September 11, 2009
Public invited to comment on special fishing regulations
Time for black bear hunters to bear down on some of the rules
Pheasant roadside count declines for 2009
Some Minnesota state parks to close for special resource management
deer hunts this fall
Duluth man found dead at campsite
Minn. DNR raises alert level to orange
Public invited to comment on special fishing regulations
DNR News
Experimental fishing regulations for bass, northern pike, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, and walleye will be the subject of 10 public meetings that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be holding across the state in the coming weeks.
Experimental regulations are in effect for a specific period of time, typically 10 years. Before the regulations expire, fisheries managers must evaluate the results and gather input from public meetings to help determine whether to extend, modify or drop the existing experimental regulations.
“Fisheries managers welcome the opportunity to hear opinions from anglers,” said Al Stevens, DNR fisheries program consultant. “Public participation is critical in determining whether proposed and existing
regulations are meeting angler expectations.”
The goal of experimental regulations is to produce a quality fish population that can sustain increasing angling pressure and improved angler efficiency. During the past 20 years, fisheries managers have monitored a variety of regulations across Minnesota.
“We have learned a great deal from our efforts to improve fish populations with length and bag limits,” Stevens said. “If experimental regulations are successful in one area, then they may be replicated on similar waters.”
The DNR waters evaluation list was posted at public access points this spring. Public notices for each meeting will be published in local newspapers. For more information about a specific meeting, contact your local DNR Fisheries office.
For those unable to attend a local meeting, there will be an open house at the DNR Headquarters, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Staff will be available to take comments on any proposal. Comments may also be submitted until Monday, Oct. 5, by e-mail to al.stevens@dnr.state.mn.us or by calling 651-259-5239.
Written or verbal comments will also be accepted at local fisheries offices up to 10 days following a local meeting.
Telephone numbers and addresses of local fisheries offices can be found on page 75 of the 2009 Fishing Regulations or online at http://mndnr.gov/contact/locator.html
The open houses are scheduled for:
Beltrami County - Pimushe Lake (review existing regulation for sunfish): 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 8, at Northwest Technical College, 905 Grant Ave. S.E., Bemidji
Chisago County - Green Lake (review existing regulation for crappie): 4:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Chisago City Hall
Crow Wing County - East Rabbit and Big Rabbit lakes (review existing regulation for northern pike): 5-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the DNR building, 1601 Minnesota Drive, Brainerd
Hubbard County - Little Mantrap (review existing regulation for largemouth bass): 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at Northwoods Community Bank, 1200 East 1st St., Park Rapids
Itasca County - Lake Winnibigoshish (review existing regulation for walleye), Bass and Grave lakes (review existing regulations for sunfish): Date and place to be announced
Olmsted County - Bear Creek Reservoir (review an existing regulation for bass and sunfish and a new proposal for panfish and northern pike), Rochester-area ponds and reservoirs (new proposal for panfish, bass, and northern pike affecting nine water bodies): 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, in the community room at People’s Cooperative Services, 3935 U.S. Highway 14 East, Rochester
Otter Tail County - Little McDonald Lake (review existing regulation for walleye) 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the Perham Area Community Center
Wabasha and Winona counties - Mississippi River pools 5, 5a, and 8 (review existing regulation for sunfish) 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Winona Elks Lodge, 4540 Service Drive, Winona; 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct 21, at the LaCresent American Legion Post 595, 509 N. Chestnut St, LaCresent; 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at Wabasha High School, 2113 Hiawatha Drive East, Wabasha
Time for black bear hunters to bear down on some of the rules
DNR News
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officers are asking hunters to review the rules as the black bear hunting season gets underway.
"During my initial inspections, I found bear baiting stations that had not been registered with the DNR within 24 hours of being established, or lacking a bear bait sign within 20 feet of the bait," said Conservation Officer Paul Parthun of Lake George. Bear bait signs must contain the full name, Minnesota DNR number, and Minnesota driver’s license number ( or the full name, address, and telephone number) of the person placing the bait.
"Bait" is anything placed for the purpose of attracting or attempting to attract bears. A bear "bait station" is any location where bait is placed for the purpose of hunting.
