DNR news releases, July 14, 2014

MINNESOTA DNR NEWS #52                                                                               July 14, 2014
All news releases are available in the DNR’s website newsroom at www.mndnr.gov/news.
Follow the DNR on Twitter @mndnr.

IN THIS ISSUE
DNR invites public participation in developing forest management plans
  for northern Minnesota
Learn deer hunting basics at Aug. 9 clinic
Now is the time to take a hunter safety course
Question of the week: watercraft inspectors

 

DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DNR invites public participation in developing forest management plans for northern Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites the public to participate in forest management planning for the Northern Minnesota and Ontario Peatlands and the Northern Superior Uplands areas.

The DNR will use three recorded webinars to increase early public input and ensure the needs and expectations of the public and timber industry are better reflected in forest management planning decisions.

“The webinars explain the forest management planning process, provide information to encourage public input and gather input through a series of questions and surveys,” said Lynn Mizner, DNR statewide forest resource planner.

The first webinar addresses changes to the planning process since the first plans were developed. Changes incorporate new project management and electronic communication techniques, and new legislation or policy regulating forest management. The first webinar will be available until July 18 at www.mndnr.gov/forestry/subsection/active.html.

The second webinar will present alternative harvest levels, age class distribution, climate change adaptation strategies and explain models used to develop forest stand examination lists.

The final webinar will present the draft plan developed using this newly gathered public input. Additional webinars will be scheduled if needed.

Questions and comments about Northern Minnesota and Ontario Peatlands can be directed to Robert Pulford, 218-833-8704 or robert.pulford@state.mn.us. Questions about the Northern Superior Uplands can be directed to Lynn Mizner, 218-927-7500, ext. 245 or lynn.mizner@state.mn.us.

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DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                   July 14, 2014

Learn deer hunting basics at Aug. 9 clinic

People can learn the basics of deer hunting at an event being offered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on Saturday, Aug. 9.

In hands-on stations, participants can learn how to track deer, find hunting land, safely place a deer stand, learn to shoot shotguns, rifles and bows, and about deer habits and habitat.

“This event is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in learning the basics of deer hunting and getting hands-on experience,” said Linda Bylander, coordinator of the DNR’s Becoming an Outdoors Family program.

The event will be noon to 5 p.m.at the Forest Lake Sportsmen’s Club near Forest Lake. Youth ages 10 and older are welcome to attend accompanied by a guardian.

Instructors will include DNR wildlife staff, DNR conservation officers, volunteers and members of the Forest Lake Sportsmen’s Club. Register by contacting Bylander, 218-833-8628, or linda.bylander@state.mn.us.

Registration is limited and there is a $10 per person or $15 per family fee. To see a list of similar DNR programs, visit www.mndnr.gov/bow.

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DNR NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                              July 14, 2014

Now is the time to take a hunter safety course

With the fall hunting seasons just around the corner, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is urging hunters to sign up now for a hunter education class.

“Though classes are held throughout the year, their numbers peak in the summer and early fall,” said Capt. Mike Hammer, DNR Enforcement Division education program coordinator. “So now is the time to sign up and complete a course, because once the hunting season gets rolling, it might be too late.”

Besides ensuring the ability to hunt this year, taking the class sooner rather than later means more time for scouting hunting locations, sighting-in rifles, practicing shotgun skills and securing permission to hunt on private lands.

Minnesota hunters born after Dec. 31, 1979, must take a DNR hunter education firearms safety training course and receive a certificate of completion before buying a license for big or small game.

Classes are taught by DNR certified volunteers in their local communities. Students, depending on their age, have a few options to become certified. Regardless of which option they choose the course provides them with basic safe firearms handling skills, wildlife identification, outdoor skills and responsibility that accompanies hunting and firearms use.
 
Classes fill-up fast. Find a class http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/firearms/index.html or call 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367.

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Question of the week

Q: How many watercraft inspectors does the DNR hire to check for invasive species?

A: Our goal is to hire 100 Level 1 watercraft inspectors and 46 Level 2 watercraft inspectors each season. Level 2 inspectors not only inspect boats and equipment for aquatic invasive species, but can decontaminate watercraft using hot high-pressure washers. DNR watercraft inspectors will work at more than 250 public water access sites this season.

The DNR also partners with local units of government so that they can hire their own watercraft inspectors. So far this season, we have trained more than 300 of these local inspectors.

--Heidi Wolf, watercraft inspection program coordinator