Disclaimers, Legal Notices and Policies

Privacy Statement
General Disclaimers
Linking Policy
Accessibility
Copyright Notice

Social Media Community Terms of Use

View the DNR Social Media Community Terms of Use

Privacy Statement

Protection of individual privacy of our customers is a primary concern and is governed by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13, Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. 

Our Commitment to Data Security

DNR has appropriate security measures in place to protect against the loss, or misuse, or alteration of information that we have collected from you so that you can feel comfortable and secure when making an online transaction.

The DNR website uses Secure Sockets Layering (SSL) to encrypt your personal credit information, including your credit card number, before it travels over the Internet. SSL technology is the industry standard for secure online transactions. Because we use SSL, donating or making a purchase online via the DNR website is just as safe as giving your credit card number over the phone.

Site Management Functions

For site management functions, information is collected for analysis and statistical purposes. This information is not reported or used in any manner that would reveal personally identifiable information, and will not be released to any outside parties unless legally required to do so in connection with law enforcement investigations or other legal proceedings.

We use log analysis tools to create summary statistics, which are used for purposes such as assessing what information is of most interest, determining technical design specifications, and identifying system performance or problem areas. Our website logs do not collect personally identifiable information, and we make no attempt to link them with the individuals who browse the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) website. When you visit the MNDNR website, we automatically collect and store the following information about your visit:

  • The Internet Protocol Address and domain name used (The Internet Protocol address is a numerical identifier assigned either to your Internet service provider or directly to your computer. We use the Internet Protocol Address to direct Internet traffic to you.)
  • The type of browser and operating system you used
  • The date and time you visited this site
  • The web pages or services you accessed at this site
  • The website you visited prior to coming to this website
  • Search terms used to find the MNDNR website or to search for information.

Cookies

The DNR website does use 'cookies' (data stored on the computer you use, which can later be retrieved by our web server). When you access the DNR website, two types of cookies are used by DNR and our technical partners. Session cookies track activity on the site and make sure you are getting the right content. Session cookies disappear when you close your browser. Other cookies store the preferences that you set. For example, from which city you want to check weather conditions. These cookies remain on the site, but they do not store any personal data about you. The DNR does allow Google to set its own cookies on DNR's behalf to perform website analytical functions through the use of Google Analytics (first party cookies) and Google Tag Manager (third party cookies) as outlined below.

Third Party Cookie Use

Through its advertising partners, DNR also uses pixel tracking on limited pages on the DNR website at various times during the year. Pixel tracking is a persistent cookie that remains after your internet browsing session. This type of tracking does not collect personal information about you but is used to customize and personalize information to you for the purpose of recruitment, retention, and reactivation of the audience for recreational hunting and fishing in Minnesota. For example, you may see subsequent advertising from the DNR as you visit other websites based on your visit to our website and in an effort to encourage users to revisit the DNR website for an opportunity to purchase a fishing or hunting license. Pixel tracking is only triggered by visiting a limited number of pages on the DNR website that are related to recreational hunting and fishing.

Email Marketing Use of Third Party Cookies

DNR’s email marking partner, Granicus uses third party cookies to track open rates of emails sent on DNR’s behalf. As part of the sign up process to receive email from DNR, Granicus will provide their current statement about cookie use prior to signup completion. 
If you do not wish to have session or pixel tracking cookies placed on your computer, you can disable them using your web browser. Instructions for disabling or opting out of cookies in the most popular browsers are located at https://www.usa.gov/optout-instructions. Please note that by opting out of cookies, you will disable cookies from all sources, not just from the DNR website.