Other conservation officers have noticed the following:
CO Mike Lee of Isle found most bear baiting activity to be in compliance with the law, but urges bear baiters to remove all plastic, garbage, and items used to carry in bait. "Litter in forests is unsightly, destroys wildlife habitats and ruins many opportunities for recreation," Lee said. He also noted that litter is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,000.
CO Brent Speldrich of McGregor noticed some "illegal off-highway vehicle (OHV) use by some bear hunters in 'closed' state forests" in Aitkin County. OHVs include all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles and off-road vehicles such as four-wheel-drive trucks.
State forests in Minnesota are classified as "managed", "limited" or "closed" for purposes of OHV use. No OHV use is allowed in closed forests. The only exception is when hunting or constructing hunting stands during October or retrieving harvested bears during September and October.
CO Jim Guida of Brainerd. He reminds bear baiters and hunters to get permission before crossing or accessing private lands to place bait.
"Trespass is the biggest problem landowners have with hunters so it is critical for hunters to have good relationships with landowners," Guida said. "If hunters and other outdoor recreationists would just make it a standard practice to always ask for permission before entering any private land, those relationships would improve a lot."
Tips for bear hunting include:
Bears taken may be of either sex or any age except that bear cubs may not be taken. Cub bears are defined as bears less than one year old.
Anyone who takes a bear must tag it using the site tag that comes with their bear hunting license.
Hunters are required to validate the site tag by punching out or marking with a pen the date of the kill, the sex of the bear, and whether taken by firearms or archery.
Anyone who takes a bear must present it for registration at a bear registration station within 48 hours after taking, and they must obtain a Big Game Possession Tag.
Every person who kills a bear must submit a tooth sample to the DNR. The information from bear teeth is used to monitor bear populations.
Legal shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
For complete information on black bear hunting in Minnesota consult the
2009 Black Bear Hunting Information Booklet or the online version at:
http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/outdoor_activities/hunting/bear/2009_bear_booklet.pdf
Pheasant roadside count declines for 2009
Minnesota pheasant hunters, who in recent years have experienced some of the best hunting since the mid-1950s and early 1960s, are expected to harvest fewer birds this autumn.
That according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR), whose wildlife staff report the state’s pheasant index is down 27 percent from last year and 27 percent below the 10-year average. The index had been above average for the past four years.
Dennis Simon, DNR Wildlife section chief, said three factors influenced this year’s bird numbers. First, last winter’s weather was moderately severe throughout much of the pheasant range for the first time since 2001. This resulted in hen counts 22 percent below the 10-year average. Second, 72,000 acres of private land was removed from the Conservation Reserve Program, thereby reducing nesting opportunities. And third, a period of cool and wet weather at the normal peak of pheasant hatch appeared to reduce early brood survival.
“As a result, a decrease in the range-wide pheasant index is not surprising. South Dakota experienced a similar decline,” said Simon.
Pheasant hunters should find birds in about the same abundance as 2004, when 420,000 roosters were harvested. This compares with harvests that have exceeded 500,000 roosters five of the past six years. The half-million bird harvests correspond with a string of mild winters and high CRP enrollment.
“Habitat is what drives populations and harvest rates,” said Simon, noting that in 1958 – the height of the Soil Bank conservation days – the pheasant harvest peaked at 1.6 million. During 1965-86, the years between Soil Bank and CRP, harvest averaged only 270,000 birds.
Kurt Haroldson, DNR wildlife biologist and chief author of this year’s pheasant survey report, said best opportunities for harvesting pheasants will likely be in the southwest, where observers reported 116 birds per 100 miles of survey driven. Good harvest opportunities might also be found in the west-central, central and south-central regions, where observers reported 65, 59, and 53 birds per 100 miles driven, respectively. This year’s statewide pheasant index was 59 birds per 100 miles driven.
Simon said the most important habitat for pheasants is grassland that remains undisturbed during the nesting season. Protected grasslands account for about 6 percent of the state’s pheasant range. Farmland retirement programs make up the largest portion of protected grasslands in the state. The effectiveness of farmland conservation programs remains under threat due to continued high land rental rates and competing economic opportunities. This year’s 72,000-acre loss of CRP in Minnesota’s pheasant range followed a 38,000-acre loss last year. Another 63,000 acres of CRP contracts are scheduled to expire in Minnesota on Sept. 30.
