DNR Announces NW Minnesota Furbearer Registration Stations
November 26, 2008
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds northwestern Minnesota fur trappers to register their pelts at one of several furbearer registration stations in December and January.
Furbearers (all species) may be registered between noon and 7 p.m. on December 9, with bobcat and otter-only registration between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on January 6 at the following locations:
Backus DNR Forestry Office
4391 State Hwy 371 NW
(218) 947-3232
Bemidji Area Wildlife Office
2114 Bemidji Ave.
(218) 308-2348
Park Rapids Area Wildlife Office
603 First Street W
(218) 732-8452
Roseau City Center
Library Meeting Room
121 Center St. E
Thief Lake WMA Office, Middle River
42280 240th Ave.
(218) 222-3747
Wadena
National Guard Armory
517 N Jefferson
Registration is also available by appointment throughout the furbearer season at any of the DNR area wildlife offices, which also include:
Baudette Area Wildlife Office
204 Main St. E
(218) 634-1705
Crookston Area Wildlife Office
204 Main St. S
218-281-6063
Detroit Lakes Area Wildlife Office
14583 Cty Hwy 19
(218) 846-8374
Fergus Falls Area Wildlife Office
1509 First Ave N
(218) 739-7576
Glenwood Area Wildlife Office
28070 N Lakeshore Dr.
320-634-0342
Karlstad Area Wildlife Office
202 Main St. N
(218) 436-2427
Red Lake WMA Office, Roosevelt
Norris Camp
(218) 783-6861
Roseau River WMA Office (3 miles west of Pine Creek)
27952 400th Street
(218) 463-1130
Thief River Falls Area Wildlife Office
246 125th Ave NE
(218) 681-0946
Pelts must be removed from the carcass and thawed to allow for inspection. The carcasses of bobcats and the heads of pine martens will also be collected at the time of registration.
To expedite registration, trappers should bring the following written information for each animal to be registered: species, sex, date, location (county, township and range) and method of take, including type of trap used; and MDNR number as shown on license.
Fur registration forms and additional information are available from the area wildlife offices or the DNR Web site at www.mndnr.gov/hunting/smallgame
.
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Educators and Industry Partner With Minnesota DNR To Get Kids Outdoors This Winter
November 20, 2008
How do you get kids involved in ice fishing? Teachers from the Battle Lake and Nevis school districts and members of Ice Team, LLC, set out to answer that question at a recent educator workshop at Glendalough State Park sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) MinnAqua Program.
The workshop is part of an on-going Ice Team/MinnAqua education initiative, which involves strong teacher and community involvement. Through the initiative, MinnAqua, the DNR’s angling and aquatic education program, trains teachers and other community leaders to use MinnAqua’s Leader’s Guide, Fishing: Get in the Habitat!, which covers everything from fish habitat and biology to aquatic resources stewardship, fishing and safety. The leaders then bring the lessons and skills to kids by providing classroom instruction, organizing ice-fishing outings, and soliciting support from local groups and volunteers. Ice Team LLC, a marketing organization representing the ice fishing industry, provides on-ice logistics support, including equipment and angling experts.
According to Mike Smith, director of field promotions for Ice Team, last year’s pilot education program in Minnesota schools was an overwhelming success. The group plans to expand the program this winter and in coming years, targeting schools that have already shown an interest in the MinnAqua program.
“This partnership is about more than just fishing - it’s about education, stewardship, and getting kids outdoors and interested in Minnesota’s fishing heritage,” explained MinnAqua Education Specialist Nadine Meyer.
Battle Lake has tentatively scheduled its fifth and sixth grade ice fishing outing for early January. Plans in Nevis are still pending.
For more information on MinnAqua, visit www.mndnr.gov/minnaqua
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Minnesota DNR Announces 2009 Grant Applications Now Available
November 11, 2008
Applications are available now for grants that help local governments, organizations, and individuals throughout the state partner with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to fund a variety of conservation projects.
