L&H Outdoors Magazine Winter '18

Winter Wildlife | Pheasants Forever Update | MN State Parks in Winter | Hunting Access

Contents American Federal Expert 32 American Federal

In This Issue

10

Minnesota on Ice 34 Unique Ice Adventures

by Alicia Underlee Nelson

Industries 12th 41 Alexandria Annual Ice Fishing Challenge

42 Antler Growth & Shedding

Article supplied by Pat Morstad, President of the Minnesota QDMA

42 6 From the Editor

56

by Brent Rogness

The Dog Days of Winter 10 Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge

by Patrice Peterson

20

Making Tracks Across the Prairie

Otter Tail County Chapter of Pheasants Forever

24

A Lifetime of Learning One Trap at a Time

with Local Trapper Don Schroeder

by Tyler Wirth

4

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24

34 Volume 1, Issue 2 • WINTER 2018

BUSINESS OFFICE 118 South Vine Fergus Falls, MN

PUBLISHED BY Compass Media

PUBLISHEr Kip Johnson

EDITOR

Fishing Tackle 48 From Local Company

Brent Rogness

Out of the Blue Fishing Tackle

How do Wildlife Cope 50 with Winter

sales manager John Burns

by Christine Herwig, MN DNR

56

What’s Eating Minnesota Valley National Refuge?

Goats!

ART DIRECTOR Kip Johnson

by Tina Shaw, US FWS

Sales staff

58

50

Winter Adventures Galore 58 Minnesota State Parks and Trails

by Kristi Coughlon, MN DNR

Hunting Access for All 62 Across the Region

Jerry Shea jerry@lakeandhomemagazine.com 218.205.7454 Trista Larson trista@lakeandhomemagazine.com 218.731.0255 Erin Hintz erin@lakeandhomemagazine.com 218.205.2120

by Tina Shaw, US FWS

66 Service Directory

For advertising rates and information, contact artwork@lakeandhomemagazine.com.

Subscriptions available upon request

MAILING ADDRESS Compass Media PO Box 9761 Fargo, ND 58106

swims and get a college-level tutorial on constellations from Uncle Joe. Perhaps most importantly, the farm remains the hub for the Loren Larson Annual Memorial Deer Hunt.

I grew up on a farm in east-central South Dakota. The pheasant hunting there is phenomenal. The deer hunting is delightful. The fishing is fantastic.

My mom grew up on a farm outside of Osakis, situated ten miles southeast of Alexandria, Minn. As many of you have experienced first-hand, the pheasants, deer, and fish provide a similar experience in lakes country. As a kid, going to grandma’s brought about a Minnesota outdoors experience that simply seemed... special.

What is it about Minnesota that had a way of tugging at my soul? Was it simply the sheer diversity and volume of outdoor splendor the state, and lakes country in particular, holds?

After all, Minnesota has 11,842 lakes (that are over 10 acres in size) and its rivers and streams add up to 69,200 miles. The Gopher State has 52 native tree species and 17.4 million acres of forest land.

Minnesota also boasts 66 state parks with 4,239 campsites.

That must have been it.

My grandma is on the threshold of turning 90. She still holds down the fort at “the farm” in Osakis even after my grandpa has been gone for more than two decades.

She passed her recent driver’s test and is adept at hitting the “like” button on her children and grandchildren’s fishing and hunting posts on Facebook.

These symbols of endurance are critical to my mom, her eight siblings, and my cousins… and it’s not just because we love grandma immensely. It’s also because the farm is near a must-visit fishing bridge for the cousins and has an abundance of critters in the shelterbelt to aim at. It’s a stroll down the highway from Fairy Lake where we’d do midnight

Many of you likely have a place similar to this in your life. For my family, a visit to grandma’s allowed us to experience Minnesota to the MAX. So maybe it’s not just the landscape and variety that makes Minnesota’s outdoor spectacle feel second to none.

While Minnesota and lakes country are a one-of-a-kind adventure, true joy on any hunting trip, ice fishing weekend, or campout is complete when shared with friends and family. It’s about the indelible memories we make, and the precious generations before us that taught us to soak up all God’s creation has to offer, whether we’re in Minnesota, South Dakota, or South Carolina.

As we roll out our second-ever edition of Lake & Home Outdoors, we hope you’ll find this publication inspirational to your outdoors experience and trigger memories of outdoor adventures past.