Simon said if Minnesota is to avoid a drastic decline in pheasant and other farmland wildlife populations, hunters, landowners, wildlife watchers and conservationists must make the case for farm conservation programs. Although CRP was reauthorized in the current farm bill, its success will depend on the rules for implementation. Conservation organizations such as Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited and many others can help hunters and wildlife enthusiasts stay informed of the latest developments.
The DNR is a major partner in the Farm Bill Assistance Partnership to expand the habitat base through marketing of farm bill conservation programs in partnership with Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, Pheasants Forever, and county Soil and Water Conservation Districts. In addition, the DNR is continuing a focused habitat effort to develop large grassland‑wetland complexes through a "Working Lands Initiative" with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other partners. New funding from the constitutionally dedicated Outdoor Heritage Fund is expected to accelerate acquisition of Wildlife Management Areas and Waterfowl Production Areas beginning in 2010.
The August roadside survey, which began in the late 1940s, was standardized in 1955. DNR conservation officers and wildlife managers in Minnesota’s farmland region conduct the survey during the first two weeks in August. This year's survey consisted of 170 routes, each 25 miles long, with 152 routes located in the ring-necked pheasant range. Observers drive each route in early morning and record the number and species of wildlife they see. The data provide an index of relative abundance and are used to monitor annual changes and long-term trends in populations of ring-necked pheasants, gray partridge, eastern cottontail rabbits, white tailed jackrabbits and selected other wildlife species.
The gray partridge index was similar to last year, but 71 percent below the 10-year average. Cottontail rabbit indices also declined about 40 percent from 2008, the 10-year average and the long-term average. Jackrabbit indices were similar to last year, but 86 percent below the long-term average. In contrast, the mourning dove index was up 26 percent from last year.
The 2009 August Roadside Report and pheasant hunting prospects map can be viewed and downloaded from http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/pheasant/index.html.
Minnesota's pheasant season is Oct. 10 – Jan. 3. The daily bag limit is two roosters (three roosters from Dec. 1 – Jan. 3), with a possession limit of six (nine from Dec. 1 – Jan. 3). Shooting hours are 9 a.m. to sunset.
Some Minnesota state parks to close for special resource management
deer hunts this fall
Deadline to apply for a special hunt permit is Sept. 10
Thirty-five Minnesota state parks will hold special resource management deer hunts this fall. Park access for visitors will vary around the state during the special hunts. Twenty-one of the 35 parks will remain open to all visitors, five will have limited public access, and eight will be closed to the public during the special hunts, which generally take place over the course of one or two weekends. Four parks will also be partially closed during youth hunts on two weekends in October. All other Minnesota state parks and recreation areas will remain open as usual.
The special hunts will include regular firearms and muzzleloader options as well as an archery hunt.
Detailed information about access to Minnesota state parks during the special deer hunts will be available online at www.mnstateparks.info.
Twenty-one Minnesota state parks, predominately in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the state, will remain open to all visitors during regular firearms hunts that will take place in October, November and December.
All park visitors should be aware of the special hunts, and should wear blaze orange or brightly colored clothing if they plan to visit a park during a special hunt. Visitors should check for hunt-related information at the park office during these time periods and look for signage related to the hunt.
Minnesota state parks that will be open to the public during the special hunt are: Beaver Creek Valley (Nov. 7-8), Buffalo River (Nov. 7-8), Crow Wing (Dec. 4-6), Flandrau (Oct. 10-Dec. 31), Forestville/Mystery Cave (Nov. 7-9), Glacial Lakes (Nov. 12-15), Hayes Lake (Oct. 10-11 and Nov. 7-22), Itasca (Nov. 7-15), Judge C.R. Magney (Nov. 7-22), Lake Bemidji (Nov. 7-10), Lake Bronson (Nov. 7-15), Lake Carlos (Nov. 7-10), Lake Louise (Nov. 14-15), Lake Maria (Dec. 5-7), Maplewood (Nov. 7-10), Myre-Big Island (Nov. 28-30), Schoolcraft (Nov. 7-22), Sibley (Dec. 5-6), Soudan Underground Mine (Nov. 28-Dec. 13), Whitewater (Nov. 21-23) and Zippel Bay (Nov. 7-22).
