March 13, 2009 - TOP STORIES
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DNR invites public input on hunting changes
DNR to conduct lake and stream surveys in Cass and Crow Wing counties
Teens plead guilty to killing 109 coots
Deer hunter ethics award winners announced
DNR appoints new enforcement director
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DNR invites public input on hunting changes
One proposal would simplify regulations for hunting Canada geese during the early fall season
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites the public to comment on a proposal that would simplify regulations for hunting Canada geese during the early fall season in the metro and southeast parts of the state.
Over-the-counter turkey license sales and a special Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) deer hunt will also be discussed at the meetings.
The DNR is proposing to merge the metro and southeast early Canada goose zones into the statewide zone, making season dates and lengths, bag limits and other regulations consistent throughout most of the state. In addition to simplifying regulations, the change is expected to provide more hunting opportunities and increase harvest of Canada geese.
The change would eliminate the prohibition against hunting Canada geese within 100 feet of open water during the September season in the metro and southeast areas.
People who cannot attend the meetings are urged to complete a questionnaire online at http://mndnr.gov/input. Written comments also may be mailed to: Season Comments, DNR Section of Wildlife, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4007.
DNR to conduct lake and stream surveys in Cass and Crow Wing counties
DNR Reports
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will conduct fish surveys, stream surveys, and wildlife lake surveys during the 2009 open water season in lower Cass and Crow Wing counties. Surveys will begin with ice out in April and continue through August.
Fish surveys involve fish netting, electrofishing, and collecting other information such as chemical and physical data. The wildlife (shallow) lake surveys include an assessment of overall wildlife use, migration and production habitat for waterfowl, and wild rice management opportunities.
Surveys such as these are helpful in getting updated information on the composition and number of fish, which indicates the health of the lake habitat.
Fish lakes scheduled for surveys this season:
• April ice-out netting: Big Rabbit, East Big Rabbit, Red Sand
• May trap netting: Gladstone, Goodrich
• May spring electrofishing: Big Rabbit, East Big Rabbit, Lower Cullen, Middle Cullen, Pelican, Perch, Red Sand, Ruth, Upper Cullen, Washburn
• June – August surveys: Big Rabbit, Eagle, East Big Rabbit, Little Thunder, Little Trout, Lower Cullen, Middle Cullen, North Long, Norway, Ossawinnamakee, Pelican, Perch, Ruth, Section 6, Upper Cullen, Washburn
Wildlife lakes scheduled for surveys this season:
• June – August surveys: Bass, Brockway, Bull Dog, Camp, Cedar, Ding Pot, Hardy, Hattie, Kelly, Lind, Nelson, Pistol Lake Rice Bed, Potshot, Rock, Twenty-Two, Unnamed (lake number 11-714)
For more information, contact the DNR Brainerd office at 218-828-2550.
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Teens plead guilty to killing 109 coots
Two juvenile teen brothers from Laporte and another juvenile teen from Akeley have been fined $1,600 and placed on probation after pleading guilty on Feb. 4 to killing 109 American Coots. Coots are defined as migratory game birds and protected by both state and federal law.
Often mistaken for a duck, the American Coot is a common waterbird. Its all black body and white chicken-like beak distinguish this swimming rail from ducks.
Acting on a phone call, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officer Paul Parthun recovered 109 dead coots from the Hart Lake near Laporte in northwestern Minnesota last October. He also found shell casings for both 12-guage and 20-guage shotguns and shotgun shell boxes with identification that they were purchased from a local sporting goods store.
A DNR waterfowl specialist confirmed the coots were shot and did not die of disease.
During an interview with Parthun and another officer, one of the teens confirmed that his brother and a friend were duck hunting on Hart Lake the morning of Oct. 12. They observed a large flock of coots on the water and “shot quite a few out of that big flock.” He also admitted they left lots of birds on the water, and told the group that “We’re going to get in trouble for this.”
“It’s an unfortunate incident, but hopefully a learning experience for these young men,” Parthun said.
Deer hunter ethics award winners announced
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA), and Turn In Poachers have announced the winners of the 16th annual Deer Hunter Ethics Award. They were honored at the 2009 MDHA State Habitat Banquet on Feb. 28 at the Minneapolis Gateway Hotel.
The award honors deer hunters who have exhibited conduct during the 2008 season that can serve as an example of admirable hunting practices, according to MDHA State President Dan Splittstoser. “The awards are designed to bring the spotlight to those we hope positively represent the majority of hunters - ethical, thoughtful outdoors people,” he said.
Wayne Edgerton, DNR agriculture policy coordinator and a judge for the contest, agreed. “We received a wide array of nominations describing high ethical standards and compassion for other hunters and the game they pursue,” Edgerton said. “Seeing both adult and youth nominated for similar activities is very gratifying to me as a deer hunter.”
ADULT WINNER
The adult winner is Craig Holmstrom of Red Lake Falls. He showed tremendous kindness and commitment in helping his friend Ray Ganyo, a quadriplegic since a 1981 diving accident, shoot a doe during the firearms season.
Holmstrom made arrangements for Ganyo to join his hunting party, known as the Marshall County Swat Team, at deer camp in Thief River Falls. That included a making 50-mile trip each way to transport Ganyo to and from camp. He also convinced a local sporting goods dealer to donate a blind to help Ganyo stay concealed and warm during the hunt.
The 47-year-old Ganyo has no use of his arms or hands, but can shoot a gun with his own special equipment that mounts on his wheelchair. Late in the afternoon of the hunt, three does wandered into the field and slowly moved into a position where Ganyo could get a shot. He activated the trigger and the deer took off running.
Holmstrom walked out for a closer look and found a doe lying in the brush. It had run about 35 yards before dying. The perfect shot made Ganyo’s day. It also had an impact on Holmstrom who called it his best day of deer hunting, even though never took his gun out of the case. He felt good inside knowing he helped his friend enjoy a memorable outdoor experience.
YOUTH WINNER
The youth winner is Neil Symalla of Cold Spring. The 15-year-old demonstrated impressive ethical behavior on several occasions during the archery and firearms seasons.
On opening weekend of the archery season, Neil and his father Nick were hunting. Neil was in his own stand, when he spotted a buck within 40 yards. He tried to call it closer with little success. He realized it was a risky shot, so he allowed the buck walk away.
On another occasion and Neil and his dad were sharing a blind during firearms season. Neil spotted an eight-point buck about 40 yards from their stand. He knew that was out of his range. Neil displayed remarkable patience for a second- year hunter by waiting for buck to move within about 10 yards before executing a flawless shot.
Prior to leaving for that outing, Nick suggested they make a stop since Neil had only 5 shells with him. Neil replied if I don’t shoot at them when they are running and I wait for a good shot, I only need one shell. Turns out, Neil has four shells left for an opportunity this fall.
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DNR appoints new enforcement director
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Commissioner Mark Holsten recently announced that the agency’s Capt. Jim Konrad has been appointed new director of its Division of Enforcement.
Konrad is a 26-year veteran of the division. He most recently served as acting administrative manager and previously as the Special Investigations Unit team leader. Prior to joining the DNR, he was a police officer for the city of Moorhead.
“Jim’s background, management expertise and leadership skills were all factors in our decision to name him as director,” said Holsten. “I am confident that Jim will foster an accountable and transparent environment in the enforcement division.”
The director position was filled by two interim staff, Ken Soring and Mark Johanson, after the May 2008 retirement of Col. Mike Hamm.
The division has 230 staff, about 200 of whom are conservation officers.
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