Outdoor Notes for July 9

Apply by Aug. 18 for Camp Ripley archery hunts

Hunters can apply starting Saturday, July 1, for the regular archery deer hunts at Camp Ripley near Little Falls, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The application deadline is Aug. 18.

Hunters may pick from only one of two hunting seasons: Oct. 19-20 (Thur.-Fri., code 668) or Oct. 28-29 (Sat.-Sun., code 669). A total of 4,000 permits, with 2,000 per two-day hunt, will be made available. Successful applicants must buy a valid archery license at least two days before their hunt to participate. The bag limit for this year's hunt is one, and bonus permits may be used to take antlerless deer. Additional rules and instructions for this year's hunt will be posted later in July at mndnr.gov/hunting/deer.

Hunters may choose from four options to apply for the Camp Ripley archery hunts:

• In person at any one of 1,500 license agents located throughout Minnesota.

• By telephone at 888-665-4236.

• Online at mndnr.gov/buyalicense.

• DNR License Center, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul.

The application fee for the hunt is $12 per applicant. Additional transaction fees and convenience fees are applied depending on how the application is made.

To apply, resident hunters 21 and older must provide a valid state driver's license or public safety identification number. Nonresident hunters must apply using a valid driver's license number, public safety identification number, or DNR number from a recent Minnesota hunting or fishing license. Preference will only be given if the same ID is used from previous Camp Ripley applications.

All applicants must be at least 10 years old prior to the hunt. In addition, anyone at least 12 years of age and born after Dec. 31, 1979, must have a firearms safety certificate or other evidence of successfully completing a hunter safety course in order to purchase an archery license if successful in the lottery.

Hunters may apply as individuals or as a group of up to four people. Group members may only apply for the same two-day season. The first group applicant must specify "Create New Group" when asked, and will receive a group number. Subsequent group applicants must specify they want to "Join an Existing Group" and must use the same group number supplied to the first group applicant.

The archery hunt at Camp Ripley is an annual event. The DNR coordinates the hunt in collaboration with Central Lakes College Natural Resources Department, and the Department of Military Affairs, which manages the 53,000-acre military reservation.

Flower Pot Bay Land Officially Added to Chippewa National Forest

CASS LAKE-The Chippewa National Forest announced 17.86 acres of land in Flower Pot Bay on Ten Mile Lake has been formally acquired by the U.S. Forest Service.

This pristine property, including over 1,500 feet of undeveloped shoreline along Ten Mile Lake, is now part of the Chippewa National Forest, successfully concluding a 10-year campaign to preserve the much-beloved land.

Securing this ownership will preserve clean water within Ten Mile Lake, which is a direct benefit to maintaining healthy forests and ecosystems. The Flower Pot Bay parcel will provide improved public access and offer additional dispersed recreation opportunities, helping to distribute use and improve visitor experience.

"Through the leadership of the Ten Mile Lake Association and the generosity of the Kolderie Family and Kay White, we are delighted to see this parcel protected," said Darla Lenz, forest supervisor at the Chippewa National Forest. "This acquisition will help ensure a long future of quality forest space for hunters and anglers, hikers, campers, and other nature lovers who enjoy the great outdoors."

The collaboration began in 2007, when Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation approached the Forest Service regarding interest to acquire the property from them. The Forest expressed interest but informed the foundation the acquisition could take years to fund. The foundation agreed to hold the property until the Forest could secure the funding.

This parcel is one of the last remaining non-public undeveloped parcels with significant riparian frontage within the Forest. In addition, Ten Mile Lake is designated as one of 24 Sentinel Lakes and due to its high water quality, the Minnesota DNR listed the lake as a Cisco Refuge Lake, meaning the lake and its watershed is of high long-term conservation priority.

The parcel, with its significant lake frontage will be able to provide a wealth of sporting recreational opportunities including hiking, wildlife viewing, duck hunting, fishing, deer hunting, and small game hunting. The parcel also offers bald eagle habitat, protection of high-quality wetlands, protection for aquatic and wildlife habitat.

"For our conservation organization working in partnerships is critical to our success and we are grateful to the U.S. Forest Service commitment to this project and to this region as we work to protect the amazing lakes and water resources in this region," said Lindsey Ketchel, the executive director at the Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation.

Upper South Long Lake Improvement District annual meeting July 15

The annual meeting of the Upper South Long Lake Improvement District will be held on July 15, 2017 at the Paradise Resort, Bar and Grill.

DNR to modernize its electronic system for hunting and fishing licenses

Hunters, anglers and everyone who has a role in selling licenses for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources can anticipate a new electronic license system that will enhance customer service starting in the spring of 2020.

"Over the next two years, we will be modernizing the electronic license system to create a better and more efficient experience for customers - changes that will save the agency as much as $1.5 million," said Steve Michaels, DNR licensing program director, in a news release. "Customers will find it easier to purchase licenses and tags online and record their harvests from a mobile device or computer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."

The DNR sells licenses through a vendor that administers the electronic license system that allows customers to buy licenses in-person at nearly 1,500 locations around Minnesota, online and by telephone. The contract with the current vendor expires in 2020.

The first step in modernizing the license system happened in late May when the DNR issued a request for proposals for contractors to bid on a project to develop a new system.

"The new system won't go into effect for more than two years but we have to begin work now to allow enough time to choose a vendor, design and implement the system, and communicate with customers and license sales agents," Michaels said. "Across the spectrum of retail, customers are demanding the convenience of modern technology as part of their purchasing experiences, whether it is movie theaters, airlines, or retail stores."

The DNR sells about 1.5 million fishing licenses and 580,000 hunting and trapping licenses.

Use of the current system continues through March of 2020, and the DNR plans to provide regular updates through the development of the new system.

Buy fishing and hunting licenses at any DNR license agent, online with a mobile or desktop device at mndnr.gov/buyalicense, or by phone at 888-665-4236. Mobile buyers receive a text or email that serves as proof of a valid fish or game license to state conservation officers.

GCOLA annual membership business meeting to be held July 15

All Gull Chain of Lakes Association members are invited to attend the annual membership business meeting 10 a.m. Saturday, July 15, 2017, at the Lutheran Church of the Cross (Celebration Center), east on County Road 13 just off Highway 371. The meeting will include annual election of board members, financial summary, updates on the work of your association and issues affecting the lake and reports from the DNR and Corps of Engineers. Representatives from the Cass and Crow Wing County Sheriff's offices have also been invited. Refreshments will be served. If you have any questions, call Rosemary at 218-963-3542.