Outdoor Traditions Winter 2008

Issue 4 • Edition 3

Featured in this issue

SNOWMOBILING IN MINNESOTA BY: MOLLY RING

• Investing In Minnesota

By: Carolyn Corbett

• Ice Action All Winter Long

By: Dave Csanda

• Wolf Lake X-Country Ski Trails

By: Jake Kulju

• Ice Plastics Are All The Rave by: Ted Takasaki • Adaptive Wildlife By: Bill Marchel • Hibernation By: Andrea Lee Lambrecht PLUS MORE! Read Online: www.brainerddispatch.com

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Welcome

Some of us have a traditional answer for the question, “Where did you grow up?” My response has always been, “On a lake.” For me, growing up on a “hard” lake — at least from sometime in December well into April — created many lessons about fishing along with a few facts about life.

My dad (now 100 and still offering advice) thought it built character by chopping holes with a chisel. These crude tools, sometimes called spuds, depended on persistence, lung capacity, shoulder muscles, arm muscles and a desire to finish the job. Whenever a sting of cold shivered the body, it was time for another hole. This aspect of ice fishing 50 years ago probably kept more people off the ice than anything.

It was amazing how quickly we forgot the work involved when the tip-up flags started flying. Then, we were all business, kids from about 10 to 16, all talking at once, telling the line-handler how to set the hook, when to yank the line tight, how to feed line to the surging northern pike, what to do when it’s beady eyes and long snout glided under the hole, then cheering in unison as another pike slid into the winter air.

We made a game of getting to the flag first. I wonder why we never quite explained it to parents — or how it got started, but “Tip-up Tackle” was the game. We would be milling around the bait bucket, food supply, warming fire, trying to nonchalantly watch all tip-ups at once, and ready to sprint toward the next fish.

The reason for the jump on the competition was to make it unimpeded. The “tackle” part of the game was that if anybody caught you, tackled you, and got up running, and made it to the hole first, they were entitled to land the fish. With four to six young bucks on the ice, each race became a tumbling, snow-filled exciting adventure. It was perhaps our survival technique for keeping warm all day. By the way, Dad would drop us off, and let us play/fish all day long, rounding us up later in the day.

The clothing back then was not even close to the great gear available today. A couple pair of long johns, wool pants, several layers on top covered with a huge coat, buckskin choppers with Mom’s knit mittens inside, a cap she also knit, and boots.

For several years, I was privileged to wear bunny boots. Those of the generation know they weighed about 112 pounds each, had very little traction, but were plenty big for numerous pairs of wool socks. Either that or being agonizingly slow meant brother Tom and friends got most of the tip-ups. When a fish was being landed, I was on the lookout for a second flag, and that’s how I made up for those bunny boots (and being slow).

Today, man-made long john fabrics and snow suits made specifically for ice anglers, boots that really keep feet toasty even when out all day, magic gloves, hand warmers, batterypowered vests and coats with built-in heaters, pants and coats that defy any wind, all make ice fishing even more fun today than those decades long ago. These same clothes, or some of

by Jim Kalkofen

them, double and triple for fall football games, deer hunting, snowmobiling and make outside enjoyment of our northern resources possible.

The building character “thing” took another twist with my driver’s license. When Grandpa died, we ended up with a Rambler 440 sedan. This was a 3-speed car, which served immediately as a hunting and fishing car. Whenever we headed to the ice with this car, we picked lakes that were hidden away with no other fishermen around. We set our tip-ups, and then agreed on a race course marked by reeds, logs, trees or islands.

The object was to drive as fast as possible around the course, and the winner was the one who did it in the fastest time.

Since my brother was 12, and other friends didn’t have licenses yet, this was the perfect game. With a few inches of snow on the ice, any tiny correction would send us spinning. Brother Tom ended up driving a semi for about 30 years; I put on thousands of miles every year with a boat in tow. Maybe this early racing prepared us for the future. I can’t seem to remember if we ever mentioned anything about this to Dad. But, now after being a dad, I think he had us figured out all along. Oh, this “tradition” deserves one of those warnings: Don’t do this at home.

We hit about 40 different lakes over our formative ice fishing years, always exploring. Our depth finders were lead molded on alligator clips. We knew weeds were down there if we snagged them or could see them. The goal we soon discovered was to fish the weed edges. Sometimes this meant chopping a few extra holes.

One of the wishes I now have is that the panfishing rods, line and tackle so common today would have been available back then. Each winter, I do more fishing for bluegills and crappies in one season than I did in a decade back then.

Searching for bluegills with a Strikemaster or Jiffy auger today might mean drilling 50 or 60 holes. Dropping the transducer down and checking if anything is home means fishing where the fish are. That’s something Al Lindner taught us in open water, and it is no different under the ice.

This winter I pledge to take more youngsters ice fishing.

With sleds to pull gear onto the ice and heaters to keep it warm inside portable shelters, I will make my dent in the next generation by sharing what I’ve learned on the ice — OK; I probably won’t let them test the Tahoe like we did on the race course.

Getting outfitted for ice fishing is much cheaper than many other outdoor pursuits, and one auger will work for a group or family. Even one flasher or graph will help several people determine the area and depth. Of course, once a flasher is used, it will be on the “must buy” list.

Enjoy the lakes this winter. Take only the fish you need for a meal; release the rest. Don’t leave anything behind; clean up after your group and others who accidentally left debris on the ice. Best tip of all: Take some kids fishing this winter.B

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Log

WINTER WILDLIFE

Welcome ...................................... 3 Wolf Lake Ski Trail System ............ 5 Ice Plastics Are All The Rave ...... 6 Snowmobiling in MN ................... 8 Recipes ......................................... 9 Barbeques & Snowmobiles ...... 10 Winter Wildlife ............................ 12 Hibernation ................................ 14 Investing In Minnesota .............. 17

Page 12 Page 20

Ice Action All Winter Long ........ 20 Winter Gadgets ......................... 22 Calendar of Events ................... 22 Northland Arboretum ............... 23 Memory Lane ............................ 24 Service Directory ....................... 25 Best Shot ..................................... 26

ICE ACTION PUBLISHED BY:

506 James Street • P.O. Box 974 Brainerd, MN 56401 (218) 829-4705 www.brainerddispatch.com 4

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STAFF: Publisher .................................. Terry McCollough Advertising Director ................... Tim Bogenschutz Copy Editor ............................................Roy Miller Special Projects Coordinator ..............Beth Lehner Maketing Coordinator...................Monica Nieman Magazine Layout ................................ Tyler Nelson Ad Design .......................................... Jeff Dummer, Andy Goble, Nikki Kronbeck, and Tyler Nelson Sales........................... Roger Barnard, Linda Hurst, Keri Larson, Kristine Roberts, Glen Santi, Carla Staffon, Jill Wasson and Dave Wentzel Outdoor Traditions is a trademarked magazine published by the Brainerd Dispatch, P.O. Box 976, Brainerd, MN 56401. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. ®2006 Cover photo provided by Cindy Spilman

Wolf Lake Cross Country Ski Trail System

In the Land of 10,000 Lakes . . .

only one

O N E O F M Y F A V O R I T E W I N T E R P A S T I M E S is cross country skiing. There’s nothing like stretching my arms and legs in the crisp cold with a well-groomed ski trail ahead of me and a steam of breath streaming behind me like a train cruising down the tracks. Minnesota is full of great cross country ski areas, some more popular than others.

Ski clubs, groups and state parks do a good job of grooming and maintenance, as well, keeping cross country skiing as a popular and safe winter sport in our state.