Grandma, thanks for being the matriarch of a family that has built a hearty appreciation for the outdoors, as well as a massive collection of Minnesota outdoor experiences. I better let you get back to the computer… That “like” button isn’t going to hit itself on Uncle Joe’s coyote calling photos.

Brent Rogness

Editor Lake & Home Outdoors

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Dogsledding

10 Lake & Home Outdoors WINTER 2018

Photo BY: Per Breiehagen

T

he Boundary Waters area of Minnesota is wellknown for camping and canoeing in the summer.

During the winter, the nearby town of Ely is also unofficially known as the Dogsled Center of the Continental United States, according to Paul Schurke, Arctic explorer and local business owner.

Tucked into a spot adjacent to the protected wilderness area, just six miles outside of Ely on the edge of White Iron

12 Lake & Home Outdoors WINTER 2018

Lake, is the Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge.

At this recreational vacation destination that Schurke established in 1987, anyone with an interest in an outdoor winter adventure can experience mushing a team of dogs over snow-packed trails in the remote north woods.

“We get a mix of people from all over the world with different backgrounds, different levels of physical ability, and different reasons for being here,” Schurke says. “Many people might even have

aspirations for an Arctic expedition, but not the experience or resources. Wintergreen gives them at least a taste of that.”

All the vacation and dogsledding packages are based out of the Wintergreen Lodge, and all are very userfriendly. Each sled has a large platform on the back so that two people can stand side-by-side and drive the sled together.

Even complete beginners can learn from the instructors how to work with the friendly Greenlandic and Canadian Inuit dogs.

Photos BY:

Top: Layne Kennedy Middle & Bottom: Per Breiehagen

Depending on the snow conditions, four or six dogs pull each sled.

Schurke’s “taste” of the Arctic includes lodging and meals at Wintergreen for 3-4 nights, with daily treks out on the sleds.

The overnight camping trips – for a complete wilderness experience – begin at the lodge, with comprehensive winter skills courses in dogsledding, snowshoeing, skiing, and winter camping. Then they leave Wintergreen for a few nights of camping in the wilderness.

“Fortunately, here in Ely we still have real winters,” he says.

“The fact that we are located north of the Continental Divide seems to ensure we can count on snow from December through March. Some years we may not have a lot, but we don’t need much. The dogs will pull in most any snow conditions.”

The Dogs No specific training is necessary for the purebred Inuit dogs from Arctic Canada that earn their living at Wintergreen.

“Their drive to pull is completely instinctive,” says Schurke.

“When they’re eight months old, you slip them into a harness, and off they go. They live to pull, and will keep going late into the day.”

In contrast to racing sled dogs who are bred to run at speeds up to 10 miles per hour, he says the Inuits are slow and strong, “sauntering” along at a more leisurely pace of 6 miles per hour. That works well when many different kinds of drivers take the reins and may have to maneuver around sharp corners in icy woods.

Photos BY:

Top: Per Breiehagen MIDDLE: Layne Kennedy RIGHT: Bria Schurke

“The dogs will accommodate a wide variety of people, and ‘kids’ from 5 to 85 can drive teams of these Inuit dogs,” he says. “When put in the harness, they’re all business and completely focused on pulling the sled, but when they’re on break and in the kennel, they are as playful, personable and affectionate as anyone’s house dog.”

Besides the excitement of the sledding, many of the guests also enjoy the time back at the lodge interacting with the dogs. They will often join the staff for the early morning sun-up dog tasks, and then play with the dogs again after the sun sets.

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How Wintergreen Began In 1980, Schurke started operating a nonprofit business, Wilderness Inquiry, a program for people with disabilities that focuses on summer canoe trips to the Boundary Waters. It became a popular way for people with sensory or mobility impairment to explore the area, and Schurke soon began searching for ways to expand the program to winter activities and make it year-round.

“Some friends suggested dogsledding, and although I had no background in it, we made our way to Ely and learned about it first-hand from an experienced musher,” he

Photo BY: Bria Schurke

“Our guests find that the more rapport they get with their team dogs, the better reaction they get when they’re out on the sleds,” he adds. “The more the dogs get to know them, the more anxious they are to please them – even when they’re working and pulling.”

Wintergreen Northern Wear The famous 1986 dogsled trip to the North Pole also led to another accompanying business for Schurke’s wife, Susan. She designed and produced all the cold weather clothing for that trek, and her business, Wintergreen Northern Wear, now designs, sews and sells that gear in downtown Ely for all kinds of outdoor winter activities.