Google and Web Analytic Data

The Minnesota DNR uses Google Analytics to obtain anonymous website usage data to help us manage the website and better serve the citizens of Minnesota. This information is used to create summary statistics, which are used for purposes such as assessing what information is of most interest, determining technical design specifications, and identifying system performance or problem areas. We use all the tools available within Google Analytics, including Google advertising cookies previously set by other web sites. The DNR does not have access to any personally-identifiable information through Google Analytics. And we do not attempt in any way to combine personally-identifiable information with non-personally identifiable information we receive from third parties such as Google. If you wish to opt-out of providing usage data to Google, go to Google's Opt-out Browser Add-on (https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout/). If you have questions about how the DNR uses and analyzes web analytic data, email [email protected].

Information Collected

If during your visit to the MNDNR website you participate in a survey, fill out a form, or send an email, the following additional information will be collected:

  • The email address and contents of the email
  • Information volunteered to complete a form or respond to a survey.
The information collected is not limited to text characters and may include audio, video, and graphic information formats you send us. The information is retained in accordance with Minnesota Statutes Chapter 138.17, subd.1, and Minnesota Statutes Chapter 15.17; destruction, preservation, reproduction of records, prima facie evidence.

If you send us an email that contains personally identifiable information, or fill out a form that emails us this information, we will only use the personally identifiable information to respond to your request and analyze trends. We may redirect your message to another government agency that is in a better position to answer your question. Survey information is used for the purpose designated.

Note: The information that you provide is considered public data under the Minnesota Government Data, Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13. This means that if someone requests this information we are obligated to provide it to them under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.

General Disclaimers

General Disclaimer of Warranties and Liabilities/Applies to All Users

The State of Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, nor their employees, make any representations or warranties, express or implied, with respect to the use of or reliance on the data provided herewith, regardless of its format or means of transmission. There are no guarantees or representations to the user as to the accuracy, currency, completeness, suitability or reliability of this data for any purpose. THE USER ACCEPTS THE DATA "AS IS" AND ASSUMES ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ITS USE. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources assumes no responsibility for actual, consequential, incidental, special or exemplary damages resulting from caused by or associated with, any user's reliance on or use of this data, even if appraised of the likelihood of such damages occurring.

Warranties for Contractors

Notice of Disclaimer:  The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources makes the information on this site available on an "as is" basis. ALL WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS OF ANY KIND WITH REGARD TO THE INFORMATION ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Under no circumstances will MNDNR or any of its officers or employees be liable for any consequential, incidental, special or exemplary damages, even if the likelihood of such damages occurring is known. MNDNR does not warrant the information against errors, omissions or deficiencies of any kind. The use of any of this information for work which is under contract with MNDNR does not relieve the contractor from any obligations assumed by the contract, or from complete and proper fulfillment of the terms of the contract, nor does it entitle the contractor to compensation for damages or loss which could be attributed to such use.

Duty to Continue Provision of Data

Due to the dynamic nature of the Internet, resources and the locations of data may change as menus, homepages, and files are reorganized, added, or deleted. The user expressly agrees that use of MNDNR website is at the user's sole risk. The State does not warrant that these services will be uninterrupted or error free. The documents and related graphics published on these servers could contain technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically added to the information herein. The State and its respective agencies and programs may make improvements and changes in the information and programs described herein at any time.

Maps and Geographic Data

The State of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources makes no representations or warranties expressed or implied, with respect to the use of maps or geographic data provided herewith regardless of its format or the means of its transmission. There is no guarantee or representation to the user as to the accuracy, currency, suitability, or reliability of this data for any purpose. The user accepts the data “as is." The State of Minnesota assumes no responsibility for loss or damage incurred as a result of any user reliance on this data. All maps and other material provided herein are protected by copyright. See also the General Data and Software License Agreement that applies to DNR's more interactive map products.

Endorsements

The State of Minnesota is a distributor of content sometimes supplied by parties and third users (for example, we link to Adobe so users of our site can download the free Adobe Reader to read PDF files appearing on this site). Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, or other information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including information providers, users, or others, are those of the respective author(s) or distributor(s) and do not necessarily state or reflect those of MNDNR and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the State.

