July 11, 2003

“The focus of this awareness event is to teach people how to inspect and remove aquatic plants and animals from their boats and trailers in order to help slow the spread of exotic species, said Heidi Wolf, coordinator of the DNR’s watercraft inspection program. Inspections usually take about three minutes and cover some general information […]

Associate Editor St. Paul Two boating fatalities during the July 4 weekend brought the total this season to five, lower than the past two years at this stage of the summer, said Kim Elverum, DNR boat and water safety coordinator. “Last year on this date (July 7) there had been 13; in 2001 there had

Perich, of Hovland, collaborated with photographer Gary Alan Nelson for Backroads, which explores more than 30 routes covering nearly all corners of Minnesota. Readers can find the book in bookstores and in gift shops. It can be ordered directly from Voyageur Press by calling 1-800-888-9653, or on the web site, www.voyageurpress.com.

Aug. 10: Stearns County PF Shorting Clay Fun Shoot Fundraiser, 9-1 p.m., Del-Tone Sporting Clays. For more info call Joe Opitz, 320-363-7968. Sept. 5: MWA Arrowhead Chapter Fall Banquet, 5:30 p.m., Buffalo House, Duluth. For more info call Nate Bipes, 218-727-5995. Sept. 9: 1st Annual Blue Earth County PF Banquet, 5:30 p.m., Kato Ballroom, Mankato.

Editor St. Paul The Minnesota Department of Agriculture informed Pillager-area deer and elk rancher Gary Tank last week that the agency will “commence regulatory sanctions” against his operation if he allows people to shoot his elk or deer and harvest the meat. The letter, signed by Kevin Elfering, interim director of the Dairy Food and

Associate Editor Minneapolis It’s becoming increasingly more likely waterfowlers in the Midwest will have 60 days to pursue ducks this fall. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service counts indicate an increase in the breeding duck population from 31.2 million last year to 36.2 million this spring, a 16-percent push upward. Further, the May pond count increased

LAKE MILLE LACS East – Deep-diving crankbaits are producing walleyes during the day off the edges of mud flats. The best evening action is taking place on the shallow rocks, with slip bobbers and leeches. Tube jigs, shallow-running crankbaits, and topwater presentations continue to fool numbers of good-sized smallmouth bass on the rock reefs. Johnson’s

Editor Jeff Mulhollem is an old hand at publishing for sportsman. He created and edited a number of outdoor publications and was the outdoor editor and environmental reporter of a daily newspaper for more than a decade. His writing has been published in many state and regional publications, and he is a vice president of

Field Editor Editor’s note: Last week, Outdoor News Field Editor Shawn Perich discussed the direction and priorities of the agency under the Pawlenty administration with DNR Commissioner Gene Merriam. ODN: In terms of DNR policy and funding, were you satisfied with the outcome of the legislative session? Merriam: I wouldn’t describe it as dissatisfied, but