Minnesota Mixed Bag: Nominations sought for Outdoor News’ Outdoor Leaders Award

Plymouth, Minn. — Outdoor News is seeking nominations for its annual Outdoor Leaders Award, which recognizes the fine conservation work of a group from Minnesota. The deadline for nominations is July 25, and the winner will be announced in mid-August.

For the past several years, Outdoor News has used this award as an opportunity to honor and recognize the efforts of one of the many organizations that work to improve the state’s outdoors. Last year’s winner was the Sand Dunes Gobblers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation in Big Lake.

To nominate a group for the Outdoor Leaders Award, email tim@outdoornews.com

MORE COVERAGE FROM MINNESOTA OUTDOOR NEWS:

Southwestern Minnesota Pheasants Forever chapter celebrates 50 land acquisitions

Is there interest in pausing northeast Minnesota elk relocation efforts? Red Lake Nation, DNR sign onto management agreement

An increased limit coming on Minnesota’s Mille Lacs? Walleye take at one-fifth of state quota

Apply for Special Youth Deer Hunts Through Aug. 15

St. Paul — Once again in 2025, young people will be allowed to hunt deer with an adult in a number of state parks during several application-only special youth deer hunts. These hunts offer more individualized experiences in unique places, and often on different dates from the statewide youth deer season.

These firearms hunts are for youth who are ages 12 to 15 at the time of the hunt and are accompanied by an adult. Hunters may apply for a limited number of permits through Friday, Aug. 15.

Young hunters may also participate in special youth archery opportunities. Sand Prairie Wildlife Management Area in Sherburne County is open only to youth archery hunters ages 10 to 17 during the regular archery season. Camp Ripley in Morrison County offers a special youth archery hunt for ages 12 to 17.

Special youth deer hunts are different from the statewide youth deer season, which takes place Oct. 16-19 and does not require an application. More information on special hunts is available on the DNR website.

For more information on the Camp Ripley youth archery hunt, contact Jan Ekert, Minnesota State Archery Association, at jancrs1@gmail.com or (320) 339-9927.

Black Bear Show Set for July 25-27

Barnum, Minn. — The International Black Bear Show will be held at the Carlton County Fairgrounds in Barnum, July 25-27. It’s a weekend rendezvous during which bear hunters can come for a day or for the weekend and see more than 60 vendors, including guides and outfitters, bear bait suppliers, view hunting equipment, and talk with taxidermists.

All three days feature seminars from expert bear hunters on topics from baiting strategies to bear biology and behaviors, to tracking dogs and cooking bear meat.

Camping is available on the grounds and a list of nearby lodging is on the show website. Learn more about the show and see a list of vendors and activities at: www.blackbearshow.com. A few vendor booths remain open. For more info, call show director Bernie Barringer at (218) 820-8459.

Wildlife Drive Closed at Roseau River WMA

Roseau, Minn. — The 27-mile Wildlife Drive within the Roseau River Wildlife Management Area will not open as planned this July. The opening has been canceled due to the discovery of damages to a key dike on the route. The Wildlife Drive is closed to vehicles, but bicycle and foot traffic is welcome and encouraged.

Updates about reopening the Wildlife Drive will be available on the Roseau River WMA webpage, emailing roseauriver.wildlife@state.mn.us, calling (218) 452-7610, or stopping by the Roseau River WMA office in Roseau.

Horse and Hunt Club Hosts 3D Archery Shoot

Prior Lake, Minn. — The 3D Archery Fun Shoot, set for July 26 at the Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club in Prior Lake, is the perfect summer activity for families, friends, and outdoor enthusiasts looking for a fun and engaging way to test their archery skills.

Set on the grounds of the club, the course features 30 unique targets ranging from animals such as raccoons, buffalo, and moose to more figures including a velociraptor or a stegosaurus.

Shooters of all ages and experience levels are encouraged to participate.

The shoot takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $45 for adults and $30 for youth 15 and under. For more information or to register, visit www.horseandhunt.com

Zebes Confirmed in Ethel Lake in Otter Tail Cty.

St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Ethel Lake, near the town of Ottertail in Otter Tail County. A DNR staff person found zebra mussels attached to native mussels while visiting Ethel Lake.

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

Iowa Pheasant Hunters Bagged more than 460,000 Roosters in 2024

Des Moines, Iowa — Iowa’s 2024 estimated pheasant harvest was the second highest in nearly two decades, coming in at more than 460,000 roosters last fall, surpassed only by the 2023 harvest of 590,000.

It’s the best back to back pheasant harvest years since 2007. Only South Dakota saw more pheasants harvested last year.

Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, estimated more than 77,400 hunters pursued pheasants in Iowa last fall, down from 83,600 in 2023.