February 1, 2008 - TOP STORIES
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Minnesota to host Federal Duck Stamp contest
Brainerd Jaycees announce a very successful 18th Annual Extravaganza
Sheriff says carbon monoxide killed two Steele County fishermen
DNR acquisition a boon for fish, wildlife and clean waterns
Minnesota to host Federal Duck Stamp contest
2008 Federal Duck Stamp Art Competition to be held at the Bloomington Center for the Arts
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the City of Bloomington, Minn., announced last week that the 2008 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest will be held Oct. 17 and 18 at the Bloomington Center for the Arts, 1800 West Old Shakopee Road.
The winning design chosen during the contest will be made into the 2009-2010 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, or “Duck Stamp,” the cornerstone of one of the world’s most successful conservation programs.
“Minnesota’s heritage of wildlife conservation, waterfowl hunting and arts appreciation makes it an ideal place to hold the Federal Duck Stamp Contest,” said Robyn Thorson, the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Midwest regional director. “It is only fitting that the Bloomington Center for the Arts will be the venue for this unique competition that blends waterfowl and wildlife with the arts.”
“We are very pleased to be hosting the 2008 Duck Stamp Contest in Bloomington,” said Mayor Gene Winstead. “It is a great opportunity to showcase the visual arts and wildlife conservation and their contribution to our quality of life.”
“The close working relationship that exists between the City of Bloomington and Bloomington Art Center provides a strong and solid platform for a spectacular event such as this,” said Kathleen Corley, director of the Bloomington Art Center. “We were pleased to be chosen by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and anticipate a response from our community that will demonstrate its support of the arts and wildlife conservation.”
The $15 Federal Duck Stamp is a vital tool for wetland conservation, with 98 cents of every dollar generated going to purchase or lease wetland habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Since the stamp’s inception, more than $700 million has been raised to acquire more than 5.2 million acres of habitat and hundreds of refuges across the nation to conserve America’s fish and wildlife resources.
The Federal Duck Stamp Contest is the only federally sponsored art competition. Hundreds of prominent wildlife artists from across the country enter each year. While the winner receives no money from the federal government, the winning artist benefits from the increased visibility and sale of prints and artwork.
The first Federal Duck Stamp was designed in 1934 by Iowa native and editorial cartoonist J.N. “Ding” Darling, who was the director of the Bureau of Biological Survey, forerunner to the Fish and Wildlife Service. It sold for $1. In 2006, more than 1.6 million people purchased a Federal Duck Stamp. Every waterfowl hunter over the age of 16 is required to buy a Federal Duck Stamp. In addition, Federal Duck Stamps are highly sought after by collectors and provide free entry into any national wildlife refuge that charges an entrance fee.
This year, the Fish and Wildlife Service marks the 50th anniversary of the Small Wetlands Program, created to stem the rapid loss of important small wetland and grassland habitat across the Prairie Pothole Region of the upper Midwest.
These prairie wetlands and grassland habitats are known as waterfowl production areas and are purchased using revenues from Federal Duck Stamp sales. In the last half-century, the Small Wetlands Program has developed into one of the most successful landscape-level conservation efforts in the United States, complementing the success of the Duck Stamp
The winner of the 2007 Federal Duck Stamp Contest, Joseph Hautman, hails from Plymouth, Minn. His painting of a pair of northern pintail ducks was chosen from among 247 images by a panel of five judges last October in Sanibel, Fla. Hautman’s stamp, which goes on sale July 1, will be the 75th Federal Duck Stamp.
Minnesota has produced more winning Federal Duck Stamp artists than any other state. Minnesota’s hunters, birders, conservationists, art lovers and stamp collectors have purchased more than 9.1 million duck stamps since 1934.
For more information about the Federal Duck Stamp Program, visit http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps. The Bloomington Art Center is a nonprofit community art center whose mission is to stimulate creativity by making high quality arts programs accessible to people of all ages, skills and abilities. For more information, visit http://www.bloomingtonartcenter.com.
Brainerd Jaycees Announce A Very Successful 18th Annual Extravaganza
See exclusive story and photos by Mike Yurk in this week's print version on newsstands now! Plus full 150 results!
Brainerd, MN - Over 10,000 anglers were on Gull Lake’s Hole in the Day Bay seven miles north of Brainerd for the 18th Annual Ice Fishing Extravaganza hosted by the Brainerd Jaycees today. 730 fish were registered in the event but the winning fish was a 5.34 pound Walleye caught by Terry Schwichtenberg of Waterville, MN. “We were fishing in 65 feet of water and using shiners,” said Schwichtenberg. A walleye has been the winningest fish throughout the history of the contest. Schwichtenberg took home a 2008 Ford 4x4 Truck. In 100th place, winning a Glastron GT Fish and Ski Boat, was Trevor Birdsall of Princeton, MN. Birdsall landed on the board with a .60 pound Rock Bass. In last place (150th) was Jason Jowas of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, and he took home a Suzuki KingQuad 450 ATV with .53 pound perch.