This round of grant applications are for 2009 projects such as:
- acquisition of natural and scenic areas
- remediation fund projects
- local trail connections and federal recreation trail projects
- regional trail creation (outside metro area)
- fishing pier and public boat accesses projects
- Metro Greenways land protection and restoration projects
- Metro Greenways community conservation assistance projects
- community forest bonding
- aquatic invasive species prevention.
Although funding amounts for some of these programs is uncertain at this time, it is anticipated that both federal and state funds will be available during 2009. Initiating the application process now provides more time for DNR staff to assist in developing project ideas and for project completion.
Grant application information is available on the left hand side of the DNR Web site under “Find it Fast” at www.mndnr.gov. For more information, contact the grants staff listed in the program descriptions.
To obtain the application packet by mail, write to: Local Grants Program, Minnesota DNR, Office of Management and Budget Services, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4010.
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Motor Access Plan Approved for North St. Louis County State Forests in Minnesota
November 11, 2008
Final forest classification and motor vehicle route designation plans have been approved for four forests in northern St. Louis County, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). These state forests are Bear Island, Burntside, Kabetogama, and Lake Jeanette.
As a result, most state forest lands located inside the Superior National Forest (with several exceptions) will be classified as “limited” and state lands outside will retain their current “managed” motor vehicle classification.
This classification change will take effect Sept. 1, 2009. “Limited” means roads and trails are closed unless posted (signed) open to off-highway vehicle (OHV) use. In “managed” forests, roads and trails are open to motorized use unless posted closed. State lands in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness will remain “closed” to all motor vehicle use.
The DNR worked closely with U.S. Forest Service and St. Louis County representatives to develop this plan in an effort to improve consistency across public forest ownerships, said Jim Rupert, acting forestry regional manager in Grand Rapids.
“The purpose of the plan is to protect resources and provide places for both OHV riding and non-motorized use,” said Rupert.
Exceptions to the plan include Kabetogama State Forest, which will remain classified as managed in its entirety, including that portion located inside National Forest boundaries. Other exceptions include eight special sites totaling just over 8,300 acres (state lands) that will have restricted motor vehicle access due primarily to a long history of predominantly non-motorized use.
Nearly 200 miles of state forest roads will be designated under the plan, as will 32 miles of DNR hunter walking trails and nearly 13 miles of OHV trails, including portions of both the Taconite and Arrowhead State Trails. No changes are planned to other area snowmobile trails.
About 35 miles of existing, unsustainable routes (those that cannot sustain motorized use) will be closed year-round to vehicular traffic. Another 63 miles of routes will remain non-designated. Non-designated trails in limited forests are closed to motor vehicles, except for licensed hunters and trappers who may use vehicles seasonally for those activities. Non-designated routes in managed forests remain open to vehicle use year-round.
“Every effort was made to retain traditional motor access into the area, while meeting forest management objectives and environmental protection considerations,” Rupert said.
The plan was developed in response to a legislative directive to re-examine vehicle use in all 58 state forests. The final forest classification and route designation plan and maps are available at www.mndnr.gov.
More information is available from Brian McCann, DNR Trails & Waterways, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4052, 651-259-5627, or 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367).
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Minnesota Deer Hunters Encouraged to Buy License Early
November 6, 2008
DNR Information Center Open Additional Hours This Weekend
With more than 475,000 firearms deer hunters in the state, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages hunters to purchase their licenses early to avoid long lines and any system issues associated with the high sales volume. The 2008 Minnesota firearms deer season begins Saturday, Nov. 8.
Deer licenses are available at approximately 1,800 license agents statewide or by phone at 1-888-MN-LICENSE (665-4236). There is a $3.50 convenience fee for telephone service.
Hunters who purchase licenses by phone will receive their deer tags by mail, which can take three to five days.
Staff members from the DNR Information Center and License Center in St. Paul will work extended hours to handle additional phone calls from deer hunters and license agents. Phone lines will be open on Friday, Nov. 7, until 6:30 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 8, from 8 a.m. to noon.
The DNR Information Center phone number is 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-MINNDNR (646-6367).
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Whitefish and Cisco Sport Netting Season on Shagawa Lake, Minnesota
November 6, 2008
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Tower Area Fisheries announces the opening of whitefish/cisco netting on Shagawa Lake in St. Louis County. Opening date for Shagawa Lake will be November 8, 2008 and closing date will be November 30, 2008.
- Nets may be set after sunrise on the opening day and must be removed before sunset on the closing day.
- Minimum gill net mesh size shall be no less than 3 ½ inch net stretch measure. (Net stretch measure means the interior distance between opposite knots or corners of a single mesh of net, taken between the thumb and forefinger and applying enough pressure laterally to allow the opposite sides of the mesh to touch.)
- A Whitefish netting license is required.
- A person may use only one gill net, not exceeding 100 feet in length and 3 feet in width.
- One end of the gill net must have a pole, stake, or buoy projecting at least two feet above the surface of the water or ice.
- Gill net must have an identification tag attached near the first float of the end with the pole, stake, or buoy.
- Identification tag must be a minimum of 2-1/2 inches by 5/8 inch, permanently bearing the name and address of the owner.
- Gill nets may not be set after sunset or raised before sunrise.
- Gill net must be set and lifted by the licensee only and must be tended at least once every 24 hours.
- A gill net or any part of a gill net may not be set in any water deeper than six feet, measured from the lake bottom to the top surface of the water or ice.
- A gill net may not be set within 50 feet of another gill net.
The 2008 Whitefish and Ciscoes Sport Gill Netting Regulations can be found on the DNR Web site at http://www.mndnr.gov.
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ATV and Other OHV Riders: Riding Restrictions Start With Firearms Deer Season Opener in Minnesota
November 6, 2008
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds off-highway vehicle (OHV) riders that new recreational riding restrictions will be in effect for the duration of the regular firearms deer hunting season. This restriction is intended to protect recreational OHV riders from potentially unsafe riding conditions and to minimize conflicts between deer hunters and recreational riders who may unintentionally interrupt the hunt.
The restrictions apply to off-highway vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and off-road vehicles such as Jeeps and four-wheel-drive trucks that are not being used in conjunction with deer hunting by a licensed deer hunter.
In the northeastern Minnesota 100 Series deer season, the recreational riding restriction will be in effect Nov. 8 through Nov. 23. In Minnesota 200 Series deer season, the recreational riding restriction will be in effect Nov. 8 through Nov. 16. (The 2008 Series deer season map is available at www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/deer/index.html under Maps.)
The riding restrictions do not apply to OHV use by deer hunters possessing a valid firearms deer hunting license. They may operate an OHV during the following times: before legal shooting time (one-half hour before sunrise); from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and after legal shooting hours (one-half hour after sunset).
Wearing blaze orange is recommended during the firearms deer season when visiting Minnesota’s forest lands, said Capt. Mike Hammer, Education Program coordinator for the DNR Enforcement Division.
“See and be seen; it’s a common sense thing to do,” Hammer said. “The DNR urges all hunters heading afield for the firearms deer season to think about safety first.”
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Minnesota DNR Dock Removals Underway
October 23, 2008
All across Minnesota, lakeshore owners have been busily removing docks in anticipation of freezing temperatures. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is doing the same at public water accesses.
Craig Mitchell, DNR Southern Region Trails and Waterways manager at New Ulm, said the DNR tries to leave docks out as long as reasonably possible.
“We decide when to remove docks based on historical weather patterns and anticipated freeze-up of different lakes,” Mitchell said. “Fall fishing in Minnesota has increased quite a bit in recent years so we also try to accommodate those anglers as best we can. But we need to make sure that we remove all docks in time to avoid risking expensive ice damage.”
Anglers and others who intend to use a public water access this fall are encouraged to either check to make sure the dock is still available or bring waders or hip boots along to facilitate launching in the event the dock has been removed.
You also may learn more about the status of local docks by visiting the Trails and Waterways office nearest you. Go to ‘office locater’ on the DNR Web site at www.mndnr.gov to find a convenient office.
