoday.com or on Signal at emcuevas.01.
Reds’ Brandon Williamson talks Minnesota homecoming, beating Twins
Cincinnati Reds lefty Brandon Williamson pitched into the sixth inning to beat his home-state Minnesota Twins 2-1 in his first pro start in Minnesota.
MINNEAPOLIS – Brandon Williamson came to this ballpark as a kid, rooted for Joe Mauer and the Twins, maybe even dreamed a little of playing there one day.
“Oh, yeah. Joe Ma,” Williamson said. “That’s my guy.”
By the time that day came, Mauer had a statue outside the stadium, and Williamson had 29 career starts across three big-league seasons for the Cincinnati Reds.
And then the kid from tiny Trimont, Minnesota, came up big enough to beat the Twins in his first professional start in his home state – a 2-1 victory Friday in front of 200 or more personal friends and family from Trimont. And about 31,000 other people.
“It was awesome,” said Williamson, whose personal contingent at the game represented close to one-third of greater Trimont (pop. 705). “It was everything I thought it would be.”
The left-hander didn’t pitch especially deep into the game, getting two batters into the sixth. But on a night made for native Minnesotans, with a game-time temperature of 43 degrees, Williamson looked right at, well, home, pitching to the conditions and setting down the first six batters he faced – and eight of the first nine.
As one local press box wag quipped during the second inning, “These Minnesota boys know how to pitch in the cold.”
A pair of one-out runs in the fourth inning provided the scoring for a Reds team lineup still trying to break free from its early season woes – albeit with the twin obstacles of the weather and All-Star starter Joe Ryan’s presence on the mound for the Twins for the first six innings.
The only two hits off Ryan were doubles in the fourth by Elly De La Cruz and Eugenio Suárez, sandwiched around a throwing error by third baseman Ryan Kreidler. Suárez’s hit drove in two.
The only run against Williamson scored after he inexplicably followed four strong innings with three consecutive walks to open the fifth, including a four-pitch walk to No. 8 hitter Brooks Lee leading off the inning.
Austin Martin followed the three freebies with a sacrifice fly on a dying liner to the gap in right that Will Benson caught with a slide.
Williamson then rallied to get Luke Keaschall on an inning-ending, 5-4-3 double play started by Suárez, who got the rare start at third base.
“I thought he handled himself really good,” manager Terry Francona said. “He looked like he was having fun pitching. I know he didn’t like walking the bases loaded. But he looked like he was enjoying himself out there. I like that when guys are enjoying competing; then we’re OK.”
Williamson also left the bases loaded in the third after a hit batter and two-out single followed by a walk. He struck out Keaschall on a called third strike that was confirmed after Keaschall challenged.
“I could have kissed whoever was running the ABS,” Williamson said.
The Reds improved to 12-8 and remained tied for first place in the National League Central after their third win in four games – the second in that stretch by a 2-1 score.“That was cool,” said closer Emilio Pagán, who pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for the save in his first outing since experiencing hamstring tightness Tuesday.
“I don’t have a team in my home state (of South Carolina),” Pagán said, “so I don’t know what that feels like. But to pitch against probably his favorite team growing up in front of that many friends and family had to be a surreal feeling. And he handled it great.”
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Wild President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has recalled goaltender Cal Petersen from the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Petersen, 31 (10/19/94), is 13-16-2 with a 2.73 goal-against average (GAA), a .896 save percentage (SV%) and four shutouts in 33 games with Iowa this season. He ranks T-3rd in the AHL in shutouts. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound native of Waterloo, Iowa, owns a 105-114-21 record with a 3.07 GAA, a .901 SV% and 15 shutouts in 248 career AHL games in parts of seven seasons with the Ontario Reign (2017-23), Lehigh Valley (2023-25) and Iowa (2025-26), earning AHL All-Star game selections in 2017-18 and 2019-20. In 15 career Calder Cup Playoff games, he is 5-10 with a 2.94 GAA, a .884 SV% and one shutout. He has also recorded a 46-44-10 record with a 2.96 GAA, a .903 SV% and four shutouts in parts of six NHL seasons with the Los Angeles Kings (2018-23) and Philadelphia Flyers (2023-24).
Petersen has represented the United States at three IIHF World Championships (2017, 2021, 2023), notably posting a 5-2-0 record with two shutouts and a tournament-leading 1.29 GAA and .953 SV% in 2021 when he was named the tournament’s Best Goaltender and Team USA earned a bronze medal. He played three seasons (2014-17) at the University of Notre Dame and posted a 55-39-15 record with a 2.30 GAA, a .924 SV% and 11 shutouts in 110 games. Petersen was named to the Hockey East First All-Star Team as a junior in 2016-17 and to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team in 2014-15.
He was originally selected in the fifth round (No. 129 overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. Petersen signed a one-year contract with Minnesota on July 2, 2025, and wears sweater No. 40 with the Wild.
Minnesota plays at the Dallas Stars on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in Game 1 of its First Round Stanley Cup Playoff series on FanDuel Sports Network, ESPN and KFAN FM 100.3.
Single-game tickets for the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Grand Casino Arena are on sale now at wild.com and www.ticketmaster.com. For more information and updates, please visit wild.com/playoffs.
The Minnesota Wild will host a Playoff Watch Party at Grand Casino Arena on Saturday for Game One of the First Round. This event is free and open to the public – a valid ticket is required for entry. Gate 1 will open at 4 p.m. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a complimentary Wild LED rally towel. The Hockey Lodge and select concessions will be open.
Ticket availability for all 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff games at Grand Casino Arena is expected to be limited due to demand and priority access given to Minnesota Wild Season Ticket Members. The best way to secure 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff tickets is to become part of the Season Ticket Member Community. For more information visit tickets.wild.com. Fans are also encouraged to join our Ticket Alert/Text notification list at wild.com/stayconnected, designed to help fans get last-minute tickets to Wild home games that have limited availability.
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