The company continues to be one of the largest private employers in this northwoods town of 4000.

says. “It was sort of an experimental effort, but it worked so well that we soon launched a combined canoe/ dogsledding program.”

During that process and living in Ely at that time with his wife Susan, Schurke became close friends with another musher, Will Steger, who also happened to be an Arctic explorer.

As the nonprofit business continued to grow, so did Schurke’s intrigue with Arctic expeditions. Along with another well-known explorer, Ann Bancroft, the two men “ended up”

Besides the shop in Ely, the winter gear business works hand-in-hand with the dogsledding business to outfit Wintergreen guests with the warmest and most comfortable clothing for their adventures. They can bring their own gear, but many people also rent the clothing system, boots, and hand and foot wear as part of their trip.

Schurke says the clothing is known for a unique design and a Scandinavian trim, and its effectiveness relies on a three-tiered layering system that he calls the three W’s:

Wicking A layer of thermal wear against the skin to keep you dry.

Warmth A second layer of fleece or wool garments that will hold in your body heat.

Wind A top layer to block the wind and shed snow.

Photos BY:

Left & Right: Per Breiehagen Middle: Bria Schurke 16 Lake & Home Outdoors WINTER 2018

on a famous and historic expedition to the North Pole in 1986. That 56day journey was the first unsupported dogsled expedition to the North Pole, and it is documented in their book, “North to the Pole.” With the melting of the polar ice caps, it is unlikely that this significant achievement can ever be repeated.

That astounding journey inspired Schurke to launch a new business when he returned to Ely, and the idea of Wintergreen was born.

“I still remain involved with Wilderness Inquiry, which is directed by a college friend of mine and is still thriving, but Wintergreen has been our family livelihood for 30 years,” he says. “My wife and I have three grown children who are pursuing other interests and other careers, but they all still circle back home for the snow season to work as guides.”

Arctic Trips For those who share Schurke’s passionate interest in Arctic exploration and are looking for the adventure of a lifetime, he offers a different kind of opportunity – an actual Arctic dogsled trek. He and one or more of his guides take small groups on a 10-12-day trip to an Arctic destination.

“Anyone who is interested in joining us on these trips is welcome to first join us for a training trip to ensure it’s a fit for them,” he explains.

“Our Arctic trips are in April and May, and we can accommodate all ages and backgrounds as long as they’re willing and able.

Quite often it is people who have been our guests on Wintergreen trips year after year, and then they will decide to push the envelope and go to the next step.”

The Staff Besides the Schurkes and their three adult children, from December through March Wintergreen employs about a dozen guides and several other staff members throughout the lodge, including the kitchen and dining areas.

About 60 dogs also reside at Wintergreen, and the Schurkes raise one litter of pups per year.

“Being pack animals, they are very much aligned with their own kind, and although sometimes loose, we don’t have to worry about them running away,” Schurke adds. “In fact, a few of them have developed that extra spark of personality, and they kind of run the place. We call them the ‘Walmart Greeter’ dogs, and they make the entire experience extra special for the guests.”

OUTDOORS

Photos BY:

Right: Bria Schurke Bottom: Per Breiehagen

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PHEASANTS

How would you make a recipe for improving grassland and wetland habitat in Otter Tail County to benefit pheasants and other wildlife species (including pollinators)? How could this be done while providing additional hunting opportunities, improving water quality, getting youth outdoors, and

having fun with like-minded individuals? Well, one of the ingredients might be an organization that was just recognized for $5,000,000 (that’s right: Five Million Dollars!) of habitat accomplishments, including helping to add over 4600 ac of land to our public lands base which are open to hunting and other wildlife associated related activities. And that organization would be the Otter Tail County Chapter of Pheasants Forever (OTCPF).

Formed in 1983 as the tenth chapter of the fledgling parent organization started only one year earlier in St. Paul, OTCPF owes its success to a combination of factors including: • Local control over locally raised funds • Partnerships with other organizations • Committed volunteers along with support from the community • Grant opportunities • Involvement with state and national policy decisions

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Local Control Although part of a national Pheasants Forever organization, individual PF Chapters retain 100 percent decisionmaking control over their locally-raised funds. This allows chapter volunteers to develop wildlife habitat projects and conduct youth conservation events in their communities. Only the annual $35 membership, which funds Pheasants Forever’s operations (more on that later), is forwarded to Pheasants Forever

headquarters. All other funds raised locally stay invested in local projects.

