Monday, February 17th, 2025

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Monday, February 17th, 2025

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Tim Spielman

Streams of Thought: Details on a Minnesota bill for bird groups

As a longtime member and volunteer for Ducks Unlimited and a member of other bird-focused conservation organizations, I noted last week that a few of these groups were represented last week at the State Capitol. There, a member and former state chair of DU testified in, of all places, the Senate Taxes Committee in support of S.F. 345.

Streams of Thought: Details on a Minnesota bill for bird groups Read More »

Pittman-Robertson dollars dip for Minnesota; State audit of DNR use of federal dollars on WMAs expected in coming months

After peaking at an all-time high of about $34.4 million two years ago, funds the state of Minnesota is eligible to receive from the federal Wildlife Restoration Act (aka, the Pittman-Robertson fund) slid downward again this year – from about $28.2 million in 2024 to $26.1 million in 2025.
At the same time, funding from the federal Sport Fish Restoration Fund (Dingell-Johnson Act) for the state grew from about $13.1 million last year to about $14.1 million, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Pittman-Robertson dollars dip for Minnesota; State audit of DNR use of federal dollars on WMAs expected in coming months Read More »

Streams of Thought: Too cold for ice fishing, and an update on vacancies within the Minnesota DNR

Across a crowded room at the DNR’s recent Roundtable, I spotted Scott’s signature cowboy hat and, beneath it, Scott himself. I meant to work my way toward that hat and wish Scott the best, but alas, too many other bodies blocked the way and mine was absorbed by the masses.

Streams of Thought: Too cold for ice fishing, and an update on vacancies within the Minnesota DNR Read More »

Minnesota’s CREP 3 expanded to 75,000 acres, extended to 2039

State and federal officials a week ago signed a new agreement that extends Minnesota’s current and ongoing Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program into 2039 and adds an additional 15,000 acres to the 60,000-acre program.
CREP 3, the third such effort in the state since about 2002, now will include 12 additional Minnesota counties, and requirements to qualify for the program – which includes state and federal payments for perpetual conservation easements – will change slightly, officials say.

Minnesota’s CREP 3 expanded to 75,000 acres, extended to 2039 Read More »

Streams of Thought: Will more land-transfer legislation emerge in Minnesota this year? Upper Red Lake Association preparing for it

Today, for me, it feels like the drama of the 2024 Minnesota legislative session just ended. Maybe it’s because some aspects of it still haunt my dreams.
But, here we are, just days away from the commencement of the 2025 session, which promises to be, in its own special way, entertaining, and a departure from the past two years of trifecta rule. Count me among those who doesn’t buy for a minute the prospects of a new era of bipartisanship.

Streams of Thought: Will more land-transfer legislation emerge in Minnesota this year? Upper Red Lake Association preparing for it Read More »

Push against litter on lake ice to continue this legislative session in Minnesota

One ice-fishing season ago – albeit, a limited one in most areas due to mild weather – a new law aimed at curtailing human waste and garbage on ice took effect, the result of the “Keep It Clean” initiative, which originated around some of Minnesota’s largest lakes.
Now, supporters say, they’ll seek additional funding during the upcoming legislative session – dollars that would further the effort through education, providing resources for proper disposal of all types of filth sometimes left on lake ice, fund cleanups, hire personnel to oversee the program, and more.

Push against litter on lake ice to continue this legislative session in Minnesota Read More »

Streams of Thought: Some favorites – and bonus annoyances – from Minnesota’s outdoor scene in 2024

Because I can actually remember what was for supper last night, I’ll take a shot at recounting some of my favorites – and some bonus annoyances – from the outdoors scene during 2024. It is, after all, almost 2025.

Streams of Thought: Some favorites – and bonus annoyances – from Minnesota’s outdoor scene in 2024 Read More »

Minnesota DNR has no interest in Red Lake COs inspecting boats

The Minnesota DNR says it’s confident in its approach to dealing with Red Lake zebra mussels and other aspects of its invasive aquatic species management and thus, doesn’t intend to enter into a “conservation law enforcement agreement” drawn up by Red Lake Nation and presented to the Governor’s Office in July.
A draft of the agreement was shared with state DNR officials at a July “consultation meeting,” according to the DNR.

Minnesota DNR has no interest in Red Lake COs inspecting boats Read More »

What hunters should know after CWD is discovered in wild western Minnesota deer for the first time

The Minnesota DNR announced late last week that chronic wasting disease had been confirmed in a wild whitetail buck harvested by a Wheaton-area firearms hunter during that season’s opening weekend.
It’s the first time the always-fatal disease has been confirmed in that part of the state. According to a Dec. 12 DNR news release, the buck was shot in Deer Permit Area 271. It’s the latest in findings in past years outside the state’s CWD core in southeastern Minnesota or CWD Zone 605 in the south-metro area.

What hunters should know after CWD is discovered in wild western Minnesota deer for the first time Read More »

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