DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DNR commissioner appoints 25 citizens to Game and Fish Fund oversight committees

The commissioner of natural resources has announced appointees to two newly created citizen oversight committees that monitor fish and wildlife spending by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The new committees, the Wildlife Oversight Committee (WOC) and the Fisheries Oversight Committee (FOC), are the result of recent legislation aimed at streamlining and improving the efficiency of long-standing citizen Game and Fish Fund oversight committees created in 1994.

The 25 citizen appointees are responsible for reviewing the agency’s annual Game and Fish Fund report. After discussions with agency leaders and others, the citizen committees write a report on their findings of this review. The FOC and the WOC begin work soon after the mid-December publication of the DNR’s Game and Fish Report for Fiscal Year 2011.

“We look forward to working with these citizen volunteers,” said Bob Meier, DNR policy and government relations director. “By sharing budget information and getting input from citizens, we increase transparency of our funding decisions. It’s a process that assures license buyers and legislators that these funds are targeted at fish and wildlife programs, and we’re pleased about that.”

The DNR’s Game and Fish Fund is the fiscal foundation for much of the state’s natural resource management. The $90 million fund gets its revenue from the sales of hunting and fishing licenses and fish and wildlife stamps; a sales tax on lottery tickets; a reimbursement based on a federal excise tax on hunting, fishing and boating equipment; and other sources.

The fund pays for the fish, wildlife, enforcement and ecological management that support 54,000 jobs in Minnesota’s outdoor recreation and hospitality business.

Four representatives from each committee will be selected to serve on an umbrella Budgetary Oversight Committee (BOC) chaired by John Hunt, vice chair with Minnesota Trout Unlimited.

The BOC will develop recommendations for a biennial budget plan and an overall report on expenditures for game and fish activities. Those recommendations will be forwarded for further consideration to the DNR commissioner and to legislative committees with jurisdiction over natural resources financing.

Meier said some committee members have previous budget oversight experience. Others don’t.

“However, all have a strong interest in ensuring that hunting and fishing license dollars are spent wisely,” he said. More than 50 people applied for oversight committee positions. Factors in choosing the new appointees included a mix of hunting and angling interests, geographic distribution, and past experience with oversight of the Game and Fish Fund.

Appointed by DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr are:

Fisheries Oversight Committee (FOC)
John Christian, Apple Valley; Lance Frank, Albert Lea; Marj Hart, St. Michael; Jeff Johnson, New London; John Lenczewski, Eden Prairie; Craig Pagel, Duluth; Peter Perovich, Ramsey; Charles Prokop, Hugo; Ryan Saulsbury, Baxter; John Schneider, Roseville; George Selcke, Minnetonka; Dave Thompson, Battle Lake; Pao Yang, St. Paul.

Wildlife Oversight Committee (WOC)
Kevin Bigalke, Lakeville; Jeff Byrne, Victoria; William Faber, Brainerd; Mark Jeffrey Flen, Lakeville; Cody Fox, Austin; Chuck Kartak, North Branch; Jerome Roehl, Walker; Deb Luzinski, Woodbury; Steve Okins, Willmar; Paul Spyhalski, Austin; Kong siab Thao, Little Canada;
Robert Theobald, Owatonna. 

Past Game and Fish Fund reports and oversight reports are available at (www.dnr.state.mn.us/gamefishoversight/reports.html).

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 DNR NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                               DECEMBER 19, 2011

DNR cites 144 with baiting; seizes 134 firearms/bows

Conservation officer weekly activity reports confirm what officials with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) already suspected: Deer baiting was pervasive during the 2011 big game season.

DNR conservation officers issued 144 citations, issued 24 warnings and seized 134 firearms/bows in baiting relation investigations during the 2011 bow, firearms and muzzleloader seasons. It’s the highest number of baiting citations issued during the deer hunting seasons since the DNR began tracking these violations in 1991.

“It seems that every year our officers are spending more and more time responding to complaints about baiting or discovering it while on patrol,” said Lt. Col. Rodmen Smith, DNR Enforcement assistant director. “It’s become a very common violation.”

Deer baiting is strategically placing a pile of food near deer stands or clearings with the intent of luring a deer into close hunting range. It has been illegal to bait deer in Minnesota since 1991.

Conservation Officer Marty Stage of Ely said he spent a lot of the big game season “chasing violators illegally baiting deer. The practice has certainly not gone away or apparently even slowed,” Stage said. 

 

The fine for illegal baiting is $300, plus $80 or so in court costs. Another $500 can be tagged on for restitution if a deer is seized. Guns may be confiscated as well.

“It is pretty sad when the rifle that has been handed down for generations is lost forever due to unethical hunting,” said Conservation Officer Darin Fagerman of Grand Marais. “Grandpa might not be too happy about that either.”

Smith said he is hopeful that by releasing the numbers on illegal baiting activities, it sends a message that Minnesota values it natural resources and there is a price for engaging in this activity.