The Brainerd Jaycees estimate over 10,000 volunteer-hours went into planning this year’s event. Chairman Brian Sedlachek said, “It’s still amazing to me that this event is run entirely by volunteers and that it seems to get bigger and better every year.” Sedlachek believes the event is successful because of the dedication of the Brainerd Jaycees and the support of the entire Brainerd-area and ice fishing communities. “We are fortunate to have many wonderful sponsors like Aqua-Vu, Mills Ford, Crystal Pierz Marine, Strikemaster, Mr. Heater and C&L Distributing that support us each and every year. Plus there are over 400 volunteers from all throughout the community that help on the day of the event.”
Another unique aspect of the Extravaganza is that all of the proceeds are donated to area charities. Confidence Learning Center – a facility providing year-round outdoor experiences for people with developmental disabilities – is the primary beneficiary receiving 70% of the proceeds. “In the history of the event the Jaycees have donated over $1-million dollars to Confidence Learning Center. That equates to over 20,000 camper days which is just awesome,” said Jeff Olson, Executive Director, Confidence Learning Center. The Brainerd Jaycees have raised over $2-million dollars since the first event in 1991 and they expect to raise nearly $250,000 this year alone.
Next year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, January 24, 2009. For more information please visit www.icefishing.org
Sheriff says carbon monoxide killed two Steele County fishermen
CLARKS GROVE, Minn. (AP) – The family of a Steele County man who died along with his fishing partner while fishing in northern Minnesota is urging anglers to install carbon monoxide detectors in their fish houses.
Lake of the Woods County Sheriff’s Office issued a news release last Tuesday night saying Daniel F. Erickson, 47, of Owatonna, and Ronald D. Dunford Sr., 53, of Holt, died of carbon monoxide in the fish house just north of Baudette.
The men were found in their fish house about 7:30 p.m. Sunday. They were last seen eating Friday night at the Morris Point Lake View Lodge, said Dunford’s sister, Laura Knudsen of Clarks Grove.
Carbon monoxide is odorless and tasteless, and it is toxic. Low-level affects of CO poisoning are often mistaken for the flu or fatigue, and high level exposure can kill without people being aware of the gas.
During cold months in Minnesota, there are campaigns urging people to purchase carbon monoxide detectors for houses and apartments but not much is said about installing detectors in fish houses.
“It would’ve woken him up. It would’ve saved his life,” Knudsen said. “If any good were to come from this, we want people to know about this,” Knudsen said.
Knudsen said the fish house had an LP gas furnace and said the sheriff reported a strong northwest wind that likely pushed the fumes from the vent back into the fish house. Knudsen said her brother and Erickson had used Erickson’s fish house before without problems.
DNR acquisition a boon for fish, wildlife and clean water
When the Murray County Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 on January 15 to approve a proposal by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to purchase 640 acres of land, some swore you could hear the walleyes in nearby Lake Sarah applaud.
“Well, maybe that’s over-stating it,” admitted DNR Slayton Area Wildlife Manager Wendy Krueger, “but fish in that lake are certainly going to benefit from this acquisition.” Krueger was the DNR point-person in coordinating the purchase and seeking county board approval. Bob Hobart, DNR senior realty specialist at New Ulm, negotiated the purchase.
According to Krueger, it’s not only Lake Sarah that will be a recipient of good things from the acquisition. The 640 acres purchased from Dean and Marjorie Schroeder sits on a slope that abuts more than 7,000 feet of Lake Maria shoreline.
“Once this property is converted back to perennial grasses and flowers and some wetlands are hopefully restored on it, that will significantly reduce any run-off and really help maintain the water quality of Lake Maria,” Krueger stated. “Not to mention all of the new nesting habitat that will be created for pheasants, ducks, songbirds and other wildlife.”
Because Lake Maria’s outlet flows into nearby Lake Sarah, the water entering Lake Sarah will also be cleaner. While Lake Sarah is noted for its good fishing, walleyes in particular, Maria is known as an historic waterfowl lake. However, Maria had deteriorated significantly over the past several decades.
To restore Maria as closely to what it was during its glory years in the fifties and sixties, the DNR, along with local organizations and individuals, launched an ambitious project to install a pump and electric fish barrier at the outlet in 2005.
Local lakeshore landowner Winston Peterson, along Ducks Unlimited, Minnesota Waterfowl Association, Balaton Sportsmens Club, Lake Sarah PALS Club, Murray County and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, all jumped in to help fund and spearhead that project, Krueger noted.
Wet conditions in the fall of 2005 and spring of 2006 delayed plans to pump water from Maria until the fall of 2006. The lake was then temporarily lowered in order to facilitate the removal of harmful fish species and to allow aquatic plants to re-vegetate.
“By last summer, vegetation had really taken hold and water began re-entering the lake,” Krueger said. “By last fall, most of the basin held water and waterfowl were back in big numbers. And what was really great to see was how clean the water was coming out of the lake, completely different from the turbid conditions we’d had for so many years.”
