Monthly Archives: January 2012

Grooming set for Greenway ski trails

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I was surprised this morning when I opened the front door and was greeted by the sight of fresh snow. I was at a wolf meeting Thursday night in Roseau, Minn., and there was no sign of a pending snowstorm when I got back to Grand Forks after midnight.

I’m not sure how much snow fell, but it must have been 2 to 3 inches. That’s fine by me.

The snow also is good news for country skiers. Greenway specialist Kim Greendahl sent out an email this morning saying the cross-country ski trails from Riverside Dam to 47th Avenue south and Lincoln Drive Park will be groomed for the weekend.

“Snow conditions may not be ideal but we’re making the best of it!” the email said.

Here’s a listing of access points for the ski trails. Just look for the blue signs with the skier symbol and you’ve found the route.

Riverside Dam parking lot.

Riverside Parking northern parking lot.

7th Avenue north.

Lower parking lot north of DeMers Avenue (turn north off DeMers

Avenue and follow to the lower parking lot).

Kannowski Park (go over the levee to access trail).

Lincoln Drive Park.

Lincoln Golf club house (trail starts on the other side of the club

house and paved trail).

Elmwood access (just off 32nd Avenue south).

Sunbeam trail head (3777 Belmont Road. Go over the levee to access

trail).

47th Avenue South (go over the levee to access trail).

For more information about activities in the Greenway, click here.

 

DNR releases proposal for inaugural wolf season

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources released its proposal today for an inaugural gray wolf hunting and trapping season this fall, and it calls for a conservative harvest quota of 400 animals.

Wolf research indicates Minnesota’s wolf population could sustain a higher quota, but DNR officials say they are taking a measured approach to the state’s first season.

The proposal sets a quota of 6,000 licenses that will be allocated through a lottery system. Only one license will be allowed per hunter or trapper. Hunting would be allowed with firearms, archery equipment and muzzleloaders. Calls and bait would be allowed with restrictions.

The season is proposed for the end of November and would be closed once the quota is met. Hunters would be required to register animals on the same day they are harvested and data would be collected from carcasses. Other states with harvest seasons for wolves and other big game animals similarly monitor seasons and close them when quotas are met.

North Dakota takes a similar approach with its mountain lion season.

The DNR will outline its proposals to the Legislature on Thursday before the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee and the House Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee.

There’ll also be a meeting about the wolf plan at 6:30 p.m. Thursday night in Roseau, Minn., in the high school auditorium.

While the legislatively approved wolf management plan authorizes hunting and trapping seasons, the agency is seeking additional authorization from the state Legislature this session to offer a wolf license and implement other management strategies. Legislators will have to pass a bill by the end of the session and the governor will have to sign it in order for a season to be held.

The DNR will also take public comments prior to finalizing and implementing a wolf season.

For a closer look at the upcoming wolf season, check out Sunday’s Herald outdoors pages.

Dayton proclaims Sunday as Ducks Unlimited Day in Minnesota

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Sunday is Ducks Unlimited Day in Minnesota.

According to a news release from the conservation group, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton recently signed a proclamation honoring DU for its 75th anniversary.

“Ducks Unlimited has forged solid partnerships with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Board of Water and Soil Resources, federal and county agencies, corporate partners and private landowners to foster collaborative and efficient conservation programs,” Dayton said in a news release.

DU’s founders established the group in 1937 with a mission to conserve, restore and manage wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl. Since DU began its work in Minnesota in 1984, it has conserved nearly 184,000 acres of habitat.

“On behalf of Minnesota’s 38,000 passionate DU members, I’m proud to accept Governor Dayton’s proclamation celebrating DU’s 75th anniversary,” David Flink, Minnesota state chairman for Ducks Unlimited, said in the news release.

Ducks Unlimited’s 75th anniversary celebration will continue throughout the year with special events, merchandise, projects and promotions across North America. The Herald recently  featured an interview with Duluth writer Michael Furtman, who authored DU’s 75th anniversary book, “The Ducks Unlimited Story.”

For more information about DU and its first 75 years, click here: