April 4, 2008 - TOP STORIES
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Forest project receives $3.5 million
2008 Refuge Manager of the Year announced
Legislation to remove barriers introduces 87,000 to hunting
DNR adapting to winds of change
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Forest project receives $3.5 million
U.S. Forest Service announces federal funding for Koochiching Forest Legacy Project
DNR News
The Koochiching Forest Legacy Project is receiving nearly $3.5 million in federal funding, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The announcement was made Monday during a news conference at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Central Office in St. Paul.
These federal funds, combined with state funds, will protect the forest economy and the recreational and ecological resources on more than 76,000 acres of forest land owned by Forest Capital Partners in Koochiching County. The property is located adjacent to the Superior National Forest, the Bois Forte Indian Reservation, and Minnesota’s largest state forest, the Koochiching State Forest.
“Purchasing a working forest conservation easement that restricts subdivision and precludes development of the property requires leveraging state and federal funds,” said Richard Peterson, DNR’s Forest Legacy coordinator. “This project builds on the recently completed Koochiching-Washington Forest Legacy Project that protects multiple public benefits on more than 51,000 acres owned by Forest Capital Partners in southern Koochiching and northern Itasca counties.”
The project features many recreational, economic and ecological benefits including hunting, fishing, camping, outdoor sports, and the revenue and jobs provided by wood and wood products industry. Ecological benefits include the conservation of rare boglands and wetlands that provide wildlife habitat, including habitat for rare and threatened species. Healthy forests also contribute to cleaner air and water quality.
Overall funding for this and other Minnesota Forest Legacy projects come from a combination of federal and state funds. Partners in the project include Forest Capital Partners, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Koochiching County, The Trust for Public Lands, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association and the U.S. Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry.
Minnesota joined the federal Forest Legacy Program in 1999 and since then has used federal, state and private funds to protect nearly 66,000 acres throughout the state. Since 2005, Minnesota’s Forest Legacy Program has grown greatly through the cooperative and collaborative efforts of the Minnesota Forest Legacy Partnership, a unique public-private partnership that promotes the use of conservation easements and other tools to retain Minnesota’s healthy, working forests.
Deer regs to be discussed
Public meeting to discuss Itasca State Park deer hunting regs
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold an informational meeting on Thursday, April 10, from 7-9 p.m., at the Century School, 501 Helten Ave., in Park Rapids to discuss antler-point restriction regulations within Itasca State Park.
As part of a statewide study to evaluate new deer hunting regulations, a three-points-to-a-side antler point restriction regulation has been used for the past three hunting seasons at Itasca State Park (Permit Area 287). This regulation prohibits hunters from harvesting spike or forkhorn bucks, since most of those bucks are yearlings.
Marrett Grund, the DNR research scientist overseeing the study has noted the buck harvests have been cut in half during the past three years, which has allowed more bucks to survive another hunting season.
“The regulation was designed to protect more than half of the small, yearling bucks at Itasca State Park,” Grund said. “The buck harvest has been cut by the exact percentage during the past three years. We’re starting to see more of the older-aged deer show up as part of our study.”
While the regulation protects small bucks, the purpose of the regulation is to help control population by increasing the doe harvest. Grund said about 70 percent of hunters who harvest a deer in Minnesota only harvest one deer. “By protecting small bucks, the antler point restriction will make it harder for hunters to harvest an antlered deer,” he said. “We expected that hunters who would normally harvest a small buck would harvest a doe instead, but that has not always been the case in our Itasca study area.”
At the meeting, Grund will summarize the biological data that has been collected during the past three years. He will also provide an update about what he has learned about hunter opinion and support for the antler restriction and other new deer hunting regulations being tested throughout the state.
2008 Refuge Manager of the Year announced
Photo only in this week's issue!
Kevin Brennan, manager of the Fergus Falls (MN) Wetland Management District was honored as the National Wildlife Refuge Association’s 2008 Refuge Manager of the Year at a ceremony held March 27 in Phoenix, Ariz.
Brennan was honored for his achievements during his 34 year career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “I was somewhat overwhelmed to receive this award,” said Brennan. “But, I also realize that I received this award thanks to the support of my family and all the dedicated and supportive people at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service I’ve had the pleasure of working with during my career.”
As manager at the Fergus Falls WMD, Brennan manages 218 waterfowl production areas covering more than 44,000 acres in five counties. During his career Brennan has been able to permanently protect more than 17,000 acres of wetlands and grasslands in the Fergus Falls WMD area. “It is rewarding to think that we played some part in ensuring that future generations will have the opportunity to see a flight of ducks rise from a wetland and fly over native prairies,” said Brennan.
In addition to protecting and managing habitat to preserve wildlife, Brennan has also made helping children share his love of wildlife a priority throughout his career. Brennan in cooperation with many local individuals helped establish the Fergus Falls Prairie Wetlands Learning Center. The Center is the Refuge System’s only residential education facility and is home to the one-of-a-kind Prairie Science Class. The Prairie Science Class brings Fergus Falls School District students out on the landscape everyday and incorporates math, science and other studies into real world situations.
Brennan says that because of what he’s seen during his career, and what he sees in the faces of the children at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center, he’s both thankful for what the National Wildlife Refuge System has done and is optimistic about the future. “After 34 years I still love to get up in the morning and go to work; so I’m not planning to leave anytime soon,” says Brennan. “But I also know that whenever I do decide to move onto my next challenge, the Prairie Pothole Region will be in good hands.”
