August 24, 2007 - TOP STORIES
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Executive Order to benefit sportsmen
Local anglers win tourney at Big Stone Lake
DNR's firearms safety and new apprentice hunter program give newcomers chance to go hunting
DNR protects additional two-thirds of Walker Lake shoreline as an AMA
Executive Order to benefit sportsmen
Sportsmen applaud President’s Order to promote hunting
U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Reports
An Executive Order issued by the President of the United States will spell more hunting opportunities and enhanced conservation efforts, according to the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, the nation’s premier sportsmen’s rights advocacy organization.
On Friday, August 17, President George W. Bush released the order, entitled “Facilitation of Hunting and Wildlife Conservation.” It directs all relevant federal agencies to facilitate the expansion and enhancement of hunting opportunities, wildlife management and habitat.
“The Executive Order is a great milestone for sportsmen and wildlife conservation,” said Bud Pidgeon, president and CEO of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance. “It clearly demonstrates that the President understands the unbreakable bond between successful wildlife conservation and hunting - that sportsmen are the key to abundant wildlife and habitat.”
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance proposed that the White House issue an Executive Order on hunting early in President Bush’s first term, and again in 2007.
The order, number 13,443, directs federal agencies that manage public land, outdoor recreation and wildlife management to:
• Address declining trends and implement actions that expand and enhance hunting opportunities
• Consider the economic and recreational value of hunting
• Manage wildlife and habitat in a manner that expands and enhances hunting opportunities
• Work collaboratively with states to manage wildlife in a manner that respects private property rights and state authority over wildlife
• Establish goals with the states to foster healthy game populations
“The order gives federal agencies a clear-cut directive that they work to increase hunting opportunities with state wildlife agencies,” said Pidgeon. “It will result in more resources directed at preserving the future of hunting and greater access to public land. The President is to be commended.”
For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org
Local anglers win tourney at Big Stone Lake
(Photos in print version)
Ortonville, Minn. – Brent Hasslen of Ortonville, Minnesota and Richie Seidel of Big Stone City, South Dakota have been friends for most of their life – and they enjoy team fishing for walleyes together. On Sunday, August 19, 2007 they captured their first Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit victory when the event rolled around to their home waters – Big Stone Lake. Cashing in $7,184 for the win, they produced the maximum eight allowable fish over the two day tournament at 16.06 pounds. Plus, the duo won the big fish pot on Saturday with a 3.17 pound walleye, gaining the team a $350 bonus.
The winners used two patterns for the tournament. Casting cranks into the shallow rocks on the North end of the lake, just 2 to 3 miles from the top on the Minnesota side, worked best for bigger fish. They predominantly used number 5 shad raps, chartreuse and white, which produced well both days. The other productive pattern was trolling crank baits at 2.2 to 3.5 miles per hour with planer boards. As the tournament waned, it seemed the slower the better according to Hasslen. When asked what type of cranks were hot, Seidel answered, “They hit on a lot of different things – it was like a smorgasbord of options.”
Hasslen added, “We were constantly changing out our baits. We must have tried over 150 different baits throughout the day. We’d get one fish and then it seemed that the one that got a hit wouldn’t work so we’d keep changing it up.” That’s a lot of hard work in the boat, which is exactly what tournament fishing is – hard work! According to Seidel, “We’re dog tired when we’re done, but we don’t mind working hard for the money.” Hasslen quickly added with a smile, “We don’t mind a little luck when the fish cooperate, either.”
The key to their success was selecting their spot for the shallow rocks fishing. During pre-fishing they looked for algae stained water, the grosser the better. Then they patiently stayed put – up to four hours during the tournament days. “We were really pleased that after holding the lead on day one, we got to our spot and no one else had moved in. That was good sportsmanship,” shared Hasslen.
Second place and $3,094 went to the father and son team of Terry and John Oakes weighing in at 11.63 pounds for seven fish. Also locals from Ortonville and Big Stone City, the Oakes’ won the last Cabela’s MWC at Big Stone Lake in 2003. They also received a cash bonus of $350 for the biggest fish on Sunday at 4.36 pounds. Like Hasslen and Seidel, they caught their big fish throwing plugs, silver and thin, on the rocks.
“The bigger fish didn’t really act like a walleye when it hit, and I was pretty sure Dad had on a silver bass,” laughed Terry after the checks were presented and the cash was in his wallet. “I told him I wasn’t even going to get a net for it, but the joke was on me when it was a walleye. He didn’t let me forget it for the rest of the day, either!”
Third place went to Kevin Carstensen of Merrill, Wisconsin and Rich Olds of Stevens Point, Wisconsin. They picked up Big Stone Lake as their MWC Challenge tournament, which is one strategy for getting into the World Walleye Championship the following year. It worked out pretty well for the Wisconsinites as they won $1,482 for their 10.25 pounds over two days.
