January 4, 2008 - TOP STORIES
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Snowmobilers have reason to celebrate
Bowhunter charged with posting signs on public land
Pros share fishing and hunting tips at Sportsmen's Show
Senator proposes earlier walleye opener
DNR plans public meeting Jan. 16 on motor vehicle use proposals
Snowmobilers have reason to celebrate
December snow gives snowmobilers reason to celebrate
By Doug Smith
Star Tribune of Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – After years of staring forlornly at brown winter landscapes, Minnesota’s legion of 270,000 snowmobilers can be excused if they’re excited these days.
The snow has come early and often. And – for a change – it’s sticking around instead of melting.
“People are giddy,” said Terry Hutchinson, 58, of Prior Lake, a longtime avid snowmobiler and president of the Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association.
“The average person hasn’t sat on their snowmobiles in three or four years,” he said. “Right now conditions are great. Everyone is excited; it’s been crazy.”
Snowmobilers, the snowmobile industry and Minnesota’s winter tourist industry all have suffered from years of poor snow conditions. This year’s snowfall – the northern half of the state has 8 to 15 inches – is the most to come and stay this early in the season since 1996.
Fourteen consecutive days of below-normal temperatures have kept that snow around.
The snowmobile crowd is hoping for more. Snowmobile sales have fallen 50 percent in the past 10 years, but the blanket of snow in December has jump-started interest.
“We sold nine sleds last week – that’s not typical for the past seven years,” said Blake Dalbec of Forest Lake Motor Sports. “And our parts department has been busy.”
Because of slow sales, some dealers have a backlog of new machines from 2007, 2006 and even 2005.
Snowmobilers in the Twin Cities area have been especially hard hit, teased by snow that usually melts days later. Even now, snow totals are below average and trails are getting worn down in some areas.
“We need 6 inches of wet snow,” Hutchinson said.
Snowmobiling is a multimillion industry for the state, responsible for $200 million in expenditures and about 5,000 jobs. It’s a major player in winter tourism.
“Resorts rely heavily on snowmobilers,” said Hutchinson. “It’s a big deal economically.”
To understand what the lack of snow has done, consider Hutchinson’s local club, the Prior Lake Snowmobile Association – one of 263 snowmobile clubs in the state.
“We usually take 100 people and go up north once or twice a winter,” he said.
They fill motels and restaurants and leave behind plenty of cash.
Because of the dearth of snow, “we haven’t gone anywhere for two years,” he said.
This year, the club is planning a trip to Park Rapids.
And Hutchinson blames weather for the decline in membership to the state snowmobile association. It counts 15,000 families today, down from 20,000 a few years ago.
“We’re trying to build it back up,” he said.
Minnesota boasts 20,000 miles of snowmobile trails, and this winter, there’s added excitement. Forty Corridor Routes have been numbered and signed recently so that snowmobilers can navigate the interconnecting trails much like motorists use the highway system. Route 88, for example, goes from Grand Rapids to Ely and the North Shore.
“It’s something we’ve been working on for three years,” Hutchinson said. “You can get on in Canada and ride to Iowa.” Cost of the signs: about $16,000.
“We’re thrilled,” he said. Four detailed maps cover the state.
The snowmobile clubs are the backbone of the system. They groom 18,000 miles of trails; the DNR grooms just 2,000 miles, Hutchinson said. It’s critical that snowmobilers buy the required trail stickers to help pay for the grooming, he said.
If the snow holds, Hutchinson will be out on the trails, both in Minnesota and out west.
“We have four trips planned,” he said, three with his wife Debbie. “Right now, conditions are great,” he said.
An avid snowmobiler for more than 30 years, the appeal is simple:
“It’s getting together with friends and going for a ride. It’s an event. It’s the scenery, the wildlife. And the people are really friendly.”
Bowhunter charged with posting signs on public land
DULUTH, Minn. (AP) – A bowhunter has been charged with trespassing for allegedly posting no-trespassing signs on public property, authorities said.