Local state parks, lakeside trails and old logging roads can make for good cross country skiing in the winter. Some city parks that are large enough are also good for skiing, but for a system of trails nearby that is groomed each year specifically for cross country use, head northeast to the Wolf Lake Ski Trail system. Only 10 miles outside of Brainerd, the trail system offers approximately 10 kilometers of single track skiing, as well as 1.5 kilometers of skating.

The varied terrain makes this a great set of trails for beginners and intermediate skiers. The majority of trails tend toward the easier side. The hardest set of turns is on the northeast corner of the system. The mixed hardwood and pine forest is full of towering and quiet old red and white pines. The Crow Wing County Park Web site claims some of them are upwards of 100 years old. These giant, silent trees create an enchanted quality here anytime of year, but especially in the winter after a fresh snow. The branches heavy with the white stuff silent or muffle the sounds of the highway, making it feel like you are in the middle of nowhere.

The three main loops include easy, moderate and difficult trail conditions. Each intersection, as well as the trailhead parking lot, features a helpful map that shows where you are in the system and what direction skiers should move in each loop to prevent collisions. A shelter is also along the trail, so pack some hot chocolate in your pack!

I know that many skiers like to stick to their favorite trails, but if you haven’t been out to the Wolf Lake trail system yet, give it a shot. You may find yourself coming back again.

ice ùshing contest is quite like this one!

Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza 01.24.2009 • Gull Lake, Brainerd, MN www.iceĮshing.org • 800.950.9461 Ice Įshing’s largest prize package and all proceeds donated to ConĮdence Learning Center and other area chariƟes.

J A C O B K U L J U is a Minnesota-based freelance writer who also writes regularly for the Voyageur Press of McGregor.

Contact him at jmkulju@gmail.com.

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ICE PLASTICS ARE ALL THE RAVE

No need to stop at a bait shop before each trip.

Plastic baits remove all concerns about keeping live bait from freezing. No more rockhard wax worms or minnows caught in suspended animaby Ted Takasaki & Scott Richardson tion.

There’s no need to re-bait as often. While your buddy is digging through his clothes to dip into his shirt to get another maggot, you can be dropping down the hole and catching another crappie.

But, the real beauty of plastic baits, like Lindy’s lineup of ice-fishing soft plastics, Techni-Glo Tails and Munchies Tiny Tails with various shapes like the Pin Tail, the Mini Spade, the Split Tail and the Micro Mino, rests in the fact you can take advantage of the feeding frenzy ignited by catching the first crappie or two. Once you start by catching one, you can catch one crappie after another as other fish come close to investigate. But, if you have to stop to re-baitm you can’t keep the school interested, and if they lose their curiosity they leave.

The fact the bait is artificial is a double-edged sword.

Yes, transport and storage is a snap. But, the action of the bait is now all up to you.

Dead-sticking with plastics is not an option.

First, make certain your jig Avid angler Kristi Takasaki, Ted’s daughter, is shown holding up and plastic are aligned propan awesome crappie caught on soft plastics. Once thought of as a erly. A spinning bait is a real novelty, plastics have become a staple for ice fishing. turnoff to fish. Test it in the hole and watch how it works L I V E B A I T V S . A R T I F I C I A L S . This is an argument before you lower it down. A little spin is OK, but it’s that has raged on for years within various open water better if you have no spin at all. tournament circuits of various species of fish.

One way to make plastic appear alive is to use Now, when it comes to ice fishing, there are even more “straight-line” jigs like a Frostee Jig or a Genz Worm anglers who are finding that specialized soft plastic dressed with plastic trailer down the hole and “jiggle baits designed specifically for ice fishing are catching it” or “pound it” three or four times. Stop, then repeat more and bigger fish. Panfish, like crappie, are espe- at 10-second intervals. You can add a tiny Thill float cially attuned to these soft plastics. and use the same technique. Look for aggressive bitPlastics have several advantages over live-bait alter- ers. No fish in 30 seconds to a minute? Move to the natives; next hole.

6

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T h e

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Photos provided by Ted Takasaki

If fishing stays tough, try going to the extremes. Finicky fish sometimes want the smallest jig/plastic presentation you can devise. Larger profiles may “match the hatch” and mimic the size of the forage fish crappies are feeding on.

You can also impart different appearances and action by varying the way you put plastic baits on jigs. Create an “L” shape by threading the head of a plastic bait like the Pin Tail onto the hook of a vertical jig, then pull it up the shaft and stick the point into the plastic body as it lies parallel to the bottom.

For another, try something similar to what bass anglers call a “wacky worm.”

Pinch the tail off a Spade Tail and put the hook through the middle. That leaves two Soft plastic tails, because they can be made with precision and because they fool fish when presented well, are coming on ends dangling.

Another great tip for utilizing soft plas- strong in ice-fishing circles. tics is to use one of the hottest new baits points and breaks into old river channels. In farm on ice this year, Lindy’s Rattln’ Flyer Spoon. Thread ponds, fish the breaks into the old creek channels. your soft plastic on one of the hooks of the treble hook Bluegills will be mixed in with the crappie. at the bottom of the spoon. Allow the plastic to stick For walleyes, up-size your jigs, such as the Fat Boy XL out to the side. Let slack line out and watch your Flyer or Genz Worm XL, and check out the same green vegSpoon “cast” out away from your hole and slowly drag etation that held crappies. Change up jig colors, and and stop the spoon. Perch will often take the spoon don’t forget to try the Glow in Living Color triggering right off of the bottom. Once the spoon is right below power of Techni-Glo. your hole, then give it a couple of quick jerks, stop and Oh, there’s one more advantage to plastic baits over quiver the spoon. The plastic tail then looks alive! live bait. There’s no chance your wife will wind up doThat’s the how. Now, concern yourself with the ing the laundry and washing the wax worms you forgot where. It helps if you took the time to scout the weed in your pocket. lines during open water with your boat and a GPS and sonar. That’s much easier than doing it in frigid weather with an auger.

At first ice, location for crappies, bluegills and walleyes are similar. In lakes, check the green-weed edges in 4 to 14 feet of water. Look for the points and inside turns, especially those that lie in transition areas from sand to mud. The forage base will be richer there. Stay T E D T A K A S A K I is one of the away from brown weeds that sap oxygen from the surcountry’s top pro walleye fisherman and a rounding area as they decay. former PWT champion. Not only has Ted In Mississippi River backwaters, look for the edges of won many fishing tournaments, he is the CEO of Lindy Little Joe, Inc. maker of fine weed patches, lily-pad fields, bull rushes or cane beds fishing products. that break to deeper water. In reservoirs, check the

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7

SNOWMOBILING IN MINNESOTA 8

“ T R A V E L N O T A D V I S E D ” is an announcement that will likely cause spontaneous celebrations among all snowmobilers, but most especially, Minnesotans.

Snowmobiling has been a part of Minnesota winters almost since its invention. A Canadian by the name of Joseph-Armand Bombardier, invented the first snowmobile in 1937, and it was a large, enclosed, seven-passenger snowmobile. Since then, many improvements and design changes have evolved the snowmobile into what it is today — a sleek, fast, and comfortable way to travel in winter. With the long winters we enjoy/suffer through (depending on whether you own a snowmobile), snowmobiling is an ideal Minnesotan past time.

There’s been some debate recently on whether it’s feasible to even ride a snowmobile in Minnesota, let alone own one. In the past decade or so, there has been lower than average snowfalls and some snowmobile owners have opted to sell rather than hang on for the next cyclical frozen downpour. Surprisingly, I didn’t have to search too far to find some optimistic Minnesotans who still own and ride snowmobiles. The ones that have managed to hang on to their sleds are pretty confident the snowfall will drift back (pun intended).