For OTCPF, a major local focus has been on habitat protection. OTCPF has contributed significantly to over 26 projects since 1991 that have added over 4600 ac of habitat to lands that are then owned and managed by

Bottom Coyour and Copeland WMA partners

either the MN DNR Wildlife Section or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Former ag lands are typically seeded to a mix of native prairie grasses and wildflowers to benefit grassland birds as well as butterflies. Drained wetlands are restored for waterfowl, shorebirds, and for water quality benefits. Ongoing management activities to keep out invading trees and shrubs, and to periodically remove the accumulating layer of dead grasses, include prescribed fire, mowing, and/ or controlled grazing. The availability of places to hunt is one of the major limiting factors in the retention of existing hunters and the recruitment of new hunters. These new lands will help remove that obstacle in our local area.

Firearm Safety Program in our local area.

OTCPF has helped with the initial funding for 5 area high school Trap Teams to promote the shooting sports, and PF provides grants for ammunition for these teams. The Morning Son Christian School in Fergus Falls partnered with OTCPF and others to plant a 2.5 ac pollinator garden to help teach their students about wildlife habitat and the current issues with bees, butterflies, and other important invertebrates.

OTCPF also provides financial support for a local Farm Bill Biologist who works with private landowners to help them through

Promoting youth events is also a focus of OTCPF. Each year youth are invited to improve their shooting skills at a trap range, and then take it a step further by participating in a pheasant hunt guided

by PF mentors. OTCPF also provides membership in PF’s Ringnecks youth program for graduates of the DNR’s

the maze of state and federal conservation programs. This includes programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) that converts marginal cropland into wildlife habitat and soil protection in exchange for an annual payment from the federal government. CRP is the most important current federal farm bill program that has wildlife impacts. As CRP goes, so go pheasant populations. PF’s support at the state level is such that all counties in the pheasant producing region of MN are represented by a farm bill biologist.

Partnerships No one organization can do it alone.

OTCPF has been able to reach its current level of accomplishments only with the help of many partners. Of particular importance is the support of the MN DNR Wildlife Section and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and their ongoing efforts at managing public lands open to hunting and other suitable uses. The Fergus Falls Fish and Game Club has come through time and time again with cooperative projects and dollars. Several other PF

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Chapters and area sportsmen’s clubs have been generous with their financial support for local projects such as the Copeland and Coyour WMAs in Western Township.

Grant Opportunities The single largest partner in the land protection efforts of OTCPF has been the citizens of MN who approved the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment which now funds the Outdoor Heritage Fund. This Fund provides competitive grants, as recommended by the LessardSams Outdoor Heritage Council and approved by the MN Legislature, to restore, enhance, and protect lands in the state.

The MN office of PF has ramped up its capability to apply for these grants and in the most recent fiscal year secured approximately $13 million dollars across 3 grants to secure lands for wildlife purposes within the state. Some of these dollars have

Left Youth pre-hunt safety discussion

been involved in the work of OTCPF along with local contributions to help meet the needed local match.

Bottom Otter Tail County youth hunt event

Local Volunteers and Community Support Nonprofit organizations such as PF depend on volunteers, and OTCPF has been blessed with some great ones over the years.

After 34 years OTCPF still has some of the charter members such as Gene Lindblom and Louie Kamrowski, who are still actively involved and leading the charge. Louie has been recognized by PF at the state level and was the recipient of the prestigious “Bill Sandy Making a Difference Award” in 2015 in recognition of his uncommon achievements contributing to PF’s mission.

“Louie is a Pheasants Forever pioneer,” said Joe Duggan, Pheasants Forever’s vice president of corporate relations in 2015. “He recognized the potential of the

unique Pheasants Forever model all those years ago, embraced it and has been an integral factor in the success of the chapter.”

The Chapter could not raise funds without the generous support of the Fergus Falls business community. Many of the businesses in town recognize the value of their donations staying in the vicinity and contribute towards the annual fundraiser.

OTCPF volunteers also manage to have some fun along the way, including the annual one day Long Tail Contest with dubious recognition for the longest and the shortest tail feather for that day’s hunt.

Contributing to the Larger Picture: State and National Policy The only locally raised funds that go outside the area are the annual $35 membership, and these are monies well spent with local benefits far beyond the membership fee. The $35 fee helps to

fund Pheasants Forever’s award-winning magazine, professional services of regional biologists and representatives, national conservation education programs, and state and federal legislative advocacy.