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DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                               DECEMBER 19, 2011

New angling regulations set for 2012

A number of new fishing regulations will become effective March 1, 2012.

 

The changes, designed to maintain or improve fishing quality, are modifications to existing experimental and special regulations or the application of a regulation on a new body of water.

 

Regulation changes occur annually as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reviews the effectiveness of existing regulations, adjusts as necessary and considers new regulation proposals from the public. Regulations changes are based on lake survey data, angler and citizen input, and fish management goals.

 

Regulation changes will be posted at the public accesses of all affected waters. They will also be included in the upcoming 2012 fishing regulation booklet.

 

Lake Vermilion (St. Louis County)

The bottom of the walleye slot limit, currently at 17 inches, will move up one inch, resulting in an 18- to 26-inch protected slot limit. The current bag limit of four walleye with only one longer than 26 inches will remain unchanged. DNR review of the biological impact of modifying the regulation, which was first implemented in 2006, showed that moving the bottom of the slot up one inch is expected to allow for the additional harvest strongly supported by the public while still meeting management goals to improve harvest in the western basin.

 

Big Sand Lake (Hubbard County)

A permanent 20- to 28-inch protected slot limit on walleye will go into effect on Big Sand Lake. Anglers still may only keep one walleye longer than 28 inches. While experimental, the regulation improved abundance and size of walleye and public input largely favored making the regulation permanent.

 

Hovde Lake (Cass County)

Mandatory catch-and-release of all largemouth bass in Hovde Lake will become permanent. The regulation, which the public supported, resulted in a marked improvement in sizes of bass.

 

Namakan Reservoir (St. Louis County)

A 17- to 28-inch protected slot limit on walleye will be extended for one year on the Namakan Reservoir, which includes Kabetogama, Namakan, Sand Point, Crane and Little Vermilion lakes. The extension of the experimental regulation allows for additional evaluation of the regulation. Results of the evaluation will be reviewed with the public again next fall.

 

Long Lake (Kandiyohi County)

The existing 12- to 20-inch protected slot limit on largemouth bass in Long Lake will be modified to a 14- to 20-inch protected slot and extended to 2020 to evaluate the change. Anglers still may only keep one largemouth bass longer than 20 inches. The objective of the modified regulation is to allow for additional harvest opportunities while maintaining quality angling for larger bass. Public comments favored both additional opportunity for harvest while also protecting quality sized bass with the modified regulation.

 

Lawndale Creek (Wilkin County)

Angling for brook trout in a 3.5-mile reach of Lawndale Creek within Atherton Wildlife Management Area (WMA) will be restricted to catch-and-release with artificial lures. Situated in a prairie region dominated by agriculture, much of Lawndale Creek had been channelized and straightened in the 1960s, devaluing its habitat and potential for trout management. A recently completed restoration of the creek back to its original channel boosted the potential for brook trout to thrive within the WMA, providing a unique opportunity to enhance the trout population with a catch-and-release regulation.

 

Grand Rapids Area (Itasca County)

Maintaining opportunities for quality panfish angling in the Grand Rapids area is the goal for reduced bag limits on three Itasca County lakes. New regulations limit anglers on Splithand Lake to five black crappie and five sunfish; a limit of five sunfish on Little Splithand; and a limit of five sunfish on Dixon Lake.

 

Lester Lake (Hubbard County)

Catch-and-release regulations will remain in effect for all species in Lester Lake, a small 55-acre lake located within the Lester Lake Aquatic Management/Scientific and Natural Area. The property was donated to the state with the intent to maintain its natural characteristics and the relatively pristine fish community. After taking public comment, a catch-and-release regulation enacted under a short-term emergency rule shortly after the property was acquired has been made permanent.

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DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                       DECEMBER 19, 2011

 

DNR urges caution when burning in low areas to prevent peat fires

 

Landowners are advised to take caution when burning brush or grasses in low lying areas, due to a high incident of peat fires across the state, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said today.

 

Peat is an accumulation of partially decayed plant material, often found in wetlands or areas that had been wetlands at one time. Peat soil generally absorbs moisture, but unusually dry conditions across the region have created the potential for peat soils to burn this winter. Minnesota has more than 6 million acres of peat, the highest total acreage in the contiguous United States.

 

“Peat fires are a real threat this year,” according to Tom Romaine, a fire supervisor for the DNR. “As landowners burn brush piles, grass or other vegetation, the heat can be conducted from the surface fire into the dry peat soil and cause it to ignite.”

 

Romaine said that peat fires can be extremely difficult to battle because the fire smolders beneath the ground as a glowing combustion rather than as an open flame. Pumping water on a peat fire is often ineffective. Heavy equipment may be needed to alternately work and pack the soil, exposing hot pockets and then sealing them off from surface oxygen. A peat fire can take weeks or months to extinguish, and costs to fight the fire can be substantial.  