The mutual consensus was that last year was pretty good and this winter will be even better.

There are three main types of riding: snowcross/ racing, trail riding, and mountain climbing. Of these main types there are levels and classes within each.

We haven’t any mountains but trails we have in plenty. Area trails go for miles in any direction and experience level. Area gas stations and grocery stores carry the latest snowmobile maps and they’re FREE. If you’re unfamiliar with the trail you’re on, please follow these basic safety tips: • Don’t ride alone, there are towns around but there’s still an abundance of wilderness to get lost in.

• Only go on lakes that you’re familiar with or, at the very least, follow the established trails.

• Obey speed limits and watch for signs, they’re there for a reason. Over half of the snowmobile accidents happen in the dark.

• Remember to slow down, especially when operating a snowmobile at night.

• Make sure you stay alert, always be aware of your surroundings, and never drink and drive.

As either spectator or participant, the following snowmobile activities are a fun way to prevent and treat cabin fever. Can’t change it, so you might as well

I n

SNOWMOBILE INFORMATION

A wonderful resource for everything you could possibly need as a snowmobiler is the DNR website at www.dnr.state.mn.us/snowmobiling/index.html.

They have snowmobile regulations, the code of ethics, laws, trail maps, safety classes, snow depths, trail conditions and more. Way more information than I could possibly include but everything a snowmobiler might need for an awesome ride. Check it out.

If you’re getting tired of hibernating in winter and want to get out there and enjoy the longest season in Minnesota, snowmobiling is an excellent option. And just maybe, for the first time ever, our Minnesota winters may seem too short!

M O L L Y R I N G is the owner of Skewed

SNOWMOBILE FUN FOR 2009

S n o w m o b i l i n g

have fun with it!

Saturday, Jan. 10, is the City of Breezy Point’s Icefest.

The Pequot Lakes Brush Pilots Snowmobile Club puts on the annual radar run at the Breezy Point Resort, located in the heart of Breezy Point. Call (218) 568-8911 or (800) 950-0291 for more information. Registration starts at 9:30am at trailer on the ice. Radar Runs from 11:00-4:00p.m. Trophies for First and Second Place, and cash prize for the fastest speed of the day.

The fifth annual Antique Snowmobile Rendezvous 2009 is in Pequot Lakes at the Trailside Chamber Building on Jan. 23-25, 2009. The Pequot Brush Pilots Snowmobile Club hosts the Rendezvous, now in its fifth year. This Rendezvous features an Antique and Vintage snowmobile show, a trail ride, and various competitions. The races will include only snowmobiles built before 1966.

Snocross Snowmobile Race action returns to the Brainerd International Raceway on Feb. 6-8. ISOC (International Series of Champions, Inc.) are sponsoring the USCC Cross Country Snowmobile Race. The BIR snocross/motocross track has nearly tripled in length since 2006. Spectator bleachers are installed at the site (with heaters!). Snow will be in top condition for the snocross races no matter what the weather because BIR has snowmaking equipment to take care of what Mother Nature may not. For more information, you can visit www.brainerdraceway.com or www.isocracing.com.

View Studio, a print and web design firm located in Pequot Lakes. She enjoys being creative, whether it involves pictures or words.

M i n n e s o t a

Photo provided byMolly ll Ring i

Nature’s FOOD

GARLIC PRIME RIB

1 (10 lb.) Prime Rib Roast 2 tbsp. Olive Oil 2 teaspoons Ground Black Pepper

10 Cloves Garlic, minced 2 teaspoons Salt 2 teaspoons Dried Thyme

1.) Place the roast in a roasting pan with the fatty side up. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme. Spread the mixture over the fatty layer of the roast, and let the roast sit out until it is at room temperature, no longer than 1 hour. 2.) Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C). 3.) Bake the roast for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, then reduce the temperature ue to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C), and continue roasting for and additional 60 to 75 minutes.

SPICED BEEF STEW The internal temperature of the roast should be at 145 degrees F (53 degrees C) for 1/4 cup Margerarine 2 lb. cubed Beef Stew Meat medium rare. 4.) Allow the roast to rest for 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour 1 (14 oz.) can Beef Broth 10 to 15 minutes before carving so the 1 cup Beer 1 Onion, sliced into thin rings meat can retain its juices.

2 Cloves Garlic, minced 1 tbsp. packed Brown Sugar 1 teaspoon dried Thyme 1 Bay Leaf 1 (15 oz.) can Mixed Vegetables, drained

RECIPES PROVIDED

BY VON HANSON’S MEATS

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees (175 C). 2.) In Dutch oven over medium-high heat, melt butter or margarine. Cook beef in two batches until browned, stirring often. Remove beef from Dutch oven and set aside. Stir in flour. 3.) Add broth, beer, onion, garlic, brown sugar, thyme and bay leaf. Heat to boil. Return beef to dish. Cover and bake at 350 degrees (175 C) for 1 1/2 hours. 4.) Add mixed vegetables.

Cover and bake for 1 hour, or until beef is done. Remove bay leaf and serve.

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9

BARBECUES AND SNOWMOBILES ON WHEELS

Snowmobile safety training classes have come a long way, but safety is still the name of the game

FOR STUDENTS IN HANK MILLETTE’S SNOWMO-

the difference between walking and riding will be sufficient snowfall. So you can bet his students are hoping for plenty of snow

by Dec. 20.

That’s when the hands-on operating field day is scheduled for Millette’s class. No snow, and students will walk the course, fielding snowmobile operation-related questions from Millette.

But snow or no snow, they’ll still have a barbecue to look forward to that day.

Yes, snowmobile safety training classes have come a long way. Not that many years ago, the program was heavy on rules and regulations. Still is, but with a few twists.

“What got me into it is, when my niece and nephew were old enough, I went out and got them certified,” said Millette, 48, who has been teaching snowmobile safety courses for about five years and is one of more than 1,800 instructors in the state. “I thought that there has got to be a better way of doing this.”

To legally ride a snowmobile in Minnesota, residents born after Dec. 31, 1976, need a valid snowmobile safety certificate. Youth ages 11-15 may take the traditional classroom course taught in communities around the state, and those 16 and older must complete and pass an independent study program or attend youth certification classes.

Millette’s course ran four Saturdays from Nov. 22 BILE SAFETY TRAINING COURSE,

An instructor worked with a student during a hands-on operating field day several years ago.

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through Dec. 20. Cost was $10, with $5 going to the DNR for sponsoring the training and $5 for snacks during classes. As in past years, Millette planned a barbecue during the field day.

Before that, training involved three four-hour days in the classroom.

“As we get into the rules and regulations, that’s where it gets real dry and the kids are generally bored,” Millette said. “Then as we get into the snowmobile itself — I bring a snowmobile into the classroom. And I have a younger person come in for first-aid training, and that always seems to be very interesting.”

Millette, an avid snowmobiler who got his start on a 1968 Arctic Cat Panther about 40 years ago, said there have been years when there wasn’t enough snow to have students on snowmobiles for the field day, “so what we’ve done in years past is have the kids walk the course and ask them questions after walking the course, things they’ll encounter.”

He encourages parents to join their children during training.

“I provide the option for the parents to join in. They bring experiences, too,” said Millette, who like other instructors, earned certification via a half-day training session through the DNR to teach the course.

