Women, men and youth who want to learn the basics of deer hunting are invited to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) annual Deer Day.
The event, hosted by the DNR’s Becoming An Outdoors Woman (BOW)Program, will be held from 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 16 at Wilkins Farm near Mora in Kanabec County.
Youth who posses a firearms safety certificate can attend if accompanied by a guardian.“Deer Day is a great opportunity to learn the basics of deer hunting in a supportive, safe and non-intimidating outdoor setting,” said Linda Bylander, who coordinates family and women’s outdoor skills classes.Participants will learn about deer, deer habitat and deer habits during several presentations.
Hands-on activities include learning to track deer; learning how to place and use deer stands safely; and learning shotgun, rifle, archery and muzzle loader shooting. Instructors will be DNR wildlife staff, DNR conservation officers, BOW volunteers and members of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association.“The beauty of this event is that participants learn from DNR deer management and hunting safety experts, as well as others who have skills to share,” said Bylander.
The program fee is $20 per family, which includes an instructional DVDon deer hunting and field dressing.
To register, contact BOW Coordinator Linda Bylander at 218-833-8628 orvia e-mail.Registration is limited to the first 60 registrations. Lunch will be served.A list of programs available through the Becoming An Outdoors Woman program is available online.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Hunter Education Class Time
With the fall hunting seasons just around the corner, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is urging all hunters to sign up now for a hunter education class.“Though classes are held throughout the year, we offer more of the min late summer and early fall,” said Capt. Mike Hammer, DNR Enforcement Education Program coordinator. “So now is the time to sign up and complete a course, because once the hunting season gets rolling,it might be too late.”Besides ensuring you’ll be able to hunt this year, taking the class sooner rather than later means more time for scouting, sighting-in, and securing permission to hunt on private lands.
Minnesota hunters born after Dec. 31, 1979, must take a DNR Hunter Education Firearms Safety Training Course and receive a certificate of completion before purchasing a license for big or small game.The firearm safety class consists of a minimum of 12 hours of classroom and field experience in the safe handling of firearms and hunter responsibility.Field experience allows students to learn and demonstrate commonly accepted principles of safety in hunting and the handling of firearms.It includes firing practice on a rifle range. Students who pass the course receive a temporary certificate, allowing them to purchase a hunting license in Minnesota and other states where certification is required.
The department recognizes that courses can be difficult to fit into the hectic schedules of today’s fast-moving lifestyle. As a result, theDNR offers independent study course options. These include the on-line or workbook version and are administered through volunteer instructors around the state for those 16 and older.Independent study courses are not a “short cut” to certification.Experience has shown that they involve a similar amount of time as the traditional firearms safety classroom course..Hunter education classes fill up fast, so now is the time to register.To find an upcoming class or information on the independent study options, go to www.mndnr.gov and click on “Education/safety” or call651-296-6157 or toll free 1-888-646-6367.
Minnesota hunters born after Dec. 31, 1979, must take a DNR Hunter Education Firearms Safety Training Course and receive a certificate of completion before purchasing a license for big or small game.The firearm safety class consists of a minimum of 12 hours of classroom and field experience in the safe handling of firearms and hunter responsibility.Field experience allows students to learn and demonstrate commonly accepted principles of safety in hunting and the handling of firearms.It includes firing practice on a rifle range. Students who pass the course receive a temporary certificate, allowing them to purchase a hunting license in Minnesota and other states where certification is required.
The department recognizes that courses can be difficult to fit into the hectic schedules of today’s fast-moving lifestyle. As a result, theDNR offers independent study course options. These include the on-line or workbook version and are administered through volunteer instructors around the state for those 16 and older.Independent study courses are not a “short cut” to certification.Experience has shown that they involve a similar amount of time as the traditional firearms safety classroom course..Hunter education classes fill up fast, so now is the time to register.To find an upcoming class or information on the independent study options, go to www.mndnr.gov and click on “Education/safety” or call651-296-6157 or toll free 1-888-646-6367.
Winds of Change
Winds of change are headed for Hurricane Lake in Cottonwood County,thanks to a habitat improvement project led by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Ducks Unlimited (DU) and Ann Township.
Once a quality waterfowl lake, the 225-acre shallow lake located within the Hurricane Wildlife Management Area has become seriously degraded in recent years due to high water levels, an increasing rough fish population and nutrient-laden run-off.
The project involves installing a water control structure on the WMA that will allow for periodic lake draw downs, then re-establishing aquatic vegetation.“Without healthy aquatic vegetation, a shallow lake will soon become turbid and be of little value to waterfowl and other wildlife species,” explained Randy Markl, DNR wildlife manager at Windom.“Draw downs are an effective strategy for restoring aquatic plant sand improving water quality in shallow basins.”An over-population of undesirable fish species in wetlands and shallow lakes can disturb the aquatic ecology of these systems by consuming aquatic vertebrates, excreting nutrients, and causing turbidity that impairs water quality.
