Outdoors Weekly News Archive

Statement from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Commissioner Mark Holsten

The Minnesota Supreme Court issued a decision today regarding Robert Hubbard’s request for a variance in connection with his desire to build a new home on a bluff overlooking the lower St. Croix River.

This is a very important decision that helps clarify the DNR’s role regarding local river variance decisions. The Supreme Court has provided us with answers to questions that have been a matter of controversy for years.

The Wild & Scenic River Program’s foundation is still strong. Local units of government have the critical role of making development decisions for their communities. The DNR remains their partner in providing the information and expertise necessary to make quality decisions. We recommit to working as closely as possible with local units of government to help them in this arena.

We will follow the court’s direction and carefully evaluate the implications for the DNR and the state’s natural resources.

Minnesotans invited to spend President’s Day weekend outdoors at state parks and trails

Families looking for something to do with their kids over the upcoming holiday weekend will find plenty of ways to get out and have fun at Minnesota state parks and trails.

For one thing, Feb. 13-15 is Take-A-Kid Ice Fishing weekend. The Department of Natural Resources makes it easy for parents to introduce their children to this popular Minnesota pastime by allowing anglers 18 and older to fish without a license if they are accompanied by a child younger than 16 and are actively participating in Take-A-Kid Ice Fishing Weekend.

The candlelight events – which feature short, easy trails suitable for visitors of all ages and abilities – have been extremely popular this winter, with more than 1,000 people attending the recent events at Fort Snelling, Wild River, and Afton state parks.

The candlelight events at Minnesota state parks are free, but a state park vehicle permit ($5/day or $25 year-round) is required to enter the parks. A Minnesota Ski Pass ($5/day) is also required for cross-country skiers age 16 or older.

All Minnesota state parks are open year-round, including holidays. For additional suggestions on where to go and what to do (including where to find sledding hills, packed trails for winter hiking, and rental equipment for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing), check out the Winter Activities Guide at mnstateparks.info or call 888-MINNDNR.

Two Roseau County youths have been charged with deer poaching and related gross misdemeanors as part of an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

A 16-year-old from Roseau was charged with taking big game without a license, gross misdemeanor taking big game with artificial light, gross misdemeanor transport of illegally
taken big game, and wanton waste. A 17-year-old from Wannaska involved in the incident was charged with taking big game without a license, gross misdemeanor taking big game with artificial light, and gross misdemeanor transport of illegally taken big game.

Early in the 2009 firearms deer season, State conservation officer Ben Huener of Roseau received complaints about a couple of teenagers driving around with lots of deer in the back of a pickup near Malung, a small town in central Roseau County. A license plate number led Huener to the two juveniles.

The 16-year-old initially denied involvement, but later admitted the youths used the headlights of the pickup to blind the deer before using a rifle to kill two does and five fawns. The 17-year-old confirmed the story. Three of the fawns were later discovered near a church, with the remaining carcasses dumped at various locations around Malung.

In addition to applicable fines and court costs, the charges also mandate restitution paid to the people of Minnesota in the amount of $500 per animal taken, as well as a mandatory revocation of their hunting licenses for three years. A rifle and scope were seized for possible auction.

Anyone with information about any wildlife or fisheries violations can contact the Turn-In-Poachers (TIP) hotline at 800-652-9093 or #TIP on their cell phone.

Secretary Salazar Announces Expanded “Youth in the Great Outdoors” Initiative

The U.S. Department of the Interior will expand agency initiatives to connect youth to the great outdoors, Secretary Ken Salazar announced.

Speaking at the Corps Network’s annual forum, Secretary Salazar said he will increase youth employment opportunities at the Interior bureaus by 50 percent in 2010. Salazar also highlighted the department’s proposed 26 percent budget increase of $9.3 million for the Office of Youth in Natural Resources, an initiative that aims to employ youth and young adults with careers in natural resources. Secretary Salazar is making this work a priority in light of soaring youth unemployment rates and the troubling, growing trend of children spending half as much time outdoors as they did just 20 years ago.

Kevin Coyle, Vice President for Education and Training at the National Wildlife Federation, said in response:

“We applaud Secretary Salazar for his pledge to connect youth to the great outdoors through education and employment opportunities at the Department of Interior. In addition to addressing high youth unemployment rates, the secretary’s leadership will help engage Americans of all backgrounds in true career pathways in natural resource fields.

“The proposed funding increase for the Youth in Natural Resources initiative will enable key agencies such as the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management to develop innovative approaches through environmental education, recreation, and service to engage diverse youth on public lands and pique their interest for careers in public service.

