Outdoor Notes for Dec. 22

Central Minnesota Archers seeking members for the 2019 Indoor Archery League

Central Minnesota Archers will be hosting a team registration night at 7 p.m. Jan. 7, starting at the Morrison County Fairgrounds, Archery Building/4H Food Building, 15575 Hawthorn Rd, Little Falls.

Individual and team sign ups are available.

Shooters form four-person teams that meet weekly for 12 weeks. Each person shoots 60 arrows from the 20-yard line for a total of 300 points. A handicap system allows shooters of all experience levels and abilities the opportunity to compete for the championship.

Archery leagues are open to everyone of all ages and all archery shooting styles and skill levels are welcomed to join.

Pre-registration is required; waivers must be signed by all shooters prior to shooting. The 2019 Indoor Archery League runs Jan. 14 to April 5.

Other information:

• Shooting times are flexible to accomodate Members

• 60 arrows

• Handicap scoring system

• Four person teams

• The league will run until the end of March with a tournament being held the end of March, approximately 12 scored weeks of shooting.

Members can join an existing team, space permitting, or form a new one. Membership fees are $60 for adults and $30 for youths 18 and under.

Anyone looking for more information or who would like to sign up can contact Brent at 320-630-9511 or on Facebook at Central Minnesota Archers, Instagram or Email centralminnesotaarchers@gmail.com .

DNR warns of deteriorating ice conditions as holiday breaks arrive

Several days of above-freezing temperatures and abundant sunshine have led to deteriorating ice conditions across the state. With kids out of school for holiday break and many people hoping to head onto the ice, the DNR warns people about ice conditions, reminds parents to stay with their kids near the ice, and urges anyone who rides an ATV or snowmobile to take the weight of the vehicle into account.

General ice safety information is at mndnr.gov/icesafety.

Early winter is the right time for woodland owners to plan improvements

Want to improve your wooded acreage for wildlife? Early winter is a good time to begin planning woodland projects because there aren't ticks, mosquitoes or deep snow.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has specially trained foresters - called stewardship foresters - around the state who can help. They can meet you on your property, assess tree health, and help you find the right programs to meet your woodland goals.

About half of Minnesota's forested land and woodland wildlife habitat belongs to private landowners. Improving habitat for deer or grouse is often the primary reason woodland owners seek advice from a forester. DNR stewardship foresters can provide advice on completing small projects such as creating trails and wildlife openings, removing invasive shrubs and what trees to replant.

Cost-share funds are currently available in some areas of northeastern Minnesota to help landowners complete woodland management projects. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis and unused funds expire in June 2019.

In northeastern Minnesota, the following stewardship foresters are available to work with private landowners:

• Alex Brothen, Brainerd area, 218-203-4428.

• Troy Holcomb, Aitkin area, 218-429-3025.

• Thor Pakosz, Duluth and North Shore area, 218-723-4791.

• Amber Jungwirth, Hibbing area, 218-231-8026.

• Josh Donatell, Grand Rapids area, 218-328-8912.

• Steven Horndt, Tower area, 218-300-7826.

• Ben West, Littlefork area, 218-278-6651.

Landowners who have 20 or more acres-on which at least 10 acres has or will have trees-may want to consider a Woodland Stewardship Plan. A Woodland Stewardship Plan assesses what is in your woods, suggests how to improve the woods, and outlines when to do work. Having and following a plan also can help qualify your woods for reduced property taxes or financial incentives.

"Managing your land doesn't always mean having a large harvest," said Troy Holcomb, Aitkin area stewardship forester. "Woodland management is all of the things you do to keep your woods healthy and beautiful."

More information about the DNR's forest stewardship program and contacts for stewardship foresters in other parts of Minnesota are available at www.mndnr.gov/foreststewardship .

DNR invites input on proposed trails in Huntersville and Lyons state forests

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites anyone with an interest in recreational trail systems and motorized use in the Huntersville and Lyons state forests in Wadena County to attend a public meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, to review proposals that include changes to trail systems in the state forests. The meeting will be held at the Menahga Public School building, 216 Aspen Ave. SE, Menahga.

Proposed changes include adding 14.3 miles of off-highway motorcycle, .9 miles of all-terrain vehicle/off-highway motorcycle and 4.3 miles of horse trail, as well as undesignating 5.1 miles of unsustainable trail. The draft proposals reflect feedback gathered during an open house in October 2017.

The forests are classified as "limited" with respect to motor vehicle use. That means that OHVs may only use forest roads and trails that are posted open. The DNR does not propose changing the "limited" classification.

At the meeting the DNR invites the public to review maps of existing and proposed trails, discuss the DNR proposals, submit comments and suggest changes to the recommendations. The DNR will also accept written comments through 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 13.

Comments received at the meeting and during the public comment period will be used to develop a final recommendation that will be submitted to the DNR commissioner for approval. Changes to state forest trail designations must be made by a commissioner's order and published in the State Register.

Written comments may be submitted:

• By fax to: 651-297-1157.

• By email to: foresttrailplanning.dnr@state.mn.us .

• By U.S. mail to: Joe Unger, DNR Parks and Trails, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4039.

For more information, call the DNR Parks and Trails Division central office, 651-259-5279, or the DNR Division of Parks and Trails regional office, 218-308-2372. Information is also available online at mndnr.gov.