Jeff Murray, 57, of Duluth, discouraged recreation by the public in an area that he hunted, according to an eight-page complaint filed Dec. 24 in St. Louis County District Court.
Murray, a bowhunting consultant who helped lobby city officials to establish a city bowhunt to thin the deer herd within Duluth, had asked that the case be dismissed because part of the court file was missing. A judge dismissed the case, but allowed prosecutors to refile the charges.
In the complaint refiled on Dec. 24, authorities say two conservation officers with the Department of Natural Resources received a complaint on Oct. 19 of Murray posting no-trespassing signs on public property north of Skyline Parkway and east of 40th Avenue West in Duluth.
Murray told the DNR he was hunting on private property next to the public land in question, and that he had permission to hunt and post the signs on the private property, according to the complaint. He told officers he used a compass bearing and posted the signs.
“I thank God I live in America where everyone can have their day in court,” Murray told the Duluth News Tribune. “Once I’ve had my day in court I’m completely confident this matter will be dismissed.”
According to the complaint, Murray told officers he took one sign off of the right of way and “adjusted a couple that were along the creek.” He also said he told other bowhunters not to worry too much about the signs because they were approximate, according to court documents.
Murray said in an interview that he told DNR officers the location of one sign was off. “I acknowledged making a mistake about one of the signs,” he said.
The Arrowhead Bowhunters Alliance suspended Murray from the city bowhunt back in November.
Pros share fishing and hunting tips at Sportsmen's Show
ST. PAUL, MN - Angling and hunting pros will offer great tips for Minnesota’s outdoor enthusiasts during the Minnesota Sportsmen’s Show. Topics range from whitetail deer strategies to slip bobbers, spinners and rigs to walleye fishing techniques. Now in its 38th year, the Sportsmen’s Show runs January 9 to 13 at St. Paul’s RiverCentre. The Minnesota Sportsmen’s Show is one of the Upper Midwest’s largest exhibitions of boats, recreational vehicles, fishing gear and camping equipment. Cenaiko Productions, Inc. of Minneapolis produces the event. The following professionals are appearing at this year’s show:
LARRY BOLLIG
Larry Bollig is one of Minnesota’s premier fishermen. He is noted for his expertise in a variety of areas, excelling in bass, walleye and muskie fishing. This successful tournament angler brings the insights of competitive fishing and angling in strange waters to his seminars. He is also well-versed on fishing tackle and electronics. Despite his impressive fishing credentials, which include membership in the Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame, Larry always maintains a sense of humor about his angling prowess. He’s also a familiar voice to outdoor lovers as the co-host of the weekly “Bear Tracks and Fish Tales” radio show on KSTP AM 1500. Larry will explain why “Walleyes Aren’t Geniuses” during his seminars on Wednesday and Thursday.
KURT AMUNDSON
Outdoors Weekly writer
Kurt Amundson is an avid outdoorsman and outdoor writer from Starbuck, Minnesota. His big passion is hunting whitetail deer. He spends several days in the stand each fall in pursuit of big bucks. A realtor by trade, Kurt markets and sells hunting land. He has purchased several farms and has spent countless hours improving the land for wildlife. His outdoor columns have been featured in Outdoors Weekly, Midwest Outdoors, Dakota Outdoors and Outdoor News. Kurt will cover “Hunting the Whitetail Rut” and “Managing Your Hunting Property for Quality Deer” during his seminars scheduled on Wednesday and Thursday.
TED TAKASAKI
Outdoors Weekly writer
Ted Takasaki is a top professional angler who has competed on both the In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) and the FLW Walleye Tour. He won the prestigious PWT Classic Championship in 1998 and still holds the all time tournament record for a one day limit of 5 walleyes, which weighed an amazing 53.2 pounds! In addition, he is the President of Lindy-Little Joe tackle company, one of the nation’s largest fishing tackle manufacturers. He has been featured in many national outdoor magazines and has appeared on numerous fishing television shows. Ted is considered one of America’s leading walleye experts. Ted’s seminars scheduled Friday through Sunday cover “Spinners and Rigs for Walleye” and “Slip Bobbers for All Fish.”
