New
Sept. 4: A deep dive into deer management. Curious how the Minnesota DNR sets its yearly bag limits for the deer hunting season? Join Minnesota DNR’s Big Game Program staff as they share the behind-the-scenes of managing Minnesota’s most popular game animal. Learn about the goal setting process, what biologists consider when setting bag limit designations, current research projects and get an outlook on the upcoming hunting season. Sept. 11: Exploring Minnesota’s wildlife and aquatic management areas. Learn the history of the WMA/AMA program, the purposes of these lands and the variety of recreational opportunities they offer. Participants will also learn about the system-wide planning process currently underway to ensure consistent and holistic management of WMA and AMA lands into the future. Sept. 18: From seeds to canopies: collecting seeds and cones for the Minnesota State Forest Nursery. Webinar will cover seed collection techniques, tree identification tips, and the importance of this program in supporting reforestation efforts on both public and private lands. Sept. 25: Managing moose in Minnesota: challenges and opportunities. Learn which factors influence moose survival and productivity and what recent research has shown to be the major challenges to moose recovery in Minnesota. Oct. 2: Preserving the memory of your harvest. Meadow Kouffeld, Natural Resources Sciences instructor, wildlife biologist and taxidermist, talks about ways to preserve and honor your harvest. From photography and decorative tail fans to euro skulls and life size mounts, the webinar will touch on what hunters can do to make the most of their harvest from field to finished display. Oct. 9: Fun and easy campfire treats for fall cookouts. Naturalist Pam Welisevich from Dodge Nature Center shares some of her favorite simple and easy treats made over the fire. Oct. 16: Bobcats in Minnesota. Minnesota DNR wildlife staff will discuss the history of bobcats and their management in Minnesota, recent population trends and important aspects of their biology and ecology. They will also share preliminary results from an ongoing radiotelemetry study in northern Minnesota. Oct. 23: Late season pheasant hunting. Pheasant hunting experts will discuss where to find pheasants once the crops are out and the snow is flying and how to prepare for hunting once the weather turns colder. Oct. 30: Deer hunting secrets. Minnesota DNR outreach staff and lifelong deer hunters Jeff Ledermann and Kraig Kiger will share their top 10 list, plus a few extra tips, to bag a deer. Nov. 6: Minnesota’s redhorses. Redhorse are a fascinating group of Minnesota native fish and actually include several different species: golden, silver, greater, river, shorthead and black redhorse. Devon Oliver, Minnesota DNR fisheries scientist, will share recent research on these fascinating fish, how to identify them, and where they are found in Minnesota rivers and streams. We will also talk with Corey Geving, expert native rough fish species angler, about how to catch them as they make great table fare. Nov. 13: Fall birding and photography tips. Monica Bryand, executive director of the Urban Bird Collective, will share tips on photographing birds, some of her favorite birding spots for the fall migration, and the work of the UBC. Nov. 20: Accessible hunting and fishing stories and opportunities. Join us for a discussion with Capable Partners to hear stories about accessible hunting and fishing in Minnesota. Webinar also will share opportunities for people who have a disability to be supported in hunting and fishing in Minnesota. Nov. 27: What’s up with perch in Minnesota? Beth Holbrook, Minnesota DNR fisheries research scientist, has been looking into changes in Minnesota’s yellow perch populations. She will share the latest research results and what that means for perch as an important prey for big game fish and for anglers who are targeting perch. Scott Mackenthun, DNR area fisheries supervisor, will discuss how to improve your chances to catch perch through the ice this winter.]]>
Minnesota Elk Meeting, October Options Accessible Deer Hunt Coming Up On Outdoors Calendar
bdokken@gfherald.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesdays.
Fishing
Oct. 12: 14th Annual Chili Bowl Walleye Tournament, Lake of the Woods and Rainy River at Border View Lodge, 3409 MN-172, Baudette, Minnesota. Entry fee $300 per boat, with a tournament limit of 75 two-person teams. Prime rib dinner and rules meeting the night before the tournament. Info: borderviewlodge.com, info@borderviewlodge.com or (800) 776-3474.
Events
Sept. 10: DNR-hosted meeting to discuss elk management and where it's headed in northwest Minnesota, 6 to 8 p.m., Northland Community and Technical College Performance Arts Theater, 1101 Highway 1 East, Thief River Falls. Info: dnr.state.mn.us/elk/index.html.
Sept. 13-15: Wild Outdoor Women (WOW) fall session, Lake Metigoshe State Park, ND. Registration opens at noon Aug. 5 and continues through 11:59 p.m. Sept. 4. For ladies at least 16 years of age or older looking to learn or refine skills related to a variety of outdoor recreational activities. Activities and topics on tap include canoeing, kayaking, fly-tying, archery, fly-fishing, TREEmendous trees, pollinators, fall birding, waterfowl basics, bike maintenance and more. Info: parkrec.nd.gov/events/wild-outdoor-women-wow-fall.
Sept. 17: Grand Forks Audubon, 7 p.m., Edgewood Grand Forks, 1800 47th Ave. S. Seth Owens, an avid birdwatcher, wildlife photographer and education and outreach coordinator for Pheasants Forever North Dakota, will talk about regional grouse species. Info: Rolf Paulson, rolfpmd@yahoo.com.