What does this mean for Otter Tail County?

• It means PF staff dedicated to securing and administering grants for land protection and management in MN (over $13 million in the past fiscal year).

• It means PF staff working with members of Congress to formulate a Federal Farm Bill which originally created the CRP land retirement program. As CRP acres go, so go pheasant populations. MN has more Senators and Representatives on the critical committees in Congress than any other state. PF is working with each of them.

•

It means a MN Pheasant Stamp which creates funds to manage state and private land to specifically benefit pheasants and grassland birds.

• It means funding for Farm Bill Biologists to work with private landowners on wildlife habitat.

• It includes PF’s No Child Left Indoors Initiative working with youth and the outdoors.

Money well spent!

OTCPF welcomes any and all conservationists who would be interested in getting involved, whether it be for youth events, habitat work, fundraising, or involvement with policy. The OTCPF web page is at www.ottertailpf.org.

OUTDOORS

Right Louie Kamrowski Charter Member of Otter Tail County Pheasants Forever Top Left Roger Erstad Volunteer for Otter Tail County Pheasants Forever

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FUR Trapping

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“I found some old traps…I think I caught 9 that first year that fetched about one dollar each. It was a great way I used to make Christmas money when I was a young kid.”

Don Schroeder

Per the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, “Regulated trapping plays an important role in the ecology and conservation of Minnesota’s furbearers mammals that are hunted and trapped primarily for fur.” Not only is trapping heavily regulated, the DNR’s oversight ensures that trapping is only allowed for abundant wildlife and benefits both people and wildlife while providing nearly $500 million to the state’s economy.

Trapping has met with opposition from various groups over the last decade and fur prices have driven many away from this hobby that was once a viable profession. While some might argue trapping as foundation upon which our country was founded, the market today provides some to the state’s economy but little

to individuals’ pocketbooks. Lake and Home Outdoors spent some time with a local trapper, Don Schroeder, in an effort to learn more.

Currently residing in Alexandria, Minn., Schroeder’s wealth of expertise began around the age of 6, trapping pocket gophers in the Evansville, Minn., area on the farm upon which he grew up.

It wasn’t until the 4th grade that Schroeder’s passion caught fire like dry birch bark, and he recalled with a fondmemory grin, “a classmate’s dad took us out to check the traps and, sure enough, there was a mink and a few muskrats trapped that day. Right then,” he went on, “I found some old traps… I think I caught 9 that first year that fetched about one dollar each. It was a great way I used to make Christmas money when I was a young kid.”

Over the years, Schroeder built a lot of relationships not only with people, but with the land and animals as well. In learning the trade, there is a level of physical knowledge one must come to know to be successful and then there is the experiential knowledge which only comes with time in the field – the latter, many a trapper would easily argue, being most valuable.

In spending a half day with Don, checking 30 or so coyote snares and mink box traps set the day prior, the physical traits of the traps themselves were found to be numerous. Heading from one trail to the next in his truck,

WINTER 2018 Lake & Home Outdoors 27

the aspects of particular note with the traps seemed mainly age (new or old), size, and type. A brand new steel wire snare trap, for example, has a sheen of oil on it that, if not removed, will not only smell, but can increase reflectivity – both obviously heighten discovery risk and up the likelihood of trap failure simply by avoidance. Too large a trap might trap a deer (or other animal utilizing the same trail) and create a potentially inhumane situation. The wrong type of trap altogether, of course, could result

in unnecessarily maimed animals or simply produce no results.

In the picture, the steel wire snare is staked into the ground and placed such that an unsuspecting coyote would walk into it amid its normal routine, with the snare catching around its neck.

It might be said by some that the physical aspects of trapping can be taught fairly easily, but it is the experiential knowledge that undoubtedly requires

trial, error, and time to build. Amid answers to inquiries about the snares were many an anecdote or recollection Don expressed. As he tapped into his memory of decades of wins and losses, he admitted “I’ve educated a lot of animals in my day…there are some really smart fox out there,” and it was great to see he could joke about it.

“Everything you do, you’ll run into a smart one once in while,” he continued as he described a time when his strategy had

“There’s a definite adrenaline rush to pull up and find A trap has worked, but I just love being out and, today, I try to spend time with kids or adults who want to learn trapping.”

Don Schroeder 28 Lake & Home Outdoors WINTER 2018

been foiled –no doubt there is a reason for the cliché smart as a fox! And yet, this day, a win was tallied as we rounded a peninsula of thicket in the field to see a female coyote exhausted from fighting the snare.