Temporary draw downs can create fish winter kill conditions where needed and also give lake bottom soils a chance to dry out, solidify, and bind nutrients, providing an excellent substrate for plant growth.DU conducted an engineering study for the project and designed the water control structure and an underground pipeline to handle water discharge from the lake. Adjacent landowner Ken Engen donated an easement to the DNR to install the pipeline, while Ann Township gave permission to replace a failing culvert under a township road to facilitate outflow.The culvert will be replaced first, followed by work on the structure.
The draw down is expected to begin sometime in August and the lake could be dry by this fall. While the total draw down will continue at least through next summer, water levels will continue to be held low until aquatic vegetation is established.Jon Schneider, DU manager of Conservation Projects for Minnesota,applauded the joint effort to restore yet another shallow lake in the state’s prairie pothole region. “We have worked often and successfully with the Minnesota DNR on projects of this nature over the years,” Schneider said. “The Hurricane Lake project is just one more example of what private and public organizations can accomplish when they pool their resources and work cooperatively.”
Once a quality waterfowl lake, the 225-acre shallow lake located within the Hurricane Wildlife Management Area has become seriously degraded in recent years due to high water levels, an increasing rough fish population and nutrient-laden run-off.
The project involves installing a water control structure on the WMA that will allow for periodic lake draw downs, then re-establishing aquatic vegetation.“Without healthy aquatic vegetation, a shallow lake will soon become turbid and be of little value to waterfowl and other wildlife species,” explained Randy Markl, DNR wildlife manager at Windom.“Draw downs are an effective strategy for restoring aquatic plant sand improving water quality in shallow basins.”An over-population of undesirable fish species in wetlands and shallow lakes can disturb the aquatic ecology of these systems by consuming aquatic vertebrates, excreting nutrients, and causing turbidity that impairs water quality.
Temporary draw downs can create fish winter kill conditions where needed and also give lake bottom soils a chance to dry out, solidify, and bind nutrients, providing an excellent substrate for plant growth.DU conducted an engineering study for the project and designed the water control structure and an underground pipeline to handle water discharge from the lake. Adjacent landowner Ken Engen donated an easement to the DNR to install the pipeline, while Ann Township gave permission to replace a failing culvert under a township road to facilitate outflow.The culvert will be replaced first, followed by work on the structure.
The draw down is expected to begin sometime in August and the lake could be dry by this fall. While the total draw down will continue at least through next summer, water levels will continue to be held low until aquatic vegetation is established.Jon Schneider, DU manager of Conservation Projects for Minnesota,applauded the joint effort to restore yet another shallow lake in the state’s prairie pothole region. “We have worked often and successfully with the Minnesota DNR on projects of this nature over the years,” Schneider said. “The Hurricane Lake project is just one more example of what private and public organizations can accomplish when they pool their resources and work cooperatively.”
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Upper Mississippi forest lands
Upper Mississippi forest lands protected forever(Released June 3, 2009)
Conservation easement protects waters, habitatand public access regardless of potential land sale
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Blandin Paper Company (UPM) have signed a binding agreement for the purchase of a working forest conservation easement to forever protect 187,277 acres of Northwoods forests, wetlands and shoreline currently owned by UPM. The agreement includes a closing date in 2010 when Lessard Outdoor Heritage funds will be fully available for the project.
The agreement will provide public access and numerous land and water safeguards, regardless of who may own the forest lands in the future, including:
Permanent public access to 187,277 acres of land in north-central Minnesota for hunting, fishing, birdwatching and other recreational activities. Preservation of existing hiking, snowmobile and ATV trails. Safeguards include:
No development permitted on any of the lands. No dividing or subdividing of the lands for sale or other uses. No altering of water channels, wetlands, streams or rivers. No new or expanded roads or landings except as needed for sustainable forest management practices. A requirement to follow internationally accepted sustainable forest management practices by being certified through the Forest Stewardship Council or Sustainable Forestry Initiative, with auditing by the DNR for compliance.
The agreement was signed today, 12 days after Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed into law the Clean Water, Land and Legacy constitutional amendment funding allocations, which included a two-year state appropriation of $36 million for purchase of working forest conservation easements. The state funding will come from revenues generated by the additional sales tax authorized by the constitutional amendment.
In addition, private funding of $9 million is being provided to the state by The Conservation Fund. The sources of these funds include $7 million from the Blandin Foundation and $2 million from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, bringing the total easement investment to $45 million.
“We now have a binding agreement for the perpetual protection of some of the state’s largest public access recreational lands,” said DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten. “The size and scope of the Upper Mississippi Forest makes it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and an ideal use of legacy funding. The easement is a smart investment that will protect Minnesota’s Great Outdoors for our children and grandchildren.”
Mike Kilgore, chair of the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council, views the Upper Mississippi Forest as the signature project of the Outdoor Heritage Fund. “The Council embraced this project because it embodies everything that the Clean Water, Land and Legacy amendment stands for. The easement permanently protects important natural resources - forests, wetlands and shoreline - while guaranteeing public access for recreation at an unprecedented scale. Simply stated, this easement is a great buy for the citizens of Minnesota.”
The conservation easement will remain in place regardless of any possible sale of the forest lands. The timing of the easement agreement is critical for the protection of the lands, according to Tom Duffus, Upper Midwest Director of The Conservation Fund, who helped negotiate the easement. “The possibility of these lands being sold without easement protection was real. We now have in place an irrevocable promise that no matter who owns these lands, they will remain protected and open for public use.”
Sen. Tom Saxhaug, DFL-Grand Rapids, said, “UPM has been a good steward of the land. And now, thanks to the wise investment by the state of Minnesota, regardless of ownership, we have an everlasting guarantee that they will be available for future generations, free from subdivision or development.”
“This easement is critical for the current and long-term needs of this community,” said Bud Stone, president of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. “Not only will we benefit from a guaranteed source of timber that will provide jobs for loggers and mill workers, we will also remain a recreational destination for those who wish to hunt, fish, hike and recreate on these lands.”
Patrick Radzak, secretary treasurer of Teamsters Local Union No. 346, echoed the sentiments expressed by Stone. “It is always positive when an employer and the union can work together to protect our lands and good jobs for the state of Minnesota.”
Clean Water, Land and Legacy funding for the easements will come from a 3/8 percent increase in the state sales tax, approved by Minnesota voters last November. The sales tax increase, which goes into effect on July 1, will also fund other land conservation measures, clean water initiatives, parks and trails projects, and arts education and cultural heritage. It is expected to take until mid to late 2010 before sufficient funds are collected to complete the conservation easement purchase. The easement purchase should be finalized before Dec. 31, 2010.
A map of the forest lands (in red) that are protected with this purchase is available online.
Conservation easement protects waters, habitatand public access regardless of potential land sale
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Blandin Paper Company (UPM) have signed a binding agreement for the purchase of a working forest conservation easement to forever protect 187,277 acres of Northwoods forests, wetlands and shoreline currently owned by UPM. The agreement includes a closing date in 2010 when Lessard Outdoor Heritage funds will be fully available for the project.
The agreement will provide public access and numerous land and water safeguards, regardless of who may own the forest lands in the future, including:
Permanent public access to 187,277 acres of land in north-central Minnesota for hunting, fishing, birdwatching and other recreational activities. Preservation of existing hiking, snowmobile and ATV trails. Safeguards include:
No development permitted on any of the lands. No dividing or subdividing of the lands for sale or other uses. No altering of water channels, wetlands, streams or rivers. No new or expanded roads or landings except as needed for sustainable forest management practices. A requirement to follow internationally accepted sustainable forest management practices by being certified through the Forest Stewardship Council or Sustainable Forestry Initiative, with auditing by the DNR for compliance.
The agreement was signed today, 12 days after Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed into law the Clean Water, Land and Legacy constitutional amendment funding allocations, which included a two-year state appropriation of $36 million for purchase of working forest conservation easements. The state funding will come from revenues generated by the additional sales tax authorized by the constitutional amendment.
In addition, private funding of $9 million is being provided to the state by The Conservation Fund. The sources of these funds include $7 million from the Blandin Foundation and $2 million from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, bringing the total easement investment to $45 million.
“We now have a binding agreement for the perpetual protection of some of the state’s largest public access recreational lands,” said DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten. “The size and scope of the Upper Mississippi Forest makes it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and an ideal use of legacy funding. The easement is a smart investment that will protect Minnesota’s Great Outdoors for our children and grandchildren.”
Mike Kilgore, chair of the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council, views the Upper Mississippi Forest as the signature project of the Outdoor Heritage Fund. “The Council embraced this project because it embodies everything that the Clean Water, Land and Legacy amendment stands for. The easement permanently protects important natural resources - forests, wetlands and shoreline - while guaranteeing public access for recreation at an unprecedented scale. Simply stated, this easement is a great buy for the citizens of Minnesota.”
The conservation easement will remain in place regardless of any possible sale of the forest lands. The timing of the easement agreement is critical for the protection of the lands, according to Tom Duffus, Upper Midwest Director of The Conservation Fund, who helped negotiate the easement. “The possibility of these lands being sold without easement protection was real. We now have in place an irrevocable promise that no matter who owns these lands, they will remain protected and open for public use.”
Sen. Tom Saxhaug, DFL-Grand Rapids, said, “UPM has been a good steward of the land. And now, thanks to the wise investment by the state of Minnesota, regardless of ownership, we have an everlasting guarantee that they will be available for future generations, free from subdivision or development.”
