MN DNR

I still remember the first time I heard a pack of wolves nearby while deer hunting. Growing up this never happened, but now with the wolf population bouncing back, it's a different experience than what it used to be.

In some areas of the state, the MN DNR is looking to make some big changes to Northern Pike limits.  They've set up a three zone system to manage the pike, as different regions have different eco systems.  In some areas, the harvest will be greatly increased to try to prevent smaller "hammer handle" Northern Pike from destroying the pan fish population.

By now you would hope that many of us would be educated enough to know about the dangers of spreading invasive species with our watercraft.  The DNR has made a huge effort in the past decade to educate the public.  We're used to inspecting our boats and trailers for invasive species, but in some cases some of these species may spread and grow another way:  boat lifts and docks.

We've talked previously on air and even in my blogs about the Tower-Soudan underground mine.   Last time my family and I visited in 2013 we had to walk across a special mat that was too remove any fungus spores from our shoes.

Here's something I can get behind!  Minnesota State Parks are offering free admission on the day after Thanksgiving, traditionally known as Black Friday.   It's the busiest shopping day of the year, where people rush to shop for big deals...

There is a change this year that affects deer licenses bought after the season begins in Minnesota.   In the past, if a hunter purchased a license after the season had already began, they needed to wait two days to hunt.  This year that rule has been changed.

Firearm opener is just weeks away, and the DNR is encouraging you to buy your licenses now to avoid any hold ups.  Just like anything for hunting season, you shouldn't wait until the last minute.

I've talked about this before, but it's a common misconception that Northern Pike aren't worth keeping, or fishing for.  But honestly, it's not that hard to clean them right and get the y-bone out.  Any experienced fishing guide knows this, and they also know they taste pretty darn good.  (Sometimes, better than walleye... shocker!)

One week-end we're talking to the Co-Ho Salmon Anglers in Canal Park and the next week-end we see several of them have moved from casting to out-rigging.  Fishing season is in full swing.  If you're taking your boat out for the first time this year, the  MN DNR provides a list to check for safety.

I can honestly say I've only witnessed a live moose in the wild once in my life.  It was just outside of Remer, MN on our way back from Walker.  He was standing in the ditch near the road lazily chewing his cud not really caring that we had stopped to gawk at him.  I guess we were gawking because you just don't see that animal out in their natural habitat very often.

The Minnesota DNR has been working hard in recent years to stop the spread of invasive species in our great lakes.  A new law was passed in 2011, and will finally take effect on July 1st for anyone even transporting a boat through Minnesota.

We've had an early blast of winter with below freezing temps and snow for a few solid weeks.  That means lakes are starting to freeze over.  Which also means there will be somebody too eager to go out on the ice and break through.  It happens every year.  So, once again we'll try to remind everyone that it's not safe yet!  Here are the guidelines straight from the Minnesota DNR.