|
OUTDOOR NOTES - Firearms safety course
set for Pequot Lakes
PEQUOT LAKES - A firearms safety course for the Pequot Lakes area is scheduled for Feb. 13, 15, 20, 26, 27 and March 1-2.
Classes will take place in the gathering room at Pequot Lakes High School. Meeting times are 3:20-5:30 p.m. Cost of the course is $10. Students must be 12 years or older on or before Dec. 1, 2007. Activities buses will not be available for students to ride home.
Sign-up sheets currently are posted in the middle school office. Registrations can also be made by phoning John Wallin at (218) 562-4473; cell phone (218) 831-3644; e-mail jcwallin4@tds.net. More information is available from Calvin Wallin at (218) 963-7456.
Deer herd reduction planned in bovine TB zone
To remove deer potentially affected with bovine tuberculosis in northwestern Minnesota, the DNR will contract with U.S. Department of Agriculture sharpshooters to shoot deer in a six-mile radius surrounding the farms near Skime where the disease was detected. Sharpshooting teams will take deer on public land and also work with landowners to shoot deer on private land.
All deer taken will be tested for bovine TB. Meat from deer with no obvious bovine TB infection will be salvaged and released for human consumption.
Shooting permits will also be issued to landowners in the area. Last year landowners took 90 deer under shooting permits. After the culling effort the DNR will consider additional management options, including liberalized hunting seasons, special hunts, bonus permits or extended seasons.
Spring light goose hunting begins March 1
For the seventh consecutive year Minnesota hunters will again be allowed to shoot snow geese, including blue-phased and the smaller Ross' geese, under a federal conservation order this spring. Season dates are March 1 to April 30.
Since 2000 the harvest of light geese has varied from a few hundred to 6,000, depending on the weather.
"March weather has a tremendous effect on the migration routes of light geese," said Ray Norrgard, DNR wetland wildlife program leader.
Licenses are available after Feb. 18 at any Electronic License System vendor statewide. Licenses also are available at (888) 665-4236, or online after March 1 at www.dnr.state.mn.us.
Nontoxic shot requirements and federal baiting regulations apply to the spring season. Electronic calls and unplugged shotguns are allowed. Refuges closed to waterfowl hunting during fall seasons are also closed in the spring. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. No daily or possession limits apply.
First farm bill forum set for Detroit Lakes
The first of five statewide forums on recommended changes to the U.S. farm bill is scheduled for Feb. 12 in Detroit Lakes.
The forum is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 12 at the Holiday Inn in Detroit Lakes. Other forums are scheduled for Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri and Illinois.
To be discussed are recommendations to close loopholes for commodity payments in the federal farm bill and use those savings for increased economic and conservation gains in rural America.
Brad Redlin, Izaak Walton League of America director of agricultural programs, will convene the forums. Representatives from The Farmers Union, Ducks Unlimited and other agriculture and conservation organizations will participate.
Ice fishing tournament
GARRISON - The Garrison chapter of Ducks Unlimited is hosting its third annual ice fishing tournament Feb. 17 on Lake Mille Lacs. Contact Therese Erickson at therese@campholiday.com, or by phoning (218) 678-2495 for more information.
Learn to cross country ski
A class for beginning cross country skiers is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Feb. 17 at the Northland Arboretum. The indoor/outdoor class is open to all ages and will include instruction on skiing technique, equipment and waxing. Students are asked to bring their own equipment. Cost is $5 for members and $15 for nonmembers. Register at the front desk or phone 829-8770.
Annandale CO wins annual award
Conservation officer Brian Mies of Annandale has been named DNR conservation officer of the year, an award given each year to a conservation officer who shows exemplary support and contribution to the protection and preservation of Minnesota's natural resources.
Mies also received the Willard Munger Wetland Achievement Award and an appreciation award for his work on the DNR's deer committee.
|
Mostly Clear, 80°