Youth training is an introductory class of approximately 12 hours, designed primarily for the rider with little or no experience in snowmobile operation, and includes the hands-on operating field day.

“The biggest thing is safety out there,” Millette said.

“Safety, and that goes along with speed and not going faster than the trail allows. And courtesy.”

But Millette said most of the students in his classes have experience on snowmobiles.

“They’re just looking to get the certificate,” he said.

In Dave Guenther’s class in Pequot Lakes, which concluded Dec. 6, students were to ride regardless of snow conditions during the field test.

“The Ideal Corners snowmobile club purchased wheels for us. You just clamp them on the skis,” Guenther said. “We have two sets of wheels so we can run two at a time. But it’s best if you actually do it on the snow.

It’s more of a natural feel for what they’ll be dealing with later on. “ While Millette’s class was limited to 20 students, Guenther typically has 60 to 80 students — along with

S n o w m o b i l e s

about seven assistants.

“It (the program) is huge,” said Guenther, a snowmobile enthusiast who said he has been teaching snowmobile safety training for about 13 years. “We used to offer it over Christmas break, but most of the kids in the district were gone. (Before Christmas break), the kids are here at the school already. We just have them walk here (to the Large Group Room at the school), and then they stay until 5 or so and then their parents pick them up. It’s kind of an extension of the curriculum of the school in a sense.

“It’s a good crew,” Guenther, an art teacher at the school, said of students in his snowmobile safety training classes. “The kids are there because they want to be.

The kids have been good.”

Like Millette, Guenther also plans “activities” to keep students’ attention during classroom time, which this year ran Monday through Friday, Dec. 1-5.

“Chad Sherack (a DNR conservation officer out of Pequot Lakes) comes in,” Guenther said. “The first thing the kids have to do is to come up with two questions for the conservation officer. That’s their assignment (the first night) — to come up with two questions. They have to turn them in Wednesday night when they come in, and we decide the best questions to ask him.”

Guenther, like Millette, also tries to share his experiences with the students. One in particular — Guenther was once stranded on the ice of Lake of the Woods for 23 hours, he said — has special significance.

“I share that with them, and have printed material on the experience we had,” Guenther said. “We go through safety stuff and winter survival. And before they take the written test, they have to put together a winter survival kit.”

According to the DNR, the adult course is designed to show students the most common causes for snowmobile accidents in Minnesota and how to avoid becoming an accident statistic. Those interested in the adult course may obtain the related CD-ROM or a copy of the DNR’s 2008-2009 Minnesota Snowmobile Safety Laws, Rules, and Regulations handbook by calling (651) 2966157 or (888) MINNDNR or e-mailing info@dnr.state. mn.us.

“You can take it online when you’re 16, but you don’t get the hands-on thing,” Guenther said. “There’s so much more we sit down and cover that they normally wouldn’t see and do (online).

“One time we were out riding and we saw a sled (that Photos provided by Brian S. Peterson

had been abandoned),” Guenther recalled. “There were two sets of footprints in the snow. We followed the footprints and found a couple of kids frozen up. They were scared and crying and they were freaking out. We asked, ‘What’s the matter, guys?’ And they said they hit a bump and the snowmobile died. We went back and found they had hit the kill switch when they hit the bump. They (students in snowmobile safety training) will know that.”

The last youth snowmobile safety training class in the area started Dec. 6 in Emily, but training is held at sites across the state through late January. Class fees range from $5 to $10, with an additional $10 fee — to be mailed with the completed independent study snowmobile CD certificate — for adult certification.

For more information and for dates and locations of remaining youth courses, go to www.dnr.state.mn.us/ safety/vehicle/snowmobile/index.html or call (800) 366-8917.

B R I A N S . P E T E R S O N , Outdoors Editor, may be reached at brian.peterson@ brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5864.

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P e t e r s o n 11

WINTER WILDLIFE REMARKABLY ADAPTICVE

by Bill Marchel

F O R W I L D L I F E , the season of hardship has arrived. Winter storms that are often mere inconveniences to humans can mean death to some animals.

But the critters that roam the fields and forests are remarkably resilient. Nature has provided them with effective ways to deal with the life-threatening conditions of winter’s stinging cold and deep snow.

Many birds, for instance, choose to migrate to warmer climates. Others remain behind. The birds that stay feed heavily on cold winter days to provide extra fuel for their “furnaces” allowing them to face winter head-on.

Owls, such as this great grey, have such phenomenal hearing they are able to detect and then catch prey such as mice and moles under a foot or more of snow. Only when the snow becomes excessively deep or crusted do the owls have trouble securing food.

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W i n t e r

W i l d l i f e

Even mammals have been provided with methods to aid in winter survival. Squirrels, for example, store nuts and seeds during the fall season of bounty for use during winter. Some mammals sleep away the cold season snug in dens. Others, such as the weasel, transform from their summer coats of brown to winter white, providing this lanky little predator near perfect camouflage against its snowy surroundings.

Shown on these pages are various species of wildlife which have evolved different mechanisms that allow them to successfully meet the demands of winter.

To blend with its surroundings, in late fall a snowshoe hare's brown summer coat is replaced by winter white allowing them near-perfect camouflage against predators. Also, a profusion of hair growing on its oversized hind feet permits the animal to tread with ease over deep snow.

Photos provided by Bill Marchel

RIGHT: A black-capped chickadee fluffs its feathers for increased insulation against below-zero cold. A high metabolic rate fueled by an increased calorie intake allows this hardy winter resident to withstand all but the most severe conditions.

UPPER LEFT:A black bear sleeps through the cold season in its winter den. Bears spend the summer and fall feeding voraciously, putting on a layer of fat to see them through the winter. Though not true hibernators, a bear's metabolism is dramatically reduced during winter allowing their fat reserves to sustain them until spring.

LOWER LEFT:This whitetail buck has worn itself down during the November rut, and is feeding heavily to restore lost reserves. The resulting layer of fat will help carry it throughout the winter unless conditions are especially severe. Also, deer sometimes congregate or "yard up" in areas of heavy cover offering protection from wind and an increase in solar radiation.

ABOVE: A Bohemian waxwing pauses while feeding on the fruit of highbush cranberry.

Highly nomadic, waxwings survive the winter by traveling only as far as needed to find food. Huge flocks are often seen converging on trees still holding fruit during winter.

B I L L M A R C H E L is a wildlife and outdoors photographer

and writer who lives near Fort Ripley. His work has appeared in many regional and national publications and he writes a monthly column for the Brainerd Dispatch. He can be reached at bill@billmarchel.com

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13

HIBERNATION

by Andrea Lee Lambrecht

BRRRRRRR. IT’S COLD. The winds have been whipping from the northwest. As the sky streaks in shades of pink, purple and blue, the sun peeks up, pale and unwarming on the eastern horizon. The growing morning light illuminates the ice on the lake, vast and open and solid as a desertscape.

Flames flicker in the fireplace, breaking the chill of morning. Cup of hot chocolate in hand, I watch the birds peck at the seeds and suet and unrealistically wonder if there’ll be some reprieve and reversal to Indian Summer.

By now, the avian migrators, except for some eagles, straggling songbirds, hawks and many of the human “snowbirds,” have headed south to warmer climes. However, what happens to the rest of the hardy inhabitants who remain as winter residents of the north?

Well, most of us are probably going to curl up by our wood stoves and fireplaces and snuggle in for the “duration”. But what about those creatures whom nature has not equipped to flee the elements or fight the severity of winter cold with modern amenities? The answer: hibernation, of course.

