|
|
Saturday, June 23, 2007
|
|
OUTDOOR NOTES Baxter angler wins bowfin championship
Chuck Steinbauer of Baxter captured this year's grand championship of the Minnesota Bowfin Club.
Steinbauer, an accomplished bass tournament angler, caught and released a 26.5 inch bowfin on Whitefish Lake to earn the title. The MBC is dedicated promoting the catch and release of bowfin, also known as dogfish. Steinbauer is one of the original members of the MBC, which was founded in 1999 and has a competition each spring.
Tom Swanson, the 2002 co-grand champion, finished second with a 24-inch fish he caught on Cross Lake. Chuck Fields, another previous grand champion, took third place with a 23.5 inch fish he caught on the Leech Lake chain.
For more information about the MBC and tournament rules, visit www.get.to/bowfin.
Gander Mountain to offer archery lessons
Gander Mountain in Baxter will offer archery lessons for youths under 16 beginning in July. The lessons will focus on form, safety and the mechanics of archery equipment. Classes will be taught in six sessions over three weeks on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon.
Lesson dates are July 10, 12, 17, 19, 24 and 26. Youths must be able to draw a bow of at least 15-pounds draw weight. Youths are encouraged to bring their own bows, but some will be available at the store.
Lessons cost $30. Pre-register at Gander Mountain by calling 828-1736. All students will get a 10 percent off one-time archery purchase at the store.
Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers week is June 23-30
To increase awareness about importance of stopping the spread of invasive species, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has proclaimed June 23-30 as Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers week in Minnesota.
DNR conservation officers will enforce the invasive species laws during that week. Boaters and anglers who have aquatic hitchhikers on their boats and gear can be cited with penalties from $50 to $1,000, said Maj. Al Heidebrink, operations manager for the DNR division of enforcement.
It's illegal to transport aquatic plants, prohibited invasive species such as zebra mussels, and water from infested waters on public roads. Boaters are required to drain water when leaving infested waters and to remove the drain plugs when leaving zebra mussel and spiny waterflea infested waters.
Lakes known to be infested with zebra mussels include Lake Ossawinnamakee and Rice Lake near Brainerd, Lake Mille Lacs and Lake Zumbro near Rochester. The Mississippi River from its confluence with the Pine River down to the Iowa border also contains zebra mussels. New Zealand mudsnails, ruffe, round goby, and zebra mussels are present in the Duluth area. Eurasian watermilfoil is present in 194 lakes statewide.
Keep birds healthy by avoiding moldy birdseed
Moldy birdseed and unclean bird feeders can cause birds to become sick. In hot, humid weather it's common for mold to form on wet birdseed. The mold can cause a fatal avian disease called aspergillosis, which affects the birds' respiratory systems.
The DNR urges people to rake or sweep up fallen seeds and seed hulls under their feeder to prevent moldy conditions from occurring on the ground. The seeds can also attract meadow voles, house mice or other rodents, and the growth inhibitor in sunflower hulls can cause problems with grass or flowers near the feeder.
Salmonella is another disease that affects birds and is associated with unclean feeders, so it's important to keep a bird feeder clean to minimize the threat of disease.
To clean bird feeders, use a solution of two ounces of bleach with one gallon of water and scrub the entire surface. Allow the cleaned feeder to dry in the sun. Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned about every week to 10 days during the summer to keep the sugar water from producing mold.
Keep feed dry by using a hopper-type feeder or a fly-through feeder. Scrape out old seed that accumulates in the corners. Tray feeders with a screen bottom will allow seeds to dry out from above and below after a rain shower.
Audubon study shows decline in Minnesota birds
According to a National Audubon Society study, of the 20 bird species on the national list showing the steepest declines, 16 are found in Minnesota, including American bitterns, indigo buntings, meadowlarks (eastern and western), northern pintail and the red-headed woodpecker.
Audubon's "Common Birds in Decline" list stems from an analysis of their Christmas Bird Count program and the results of the annual Breeding Bird Survey conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey. The study shows the cumulative impact on birds from the loss of grasslands, healthy forests and wetlands, and the effect of other environmental threats such as urban sprawl, energy development and intensive cropping systems.
LCC announces shooting hours for Fourth of July
Shooting hours at the Lakeshore Conservation Club will be from 1-4 p.m. on the Fourth of July. The skeet/trap/rifle range is located across from Ski Gull on County Road 77. Family memberships are $30 per year.
Normal hours are Sundays from 12 noon to 4 p.m., Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Fridays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The club also is open seven days a week for shooting by appointment only.
For more information on shooting or to become a member, phone Range Manager Tom David at 963-4003.
North Country question of the week
What impact has the Reinvest in Minnesota program had in Minnesota?
"The Reinvest in Minnesota Matching program was established in 1986 by a recommendation from the Citizen's Commission to Promote Hunting and Fishing in Minnesota," said Kim Hennings, DNR RIM Program coordinator. "Since that time the Legislature has appropriated $27 million and the critical habitat license plates have generated more than $19.5 million for acquisition and enhancement of critical habitat.
These funds have matched private donations of land and cash totaling more than $45 million.
The money has helped restore wetlands, improve forest habitat, plant critical winter cover, preserve habitat for rare, native plant and animal species and protect reproduction areas for fish. The program has also created public places for hunting, fishing, hiking, wildlife watching and other outdoor activities.
With the help of Minnesotans and other conservation-minded people, the RIM Matching Program has been able to acquire and protect more than 76,000 acres of land."
|
|
|
Thinking about a New Job?
These employers want you!
|
Loading...
|
|
|
Today's Best Classifieds:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Overcast, 61°