“This investment by Secretary Salazar comes at a critical time. Today’s children have less contact with nature than any previous generation. A new Kaiser Family Foundation study finds that the average American child spends almost eight hours a day glued to electronic entertainment media. That’s more than the equivalent of a full-time workweek.

“At the same time, other studies show that kids spend an average of four minutes per day playing outside! This imbalance is costing our children their health in the form of obesity, diabetes, and attention deficit issues. Expansion of Interior Department programs can empower and employ America’s youth and help get them outside.”

The National Wildlife Federation inspires Americans to protect wildlife for our children’s future.

John and Duane Peterson named National Professional Anglers Association Honorary Lifetime Members

Bemidji, Minn. – Northland Fishing Tackle founder and President John Peterson along with his brother and longtime business partner Duane Peterson were named NPAA Honorary Lifetime Members for their continued service and commitment to the future of fishing. “This is a great honor. I was one of the charter members of this organization and Northland was the first supporting partner,” said Peterson at the NPAA’s recent conference in Bloomington, MN. “I feel the NPAA has done more to professionalize fishing than any other organization.” Brother Duane urged the anglers present, “Think about being a pro every day, but don’t forget the grassroots – the youngsters and families – recruit them and take them fishing.”

John Peterson had fished the pro-side of the Professional Walleye Tour (PWT) for 15 years, but was forced to tend to business that was “growing by leaps and bounds.” Always intent on making a living doing what he enjoyed, Peterson described his 140-employee company and how he expects double and triple digit growth in the next three to five years.

He said, “Our terminal tackle is the nuts and bolts of what customers need. Our business has been recession-proof because more people are fishing.” He may get back into tournaments, but the immediate future will include new product direction, including “field” work.

New senior marketing and promotion manager Eric Naig spoke at the same conference, saying “Promotional anglers are the backbone in our sphere of influence and they drive our business. The route is from your boats to the grassroots.” He cited sales tie-ins at the retail level as a key to success. He said the marketing team needs two-way communication and requires accountability. “We want to know what pro team members are doing, because their input is very valuable.”

Northland Fishing Tackle manufactures a complete line of jigs, rigs, ice fishing lures, soft plastic baits, and Muskie lures. For more information and a 2010 catalog, contact Northland Fishing Tackle® Inc., 1001 Naylor Drive SE, Bemidji, MN 56601. Phone is (218) 751-6723 or email us at norfish@northlandtackle.com. Website is www.northlandtackle.com.

The NPAA is a non-profit organization focused on growing the sport of fishing and increasing the professionalism of its members. Its Supporting Partners include: Northland Fishing Tackle, Navionics, Mercury Marine, Evinrude Outboards, Lund Boats, Ranger Boats, Worldwide Marine Underwriters Off-Shore Tackle, Fin-Tech Tackle, Berkley, AIM , Masters Walleye Circuit, FLW Outdoors, Frabill, , Liddle Marketing, FPS Financial Planning Services, Do-it Corp., Optima Batteries, John Butts Outdoors, Pasha Lake Cabins, Oahe Wings and Walleyes Guide Service, and OutdoorFirst Media. More NPAA member and association news can be viewed at www.npaa.net.

Adult sportsmen and women reported an impressive level of mentoring to young hunters on a recent HunterSurvey.com study commissioned by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. More than 77 percent of active hunters and target shooters indicated they had taken their sons and daughters hunting. Even adults without a child or stepchild got into the act, with 56 percent of them reporting they also took a young person hunting.

"The information collected from this and other research projects will prove valuable in determining how hunters first entered the sport and what youth projects can be initiated to help increase participation in hunting and shooting sports in the future," said Jim Curcuruto, NSSF's director of research and analysis. "The National Shooting Sports Foundation is proud to partner with Southwick Associates on research projects such as this."

The poll also shows 83.4 percent of young people were introduced to hunting, even if they didn't carry a firearm or bow, before they turned 13 years old, which is a critical factor in ensuring the next generation will be avid, lifelong hunters.

The average age of the mentor was 38, according to a concurrent study conducted by the NSSF. A majority of adult hunters, 61.7 percent, first introduce a young person to hunting when they are between the ages of 30 and 45. Mentoring is an important component not only for recruiting new hunters but for ensuring experienced sportsmen and women continue spending time afield.

The majority of adult hunters, 55.3 percent, reported they took young men hunting while 10.1 percent said they mentored young females, according to HunterSurvey.com. More than 34 percent of hunters reported they mentored both sexes, though, which increases the percentage of adult hunters mentoring males into hunting to 72.6 percent while adults mentoring young women rises to 27.4 percent.

With 10.3 million big game hunters in the United States according to the 2006 National Survey of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife Associated Recreation, it's no surprise HunterSurvey.com showed deer were the most popular game species pursued during a young person's first hunt. Nearly 56 percent of youth deer hunted with an adult mentor on their first hunt, though the second most popular hunt was for small game with 40.7 percent participation. Upland hunting ranked third at 16.7 percent and wild turkey a distant fourth at 12.8 percent.

Those who hunt, fish and target shoot are invited to participate in www.huntersurvey.com and www.anglersurvey.com. By completing the survey, you will be entered in a monthly drawing for one of five $100 gift certificates to the sporting goods retailer of your choice.

Minnesotans who buy their hunting, fishing and other Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) licenses at retail outlets will soon do so via a new electronic licensing system.

Effective Feb. 18, DNR retail license sales will be available on new touch-screen terminals that allow sales clerks to be more efficient when inputting data and outputting licenses.

“Hunters, anglers and trappers alone account for about 3.3 million license transactions a year,” said Steve Michaels, DNR License Center manager. “We are moving to new terminals to stay in step with advances in technology, data management, and customer service.”

The DNR switched from hand-written licenses to electronic-generated licenses in 2000. This is the first major change in license sales and management equipment in 10 years.

“Years ago we made license sales available by computer and phone,” said Michaels. “Now we’ve reduced the fees for these transactions. Our strategy is to adapt to what the customer wants – and that’s to have low-cost and convenient options.”

The DNR does intend to reduce the number of terminals it distributes to license vendors from about 1,750 to 1,600. This reduction will generate about $1 million in savings over five years. The DNR will maintain an efficient distribution of terminals throughout the state.

According to results of an aerial survey released by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the moose population in northeastern Minnesota continues to decline.

Survey results revealed lower moose numbers and the proportion of cows accompanied by calves continued a 13-year decline and dropping to a record low of 28 calves per 100 cows.

“These indices along with results from research using radio-collared moose all indicate that the population has been declining in recent years,” said Dr. Mark Lenarz, DNR forest wildlife group leader.

Moose populations are estimated using an aerial survey of the northeast Minnesota moose range. Based on the survey, wildlife researchers estimate that there were 5,500 moose in northeastern Minnesota. The estimate, while not statistically different from last year’s 7,600, reinforces the inference that the moose population is declining. In addition to the decline in the calf to cow ratio, the bull to cow also continued to decline with an estimated 83 bulls per 100 cows. Aerial surveys have been conducted each year since 1960 in the northeast and are based on flying transects in 40 randomly selected plots spread across the Arrowhead.

A study of radio-collared moose in northeastern Minnesota between 2002 and 2008 determined that non-hunting mortality was substantially higher than in moose populations outside of Minnesota. Lenarz indicated that, “combined with the reduced number of calves, the high mortality results in a population with a downward trend.”

The causes of moose mortality are not well understood. Of 150 adult moose radio-collared since 2002 in Minnesota, 103 have subsequently died, most from unknown causes thought to be diseases or parasites. Nine moose died as a result of highway vehicle accidents. Two were killed by trains. Only six deaths were clearly the result of wolf predation.

Analyses by Lenarz and other scientists have indicated a significant relationship between warmer temperatures and non-hunting mortality. “Moose are superbly adapted to the cold but intolerant of heat,” said Lenarz, “and scientists believe that summer temperatures will likely determine the southern limit of this species.”

As recently as the 1980’s as many as 4,000 moose inhabited northwestern Minnesota, an area of agricultural land interspersed with woodlots. The population declined dramatically during the 1990s and currently numbers fewer than 100 animals. In contrast, the northeastern population occurs in wetland-rich forested habitat which presumably provides thermal cover in a warming environment.

In August, a Moose Advisory Committee convened by the DNR released their findings which will be used in the development of a legislatively-mandated research and management plan. They indicated that while climate change is a long-term threat to the moose in Minnesota, moose will likely persist in the state for the foreseeable future. The plan should be ready later this spring and will be open to the public for comment.

The Fond du Lac band of Lake Superior Chippewa and 1854 Treaty Authority contributed funding and provided personnel for the annual survey.

A copy of the aerial survey report is available online at: www.dnr.state.mn.us.