Let’s look at this incredible phenomena and how it works. You’d think it be a simple thing. In November with every passing day it gets grayer, darker, colder. And by the way, what happened to all the readily available food? What animal in its right mind wouldn’t want to shut its eyes, go to sleep and wake up in the spring?

In some ways, it is that simple. The genetic wiring has sent signals to the brain and blood to do a few things before getting prolonged shuteye. Eat. Gorge. Not only do you add regular white fat, but also if you hibernate a special kind of fat, called brown fat [technically: brown adipose tissue (BAT)] a c c u mulates across the back and shoulders and close to the brain, heart and liver. Both fats are critical to successfully surviving hibernation and emerging in the spring with enough stores to avoid starvation.

Another relatively recent discovery: when an animal settles down to true hibernation, severe

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H i b e r n a t i o n

drops in heart rate (bradycardia) and body temperature appear to be controlled by an area of the brain called the hypothalamus. Scientists have found a special substance in the blood of hibernating animals called hibernation inducement trigger (HIT) that kicks in with declining day length and temperatures. The onset of hibernation seems to be controlled by HIT. If blood is taken from a hibernating ground squirrel in the winter and injected into an active squirrel in the spring, the active squirrel goes into hibernation.

An intriguing five-year study by a team at the North Carolina State University identified two genes that seem to control hibernation in mammals. One gene stops carbohydrate metabolism (so glucose is preserved for use by the brain and nervous system) and the other controls the production of an enzyme that breaks up stored fatty acids and converts them into a useable fuel source.

During hibernation, an animal relies on its reserve of white adipose tissue (normal fatty tissue) for energy.

When a hibernating organism needs to ‘wake up’ it must to generate a substantial amount of heat, in order to raise its body temperature up to a workable level. This heat is obtained from the brown adipose tissue (BAT) previously mentioned.

True Hibernators: Most hibernators are insects, amphibians and reptiles; creatures that cannot generate their own body heat. Insects crawl into the cracks and crevices of every conceivable nook and cranny. Snakes congregating into underground dens deep below the fingers of frost.

Turtles and frogs bury themselves into the soft mud of lake bottoms, where they get oxygen from air trapped in the mud. Some, such as the wood frog, hibernate under stones, logs and stumps or in the forest floor. Their low-ebb life processes are maintained by utilizing the glycogen and fat stores that accumulated in their bodies during the preceding spring and summer.

True mammalian hibernators include bats, ground squirrels, jumping mice, woodchucks, chipmunks, hedgehogs and numerous rodents. They gradually enter into a state of

Photos provided by Andrea Lee Lambrecht

ON

hibernation. After a series of “test drops”, during which the body temperature decreases a few degrees and then returns to normal, the animal cools to within a degree or so of the ambient temperature.

Metabolism decreases to a fraction of normal. The respiratory rate for a ground squirrel, for example, drops from a normal rate of 200 respirations per minute to four or five per minute and the heart rate nosedives from 150 to five beats per minute. A woodchuck’s heart rate goes from 80 beats a minute when active to 4 or 5 beats a minute when in hibernation. Its body temperature drops from 98 degrees Fahrenheit to 38 degrees.

True hibernators do get up every few weeks to nibble on

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food. The quantity and quality of their caches will be an important factor as winter drones on. In the case of the woodchuck, it also uses the underground toilet room.

When bats are ready to hibernate, they must find a place that remains above freezing. Most gather together in caves called hibernacula, although they will roost in manmade structures as well. For decades big brown bats used the space around my kitchen window as their overwintering spot. Early this fall, in time for them to find a new home, I gave them the big boot in anticipation of replacing the window.

Another interesting tidbit: woodchuck’s incisors, which grow continuously and are kept short gnawing, quit growing during hibernation.

Pseudo-hibernators: Some mammals, such as bears, badgers, skunks, raccoons and opossums, enter into a state of pseudo-hibernation. Although the heart rate decreases and the animal is sluggish, there is generally little or no decrease in body temperature.

This is not true hibernation.

When a burrow or den is disturbed during the winter, exposing a hibernating animal, the creature will awaken if the body temperature drops dangerously low. During arousal, the hibernator both shivers violently and employs

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non-shivering thermogenesis to produce heat.

Allow me to share a personal experience to illustrate heart rates, both bruin and human. While the bear’s heart rate may only be 10 beats per minute at this time of year, I assure you its heart rate would pick up fast enough to cause you to have cardiac arrest if you entered its winter haven.

FYI: The average human heart rate is 72 beats per minute. A black bear, 60-90 beats per minute, a black bear in its winter den 8-40 beats.

As part of a research project, I once crawled head and arms first into the restricted entrance hole of a bear den in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. With a dim light shining on the female and her three cubs, I gently picked up her paw. I was young, but excited, so my heartbeat was probably 85.

She snorted! Her response to my handshake sent my feet, which were outside the den, into a propeller-like action. Popping out of her hearth and home, I reeled backwards. A few minutes passed before I was able to

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recover.

Fellow researchers howled at the sight, which I was only able to do after my heart returned to its proper place within my body. My heart rate was off the charts!

The memories still make me chuckle. Nothing like a good laugh to warm you on a cold winter morning.

The physiological stimuli triggering hibernation is not fully understood. While we think of hibernation in our locale as a winter-related event because the process often coincides with the coming of cold weather, shortening of daylight and lack of food, this is not the only time animals hibernate.

Hibernation also occurs in species that live where climates are extreme. In arid regions some animals “hibernate” through the long dry season, when temperatures are anything but cold. This state of torpor to beat the heat is called aestivation. Specific examples: Lungfish switch to the torpor state if their pool dries out and small hedgehogs called tenrecs do the same if food is scarce during the summer in Madagascar.

As the days shorten and temperatures drop, numerous people I know head to Texas and Florida. A great many of nature’s creatures enter hibernation or pseudohibernation. As for me, I’m sticking around, but after the holidays, I think I’ll be in a state of pseudo-hibernation.

A N D R E A L E E L A M B R E C H T has

been a naturalist and outdoors photographer for over 2 decades. Her articles and images have been featured in many publications including the Brainerd Dispatch. We are proud to display her work once again.

INVESTING IN MINNESOTA:

A VOTE FOR THE FUTURE

by Carolyn Corbett

S H A L L T H E M I N N E S O T A C O N S T I T U T I O N be amended to dedicate funding to protect our drinking water sources; to protect, enhance, and restore our wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat; to preserved our arts and cultural heritage; to support our parks and trails; and to protect, enhance, and restore our lakes, rives, streams, and groundwater by increasing the sales and use tax rate beginning July 1, 2009, by three-eighths of one percent on taxable sales until the year 2034?

More than 1.6 million Minnesotans deposited “yes” votes in the ballot box on election day.

HISTORY

Last winter, a House-Senate committee agreed on a constitutional amendment and ballot language asking voters to decide in November whether a 3/8 of 1 percent sales tax increase to protect Minnesota’s environment and cultural heritage should be adopted. The Minnesota Legislature had debated placing an amendment such as this on the ballot for nearly a decade before it happened. There was plenty of precedent for amending the state constitution. Over the 150-year life of the constitution, voters have approved 119 amendments.

The passage of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment — the largest conservation ballot measure in history, according to The Trust for Public Land — is a success of historic proportions. The winning measure nearly doubles the previous largest conservation ballot measure, New Jersey’s Constitutional Amendment in 1998, which dedicated $2.94 billion in sales tax to the Garden State Preservation Trust. Passage of the amendGift Cards

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ment follows a growing trend in successful local conservation ballots in Minnesota; 81 percent of state and local water and land conservation funding measures have passed since 1988. The national average was 76 percent.