Five state parks in northeastern Minnesota will be partially closed to nonhunting visitors. Parks that will have limited access during the special hunt are: Gooseberry Falls (Nov. 7-22), Jay Cooke (Dec. 5-9), Savanna Portage (Nov. 14-18), Split Rock Lighthouse (Nov. 7-22) and Tettegouche (Nov. 7-22).
Along the North Shore, Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse and Tettegouche state parks will remain open to the public and closed to hunting south and east of Highway 61. At Jay Cooke State Park, the campground, River Inn and Swinging Bridge will remain open to the public and closed to hunting. At Savanna Portage State Park, areas that will remain open to the public and closed to hunting include the Loon Lake Day Use area and the boat accesses at Lake Shumway, Savanna Lake and Wolf Lake.
Eight Minnesota state parks will be entirely closed to nonhunting visitors during the special hunts. These parks, and the dates they will be closed, are: Frontenac (Nov. 21-22), Great River Bluffs (Nov. 21-22), Lake Shetek (Dec. 5-6), Nerstrand Big Woods (Nov. 28-29), St. Croix (Nov. 14-17), Scenic (Nov. 7-22), Wild River (Nov. 7-10) and William O’Brien (Nov. 7-8).
OPEN OR PARTIALLY CLOSED DURING YOUR DEER HUNTS
Special youth deer hunts will take place at 10 Minnesota state parks in October. The parks that will remain open to all visitors during the youth deer hunts are: Buffalo River (Oct. 24-25), Lake Bemidji (Oct. 17-18), Hayes Lake (Oct. 17-18), Lake Bronson (Oct. 17-18), Old Mill (Oct. 17-18) and Zippel Bay (Oct. 17-18).
Parks that will be partially closed to nonhunting visitors are: Itasca (Oct. 17-18), St. Croix (Oct. 24-25), Savanna Portage (Oct. 24-25) and Tettegouche (Oct. 17-18).
Application Deadline is Sept. 10
Applications for special hunt area permits must be made by Sept. 10. To find license agents, get applications, or purchase licenses by phone or the Internet, select the “hunting and trapping” link under the “Recreation” heading at www.mndnr.gov. The application deadline for permits for the youth deer hunts has already passed.
Along with the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife, the Division of Parks and Trails is in the fifth year of a research project evaluating the effectiveness of alternative harvest regulations on deer populations. The purpose of these regulations is to increase the harvest of antlerless deer. One of the regulations being evaluated is the earn-a-buck option, where hunters get to take a buck once they’ve harvested an antlerless deer. The antlerless deer and the buck must both be harvested in the same park. The nine earn-a-buck state parks for 2009 are Beaver Creek Valley, Forestville/Mystery Cave, Frontenac, Great River Bluffs, Lake Bronson, Lake Louise, St. Croix, Whitewater and Wild River.
The other regulation being evaluated is an antler-point restriction where, depending on the park, a deer must have a minimum of either three or four points on one side in order to be taken. For example, at Itasca and Savanna Portage state parks, a buck must have at least three antler points on one side to be taken.
For more information about access to Minnesota state parks during this fall’s special deer hunts, visit www.mndnr.gov.
Duluth man found dead at campsite
ELY, Minn. (AP) - A Duluth man who was several days overdue from a camping trip has been found dead at a campsite in northeastern Minnesota.
Family members hadn't heard from 51-year-old Daniel Eric Saari, who reportedly was camping alone on Burntside Lake near Ely (EE'-lee). On Saturday, authorities found his vehicle and boat trailer at a public landing on the lake. They found his body at a campsite along the lake a few hours later.
The St. Louis County sheriff's office says Saari died apparently of natural causes, but an autopsy will be conducted.
Minn. DNR raises alert level to orange
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A sure sign of fall's approach: Minnesota hunters are getting ready to dig out their blaze orange.
The Department of Natural Resources is reminding hunters that they must be in orange before they head out in search of small game like rabbits and squirrels. The small-game hunting season is less than two weeks off. It officially kicks off Sept. 19.
Capt. Mike Hammer of the DNR enforcement team DNR enforcement says high-visibility clothing is especially key while hunting small game in dense woods or brush.
Bear and mourning doves are already in season. The firearms deer opener is Nov. 7.
© 2009 Outdoors Weekly