Minnesota Mixed Bag: ‘Vote for public lands’ hunt coming Saturday

‘VOTE FOR PUBLIC LANDS’ HUNT IS SATURDAY

Farmington, Minn. — Minnesota Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, along with other partners of the Minnesotans For Our Great Outdoors coalition, will host hunting activities to highlight the work of lottery proceeds and encourage hunters and anglers to vote “yes” on its renewal Nov. 5.

More than 30 years ago, Minnesotans voted to dedicate a portion of state lottery proceeds to conservation. Since then, the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund has provided over $1 billion for Minnesota’s outdoors.

On Saturday, at the Vermillion River Wildlife Management Area near Farmington, several groups, including BHA, the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, Pheasants Forever, and others will host a celebration of the ENRTF at 10 a.m., between sunrise and midday hunts.

More information about the campaign, what’s on the ballot, and the complete list of supporters is available at www.mngreatoutdoors.org.

MORE COVERAGE FROM MINNESOTA OUTDOOR NEWS:

Minnesota’s youth, antlerless season deer kills both increase, while crossbow take inches upward

Shallow streams, weather extremes hinder Minnesota’s North Shore fish

Volunteers still the backbone of firearms safety courses in Minnesota

ZEBES CONFIRMED IN POTATO LAKE IN HUBBARD COUNTY, CLEAR IN WASHINGTON, BASS IN WRIGHT

St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Potato Lake, near Park Rapids in Hubbard County.

A lake property owner contacted the DNR after a lake service provider found a zebra mussel on a boat lift being removed for the season from Potato Lake. DNR and Hubbard County staff and Potato Lake Association members found five additional zebra mussels at the location of the initial report and two more at another location about 2 1⁄2 miles away.

The DNR also confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Clear Lake, near Forest Lake in Washington County.

Rice Creek Watershed District staff contacted the DNR after a lake resident reported a zebra mussel on a dock on the west side of the lake. Another resident in the same area subsequently reported a zebra mussel on another dock. More zebra mussels were found by the DNR during shoreline searches in the same area as the two residents’ docks.

And, the DNR confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Bass Lake, near Annandale in Wright County.

Bass Lake residents contacted the DNR after finding zebra mussels attached to their docks. DNR invasive species specialists were able to confirm one of these reports, finding a live zebra mussel on a dock in the lake.

More information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the DNR website.

PRE-DEER OPENER SPORTSMEN FOR THE BOUNDARY WATERS FUNDRAISER IS NOV. 7 IN MINNETONKA

Minnetonka, Minn. — Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters is hosting a first-ever pre-deer opener fundraiser on Thursday, Nov. 7, at Unmapped Brewing Company in Minnetonka. Join fellow hunters, anglers, and paddlers for an evening of raffles, auctions, prizes, giveaways, and live music (from Grunge Unplugged) at “Deers & Beers: A Hunting and Hardwater Celebration” presented by We-no-nah Canoe.

All proceeds from the event will go directly toward the work that Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters is engaged in to support hunting and fishing opportunities in and around northeastern Minnesota’s BWCAW.

The event will run from 5-9 p.m. Visit www.sportsmenbwca.org for additional details.

INVASIVE AQUATIC PLANT MANAGEMENT GRANTS APPLICATION OPENS NOV. 4

St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR’s Invasive Species Program will be offering grants for the management of curlyleaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, flowering rush, and starry stonewort in 2025. The DNR’s invasive plant management goal is to minimize harmful effects caused by invasive aquatic plants while also protecting natural resources and their use.

The grant program will begin accepting applications on Nov. 4. The application deadline is Dec. 4. Grants are available to lake associations, watershed districts, cities, counties, tribal governments, and all local entities.

For more information, visit here.