WHO SUPPORTED IT?

Over 350 environmental, conservation, sportsmen and arts groups — an unusual alliance between folks promoting culture and those promoting fishing and hunting. Ducks Unlimited, the Guthrie Theater, Bud Grant, the Nature Conservancy, Minnesota Citizens for Arts and the Minnesota Environmental Partnership all endorsed Vote Yes Minnesota, the official group formed to champion the amendment.

SUPPORTERS BELIEVE THIS AMENDMENT WILL…

• After years of underfunding, cut through political entanglements to deal with environmental problems before they reach a crisis state.

• Provide funding to clean up Minnesota waters and safe, clean drinking water.

• Ensure lakes that are fishable and fish that are safe to eat.

• Preserve wildlife habitat, hunting and hiking.

• Help to protect open spaces from being overrun by development.

• Upgrade parks and trails of regional or

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statewide significance, and expand the present park system.

• Preserve the pristine natural resources that attract tourists and potential out-of-state employees.

• Help the arts remain a valuable resource. Although arts and cultural programming bring billions of dollars to Minnesota annually, funding has been seriously limited in order to meet other demands on the state’s budget.

WHO OPPOSED IT?

Opponents of the amendment included the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota Business Partnership, Minnesota Farm Bureau, Taxpayers League of Minnesota, former US Senator Rod Grams, former US Senator Dave Durenberger, former state Sen. Carrie Rudd (from Breezy Point) and the Republican Party of Minnesota. Not only is the tax increase “bad policy”, Rudd stated, but the increase will hurt Minnesota because neighboring states have lower sales tax rates.

OPPOSITION POSITION:

• According to Rod Grams: “The real question about this constitutional tax increase is why it is on the ballot in the first place. The Legislature didn’t let us vote on the ballpark tax. We didn’t get to vote on the transit tax. We didn’t get to vote on the gas tax. Why do we get to vote on a tax increase for arts and outdoor recreation? The simple answer is that the only way the special interest groups that support this tax increase can be guaranteed that all of the $11 billion will be spent on their pet projects is to have the tax revenue dedicated through an amendment to the State’s Constitution.”

• Opponents say that state and local governments already spend hundreds of millions of tax dollars each year to protect drinking water and enhance the natural environment. State lottery proceeds go to the Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund. This amendment, opponents say, will provide a slush fund for

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special interest groups and places an unjustified burden on taxpayers.

• “Tax increases aren’t needed. Sixty dollars may not sound like a lot until you add it on top of increase gas taxes, license taxes, property taxes, ballpark taxes, transit taxes and increased business taxes. Now you’re going to add another $300 million on top of that?”

LET’S TALK MONEY

New land conservation funding approved across America in 2008 totaled over $8 billion in 27 states, despite the current economic and financial state of the nation. According to surveys, the majority of Minnesotans favor increased funding for the outdoors; however, not all agree that increasing the sales tax was the best way to accomplish this. As of July 1, 2009, the state sales tax will rise from 6.5 to 6.875 percent, increasing the tax on a $100 purchase by 38 cents. The anticipated $300 million a year will be divided four ways: 33 percent into an outdoor heritage fund for habitat and wildlife.

33 percent into a clean water fund.

Approximately14 percent into a parks and trails fund.

Approximately 20 percent into an arts and cultural heritage fund.

The sales tax increase of three-eighths of 1 percent will cost the average family approximately $60 a year. The Minnesota Department of Revenue estimates the tax increase, which goes into effect January 1, 2009, will bring in $11 billion during its 25-year life span.

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE

The revenue generated will not go directly to the DNR. Funds can only be used for projects that meet the criteria established by law. A 12-member panel made up of the public — four members appointed by the governor and two each by the House and Senate — will make recommendations on the use of the wildlife and habitat funding. Citizen panels will also help decide how the art and cultural funds are spent.

Minnesota currently invests only half what Wiscon-

Photos provided by Carolyn Corbett

sin does in land conservation — $5 per person annually.

Development pressure is at an all time high, and the state’s funding for natural resources and land conservation is at a historic low. Less than 3 percent of the state’s total operating-fund expenditures have been available for natural resource needs.

Nearly half of Minnesota’s original wildlife acres have been lost. One in four wildlife species and one in five plant species are threatened or endangered. Forty percent of Minnesota lakes tested for pollutants are “impaired for water quality standards” — not safe for fish consumption or swimming. Most lakes haven’t even been tested yet. Minnesota’s population is projected to rise by 1.2 million by 2030. Over one million acres of wooded lands, natural areas and farmland will be lost as our state continues to grow faster than any other Midwestern state.

Environmentalists say the money comes just in time.

In the November election, 56 percent of Minnesota citizens agreed, investing in our state’s quality of life for generations to follow.

C A R O L Y N C O R B E T T is a free-

lance writer and editor with 12 years of experience. Carolyn currently lives in Brainerd where she writes for various local publications and creates content for web sites.

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19

Above the ice, wind and snow whistle across the stark landscape, and Mother Nature seems firmly locked in a long winter’s sleep.

Beneath the frozen surface, however, fish are almost constantly in motion, feeding, repositioning and preparing for spawning activities come springtime.

Let’s use crappies as an example, since they’re such a popular angling species among ice fishermen.

At early ice, crappies tend to be fairly deep — like 30 to 40 feet of water. The stability offered by deep water makes it a prime feeding locale at this time, with plenty of oxygen, minnows, insects and larvae. Soft mud bottoms at these depths provide everything crappies require. In fact, the water is usually warmer here— like 39 F — compared to a chillier 32 F up near the surface, just beneath the ice.

Deep is a relative thing, however. Crappies don’t like cavernous deep basins. In lakes where 70 to 100 feet of water is available, they typically ignore these sections in favor of lake areas where the basin is considerably shallower. Thus, the portions of the lake bottoming out at 30 or 40 feet tend to hold the most crappies.

Leave the deeper stuff to walleye fishermen.

In shallow soupbowl lakes with little structure, crappies routinely roam and prowl their way across the open basin of the lake, settling temporarily in areas with the best combination of food. Contrast this behavior with what occurs on an extremely shallow lake, where a small, deep hole of the proper depth might draw most of the crappies in the lake into a very limited area. Each lake is different, so you need to evaluate what they offer to the fish, and plan your fishing accordingly.

By midwinter, oxygen depletion begins taking place in these deepest portions of these basins.

But rather than leaving these areas completely, the fish usually respond by rising higher in the water column, perhaps suspending 20 feet down over 30 feet of water, where oxygen is still suitable. Crappies now patrol

ICE ACTION

All by Dave Csanda Winter Long

WHEN IT COMES TO ICE FISHING, WINTER IS A DECEPTIVE SEASON.

20

Ice

Action

All

Winter

these levels in search of minnows, which likewise roam, occasionally moving into the area beneath your hole.

As they do, these fish become clearly visible on your electronics, indicating not only where to fish, but how deep to fish. You never want to dangle your lures below the level of the fish, where they won’t see them. Rather, position your lures or baits at or slightly above the fishes’ eye level, where they can visually detect them, become interested as they rise to examine your offering.

Crappie anglers fish for these suspended fish in several ways. The first, and perhaps easiest method, is with a slip bobber rig, suspending a live minnow at the fishes’ level. Nick the minnow lightly below the dorsal fin on a small #6 hook, and send it down. As the minnow dangles and struggles, it tempts crappies to move in for the kill. When a crappie inhales it, the resulting quiver imparted to the bobber may be so subtle that you barely see it. At the slightest suspicious motion of the bobber, set the hook!

