Minnesota Mixed Bag: Improved Green, Elkhorn Lake accesses ready for public use

St. Paul — Citizens recreating on Green and Elkhorn lakes have some newly improved options for getting boats and other watercraft on the water.

Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) funding is allowing the DNR to improve public water access sites across the state, including three recently completed projects. Two are on the north side of Green Lake near Spicer – Kandiyohi County Park 5 and Rush Brown Landing. The Elkhorn Lake public access is on the east side of the smaller lake just south of Spicer. Kandiyohi County Park 5 reopened last week; the other two last fall.

Public water access sites are open 24 hours a day unless posted otherwise. They are available for both trailer and carry-in. See maps of locations by county, find a boat ramp, learn regulations and explore other boating topics at www.mndnr.gov/wateraccess.

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Minnesota’s ruffed grouse decline again from peak in 2024

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DNR ACCEPTING COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS FOR SKANDIA WMA RESTORATION

St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR is accepting comments until July 29 on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for a proposal to restore a channelized stream and create and restore wetland habitat within the Skandia Wildlife Management Area in Murray County. The channel within this segment of the WMA was historically straightened (channelized) to accommodate agricultural. The proposed project would restore stream meandering to improve water quality, habitat and floodplain connectivity.

A 30-day public review and comment period will be open through 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 29. A copy of the EAW is available on the project page of the DNR website. A hard copy of the EAW can be requested by calling 651-259-5101 and is available for public review at two libraries: DNR Library, 500 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155, or Balaton Public Library, 134 3rd St., Balaton, MN 56115.

For details on submitting comments, visit www.mndnr.gov/news and review the June 30 press release on Skandia WMA.

NONRESIDENT DEER HUNTERS HAVE NEW RULES IN MISSOURI

Jefferson City, Mo. — Hunters coming into Missouri from Minnesota and other states to hunt deer will face significant rule changes in the coming months. The Missouri Department of Conservation Commission approved the regulation change that reduces the number of antlered bucks nonresident hunters can take from two to one. Nonresident hunters who own property in the state will maintain an antlered buck bag limit of two.

The commission also gave initial approval that would require out-of-state hunters to also purchase a “Nonresident Public Land Deer Hunting Permit” for $165 to hunt on public land. The agency is taking public comment on the permit proposal from July 16 to Aug. 14.

The changes are driven by a significant increase in nonresident participation during Missouri’s recent deer seasons, with Missouri hunters saying the spike has affected their own hunts.

“There were approximately 20,000 nonresident deer hunters who hunted in Missouri 20 years ago,” the department said on its website. “That number was about 4% of the state’s nearly 475,000 total deer hunters. By last year, that number had more than doubled to about 42,000 nonresident deer hunters in Missouri, accounting for about 9% of the state’s nearly 475,000 total deer hunters.”

IN WISCONSIN, MAN DROWNS DURING EAGLE RESCUE ATTEMPT ON LAKE PETENWELL

Town of Monroe, Wis. — A 72-year-old Necedah, Wis., man drowned in Lake Petenwell while rescuing an eagle on June 24. At about 1 p.m. that day, the Adams County Sheriff’s Department received a report of a missing person. The reporting party informed dispatchers a man had gone missing from the boat launch on Brown Deer Drive at Lake Petenwell in the town of Monroe.

An Adams County Sheriff’s Department press release said dispatch learned the subject had been missing since leaving home around 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 23. The caller stated the missing man had gone fishing near the boat launch June 23 and saw an injured eagle in the water, according to the release.

Officials used drones, watercraft, and a ground search to locate the body of Robert R. Marti, 72, of Necedah, around 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, just off shore. Investigators located a large fishing net and eagle feathers near Marti, who was not wearing a life jacket. The investigation revealed Marti became stuck in underwater debris just offshore and evidence showed he drowned.

According to the release, investigators also learned Marti had called the Wisconsin DNR and a raptor rescue facility on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 23, and both indicated they would respond the next morning. Marti returned home and told a family member he was going to go rescue the injured eagle.

When Adams County deputies arrived at the boat launch they located Marti’s locked vehicle. Deputies also found equipment that could be used to rescue an injured animal.