October 17, 2003

Contributing Writer It was a bittersweet hunt two week ago. On the one hand, three of us had just taken our limit of mallards, geese, and a pintail each. Not bad for only the second weekend of the Minnesota waterfowl season in ’03. But the bitter part: I had just witnessed my young field trial […]

Field Editor St. Paul Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced Monday his proposal to expand the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to include 100,000 acres in the lower Mississippi watershed in southeastern Minnesota, the Missouri River watershed in the southwest, and the Red River watershed in the northwest. Under CREP, conservation easements are purchased from landowners to

Nov. 13-16: 39th Annual Mpls/St. Paul Snowmobile ATV, Motorcycle Power Sportshow, Mpls Convention Center. Thurs & Fri.: 4-10 p.m., Sat. 10-9 p.m., Sun.: 11-5p.m. For more info check out www.arushows.com. MN Weapons Collectors Assoc. (MWCA). 2003 Gun Show & Sales. For more info call 612-721-8976 check out www.mwca.org. Hours Sat.: 8 – 5 p.m. &

Contributing Writer It was a bittersweet hunt two week ago. On the one hand, three of us had just taken our limit of mallards, geese, and a pintail each. Not bad for only the second weekend of the Minnesota waterfowl season in ’03. But the bitter part: I had just witnessed my young field trial

With 224 moose hunting permits issued, as of late last week 118 moose had been harvested for a 53-percent success rate. Recent past seasons have seen final success rates around 72 percent. Favorable weather early in the season is part of the reason for the high success, officials say.

Jim Bahl, president of the MCF, said the move represents a step toward representing Minnesota’s sportsmen. The MCF is a conservation organization made up of hunters, anglers, and others who support Minnesota’s natural resources. Issues of concern include healthy fisheries, wetland conservation, and WMA acquisition.

Authorities had been searching since last week for Kenneth Gueffroy, 61, of Watertown, S.D. His boat was discovered last week along the north end of Lake Benton. Lincoln County Sheriff Jack Vizecky said fishing tackle was still inside the boat. Gueffroy apparently was fishing alone.

Oct. 9: Friends of NRA Banquet, 5 p.m. For more info call Sue Bierly, 507-533-4307. Oct. 11: Murray County PF Banquet, 5 p.m., Chandler Community Center. For more info call Ron Engler, 507-763-3232. Oct. 11: Rock County PF 20th Annual Banquet, 7 p.m. at Blue Mound Banquet & Meeting Center in Luverne. For more info

Field Editor Watson, Minn. A small cadre of hunters will step into Minnesota bird hunting history beginning Saturday, when the season opens for the state’s first prairie chicken hunt since 1942. Limited to 100 hunters selected by lottery, the hunt will be held in several zones in an area stretching from Fergus Falls north to