June 13, 2024

New York DEC announces 2024 first-time camper program to help get families outdoors

Featured, Nature Page & Night Sky, New York, News / New York Department of Environmental Conservation

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar announced the return of the popular First-Time Camper Program for the 2024 season.
New York families that have never experienced camping will have the opportunity to try camping and other recreational activities in the great outdoors by registering for a fully stocked campsite at a select DEC-operated campground for a designated weekend this summer.

New York DEC announces 2024 first-time camper program to help get families outdoors Read More »

Gear & Gadgets: Abu Garcia showcases performance hooded sun shirt, and much more

Gear & Gadgets, National Fishing, National Hunting / Staff Report

Engineered to perform on and off the water, the Abu Garcia performance hooded sun shirt is a game-changer. Crafted with a focus on quality construction and purposefully designed fabric, it surpasses the standards of a typical tee.

Gear & Gadgets: Abu Garcia showcases performance hooded sun shirt, and much more Read More »

Nature Smart: A mysterious big-woods sandpiper

Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nature Page & Night Sky, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin / Stan Tekiela

Last week, while leading a photo workshop to photograph black bears in northern Minnesota, I was reminded once again that nature exemplifies diversity.
My small group of photographers was following a female black bear with two yearling cubs. The bears were walking through a wetland with a few fallen trees and a couple of high, dry spots covered with green grasses. As we moved closer, I saw a large bird fly out of one of the high spots and land about 5 yards away.

Nature Smart: A mysterious big-woods sandpiper Read More »

Backyard and Beyond: Cavity nest season

Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nature Page & Night Sky, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin / Val Cunningham

Terry Kogowski was startled to find a hitchhiking cecropia moth attached to his tailgate when he arrived at his destination. “It stayed for a couple of hours, then disappeared,” he says.

Backyard and Beyond: Cavity nest season Read More »

Minnesota DNR, Fond du Lac Band reflect on elk law that limits how big herd can grow

Featured, Home Page News, Hunting, Minnesota, National Hunting, National News, News / Brian Mozey

An issue that emerged from the 2024 legislative session focused on elk management in northwest Minnesota.
The Minnesota DNR sought more authority to grow the region’s elk population, while agricultural producers remained concerned that more elk could lead to potential crop damage in the Kittson area.

Minnesota DNR, Fond du Lac Band reflect on elk law that limits how big herd can grow Read More »

Minnesota anglers, boaters encounter high water, with more in forecast

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Minnesota, National Fishing, National News, News / Brian Mozey

They say, “April showers bring May flowers.” In 2024, it’s been: “May showers bring June high waters.”
State boaters and anglers have seen access closures, high water levels, and safety concerns on specific rivers, streams, and lakes after several weeks of rain across Minnesota. The Minnesota, Mississippi, and St. Croix rivers are experiencing dangerous water levels, prompting warnings for anglers to wait until conditions improve.

Minnesota anglers, boaters encounter high water, with more in forecast Read More »

Dean Bortz: ‘Schooled’ by my granddaughter on a recent fishing adventure

Featured, Features, Fishing, Home Page News, National Fishing, Nature Page & Night Sky, Wisconsin / Dean Bortz

I like fishing with kids. I was reminded of that the other Monday afternoon when I was able to snag one of the local granddaughters for a couple of hours after school and before bath time.
She’s 6 years old and just wrapping up a very successful year of kindergarten. She can read and count to 100, or so she claims. I haven’t tested her on that one yet. She used to believe all of my tall tales. No longer. She’s onto me. I now get a mean side-eye if she smells any truth bending.

Dean Bortz: ‘Schooled’ by my granddaughter on a recent fishing adventure Read More »