Oct. 10-12: 29th Annual Accessible Deer Hunt for Persons with Disabilities, Rydell National Wildlife Refuge, 17788 349th St SE, Erskine, Minnesota. Hunting hours for the event are from noon through the end of legal shooting hours each day. The accessible hunt is open to a maximum of 20 people of any age or disability, and applications are now available. The hunt is coordinated by Options Interstate Resource Center for Independent Living in East Grand Forks in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Applications are available by calling Options at (800) 726-3692. If applications exceed openings, participants will be selected based on severity of disability, ability to hunt in other locations other than Rydell, hunting experience as a person with a disability, and hunting experience at Rydell Refuge. If all is equal, a random drawing will take place. For more information, contact Randy Sorenson of Options at (218) 779-7408, (218) 773-6100 or (800) 726-3692.
Oct. 13: Third annual "Walk for the Wild" event, Rydell National Wildlife Refuge. Free 5K and fundraising event will include a designated 5K route with three different paved, yet scenic trails. Either take a guided trail walk or go on your own. All 5K finishers will receive an official "Walk for the Wild Finisher" sticker. Additional activities on tap throughout the day, as well. Info: Gregg Knutsen, refuge manager, (218) 686-4329 or gregg_knutsen@fws.gov.
DNR webinars
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources webinars are free and begin at noon Wednesdays. Pre-registration is required at mndnr.gov. Webinars also are recorded and available online. Upcoming series topics are as follows:
Sept. 4: A deep dive into deer management. Curious how the Minnesota DNR sets its yearly bag limits for the deer hunting season? Join Minnesota DNR’s Big Game Program staff as they share the behind-the-scenes of managing Minnesota’s most popular game animal. Learn about the goal setting process, what biologists consider when setting bag limit designations, current research projects and get an outlook on the upcoming hunting season. Sept. 11: Exploring Minnesota’s wildlife and aquatic management areas. Learn the history of the WMA/AMA program, the purposes of these lands and the variety of recreational opportunities they offer. Participants will also learn about the system-wide planning process currently underway to ensure consistent and holistic management of WMA and AMA lands into the future. Sept. 18: From seeds to canopies: collecting seeds and cones for the Minnesota State Forest Nursery. Webinar will cover seed collection techniques, tree identification tips, and the importance of this program in supporting reforestation efforts on both public and private lands. Sept. 25: Managing moose in Minnesota: challenges and opportunities. Learn which factors influence moose survival and productivity and what recent research has shown to be the major challenges to moose recovery in Minnesota. Oct. 2: Preserving the memory of your harvest. Meadow Kouffeld, Natural Resources Sciences instructor, wildlife biologist and taxidermist, talks about ways to preserve and honor your harvest. From photography and decorative tail fans to euro skulls and life size mounts, the webinar will touch on what hunters can do to make the most of their harvest from field to finished display. Oct. 9: Fun and easy campfire treats for fall cookouts. Naturalist Pam Welisevich from Dodge Nature Center shares some of her favorite simple and easy treats made over the fire. Oct. 16: Bobcats in Minnesota. Minnesota DNR wildlife staff will discuss the history of bobcats and their management in Minnesota, recent population trends and important aspects of their biology and ecology. They will also share preliminary results from an ongoing radiotelemetry study in northern Minnesota. Oct. 23: Late season pheasant hunting. Pheasant hunting experts will discuss where to find pheasants once the crops are out and the snow is flying and how to prepare for hunting once the weather turns colder. Oct. 30: Deer hunting secrets. Minnesota DNR outreach staff and lifelong deer hunters Jeff Ledermann and Kraig Kiger will share their top 10 list, plus a few extra tips, to bag a deer. Nov. 6: Minnesota’s redhorses. Redhorse are a fascinating group of Minnesota native fish and actually include several different species: golden, silver, greater, river, shorthead and black redhorse. Devon Oliver, Minnesota DNR fisheries scientist, will share recent research on these fascinating fish, how to identify them, and where they are found in Minnesota rivers and streams. We will also talk with Corey Geving, expert native rough fish species angler, about how to catch them as they make great table fare. Nov. 13: Fall birding and photography tips. Monica Bryand, executive director of the Urban Bird Collective, will share tips on photographing birds, some of her favorite birding spots for the fall migration, and the work of the UBC. Nov. 20: Accessible hunting and fishing stories and opportunities. Join us for a discussion with Capable Partners to hear stories about accessible hunting and fishing in Minnesota. Webinar also will share opportunities for people who have a disability to be supported in hunting and fishing in Minnesota. Nov. 27: What’s up with perch in Minnesota? Beth Holbrook, Minnesota DNR fisheries research scientist, has been looking into changes in Minnesota’s yellow perch populations. She will share the latest research results and what that means for perch as an important prey for big game fish and for anglers who are targeting perch. Scott Mackenthun, DNR area fisheries supervisor, will discuss how to improve your chances to catch perch through the ice this winter.]]>