For more information on National Wildlife Refuges in the Midwest visit http://midwest.fws.gov/refuges
Legislation to remove barriers introduces 87,000 to hunting
• New hunters are taking to the field, thanks to laws that remove unnecessary restrictions. Since 2004, more than 87,000 apprentice hunting licenses have been sold.
• A recent report shows states that have introduced apprentice hunting license programs have seen hunting license sales increase from 10 percent to 111 percent.
• Much of the new legislation is the result of the Families Afield initiative, a cooperative effort among the National Wild Turkey Federation, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Association and the National Shooting Sports Foundation that seeks to remove legal barriers and get youth involved in hunting.
• The new programs in effect are receiving praise from state wildlife agencies as well as lawmakers nationwide.
NWTF Reports
Across the country, more than 87,000 new hunters have taken to the field thanks to laws that remove barriers to youth hunting.
The new laws and regulations are the direct result of the Families Afield initiative, which was launched to help turn the tide against waning youth hunter recruitment and decreasing license sales - a key source of revenue for state wildlife agencies. The program was spearheaded by the NWTF and its partners, the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance.
Together, with the support of the National Rifle Association and local sportsmen’s organizations, Families Afield is getting results. As barriers to hunting are struck down in state capitals nationwide, a new generation is discovering America’s time-honored hunting tradition. To date, 25 states have passed laws as a result of Families Afield.
In addition, a new research report from Mile Creek Communications shows that many states that have introduced apprentice license programs have shown sharp increases in youth license sales, from 10 percent to 111 percent.
“We are always looking for ways to open the door and invite new hunters in,” said Ohio Division of Wildlife Chief Dave Graham. “Our apprentice license has really allowed us to put out the welcome mat. And the best part of the project is that, just as our early research indicated, young hunters accompanied by a mentor are among the safest of all hunters.”
The apprentice license programs help new hunters learn under the watchful eye and guiding hand of licensed adult mentors. Completion of a hunter education course is still required for a new hunter to become fully licensed.
Mik Mikitik, hunter education coordinator for the Washington Division of Fish & Wildlife, added that the programs have proven to be very popular, and are expected to gain popularity among novice hunters both young and old.
“What really surprised us here in Washington is that approximately 60 percent of the hunters taking advantage of these new opportunities are over 18 years old,” said Mikitik. “So we’re seeing that all people, not just youth, are wanting to try hunting, and hopefully it’s something that they’ll enjoy for a lifetime.”
The new programs have garnered support from not only state wildlife agencies, but also lawmakers such as Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal, who expressed his support for the mentoring system.
“This is how I learned to hunt, and how my son learned to hunt, and I think most hunters agree that it is the best way to pass on the tradition,” said Gov. Freudenthal.
For more info: www.nwtf.org
DNR adapting to winds of change
For the first time in history, the number of retirees and young people in our society will soon out-weigh the numbers of workers.
By Tom Conroy
DNR Information Officer
Everywhere you look, winds of change are sweeping across the landscape. It’s no different inside the DNR.
It used to be that retirements were rather infrequent events at DNR. When the baby-boom generation began filling DNR’s ranks in the 1960s and 1970s, most came to stay. And stay they did, many for 30 or 40 years. Now, however, those baby-boomers are riding off into the sunset one after the other.
Walking through the DNR building where I work, I still half expect to see the silver-haired fisheries manager sitting at his desk, or hear the cackling laugh of the old game warden suddenly pierce the quiet office. Instead, behind their desks and others now sit the shiny faces of a young, new breed.
Every time another DNR old-timer waves a final farewell, we say good-bye to a wealth of knowledge and experience that can’t soon be replaced. In fact, some won’t be replaced at all. In coming years, the DNR will become smaller, its’ budget tighter.
For the first time in history, the number of retirees and young people in our society will soon out-weigh the numbers of workers. Consequently, a greater and greater share of the state general fund will go toward meeting the needs of those non-workers, largely for health care and education, leaving less for natural resources.
Hunters, anglers and campers in particular have long carried a heavy load when it comes to protecting our state’s natural resources, be that through buying licenses and stamps, paying user fees, or working in partnership with the DNR on projects and activities. In turn, they have been rewarded with first-rate outdoor recreation opportunities.
While those partnerships worked well in the past, changing demographics demand that a new model be developed to maintain Minnesota’s outdoor heritage. Establishing partnerships with what might be considered “non-traditional” groups is one way to move forward.
“Non-traditional” partners might include anyone from kids to chambers of commerce, minorities to mayors, farmers to faculties. With that in mind, the DNR will be increasingly reaching out to establish mutually beneficial relationships with new partners.
Recently, managers from the DNR Southern Region met over breakfast with representatives from a number of “non-traditional” groups in the lakes region of Le Sueur, Blue Earth, Rice and Waseca counties. Eighteen representatives from city and county government, a lake association, business and agriculture attended. The goal of the meeting was two-fold. DNR managers came to introduce themselves and their programs. Participants came to ask questions and voice their opinions on how DNR might develop stronger working relationships with the groups they represent.
Topics of discussion included bio-fuels, shoreland regulations, buffer strips, development, the farm bill and tourism. One participant from an agricultural organization sent a thank-you note to DNR following the meeting.
“What a fantastic meeting,” the note began. “It provided me with a wealth of info and an opportunity to hear what the DNR is trying to accomplish. Also, I appreciate your understanding of farm issues…and look forward to continued conversation.”
Similar meetings will be held throughout the Southern Region in the weeks and months ahead. Let us know if you’d like to have breakfast and chew the fat.
© 2008 Outdoors Weekly (PK Outdoors, Inc.)