Bear hunt applications available; deadline is May 3

By DNR


Applications for Minnesota bear hunting licenses are available beginning Monday, April 1, and will be accepted through Friday, May 3, the Department of Natural of Resources (DNR) said.

A total of 3,750 licenses are available in 11 permit areas. The number of available licenses for 2013 is about 35 percent fewer than the 6,000 licenses available in 2012.

The 2012 bear harvest was 2,604. That was a 22 percent increase from 2011, despite 15 percent fewer bear quota licenses being available. The increase in harvest for 2012 was largely due to poorer fall food conditions, making bears more attracted to hunters’ baits.

The DNR’s goal with the lower license quotas is to allow for a gradual increase in the current bear population.

“Although the trends in the last few years indicate a stable bear population, DNR is reducing bear license numbers in the quota bear area to increase bear population numbers,” said Dan Stark, DNR large carnivore specialist. “After intensive efforts in the 1990s and early 2000s to reduce a growing bear population, we are now at or near population goals. These quotas will help assure that we continue to have a productive bear population.”

DNR monitors the bear population using a modeling technique based on ages of harvested bears, supplemented periodically by total population estimates based on mark-recapture data. Bear ages are determined from tooth samples that hunters are required to submit.

Notification to successful lottery winners will be made in mid- to late May. The deadline to purchase licenses awarded by lottery will be Thursday, Aug. 1. Any remaining unpurchased licenses will be available to any eligible persons starting at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 7.

Application for a bear license can be made at any DNR license agent, the DNR License Center in St. Paul, online at www.mndnr.gov/buyalicense or by phone at 888-665-4236. Bear licenses cost $44 for residents and $250 for nonresidents. There is a $4 application fee. 

An unlimited number of bear licenses also will be available over the counter for the no quota area of east-central and far northwestern Minnesota. The bag limit in the no quota area is being reduced from two to one.

Complete information on the fall bear hunt is available on the DNR website at www.mndnr.gov/hunting/bear.

Minnesota Parks and Trails offer a new season of outdoors "I Can" programs for families

By DNR

Families will learn how to pitch a tent, hook a fish, paddle a kayak or canoe, scale a cliff and shoot a bow at nearly 200 “I Can!” programs offered this summer at Minnesota state parks and on state water trails. The newly expanded “I Can!” series of outdoor programs are designed to introduce kids to camping, fishing, paddling, climbing and archery.

“We created the ‘I Can!’ series in response to research that showed declining participation in outdoor recreation by young families,” said Courtland Nelson, DNR Parks and Trails Division director. “These popular programs are designed to introduce the next generation to the outdoors.”

Since the series launched in 2010, thousands of people have been introduced to outdoor recreation and Minnesota state parks and trails. Participation in “I Can Camp!” totaled 877 in 2012, up 51 percent from the 582 who participated the first year.

“I had to drag my kids there, and now they won’t stop exploring,” reported one father who participated in an “I Can Camp!” program. “We consider ourselves on our way to becoming veteran campers,” said a mother who attended the hands-on, learn-to-camp workshop.

All equipment is provided for the programs, along with mentoring from experienced instructors. Some programs require advance registration and a fee; others are free and allow visitors to drop-in anytime. A vehicle permit ($5/one-day or $25/year-round) is required to enter Minnesota state parks and recreation areas. A one-day permit is included with registration for an “I Can Camp!” program.

I Can Camp!
Participants camp overnight and learn basic outdoor skills from an experienced “I Can Camp!” crew at this beginner-level program. All camping equipment is provided (including tents, air mattresses and cook stoves). Participants just bring their own food and bedding (sleeping bags or blankets and pillows). Advance registration is required.

  • One-night workshops ($40 for up to six people) are scheduled on Saturdays from June 8 to Aug. 31.
  • Two-night workshops ($60 for up to six people) will take place July 12-14, July 26-28, Aug. 2-4 and Aug. 31-Sept. 2.

I Can Fish!
Experienced anglers will offer hands-on instruction to first-timers and those who want a refresher at this free fishing program offered at state parks statewide. All equipment and bait are provided, and no fishing license is necessary for Minnesota residents. Advance registration is not required.

