January 2, 2004

Associate Editor Grand Rapids, Minn. Bear hunters in Minnesota improved this fall on an abysmal 2002 harvest, but DNR officials say suggestions and complaints from hunters could lead to changes for future hunts. Dave Garshelis, DNR bear specialist in Grand Rapids, said the harvest of black bears in the state this year totalled about 3,550, […]

July Turkey hunters killed 7,650 birds during the spring hunt, setting a record for the ninth year in a row. Following three massive stockings, walleye numbers in overfished Red Lake are at the highest number in 20 years, but fish biologists say they will wait until the stocked fish are old enough to spawn before

An African safari might be the ultimate big game hunt, but most hunters won’t go that far because of the hassles and the cost of such a trip. Hunters who consider themselves big-game chasers don’t have to go to Africa, however, to enjoy an ultimate big game hunt. The answer can be found by looking

Correspondent Madison The state has a new “tissue digester” that can now help the DNR dispose of deer heads and carcasses safely, and with less cost in its chronic wasting disease testing effort. The digester is located at the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL) in Madison, and is necessary in the state’s efforts to eliminate

The show features about 500 exhibits including new boats, motors, and fishing gear; daily seminars by hunting and fishing experts such as Bruce Samson; and special attractions including Brody the Bear, The Great American Duck Races, and a live trout pond. Show hours are noon to 9:30 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, Jan. 7-9; 10 a.m.

Correspondent Dryden, Ontario In any other situation, a gigantic buck that was shot north of Dryden, Ontario, this past fall would be gracing hunting magazine covers for years to come. The deer was a true monster, a world-class 18-point monarch, and pictures of the beast have been making the e-mail rounds for weeks. However, the

Associated Press Washington, D.C. President George W. Bush is abandoning a plan that could have further reduced wetlands protections even though his administration has said their occasional use by farmers, migratory birds, or endangered species isn’t reason enough to stop developers from filling them in. Mike Leavitt, the new administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency,

Editor St. Paul Efforts to make Minnesota an initiative and referendum state have drawn criticism from at least two prominent sportsmen. Proponents believe 2004 might be the session the Legislature passes the law that would allow state residents to put legislative questions on statewide ballots, a process called initiative and referendum. Former State Sen. Bob

Joe Honer, of St. Cloud, and Ray Legatt, of Rice, located some good-sized crappies to go along with some of the lake’s abundant sunfish. Their 14 fish weighed 6.58 pounds. The championship field was made up of 50 two-person teams that qualified by finishing in the top 10 at last winter’s Ice Team “Trap Attack”