Anglers also use tiny ice spoons for crappies, tipped with a minnow, minnow head, live waxworm, or artificial soft bait like Gulp! Waxies or PowerBait Micro Power Wigglers. The idea is to drop the spoon down to the fish, then let it settle. Jiggle it a bit, then let it settle again. The jiggle attracts them in for a look, while the pause entices them to move in even closer, hopefully to bite.

You can readily witness this phenomenon on a good portable depth finder like a Humminbird ICE 45 or 55.

The spoon appears on the screen as a small, brightly colored mark, and the crappie a larger one. When the big mark moves up toward the smaller one, and the two merge, you know the fish is barely inches away, eyeballing your lure. Shortly thereafter, if the rod tip suddenly dips, indicating a strike, set the hook.

If the fish doesn’t strike within a few seconds, however, don’t just let the bait continue to dangle-especially if you see the fish begin to lose interest and start dropping toward bottom. Instead, reel the bait up a foot or two, jiggle it, and then pause again. Many times, the fish will become interested again and rise to follow. Sometimes, you need to do this a few times to convince fish to bite. You’ll notice that every time you can get them to rise, they tend to become more active and interested. Eventually, even reluctant biters can often be coaxed into striking if you play the game and tease them into increased activity.

Again, electronics are essential for detecting and coaxing reluctant or spooky fish to bite. For

Long

Photos provided by Dave Csanda

years, the best units have featured a bottom zoom feature which greatly expands your view of the first few feet above bottom, providing additional detail to detect lures and bait, and to evaluate fish behavior and response. Nowadays, the previously mentioned Humminbird models even have an off-bottom zoom feature that allows you to expand your view at any depth in the water column. It’s perfect, for example, for zooming in on and catching suspended crappies, even when they’re 20 feet above bottom.

As the ice begins to thin and winter draws toward a conclusion, crappies usually begin leaving middepth holes and moving toward shoreline areas where they will eventually move shallow to feed once ice leaves the lake. Now, look for them hugging the edges of shoreline dropoffs, especially those just outside the mouths of bays. At this time, you begin to catch mixed bags of bluegills, yellow perch and other species. Basically, they’re all gathering in feeding areas adjacent to the shallows, simply waiting for spring to arrive.

In all cases, when you’re after panfish of any species, light tackle and wispy line are in order. Stick to short ultralight ice rods, and spool your reels with 1to 4-pound-test monofilament. You’d think 4-pound-test

would be plenty light to fool fish, but 2- is better, and allows tiny lures to perform more naturally beneath the ice. In extreme cases, such as clear water and heavy fishing pressure, 1-pound-test may produce better than 2-. You need to be careful with such light line, fighting fish very gingerly to prevent line breakage. But it may save the day when panfish are uncooperative.

Virtually every lake in the Brainerd area offers good panfishing through the ice. The lower end of Rice Lake, for example, is a known hotspot where crappies get out of the Mississippi River current, gathering in the basin east of the river channel. In shallow lakes like Perch, White Sand or Edna, look for crappies roving the middle of the main basin. In deeper lakes like Gull, North Long, Hubert or Pelican, stick to shallower basins, or the centers of bays, that bottom out no deeper than 35 feet. Remember, that’s about as deep as crappies prefer to go. And by mid- to late winter, they may tend to suspend even higher.

After 28 years as a magazine editor and TV angler at In-Fisherman, D A V E C S A N D A recently rejoined his old friends at Lindner Media, producers of Angling Edge Television, in Baxter.

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21

WINTER GADGETS FOR BOTH WORK AND PLAY NEW REASONS TO LIKE THE SEASON

The changing of the season means all kinds of life changes in other areas, too.

What we put on for outerwear, for one, and the length of time our car engines run before we leave the driveway. It also means we can add a little more variety in the ways in which we both work and play, too.

Water ski equipment and bicycles make their way to the back of our, sheds, garages and trailers, and everything winter begins to make its way forward. Ski gear, snow tubes, ice fishing gadgets and our beloved snowmobiles are all moved front and center as we hold our breaths for snow.

Not all of the good things in winter have to do with Santa Claus and children. There are nifty new items to think about out there for grownups too.

If you already own a snowmobile, you’ve probably been sitting on the seat, running your hand along the exterior and dreaming about a good snowfall ever since it turned October. Your machine is finely tuned and you’re ready to hit the trails. If you are in the market for a new sled this year you may be surprised in some of the changes since you bought your last one. As with most other equipment that runs on an engine the manufacturers of our most popular winter toy have found a way to make them friendly for our environment, too. They are quieter and cleaner than ever before.

“They came out with the technology because there really was a demand for it,” said Brian VanVickle, general sales manager of Brother’s Motorsports in Brainerd. He said the manufacturers of some of the most popular sleds reacted to the interests of the consumers.

“People are all about living a little more green,” he said, explaining that both Ski-Do and Yamaha have come out with sleds that utilize a clean burning four-stroke. E-Tech, by Ski-Doo, is another new model that is popular. “It’s really clean,” said VanVickle, “It’s a two-stroke but it burns cleaner than most four strokes.”

Small cities pop up on most of our area lakes in the winter months as enthusiastic fisherman from both near and far populate the frozen surfaces to get a chance at a successful day’s catch. They hunker down in

all kinds of structures to protect themselves from the elements as they search for the fish that made it through the summer season and still live below the layer of frozen ice.

Portable structures, both extravagant and bare bones, will be moved and left in the areas where the fish seem the most willing to nibble.

Considerations such as ice thickness, type of land below, what type of fish you’re hoping to land and the depth of the ice are important things to consider when deciding an ideal location for the icehouse. Depth finders and underwater cameras can add exciting information to the calculations. Both have been improved upon in recent years.

The technology is tweaked a little more each year with the release of new models from the manufacturers. Rick Simmonds, fish manager at Gander Mountain, said he thinks Hummingbird’s new Flasher 45 and 55 models will both sell well and be sought after this year. He said Hummingbird and Aqua-Vu have come out with improvements this year that feature larger screens, the capability to measure deeper than ever and bright colorful displays in their depth finders.

Winter is not all about the play. With snow that can arrive in either inches or feet there is extra work to be done in the season, too. Shoveling by hand and walking behind a heavy snow blower are a couple of ways to get the stuff off the driveway and sidewalks but there might be an even easier way. Gary Miller is the general manager at Northwood Turf and Power in Brainerd. He said that the lighter snows in recent years have led to finding creative ways of removing it. Blowing it out of the way, much like we do with our leaves, is one method.

Miller said manufacturers now offer lighter models that make them easy to move around with. The blowers come in both backpack and handheld models that are capable of moving the lighter snow with comfort, ease and speed. Miller said his company handles popular models of both types of blowers from Stihl and John Deere.

S H E I L A H E L M B E R G E R has a journalism degree. She is a mother of three, works part-time at the Brainerd Dispatch, and contributes regularly to various local publications.