In a restoration project of this nature, Krueger explained, the concern is always how long the water quality will remain good. “It all depends on what’s happening on the land in a lake’s watershed,” she noted. “If water is not slowed and filtered before entering the lake, the water quality will eventually go downhill again.”
The purchase of the 640-acre property on the west side of Maria, according to Krueger, “is just so important for both Maria and Sarah. There is already some natural habitat around Maria that has been permanently retired through programs like CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) and CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program). This new parcel is a great addition to that.”
Krueger said “it has really been inspiring to work with people like the Schroeders who have wanted to do something for the future of fish and wildlife in the area as well as provide the public a resource they will always be able to enjoy. And I am also grateful to those visionary Murray County officials who supported this project on behalf of future generations.”
The new addition will be a designated Lake Maria Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and will be managed by the DNR. The DNR will also be considering the possibility of a land trade with a neighboring landowner who owns wetland property on the north end of Lake Maria as well as 127 acres adjacent to nearby East Twin Lake in Lyon County.
“By trading the tillable acres that are less prone to erosion on the Schroeder property we will be able to protect additional wetlands and shoreline and reduce the number of tillable acres taken out of production,” Krueger stated.
As part of the agreement, the purchased land will continue to be farmed for the next two years before it is converted to natural habitat.
Facts About the Purchase
• Currently, 540 acres of the purchased property is tilled, 48 acres are in CRP, there are 25 acres of wetland/shoreland, an abandoned building site comprises 11 acres, 12 acres is in road right-of-way, and 4 acres is a gravel pit.
• Type II wetland soils are interspersed throughout the tract and include an existing 7-acre wetland, restorable wetlands of 25 and 8 acres, along with seven smaller wetlands of 3 acres or less and a portion of two restorable wetlands on the property boundary.
• Taxes paid in 2007: an average of $9.33/acre.
• 2008 In Lieu of Tax payment to be made by DNR: an average of $27.71/acre.
• Purchase price was $3700/acre
Bass Lake Fishing Contest set
Somerset Youth Athletic Association announces the 4th annual Bass Lake Ice Fishing Contest sponsored by Gander Mountain Somerset, WI
Four years ago a casual conversation about the continually escalating fees charged to participate in local team sports, and the inability of some families to afford them, led to the formation of the Somerset Youth Athletic Association.
The Association, made up of local business owners, coaches and concerned parents, many of whom are avid outdoorsmen came up with the idea to hold an ice fishing contest. The contest not only raises badly needed funds it also provides the opportunity for many people to experience ice fishing for the first time, in a fun and exciting way.
Annually the event requires the help of over 300 volunteers assisting with everything from planning to drilling holes, from cooking and snow plowing to clean up.
Since that first year thousands of dollars have been raised and 100 percent of the profits are given back to the community benefiting groups from beginning girl’s softball to the high school football program. This year's contest scheduled for February 23rd promises to be bigger and better than ever with well over $50,000 in prizes to be awarded.
Again this year they will be awarding prizes for the top fifty fish. With a grand prize of a new 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 4x4 Pickup this is definitely not your average neighborhood contest, other prizes include ice augers, tree stands, underwater cameras, fish locators, shelters and adventure vacation trips.
In 2006 the Gander Mountain Corporation came on board as the title sponsor. In an era of faceless big box retailers Gander Mountain has gone above and beyond to demonstrate a true spirit of community participation. This year many more major corporations have stepped up to the plate including; MarCum, Eskimo, Frabill, Ameristep, Snosuit, Wilcraft, Outdoor Adventures and more.
The entry fee for adults is $30.00 per hole, per Wisconsin law entrants are allowed to fish up to three holes each.
In attempt to further promote the family atmosphere of this event there is a juniors division where youth under the age of fifteen compete against each other to win some really cool prizes.
First and second place in the youth division will receive Nintendo Wii game systems, third and fourth place winners are awarded Apple ipods while fifth through tenth place will receive Air Soft guns.
In addition to all the great prizes given away for catching fish, there are on-ice raffles held continually throughout the contest for things like compound bows, augers, hunting clothing, fishing equipment and even cash.
The contest will once again be held on Bass Lake in Somerset, Wisconsin from 12 noon to 3:00 p.m. with pre-registration to begin at 9:00 a.m. Food and beverage concessions including beer sales will be available on the ice.
This is truly a family friendly event offering fun for all ages. Mike Kurry of KFAN radio will again be the emcee and master of ceremonies.
Join us on February 23rd on the ice of Bass Lake for the Somerset Youth Athletic Associations 4th Annual Ice Fishing Contest! Even if you’ve never been ice fishing before you could win some great prizes and if not you’re guaranteed a really great time.
For complete details, rules and directions please visit www.icetourney.com
© 2008 Outdoors Weekly (PK Outdoors, Inc.)