Wilderness Inquiry hosts area students on Red and Red Lake rivers
Sep. 28—Staff from St. Paul-based Wilderness Inquiry hosted schools from around the Red River Basin this past week, leading paddling excursions on the Red and Red Lake rivers as part of the International Water Institute's River Watch program.
According to Asher Kingery of the International Water Institute, Wilderness Inquiry staff on Tuesday, Sept. 26, paddled on the Red River in Moorhead with River Watch teams from Norman County East, Hawley, Campbell-Tintah, Herman-Norcross, Central Cass and sixth-graders from Oak Grove.
On Wednesday, Sept. 27, the Wilderness Inquiry crew hosted River Watch teams from Schroeder Middle School, Valley-Edinburg, Lakota, Cavalier, Stephen-Argyle and Fisher, along with Kelly Elementary fifth-graders, to paddle the Red Lake River in East Grand Forks.
Thursday, Sept. 28, the Wilderness Inquiry crew was scheduled to paddle on the Red Lake River in Thief River Falls with fifth-graders from Challenger Middle School in Thief River Falls, fifth-graders from Warren-Alvarado-Oslo and third-graders from St. Bernard School in Thief River Falls, Kingery said.
The crew was scheduled to be back on the Red Lake River in Thief River Falls on Friday, Sept. 29, hosting River Watch teams from Marshall County Central, Red Lake Falls, Red Lake County Central, Clearbrook-Gonvick and Warren-Alvarado-Oslo, Kingery said, along with fifth-graders from Marshall County Central.
All told, 565 students were scheduled to participate in the paddling events, Kingery said. While the Wilderness Inquiry crew was on the water, staff from the International Water Institute and River Watch were leading on-shore activities related to the upcoming River Watch Forum, Kingery said. — staff report
WASHINGTON — A bill to restore federal funding for schools that offer hunter safety classes was headed for President Joe Biden's desk Thursday, Sept. 28, after both the U.S. House and Senate rallied to fix language in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022, the National Wild Turkey Federation said in a news release.
Earlier this summer, the Department of Education interpreted overly broad language in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — which was intended by Congress to prohibit the training of teachers and other staff in the use of deadly weapons — to pull funding for schools that offer hunter education, archery, shooting and other programs that involve training in the use of "deadly weapons."
The bipartisan legislation passed in late September would require the Department of Education to restore school districts' ability to use federal resources for school archery, gun safety, and hunter education programs.
On Tuesday, Sept. 26, the House of Representatives pushed through the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act (H.R. 5110), a bipartisan bill introduced by Reps. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, and Richard Hudson Jr., R-North Carolina, with 67 co-sponsors and a near unanimous vote of 424-1.
On Wednesday, Sept. 27, a bipartisan group of senators pushed through its companion bill, the Defending Hunters' Education Act (S. 2735), introduced by Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, and 13 other cosponsors. It unanimously passed the Senate.
"We are grateful to the members of Congress who acted swiftly to protect these important enrichment programs in our schools and to our members who called and wrote their representatives in support of this fix," Kurt Dyroff, Co-CEO of the NWTF, said in a statement. "Hunters, anglers and recreational shooters are the lifeblood of the conservation funding and wildlife and fisheries management systems in the United States. Having opportunities for students to participate in programs that lead them to the outdoors are crucial to the continuation of our outdoor heritage and the health and wellbeing of the nation's youth." — staff report
KITTSON COUNTY, Minn. — Minnesota elk hunters had 100% success during Season 1 in Zone 30, with all three hunters shooting bulls, and 75% success in Zone 20, where hunters shot two bulls and one cow elk, according to statistics from the Department of Natural Resources. One hunter in Zone 20 was unable to fill the once-in-a-lifetime tag during Season 1, which began Saturday, Sept. 9, and continued through Sunday, Sept. 17.
Zone 30 covers a small portion of northeast Kittson County in the Caribou Township area, while Zone 20 encompasses a larger area surrounding Lancaster, Minnesota.
As of Tuesday, Sept. 26, elk hunters in Season 2 had 100% success in Zone 30, with both hunters who drew tags shooting bulls. In Zone 20, hunters had taken one bull elk and one cow elk, with two hunters still hunting.
Season 2 began Saturday, Sept. 23, and continues through Sunday, Oct. 1.
A third season in Zone 20 begins Saturday, Oct. 7, and continues through Sunday, Oct. 15. The DNR offered two either-sex tags and two antlerless, or cow elk tags for Season 3. This year, 17 tags were available for the state season in northwest Minnesota.