“This easement is critical for the current and long-term needs of this community,” said Bud Stone, president of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. “Not only will we benefit from a guaranteed source of timber that will provide jobs for loggers and mill workers, we will also remain a recreational destination for those who wish to hunt, fish, hike and recreate on these lands.”
Patrick Radzak, secretary treasurer of Teamsters Local Union No. 346, echoed the sentiments expressed by Stone. “It is always positive when an employer and the union can work together to protect our lands and good jobs for the state of Minnesota.”
Clean Water, Land and Legacy funding for the easements will come from a 3/8 percent increase in the state sales tax, approved by Minnesota voters last November. The sales tax increase, which goes into effect on July 1, will also fund other land conservation measures, clean water initiatives, parks and trails projects, and arts education and cultural heritage. It is expected to take until mid to late 2010 before sufficient funds are collected to complete the conservation easement purchase. The easement purchase should be finalized before Dec. 31, 2010.
A map of the forest lands (in red) that are protected with this purchase is available online.
Baby Eagles
Baby eagles put on a show at Glendalough State Park(Released June 4, 2009)
The resident bald eagles at Glendalough State Park in Battle Lake, Minn., are once again proud parents, according to Park Manager Jeff Wiersma. Park visitors will have the opportunity to view the adults and their three energetic offspring on Saturdays in June.
Programs start at 10 a.m. at the Glendalough trail center.
Eagle nest at Glendalough.Participants will watch a short video and hike about one mile to view the active nest. Because eagles can be sensitive to human activity during the nesting/fledgling period, the park has taken measures to insure that this program will not disturb the adults or young. Using the park’s spotting scope, visitors will get a close-up view of these birds from a safe distance.
Programs will be canceled in the event of heavy rain or nest failure. Groups should make special arrangements. Call the park at 218-864-0110 for more information.
Click here for high-resolution image of the eagle nest.
The resident bald eagles at Glendalough State Park in Battle Lake, Minn., are once again proud parents, according to Park Manager Jeff Wiersma. Park visitors will have the opportunity to view the adults and their three energetic offspring on Saturdays in June.
Programs start at 10 a.m. at the Glendalough trail center.
Eagle nest at Glendalough.Participants will watch a short video and hike about one mile to view the active nest. Because eagles can be sensitive to human activity during the nesting/fledgling period, the park has taken measures to insure that this program will not disturb the adults or young. Using the park’s spotting scope, visitors will get a close-up view of these birds from a safe distance.
Programs will be canceled in the event of heavy rain or nest failure. Groups should make special arrangements. Call the park at 218-864-0110 for more information.
Click here for high-resolution image of the eagle nest.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
News Release
News Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DNR seeks comments on temporary hunting rules (May 18, 2009)Filed under: A- Home Page, B- DNR News, D- Hunting — Steve Carroll @ 4:21 pm
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Minnesotans have until June 26 to submit written comments or requests for public hearings on a number of temporary regulations that are proposed to become permanent.
The proposals relate to a variety of areas pertaining to individual wildlife management areas and game refuges, deer hunting regulations, bear hunting regulations, upland game birds, migratory game birds, prairie chickens, and waterfowl.
“Nearly all of the rule changes included in this package are in effect as temporary rules and received support previously in past public input meetings,” said Jason Abraham, season setting specialist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “This final comment opportunity is part of a required public process before we can make these rules permanent.”
The only new rule included in this package would prohibit the use of bait for turkey hunting. A copy of the proposed rules and additional information about the rules process will be available online at after May 26.
Comments may be submitted to: Jason Abraham, Box 20, DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4020 or by e-mail at Jason.Abraham@dnr.state.mn.us.
Input also will be accepted via the DNR’s Web site.
Provisions, currently in effect through temporary rules that would become permanent include:
Special provisions for some Wildlife Management Areas, State Game and Waterfowl Refuges, waterfowl Controlled Hunting Zones, and migratory feeding and resting areas;
- Definitions for terms used in special deer hunts;
- Rules pertaining to national wildlife refuges and federal waterfowl production areas;
- Deer zone and date options, deer tagging procedure and deer license validation procedures;
- Bag limits for deer in intensive, managed, lottery, early season deer areas, and metro and bovine tuberculosis deer management zones;
- Seasons for taking deer by firearms in the metro deer management zone;
- Muzzleloader deer seasons and areas;
- Bag limit for bears outside quota areas;
- License procedures for taking bear outside quota areas;
- Seasons for taking ruffed and spruce grouse, pheasants and gray partridge;
- Seasons for taking sora and Virginia rails and common snipe;
- Provisions for the harvest of prairie chickens;
- Youth waterfowl hunting date;
- Season and bag limit for taking geese in the northwest goose zone.
Thank You Minnesota DNR
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