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Motor Access Plan Approved for the Sturgeon River State Forest of Minnesota
October 16, 2008
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Commissioner Mark Holsten has approved final forest classification and motor vehicle route designation plans for the Sturgeon River State Forest. The plan is in response to a legislative directive to re-examine vehicle use in all 58 state forests. To improve consistency across public forest ownerships, the DNR worked with U.S. Forest Service and St. Louis County representatives in developing the plan.
“The purpose of the plan is to protect resources and to provide places for both OHV riding and non-motorized use,” said Scott Kelling, DNR Trails and Waterways manager, Tower.
FOREST CLASSIFICATION CHANGES
Effective Dec. 31, 2009, the part of the Sturgeon River State Forest within the Superior National Forest (about 40 percent) will be classified as limited. Limited means roads and trails are closed unless posted (signed) open to off-highway vehicle (OHV) use.
The remainder will be classified as managed, except for the Sand Creek tributaries area. Managed means roads and trails are open to motorized use unless posted (signed) closed.
The 9,033-acre Sand Creek tributaries area contains the headwater tributaries of Sand Creek, a DNR-designated trout stream, and a number of popular hunting trails. State and county-managed lands in the area will be closed to motor vehicle use. This effort will also lead to expanded and improved walking trails in the area.
FOREST ROAD AND TRAIL DESIGINATIONS
Nearly 30 miles of state forest roads will be newly designated under the plan, as will 26 miles of hunter walking trails, and nearly 13 miles of OHV trails. No changes are planned to area snowmobile trails.
About 40 miles of inventoried routes will be closed year-round to vehicular traffic, and another 16 miles of routes will remain non-designated. Non-designated trails are closed to motor vehicle use, except for licensed hunters and trappers who use vehicles seasonally for those activities.
This plan does not include designation of 4.7 miles of the Taconite State Trail for OHV use (part of the original proposal). That proposal will likely be part of an amendment of the existing Master Plan for the Taconite State Trail, which will include further resource and public review.
The plan does not include any trail connections to the Pine Tree Road near Perch Lake. Local residents expressed concerns about enforcement in that area and the DNR responded by closing those routes.
PLAN AND MAPS AVAILABLE
The final forest classification and route designation plan and maps are available at www.mndnr.gov or at www.findthetrails.com. For more information, contact Brian McCann,
DNR Trails & Waterways, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4052, 651-259-5627 or
888-MINNDNR (646-6367).
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New Off-highway Vehicle Riding Restrictions During 2008 Deer Hunting Season
September 26, 2008
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Commissioner Mark Holsten announced new restrictions for off-highway vehicles (OHV) to be in effect during part of the 2008 deer hunting season.
The Commissioner’s Order effects recreational riding on DNR forest trails but does not impact OHV use for big game hunting. Vehicles affected by the restrictions include all terrain vehicles, off road motorcycles, and off road vehicles such as jeeps and four-wheel-drive trucks that are not being used in conjunction with deer hunting by a licensed deer hunter.
The purpose of the restriction is to protect recreational OHV riders from potentially unsafe riding conditions and, to minimize conflicts between deer hunters seeking a quiet deer hunting experience and recreational riders who may inadvertently interrupt the hunt.
In the northeastern Minnesota 100 Series deer season, the recreational riding restriction will be in effect Nov. 8 through Nov. 23. In the Minnesota 200 Series deer season, the recreational riding restriction will be in effect Nov. 8 through Nov. 16. See the 2008 deer season map at www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/deer/index.html
There are no recreational OHV trails in southeastern Minnesota that remain open during the deer season so no additional restrictions are necessary in the southern part of the state.
This new restriction is in addition to the restricted hours of use that have been in effect in previous years. Deer hunters possessing a valid deer hunting license can operate an OHV 1) before legal shooting time (one-half hour before sunrise), 2) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 3) after legal shooting hours (one-half hour after sunset).
While many recreational OHV riders have voluntarily opted not to ride forest trails during deer hunting and small game seasons, OHV riding has become a year-around sport for many. That’s why Commissioner Holsten, reminds everyone who visits state forests in the fall to always consider safety first.