The harvest numbers don't include elk taken by enrolled members of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa. The band this year offered 30 tags in the area covered by the 1863 Old Crossing Treaty, in which the Pembina and Red Lake bands of Ojibwe ceded some 11 million acres of land in the Red River Valley to the U.S. government.
The tribal hunt, which began Friday, Sept. 15, continues through Sunday, Dec. 31. As of Thursday, Sept. 28, photos of six elk taken by tribal hunters had been posted to the
Red Lake Conservation Law Enforcement Facebook page. — Brad Dokken
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, Sept. 20, passed the Duck Stamp Modernization Act (H.R. 2872), which offers waterfowl hunters the flexibility of possessing a physical Duck Stamp or an electronic stamp on their smartphones while hunting ducks and geese.
Passed by a voice vote indicating overwhelming bipartisan support, the bill was sponsored by Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., and Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif.
"The Duck Stamp Modernization Act brings America's celebrated Duck Stamp program into the 21st century, ensuring its continued legacy as one of the world's most effective and efficient wetland conservation tools while also creating a seamless process for duck hunters," John Devney, chief policy officer for Delta Waterfowl, said in a statement.
Under current federal law, Duck Stamps purchased online are valid for 45 days, after which time duck and goose hunters must possess the physical Duck Stamp received in the mail. The legislation allows those who purchase their stamp online to simply display it on a smartphone for the entirety of the waterfowl season. Hunters can still buy the physical stamp from the U.S. Postal Service and other traditional Duck Stamp vendors.
In July, companion Senate legislation also passed unanimously.
"This legislation will continue to have the support of The Duck Hunters Organization until it's signed into law," Devney said. "We applaud the bicameral and bipartisan effort to offer waterfowlers a new, convenient option to prove their annual Duck Stamp purchases."
Since 1934, sales of Federal Duck Stamps have raised more than $1.2 billion while conserving more than 6 million acres of wetland habitat for birds and other wildlife within the National Wildlife Refuge system. The efficient program invests an estimated 98 cents per dollar directly into conservation. Purchase of the $25 Duck Stamp, which today generates more than $37.5 million annually, is required for U.S. waterfowl hunters age 16 and older. — staff report
BISMARCK — Recreational enthusiasts in North Dakota have access to over 40 miles of trails across three designated off-highway vehicle riding areas managed by the state Parks and Recreation Department, the agency said in a new release.
* Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area: The Pembina Gorge has over 15 miles of trails designed to accommodate non-motorized and motorized trail users, including the three classes of OHVs — dirt bikes, four-wheelers and side-by-sides — 60 inches wide or less.
* Roughrider OHV Trail: Located 14 miles south of Mandan, there is access to fishing, camping and other recreation opportunities along this trail. The trail begins at the Fort Rice Campground, travels north for 16 miles on an old railroad bed, and ends at Little Heart Bottoms.
* Turtle Mountain State Recreation Area: The hilly terrain and heavy woodland cover near Bottineau provide a unique landscape. This 12-mile trail is open to motorized vehicles like dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles, and side-by-sides as well as non-motorized trail users.
More info:
. — staff report
ST. PAUL — The Department of Natural Resources maintains hunter walking trails across northern Minnesota as easy ways to travel by foot through wildlife management areas, state and federal forests and other public hunting lands, the agency said in a news release. Hunter walking trails wind through prime habitat for ruffed grouse, woodcock, wild turkey and deer. There are more than 600 miles of hunter walking trails located throughout the northern half of the state. Many of the trails are gated, allowing foot traffic only.
* More info:
. — staff report
ST. PAUL — Hunters with disabilities can learn more about hunting opportunities on the Minnesota DNR website, the agency said. Information about accessible hunting, fishing, camping and more is available on the
Accessible Outdoors webpage
at
.
Public land open to public hunting includes
wildlife management areas — mndnr.gov/wmas
. A subset of WMAs have an online accessibility sheet that provides greater detail on the services and facilities for people with disabilities, including photos and maps. Interested hunters are encouraged to call an
area wildlife manager
for an update on current conditions at WMAs.
A listing of area wildlife offices is available at
mndnr.gov/areas/wildlife. — staff report
ST. PAUL — Minnesota's fall turkey hunting season opens Saturday, Sept. 30, and continues through Sunday, Oct. 29, the DNR said.
Hunters are allowed to take one turkey of either sex during the fall season. Fall turkey hunters may use a crossbow, firearm or archery equipment afield. Fall turkey licenses are available for purchase online, by telephone at (888) 665-4236 or in person anywhere Minnesota DNR licenses are sold.
More information about fall turkey hunting is available on the
Minnesota DNR website
at
mndnr.gov/hunting/turkey. — staff report