I Can Paddle!
Learn paddling skills from experienced guides while exploring some of Minnesota’s most stunning lakes and rivers at programs designed for beginners. Participants will learn how to launch a canoe or sea kayak safely, practice essential paddling strokes and more. No experience or equipment is necessary. Canoes, sea kayaks, lifejackets and paddles are provided. Advance registration is required. Three types of paddling experiences will be offered:

  • On the Lake programs – These two-hour programs ($10 per canoe, with each canoe accommodating up to three people), perfect for beginners of all ages, will take place at various Minnesota state parks throughout the summer.
  • On the River programs – In addition to the same basic skills included in the “On the Lake” programs, these programs ($25 per canoe, with each canoe accommodating up to three people) will cover how to read a river and river safety. Programs will take place on state water trails (river routes mapped and managed for paddling). Participants must be age 8 or older.
  • Sea Kayaking programs – These two-hour programs ($35 per person) will introduce participants to sea kayaking on the Lake Superior State Water Trail. Participants will learn all the basics of sea kayaking while gliding past towering cliffs and the Split Rock Lighthouse.

I Can Climb!
Certified professionals from Vertical Endeavors will teach basic climbing skills and help kids and other beginners scale real rocks at four premier state parks for rock climbing. Helmets, harnesses and other climbing and safety gear are provided. Advance registration is required. Three types of climbing experiences will be offered:

  • I Can Climb! – This 90-minute program ($5 per climber), designed for first-time climbers age 5 or older, will be offered at Blue Mounds State Park and Interstate State Park.
  • I Can Climb! On the North Shore – This 90-minute program ($5 per climber), for participants age 10 or older, takes place at Tettegouche State Park. Climbers are safely lowered from the top of a cliff above Lake Superior and then climb back up. No experience
    is  necessary.
  • I Can Climb! Basic Belay and Safety – This program ($35 per participant), for participants age 14 or older, is designed for those who’ve tried one of the other two “I Can Climb!” programs and want to take their climbing skills to the next level. It will focus on knot
    tying, belaying, climbing commands, rope management skills and more.

Archery in the Parks
Trained archery instructors will provide an introduction to archery, along with assistance in shooting a bow in a safe, supervised and supportive setting at these free programs. No experience is necessary, and all equipment is provided. Programs are scheduled statewide May through August. Participants must be age 8 or older. Advance registration is not required.

For more information about any of the programs in the “I Can!” series, including program dates, times, locations and other information, visit www.mndnr.gov/ican or call the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Funding for the “I Can!” program series is from the Parks and Trails Fund, created after voters approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in November 2008. The Parks and Trails Fund receives 14.25 percent of the sales tax revenue and may only be spent to support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance.

Second chance to to help Minnesota wildlife

By DNR

Minnesotans who forgot to donate to the line with the loon on their state tax forms now have a second chance to help the state’s bald eagles, trumpeter swans, blue herons, peregrine falcons and bluebirds, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said.

To donate to the DNR nongame wildlife program, visit the website.

More than 800 nongame wildlife species depend on donations. The nongame wildlife program receives 80 percent of its funding through donations.

Last year 66,000 Minnesotans donated to the line with the loon on their tax forms, compared with 88,000 people 10 years ago, said Carrol Henderson, DNR nongame wildlife program supervisor.

“Only one in 31 households contributes to the wildlife checkoff fund, so every dollar donated is an important gift to wildlife,” he said.
 
Many Minnesotans use tax services to prepare their taxes and never see their tax form so they miss the line with the loon, Henderson said. These same people enjoy watching the new live bald eagle webcam as well as frequenting the outdoors to watch soaring eagles along the riverbanks and listening to the haunting call of the common loon.

“We are fortunate to offer this second chance to help wildlife and keep Minnesota a special place to live,” Henderson said. “It’s fast and easy to make your tax deductible donation; just go to the DNR website and click on the nongame wildlife donate button. Every dollar donated will help protect and preserve the future of all wildlife in Minnesota.”

Comment sought on Lake Fourteen vegetation management plan by April 15

By DNR

Persons interested in reviewing and commenting on the Lake Fourteen vegetation management plan have until April 15, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said.

Lake Fourteen (DOW#: 69-0793) is located in northern Great Scott Township, in central St. Louis County.

The vegetation management plan was prepared by DNR Fisheries managers in cooperation with the Lake Fourteen Clear Water Alliance to determine future actions to control a nuisance condition of submerged vegetation. A point-intercept aquatic vegetation survey was conducted last in June and will serve as baseline information regarding the aquatic plant community.