Linking Policy

Linking to the DNR Website

Any website can link to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website. You are welcome and encouraged to link from your website to the Minnesota department of Natural Resources (DNR) website and do not have to notify us.

If you link to this site we request that you do not:

  • portray any person or subject in a false or misleading light
  • create frames or capture DNR pages within your frames
  • use other visual altering tools around the MNDNR identity
  • copy PDF files from the DNR website for posting on another site without permission
  • pull graphics from the DNR site without permission
  • pull text from the DNR site without attribution
  • imply that the state of Minnesota or the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is endorsing your product or service.

DNR Providing a Link to Your Website

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at its discretion will evaluate each request to link to external websites. The suggested website must be a government, educational, or nonprofit organization, or have an established partnership with the MNDNR. The content must provide relevant, unique, and useful information to MNDNR customers. Commercial websites will not be considered unless they provide significant information or services of a statewide interest to DNR customers or are in partnership with MNDNR. Links from the DNR website in no way indicate an endorsement of any non-state product or service.

Disclaimer for External Links

The State of Minnesota is not responsible for the contents of any off-site pages referenced. The State cannot control and is not liable for the defamatory, offensive, or illegal conduct of other users, links, or third parties. The risk of injury from the foregoing rests entirely with you, the user. Links from the State of Minnesota's website on the World Wide Web to other sites do not constitute an endorsement from the State. These links are provided as an information service only. It is the responsibility of the user to evaluate the content and usefulness of information obtained from other sites. MNDNR website contains links to other related World Wide Web Internet sites and resources. Since MNDNR is not responsible for the availability of these outside resources or their contents, you should direct any concerns regarding any external link to its site administrator or Webmaster.

Accessibility

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is committed to making its website accessible to everyone. As part of that commitment, the DNR will make every effort to adhere to the State of Minnesota Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility guidelines when adding new material to the website and retroactively modify pages where possible and practical.

The State of Minnesota Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility guidelines are grounded in the federal Section 508 Electronic and Information Technology Standards, Minnesota non-visual access law and the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative. 

If you have a problem accessing content on the DNR website, please notify the DNR Webmaster by e-mail at [email protected] or call the DNR Information Center at (651) 296-6157 or (888) 646-6367 or call using your preferred Telecommunications Relay Provider. The DNR will work to make the Web page or feature accessible or to provide the information in a format that is accessible.

Any information posted on the DNR Website is available in alternative formats from the DNR Information Center.

For information about accessible recreation and facilities, please visit the Accessible Outdoors pages.

Non-Discrimination Notice

Under federal law, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is committed to ensuring that no person will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, or age in any federally funded DNR program or activity and that no person will be discriminated against on the basis of sex in any federally funded DNR education program or activity. The DNR also prohibits discrimination against qualified persons with disabilities in all of its programs, services, and activities and will make reasonable modifications to ensure equal opportunity for access and participation.

Under state law, the DNR prohibits discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status, disability, age, sexual orientation, status with regard to public assistance, or activity in a local human rights commission in any DNR public service.

For discrimination complaints or reasonable modification/accessibility requests, please visit the Notice and Procedures pages.

All material on this website is protected by copyright

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) claims copyright on all intellectual property created by the department and reserves the right to reproduce, distribute, or display the material, in addition to authorizing others to do so.

Individuals are granted permission to view or print information from this site for personal use and under fair use rights. For commercial uses, including print publications, publication on other websites or in other formats or media, permission is required. Some of the material on this website is copyrighted by others. The DNR cannot grant permission to use or reproduce material copyrights by others. Contact the intellectual property team at [email protected] for permission to use or reproduce material on this site.

If you do use this website as a source in your work, please use this citation:

©  at mndnr.gov/copyright
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4046

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Logo

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources logo is our official trademark. Its use is reserved for official publications and products of the DNR. Use of this logo without prior permission is prohibited. For use permission, contact the DNR Office of Communications and Outreach.

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