 

Peat fires can pose health hazards since they burn at a lower temperature and create more smoke than other types of fires. The heavy, dense smoke combined with airborne peat particles can cause respiratory problems in people and livestock. Grains and livestock feeds can become tainted. Peat smoke will hang like fog in low areas, creating low visibility and hazardous conditions for motorists.

 

If a peat fire is discovered, the local fire department should be contacted immediately. Quick action can significantly limit the negative impact a peat fire can have.

 

“The best defense against a peat fire is prevention,” Romaine said. “People should be careful burning in low areas this winter.”

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DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                               DECEMBER 19, 2011

 

Afton State Park offers running on snowshoes class Jan. 8

 

Looking for way to stay in shape when a favorite trail is covered with snow? This winter, try snowshoe running. Avid snowshoe runner Jim McDonell will teach people how at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, at Afton State Park in Hastings.

 

McDonell is an avid trail runner and triathlete in the summer who morphs into a snowshoe runner in the winter. He has been running for 35 years and snowshoe running for almost 20 years. He still runs competitively at age 58.

 

After about 45 minutes of discussion and questions about gear, clothing and the local and national racing scene, participants will head out on the trail to do some running on snowshoes until about 3:15 p.m. (or longer for those who want more of a workout). People who don’t have their own snowshoes, can rent them from the park for $6. McDonell will also have some running snowshoes to try.

 

“Snowshoe running is a great, low-impact form of exercise,” said McDonell. “I enjoy the camaraderie and the freedom to go off trail and get close to nature.” State parks allow snowshoers to tromp anywhere except on groomed cross-country ski trails.

 

Gov. Mark Dayton has proclaimed January to be Learn a Snow Sport Month in Minnesota. He urged all Minnesotans to get outdoors to enjoy a winter sport, noting that, “Humans are not meant to hibernate. Learning a winter sport provides an excellent way to make the most of our winter weather by using the great outdoors as a healthy alternative for cabin fever.”

 

There are thousands of snowshoe runners worldwide, and studies have shown snowshoe running to improve fitness dramatically. In an hour of snowshoeing, a 125-pound person will burn about 459 calories per hour, and a 175-pound person will burn about 643. Showshoe runners burn more calories the faster they run. For those who want to learn how to walk on snowshoes, this class is worth attending. It is intended for all levels of fitness and snowshoe ability, and kids are welcome.

 

Participating in the class is free, but registration is required and a vehicle permit is necessary to enter the park. Permits ($5 for a one-day permit or $25 for a year-round permit) can be purchased at the park.

For more information, and to register, call 651-436-5391. For directions to the park and other information, visit the Afton State Park web page at mndnr.gov.

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DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                              DECEMBER 19, 2011

 

Gooseberry Falls State Park hosts snowshoe-lacing workshop on Jan. 21-22

 

Learn to make a pair of traditional wooden snowshoes during a snowshoe-lacing workshop at Gooseberry Falls State Park. The workshop will be Jan. 21-22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Participants must call 218-834-3855 to register by Thursday, Jan. 5.

 

Workshop presenters will teach attendees how to string laces on pre-built wooden snowshoe frames and demonstrate how to use them. The $75 fee includes instruction, a snowshoe kit and other materials. Class size is limited to 12 people. The workshop is designed for ages 10 and up. Attendees should meet at the visitor center theater, bring a sack lunch, and register in advance so the appropriate quantities and sizes of snowshoe kits may be ordered.

 

Snowshoeing is beginner-friendly outdoor activity and is a great way to explore Minnesota’s winter wilderness, according to the DNR.

 

Once participants finish their snowshoes, they can attend one of the learning to snowshoe programs held Saturdays, Feb. 11 and Feb. 18. There will also be a candlelight ski and snowshoe event Saturday, Feb. 18, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

 

Park visitors can ski or snowshoe trails lined with candle luminaries, warm up by the wood fireplace and enjoy refreshments in the visitor center. 

 

Gooseberry Falls State Park is located 13 miles north of Two Harbors along Highway 61. For more information, call 218-834-3855 or visit www.mndnr.gov.

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DNR QUESTION OF THE WEEK

 

Q: Trespassing is among the issues DNR conservation officers must deal with during the winter months. What should people remember as they ride their snowmobiles?

 

A: Winter is a great time to enjoy Minnesota’s wonderful natural resources, and snowmobiles present the opportunities to see places you might not otherwise get to see. However, it is important to remember to respect the private and public property that snowmobile clubs have obtained to create the extensive system of trails Minnesota has to offer. Cutting corners, taking shortcuts across fields, hill climbing or operating on private property outside road ditch right-of-ways are all examples of trespassing situations that have resulted in the closing of miles of snowmobile trails every season. In addition to respecting private and public property, safety is another important reason to stay on trails marked for snowmobile use.

 

- Capt. Mike Hammer, DNR Division of Enforcement recreational vehicle coordinator