TODD AMENRUD
Outdoors Weekly writer
Todd Amenrud is a full time sportsman whose job keeps him in the outdoors much of the year. He is addicted to bow hunting for whitetail and spends considerable time researching, studying and learning about them. He also hunts other big game, turkey and waterfowl throughout the country and Canada. Todd has written three books on whitetail, including Details for Whitetail. He has trained extensively on whitetail management, habitat improvement and planting food plots. In addition, he is certified through the state of Minnesota as an instructor for bow hunter education, firearms safety and advanced hunter education. He currently writes columns in over 60 outdoor and general circulation publications. At the Sportsmen’s Show, Todd will discuss “Strategies to Help You Get Closer to Mature Bucks” and “Spring Tom Tactics.” His seminars are scheduled Friday through Sunday.
RON SCHARA
Ron Schara has been sharing the great outdoor experience with his readers and viewers for nearly three decades. This Star Tribune outdoor columnist is host of television’s “Minnesota Bound” and the radio series “Call of the Wild.” Schara grew up loving the outdoors in northeast Iowa’s rugged bluff country. His knowledge and understanding of our natural surroundings is more than a journalist’s assignment. He has combined his degrees in journalism and fish/wildlife biology into a lifelong quest to bring the outdoors to the public. His special Kids’ Fishing School is fun for both children and adults. The sessions are scheduled Saturday at 11 a.m. and Sunday at noon.
Sportsmen’s Show Hours:
Wednesday through Friday noon to 9 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission:
$9.00 for adults and $2.50 for children aged six to 12
Children five and under admitted free of charge
For More Information: call 763-755-8111 or go to www.stpaulsportshow.com
Senator proposes earlier walleye opener
DULUTH, Minn. (AP) – The state senator who chairs the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee might try to push the state walleye fishing opener a week earlier but put a tighter limit on the statewide limit, from six to four daily.
Sen. Satveer Chaudhary, DFLer from Fridley, suggested the changes in a letter to the state DNR commissioner and reported by the Duluth News-Tribune. He said the Legislature would consider the changes in the session starting in February.
In a letter to Commissioner Mark Holsten, Chaudhary said it would bring the state’s dates in line with neighboring states and reduce conflicts with Mother’s Day. It would mean a May 2 opener in 2009, instead of May 9.
The DNR hasn’t yet commented on the proposal.
DNR plans public meeting Jan. 16 on motor vehicle use proposals
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public meeting on its motor vehicle use classification and route designation proposals for the Mississippi Headwaters State Forest and scattered DNR forest lands in southwest Beltrami County.
The DNR will hold a public meeting on this proposal on Wednesday, Jan. 16 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Beaux Arts Ballroom, Hobson Memorial Union, Bemidji State University, 1500 Birchmont Road, Bemidji.
The DNR will present information and receive comments on its proposals. Joining DNR at the meeting will be representatives from the land departments for Beltrami, Clearwater and Hubbard counties.
The Mississippi Headwaters State Forest is part of the greater West Central Forests planning unit that includes six state forests within a 10-county planning area. The West Central Group is divided into two subunits. The North Unit includes Mississippi Headwaters and White Earth State Forests and scattered forest lands in Becker, Beltrami, Clearwater and Mahnomen counties. The South Unit includes Huntersville, Lyons, Smoky Hills and Two Inlets state forests and scattered forest lands in Clay, Douglas, Otter Tail, Pope, Todd and Wadena counties.
The DNR’s West Central Group - Mississippi Headwaters State Forest classification review and route designation proposals are available on the DNR Web site at www.findthetrails.com.
Written comments, questions or requests for copies of the planning documents should be directed to Bill Johnson, DNR Trails & Waterways, 500 Lafayette Road, Box 52, St. Paul, MN 55155-4052; bill.johnson@dnr.state.mn.us, (651) 259-5643 or toll free at 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367).
Written comments on the draft proposal will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 23.
© 2008 Outdoors Weekly Corporation