Outdoors O

today in th Jan 9 - Jan 11

Ice Fest - Breezy Point

Jan 10 - Jan 11

Mille Lacs Ice Car Racing

Jan 23 - Jan 25

Antique Snowmobile Rendezvous - Pequot Lakes

Jan 24

Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza

Feb 6 - Feb 8

BIR National - National Snocross Race

Feb 13

Nisswa Winter Jubilee

For more information or more events, log on to:

www.dnr.state.mn.us/events/index & www.explorebrainerdlakes.com 22

Wolf

Lake

Ski

Trail

System

NORTHLAND ARBORETUM

“A TRUE WINTER WONDERLAND”

Winter at the Northland Arboretum is a paradise for young and old alike. The lighted trails are a joy for evening skiing. Maps are available at the Visitor Center, as well as posted on the trails. The trails are designed for all levels of skiers to enjoy, and are groomed by the Nordic Ski Club daily during the season.

This year we have developed new trails for winter hiking and snowshoeing, an opportunity for all to explore nature. All of the environmental trails will only be used for hiking and snowshoeing. The Arboretum will groom these trails, and they will wind through areas where there is an abundance of wildlife, which we have been able to observe and track through the use of our nightvision cameras. Bring your camera, you never know what you might see!

This winter season we are planning several beginning ski and snowshoeing classes. Please call or stop by our Visitor Center, or visit our website: arb@brainerd.com for information on other events and classes at the Arb.

After a walk or skiing, come in and warm up at our Center and enjoy our new gift shop. Many fine gifts and perhaps purchase a jar of ‘Arb Honey’ from our own bee yard.

Join the Arb, Volunteer, and enjoy a TRUE WINTER WONDERLAND with us!

Happy Holidays to All!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mark Your Calendars!

~ Ski Class – January 17th ~ Lumberjack Jaunt Cross Country Skiing Race – January 25th ~ Snowshoeing Class – January 31st ~ Nature and Wildlife of Costa Rica – TBA For information on upcoming events and programs, go to our website at arb@brainerd.com or call (218) 829-8770.

Photos provided by the 2008 Children’s Outdoor Education Camp

A r b o r e t u m 23

MEMORY LANE MY FIRST CHILDHOOD MEMORY OF SNOWMOBILING

These were the short rides I received from my parents while growing up in Grand Rapids. I remember mom and dad letting my sister, brothers and I decorate their helmets with Arctic Cat stickers.

My father, Dennis “Mad Dog” Madden, Bob Stahl and Mike Rassier raced in the I500. This started in Winnipeg and ended at Lake Phelan near St. Paul. At this time the I500 did not allow snowmobile engines over 300cc. Dad’s sled was an Arctic Cat (290cc). Shortly after this time, they would increase the maximum engine size to 340cc.

This 500-mile race running from Winnipeg to Fargo, Fargo to Alexandria, then Alexandria to the St. Paul was especially memorable for my father with a temperature in Winnipeg of -45 with 30 mph winds at the start of the race. The I500 took three days to complete, stopping at rendezvous points with his pit crew. This was the most grueling race that my father endured as he ended up with frostbite on is eyelids which was extremely painful.

River running and ditch driving were extremely popular as trail systems did not exist at this time. Running ditches with little to no markings called for extra safety as nothing was marked, lots of open water. My mother hit a smaller ice heave while snowmobiling on Splithand Lake and suffered a ripped rotator cuff. This is something that can easily happen today with little to no warning as these are difficult to see.

As a teenager, our parents stressed safety and that we learn from not only them and their experiences but also with snowmobile safety class. Ahh, yes….a little piece of freedom was in sight, however, we soon came to realize the responsibility that came with it. We were now able to cross the roads to access the trails and lakes necessary to meet up and ride with our friends.

Next, comes the life lessons of “maintenance and repair.” We were taught the basics and had to help with both the financial and physical aspects. We learned how to replace wear rods, plugs and belts. We came to find out that one drawback of living in town was the replacement cost of wear rods as we had to cross tar roads. Thank goodness for my siblings as they were willing to split the cost.

My love of riding snowmobiles carried over with my husband. Al grew up in Grand Rapids as well and he and his family have a love for snowmobiles. We purchased our first snowmobile and quickly realized we needed to purchase another sled if we were both going to enjoy this sport. After the purchase of a snowmobile trailer and an Arctic Cat 370 it made life a little easier as our daughters could use this on our land as well. The kids nicknamed my machine the “Ditch-Pickle” as the hood was WAS IN THE EARLY 1970S.

24 M e m o r y

Lane

bright green. They have enjoyed many rides on our land over the years and have had the opportunity to witness wildlife on the trails they packed.

Then there are those special days when you get to take a vacation day and it lands directly on the day you get a fresh coat of snow. The snow would also cause a late start for school as the bus was delayed. We put the kids on the school bus and took off across the lake as we headed toward Longville. We enjoyed tree branches covered with snow hanging over the trails. It was a little piece of heaven as we were the only tracks on the trails that morning. As Al entered the trail he brushed a hanging tree branch with his arm and I witnessed a huge cloud of white clearing before I entered the trail.

Christmas has always been a great time to take a break and enjoy snowmobiling with our daughters. We’ve watched our daughters, nieces and nephews enjoy snowmobiling as they and their cousins take turns pulling each other on sleds or riding on the land.

With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we were given an opportunity for a weekend get-away. Our friends invited us to join them for a weekend trip to Crane Lake. The timing of this trip couldn’t have been better as we had just received six inches of fresh snow. This was snowmobiling with the bonus of the beauty that surrounds us in Minnesota. Trees, with a contrast of a deeper green than I ever remembered seeing them, hung with a heavy white coat of snow on their branches. While this portion of the trail ran along the river, we had a rare opportunity to view a waterfall as the trail on the river ends and the trail leads us back into the woods. Beautiful waterfalls, friends and memories that you make along the way are a precious gift.

Our daughters love to ride, however, with time comes more responsibility and priorities. We still own one snowmobile that we use to get to and from the fish house, pack trails for wildlife and enjoy local trails. If they ride with friends, we always agree on their route and that they need to check in with us for safety reasons.

In Minnesota you incur beautiful trail systems and need to remember how fortunate we are to have the grant-in-aide trails.

Beautiful waterfalls, friendly people and the love of the outdoors are things that make me appreciate the lakes area as well as the entire state of Minnesota.

G A I L G U S T A F S O N has been a resident of the Merrifield area for over two decades. Gail enjoys the outdoors with her family. She contributes outdoor and sport photography to the Brainerd Dispatch the Crosby-Ironton Courier and the Grand Rapids Hearld Review.

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25

Your

Best Shot

Marilyn DesJardin, Pierz, MN

I have a small decorative crab apple tree that has small red apples on it. I was lucky to have my camera close by to capture this picture of a Pileated Woodpecker who was determined to get some of those little red apples. It’s a rare moment to be able to capture this bird’s photo in your backyard!

Send a slide or print to “Your Best Shot” Brainerd Dispatch, P.O. Box 574, Brainerd, MN 56401.

Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want your materials returned.

Do you enjoy taking photos?

Do you have a favorite image of an eagle, flower, sunset, or how about your favorite hunting partner?

Here’s your chance to share it with readers of “OUTDOOR Traditions.” Send it along with a two-sentence explanation as to where, why, and how it was shot. Both could be published online and in the 50,000 copies of our new quarterly magazine, “OUTDOORS Traditions.” Each issue will have an “editor’s pick” contributed photo, including a credit line of the photographer’s name and portrait if available.

If your photo is not chosen, all appropriate images will be included on the “We Spotted” section of our website. They will be displayed there for three months, running concurrently with the season and/or until the next “OUTDOOR Traditions” publishes.

Deadline for the spring edition is February 17, 2009. The Dispatch will collect images quarterly (spring, summer, fall, winter). After each issue of “OUTDOOR Traditions” publishes, we will then place the images on our website.

26 Y o u r

B e s t

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