Several other teams entered the Big Stone Lake tournament in the hunt for points – including Daniel Stier of Pierre, South Dakota and Jerry Plourde of Cornell, Michigan. They were in the lead for Team of the Year, but didn’t fare well at Big Stone Lake, not boating a fish either day. Terry Mayhall of Madison, Wisconsin and Tony Dowiatt of Stevens Point, Wisconsin were close behind Stier and Plourde, but managed to put seven fish together for 8.92 pounds, good enough to earn the $1,000 Ranger Cup bonus for their 5th place finish. That gives Mayhall and Dowiatt a position of second place heading into the last tournament of the qualifying season in Dubuque, Iowa, September 8th and 9th. Scott Hausauer of Appleton, Wisconsin and Tony Larson of Gladstone, Michigan are currently in first place.
In all, $13,460 was paid out to the top teams in cash prizes. Plus, $315 was awarded to the Big Stone Lake Walleye Club for improvements to their rearing ponds. The walleye conservation fund is donated by the anglers at a rate of $15 out of each entry fee – and has put over $130,000 into conservation efforts over more than twenty years.
Toyota donated two specially rigged bikes to carry fishing rods to the NPAA/MWC Youth & Family Fishing Clinic on Saturday. Lowrance Electronics, Cabela’s, Ranger Boats and the North American Fishing Club donated rods and reels with tackle boxes full of essential gear. After putting their very own rod in their hands, NPAA angler #920, Frank Pilney, led the kids in learning to tie the knots for slip-bobber fishing. Tony Schake, age 12, son of Laurel and Doug Schake of Big Stone City, South Dakota and Erica Fahey, age 6, daughter of Julie and Doug Fahey of Carver, Minnesota each won one of the new bikes. Approximately 50 children from the area attended the clinic with their parents or other family members.
Farm and City Insurance Services donated safety equipment to several anglers, including two new PFDs to the reigning Central Division Father and Son team of Don and Michael Olson, of Andover and Coon Rapids, Minnesota. In addition, FCIS places $5 for every quote they give into a bonus conservation fund.
Ice Armor also donated a new set of outdoor gear to lucky winners Jim Gregory of Big Stone City, South Dakota and Rick Hentges of Millbank, South Dakota.
The Big Stone Lake Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the event in conjunction with Ortonville’s Cornfest Days. Thousands of people were in town for the festivities and huge crowds attended the weigh-in, in spite of wet and drizzly days.
One qualifying tournament remains on the schedule before the Championship in October.
MWC Central - Sept 8 & 9
Dubuque, IA – Mississippi River
World Walleye Championship (invitation only) - Oct 4-6
Dundee, MI - Detroit River, Lake Erie
For more information contact circuit headquarters by email at: events@masterswalleyecircuit.com or toll-free at 877-893-7947.
Apply for antlerless permits
DNR News
Deer hunters who wish to harvest antlerless deer are encouraged to take extra time in determining if they need to apply to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for an either-sex permit prior to the Sept. 6 application deadline.
Adult hunters who purchase an all-season or regular firearm license and hunt in a lottery permit area (noted as blue on the colored maps available with the 2007 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook) need to purchase their license and apply for an either-sex permit by the Sept. 6 deadline. Hunters who intend to purchase an all-season license and hunt during the muzzleloader season also need to apply if they intend to harvest an antlerless deer this year.
“It’s important for hunters to look at the book every year before the lottery application deadline,” said Lou Cornicelli, DNR big game program coordinator. “While some areas are always lottery, there have been some changes around St. Cloud and in western Minnesota as well.”
Hunters who fail to apply before the Sept. 6 application deadline or are unsuccessful in the lottery will be restricted to bucks only, Cornicelli added. Leftover lottery permits will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis at 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 15. However, hunters should understand that permits will be limited as most are distributed through the lottery.
A complete list of lottery areas can be found in the 2007 hunting synopsis, which is available on the DNR Web site or at all 1,800 electronic licensing system agents. Alternatively, hunters can view specific 2007 deer season information at http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/outdoor_activities/hunting/deer/2007/2007_deer_season.pdf
DNR's firearms safety and new apprentice hunter program give newcomers chance to go hunting
DNR News
With Minnesota’s fall hunting seasons just around the corner, Minnesotans young and old are already planning their hunt. But before they hunt they need to complete a DNR Firearms Safety Hunter Education Course. All 50 states and Canada have firearms safety hunter education requirements and certification may be necessary prior to purchasing a license.
This year Minnesota joins a number of other states in offering an Apprentice Hunter Program that allows first-time hunters a once-in-a-lifetime exemption from firearms safety certification if they are closely accompanied by a licensed hunter while in the field. This program is intended as a hunter recruitment tool to allow a person to try hunting for a year, even if they have not yet taken the firearms training course.
Minnesota requires anyone born after Dec. 31, 1979, to have completed a Firearms Safety Hunter Education Course before they can purchase a hunting license. Youth 13 and older must possess a firearms safety certificate or an apprentice hunter validation for small game hunting.
For big game hunting, youth 12 and older are required to possess a firearms safety certificate or the new apprentice hunter validation. The Apprentice Hunter validation defers the hunter education requirement for one year.
The Apprentice Hunter Program requires first-time hunters to be accompanied by a licensed adult hunter when they are in the field. The Apprentice Hunter must be within uninterrupted visual contact and unaided verbal communication with the accompanying licensed hunter at all times. The validation, which is good for one year, will cost $3.50 and may be purchased from any of the 1,700 businesses that sell hunting and fishing licenses across Minnesota.
According to Capt. Mike Hammer, education coordinator for the DNR’s Division of Enforcement, apprentice hunter programs like Minnesota’s are starting in a number of states.
“As bigger societal factors make participation in hunting harder, more and more states are trying to make their regulations more flexible to attract potential hunters,” Hammer said. “Minnesota law allows youth under age 12 to hunt small game without a firearms safety certificate when accompanied by a parent or guardian, and the apprentice hunter validation extends that same concept to older kids and adults.”
Hammer predicts that the people most likely to take advantage of the new program are youth who failed to get into a firearms safety class in time for the hunting season, or young adults who are trying hunting for the first time and were unaware of the firearms safety requirement. Other participants will likely include individuals who are invited by friends to try hunting but who do not have adequate advance time to complete the training prior to the opportunity to go along on a hunt.
“We want to stress that the validation process is only good for one-year from date of purchase and is valid only in Minnesota,” Hammer added. Hammer also noted there are a number of traditional youth and adult options available to complete firearms certification in Minnesota. Getting those hunters into a Firearms Safety Program so they can keep hunting in 2008 and beyond will be a priority for the agency.
Youth 11 and older are eligible for courses taught by volunteer instructors across the state. Those 18 and older have the option of completing a home study course that is either computer or workbook based. As many as 25,000 Minnesotans take the DNR Firearms Safety course every year and become certified. This program is credited with making hunting one of the safest outdoor recreational activities. The DNR Web site contains information course listing and course options.
“We hope all those who try hunting through the apprentice program experience the joys of hunting and become part of our hunting future,” Hammer said. “For those desiring the popular traditional approach, there’s quick, easy options that are available that can be completed at home or in a classroom.”
Further information about Firearms Safety Hunter Education and the Apprentice Hunter Program is available online at www.mndnr.gov
DNR protects additional two-thirds of Walker Lake shoreline as an AMA
Dedication ceremony set for Friday, Aug. 24 at the Walker Lake Preserve
picnic shelter
An easement and fee purchase coordinated through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will protect an additional 3,750 feet of critical shoreline habitat on Walker Lake in Ottertail County.
DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten will dedicate two new parcels of land adjacent to the existing Dead River/Walker Aquatic Management Area (AMA) at a public ceremony this month. Approximately 1.4 miles of shoreline will be protected with the new acquisitions.
“We, as a Board of Directors, thought this was a good development from the start,” said Bill Barber, president of the Otter Tail Lakes Property Owners Association. “This reinforces those thoughts as the sale and conservation easement will prevent any further development.”
The easement and acquisition, of which the DNR purchased 750 feet of shoreline and WLP Development donated an additional 3,000 feet of shoreline in a conservation easement, is on the west side of Walker Lake. The Dead River connects Walker Lake to Otter Tail Lake, known for its abundant pristine shoreline and production of walleye, northern pike, panfish and bass. Upland portions of the Dead River/Walker Lake Aquatic Management Area have abundant wildlife, including deer, wild turkeys and grouse.
“With 1.4 miles of lake and stream shore, Dead River/Walker Lake AMA provides critical habitat for both fish and waterfowl species,” said Mike Halverson, DNR fisheries acquisition coordinator. “It provides great opportunities for public wildlife observation as well. We greatly appreciate the foresight shown by WLP Development in planning a development that includes shoreland conservation. This will allow adjacent landowners, as well as lake users, to enjoy the clean water benefits that natural shorelines provide.”
Funding for the fee purchase came from Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) matching funds. The RIM dollars were made available by the donation of the conservation easement by WLP Development. The easement restricts riparian rights on the shoreline - no docks or removal of emergent vegetation will be allowed.
The dedication ceremony, set for 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, is open to all those interested in learning more about the Dead River/Walker Lake AMA expansion. The event will take place at the Walker Lake Preserve picnic shelter. The dedication will feature a brief program, followed by complementary cake and ice cream. Golf cart and trailer tours will be offered. A 1.5-mile walking trail on the easement will be open to the public. The entrance to the Walker Lake Preserve is one mile north of County Road 1 on County Road 14, then one-half mile east on Preserve Drive.
“Our families have lived for generations on Walker Lake,” Jim Morgan, WLP Development president said. “We wanted to protect as much of the lake as possible from disruption. When this property is combined with the current DNR property, over one mile of the west side of Walker Lake will be protected for the future. We’re proud to be able to make this contribution.”
“I’m grateful that we can preserve the west side of Walker Lake for my children and generations to come,” added Chris Tjornhom, WLP Development vice president, “Walker Lake is the walleye nursery for Otter Tail Lake. This conservation easement will protect the spawning grounds for years to come. My family loves Walker Lake. We are glad we can play a small part in preserving the natural look and feel of the shoreline.”
© 2007 Outdoors Weekly Corporation