DNR news releases, Nov. 12, 2013

MINNESOTA DNR NEWS #85                                                                             Nov. 12, 2013
All news releases are available in the DNR’s website newsroom at www.mndnr.gov/news.
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IN THIS ISSUE
Some lands considered baited and off limits to waterfowl hunters
Spring camping reservations reopen at McCarthy Beach State Park

DNR NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Some lands considered baited and off limits to waterfowl hunters

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds waterfowl hunters that some fields are considered baited and off limits to waterfowl hunting. 

Due to the wet and cold spring, some farmers were not able to plant a normal crop for harvest. Instead they worked with their insurance companies or the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Conservation Service office to plant a cover crop. 

“These cover crops were never intended for harvest and are now being disced, tilled or plowed. The food sources such as oats, which were a common cover crop, are now an attractive food source for ducks and geese,” said Lt. Dean Olson, DNR enforcement district supervisor in Rochester. Olson noted these fields are considered baited and off limits to waterfowl hunting.

Federal regulations define a baited area “as any area on which salt, grain, or other feed has been placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, or scattered, if that salt, grain, or other feed could serve as a lure or attraction for migratory game birds to, on, or over areas where hunters are attempting to take them.”

“Any such area will remain a baited area for 10 days following the complete removal of all such salt, grain or other feed,” Olson said. 

Hunters are encouraged to talk with the farmers about fields prior to hunting to assure none of them were planted as a cover crop.

Find more information on waterfowl hunting on agricultural lands at: www.fws.gov/le/waterfowl-hunting-and-baiting.html.

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DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                           Nov. 12, 2013

Spring camping reservations reopen at McCarthy Beach State Park

Spring 2014 camping reservations at McCarthy Beach State Park, near Hibbing, will reopen for booking at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21. People interested in camping reservations for Memorial Day weekend and other spring dates can make those reservations at that time.

Camping or lodging reservations can be made up to a year in advance by visiting www.mndnr.gov/reservations or by calling toll-free, 866-857-2757, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

Spring camping reservations at the park were previously put on hold to allow for the completion of a new shower and sanitation building. Construction of the building has been postponed from fall 2013 until late summer 2014.

When complete, the new energy-efficient building will offer expanded restroom areas with ADA-compliant showers and toilet stalls, and two family restrooms to better accommodate families with young children and visitors with disabilities.

“We were looking forward to having a modern, fully accessible sanitation building ready for our campground guests next summer, but unfortunately, the project was delayed,” said Park Manager Jenny Eastvold. “The new mid-August start date minimizes the number of campers with existing reservations who will be impacted, while giving the contractor a few extra weeks of good construction weather.”

As a safety measure, the campground will be closed at the beginning of the construction to accommodate large trucks hauling demolition debris and construction materials on the park’s narrow campground roads. The campground closure is expected to last into September or October of 2014.

McCarthy Beach State Park is open year-round for day use, and the campground is open seasonally from April to November, as snow conditions permit. Winter camping is no longer available at the park.

The park is a designated weekend skiing destination, which means trails may not be groomed immediately after a snowfall but will be ready for the following weekend whenever possible. Other winter recreation opportunities include snowshoeing on the unplowed campground roads, ice fishing and snowmobiling on the Taconite State Trail, which runs through the park.

For more information, including directions and a virtual tour, go to www.mndnr.gov (www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/mccarthy_beach).

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