The plan calls for mechanical cutting using an aquatic vegetation harvester outside of a buffer 150 feet from the shoreline, while avoiding more desirable stands of aquatic vegetation. The proposed treatment area is up to a maximum of 184 littoral acres; no more than 49 percent of the littoral area.

The Lake Fourteen Clear Water Alliance will assist with loose vegetation removal and continued monitoring following the mechanical cutting.

A copy of the management plan can be viewed at the DNR Fisheries Regional office in Grand Rapids, or an electronic copy can be emailed. Written comments can be sent to Joe Mix, assistant regional fisheries manager, 1201 E. Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744, or by email to joe.mix@state.mn.us.

New Mille Lacs angling limits

By DNR

Regulations that will limit the harvest of walleye and potentially increase the harvest of northern pike and smallmouth bass will be implemented on Mille Lacs Lake this spring as part of a multi-year effort to rebuild the lake’s legendary walleye population.

When the walleye season opens May 11, anglers will be able to keep walleye only between 18- and 20-inches or longer than 28 inches. All others must be immediately released. The possession limit is two, with only one longer than 28 inches.

Last year, anglers could not keep walleye 17- to 28-inches in length. They could keep up to four walleye shorter than 17 inches, with one longer than 28 inches allowed.

“We want Mille Lacs to continue to be a world-class walleye fishing destination,” said Dirk Peterson, Department of Natural Resources fisheries chief. “Currently, the size and structure of the walleye population isn’t where we want it. We are committed to remedying the situation as quickly as possible through regulations that are designed to increase survival of the lake’s younger and smaller walleye.”

The agency is particularly interested in conserving the lake’s large 2008 year-class of walleye because no strong year-class is coming up behind these fish despite ample spawning stock and good hatches of young fish. Fish in this year-class are 15- to 17-inches in length.

In addition to new walleye regulations, the lake’s 27- to 40-inch protected slot regulation for northern pike will be narrowed to a 33- to 40-inch protected slot, with only one pike longer than 40 inches. The possession limit is three.

Similarly, the smallmouth bass bag limit and slot limit will be broadened to allow for more harvest. The new regulation is a 17- to 20-inch protected slot. The possession limit is six, with only one longer than 20 inches in possession. Previously, all smallmouth bass less than 21 inches had to be immediately released and the possession limit was one.

“The smallmouth bass and northern pike regulations are designed to protect smaller walleye until we have better information on what these predator species are eating,” said Peterson. “We’ll be starting a predator diet study this spring. Meanwhile, the regulations will allow anglers some additional non-walleye harvest opportunities while also retaining solid numbers of trophy-sized fish.”

The new regulations aim to keep the total walleye kill below the combined state-tribal 2013 safe harvest level of 250,000 pounds. Fishing regulations may be adjusted if angler kill is expected to be either too high or lower than the anticipated. This year’s safe harvest level is the lowest established since treaty management began in 1997.

Tom Jones, Mille Lacs Lake coordinator, said the agency modeled 33 different walleye regulations before determining the 18- to 20-inch harvest slot regulation was the best option for this angling season. “It protects males from the 2008 walleye year-class, it meets the goal of being small fish friendly, it allows anglers to keep a meal of fish, and given normal fishing conditions it should keep harvest within the state’s allocation.”

The DNR discussed a variety of potential regulations with the Mille Lacs Lake public input group during a Feb. 27 meeting and solicited email comments from the general public.

Jones said a 2-inch walleye harvest slot is not unprecedented on Mille Lacs, having been implemented in 2001, 2002 and 2007. He added the state’s walleye harvest has been below this year’s allocation level of 178,500 pounds four of the last 10 years and in 2005 the harvest was below 200,000 pounds.

The fundamental concern for fish managers is that not enough walleye are becoming big walleye because of increased mortality rates. A secondary concern is that mature male walleye numbers have decreased.

The lake is also becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. This is due largely to changes in the aquatic community, including the presence of unwanted aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussel, spiny water flea and Eurasian watermilfoil.

These factors, plus a state and tribal harvest management strategy that focused largely on walleyes in the 14- to 18-inch range, all have contributed to a declining walleye population.

Jones said despite the declining walleye population, winter walleye fishing was good, which typically suggests good fishing in spring, too.

For more information about Mille Lacs Lake fisheries management, go to www.mndnr.gov/millelacslake.

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