“Looks like there will be a little less stress on the fawns in this area,” Don said as he loaded up his .22 rifle.

Interestingly, Shroeder’s adrenaline rush of his hobby comes not from the moment of the kill (as one often sees on too many a televised hunting show) or just the stalking of his prey, but from a number of areas. “There’s a definite adrenaline rush to pull up and find a trap has worked, but I just love being out and, today, I try to spend time with kids or adults who want to learn trapping.” From being out of doors and one with nature to the excitement of checking traps to find one had fulfilled its purpose, it was clear that Don’s passion for trapping would keep him doing so long into the future.

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Nuisance Trapping The topic of “nuisance trapping” quickly arose and no doubt serves as a pivotal factor in why Don traps today. “Well, there’s no money in trapping today,” he explained, “but back in the 70s you could make, oh, maybe $10,000 a year, but that would’ve also been a pretty good year. I’ve got farmers calling me to trap that’ll keep me busy enough, so I just keep on.”

In the Evansville area, alone, coyotes put an enormous amount of pressure on the deer population as they target fawns heavily each spring. On the farm that day, Don noted that this past spring the owner remarked on seeing a lot less deer than in the past. Obviously, he knew who to tap on the shoulder for help in easing the pressure on local deer.

Throughout the Evansville area, ecological pressures can certainly increase at times such that there’s a true need for trapping.

Just a few minutes away from that day’s venture rests a lowland with a heavy population of muskrat and woodchuck which, some years ago, Don recalled trapping 80 muskrat in a 3-section area.

Had he not, “they would’ve reproduced, overrun the land, and eventually die out themselves by using up most resources in that small area.”

Beaver, for example, are notorious for their activity which often diverts water away from many farmers’ needs. Some beaver dams can wreak absolute havoc and, unless removed, might completely change the types flora, fauna, and overall miniature ecological systems which exist from one area to the next.

Don recalls one of the largest beavers he ever trapped weighed in at a massive 61-pounds (insert your own dam joke here), and one can about imagine the size of trees that beaver used to keeps it’s teeth honed.

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A carpenter by trade, Don was told a year ago when he asked his fur trading company about prices that he’d be ‘better off to just keep swinging your hammer.’ While Don makes his primary living as a carpenter, it is amazing to see what he built in his life when it comes to his relationships with both man and beast. And, just as Don’s phone didn’t slow much during our time together, nor will he slow down his trapping. There are a great deal of people thankful for Don’s continued trapping efforts and hopefully his teachings will live on long after his traps are idle, for, what he gives is much greater than what he gets from his beloved hobby.

Today, some of Don’s harvested muskrat, skunk, fox, coyote, woodchuck, and other pelts can be seen adorning the walls at Evansville Hardware.

OUTDOORS

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EXPERT

QUESTION

What’s the difference between a construction loan and a conventional mortgage?

Chris Marvel

American Federal Bank

Answer: “A construction loan is used to build a home or complete a significant remodel and/ or addition,” says Chris Marvel of American Federal Bank in Fergus Falls. “It is typically a line of credit controlled by the bank. The borrower submits bills to the bank for payment.

Payment is issued directly to the contractor and a lien waiver is collected as verification that the contractor has been paid.

During the process, the bank monitors progress to make sure

32 Lake & Home Outdoors WINTER 2018

the project stays on budget and the borrower has enough funds to complete the home. The normal term for a construction loan is six to 12 months. The borrower makes monthly interest payments for the term of the loan.”

“A conventional mortgage is a type of mortgage that meets the criteria of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It is not insured or guaranteed by any government agency. The normal term for a conventional mortgage is

15, 20, or 30 years and rate can be fixed, adjustable, or fixed for a period of time then converting to adjustable. Funds from a conventional loan are used to purchase a home, refinance an existing mortgage (or mortgages), or to pay off a construction loan.”

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Recreation

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The big game – on ice The biggest outdoor party in central Minnesota was sparked by a simple question –“The Super Bowl is in Minneapolis, so what can we do that’s uniquely Minnesota?” said organizer Mark Bjerke. “So we thought, ‘Why don’t we have a big party on a frozen lake?’”

Otter Tail County on Ice kicks off the county’s yearlong 150th anniversary celebration with two days of food and entertainment on Otter Tail Lake February 3-4. Come for a polar plunge, an 18-hole ice golf course, the Ottertail Snowmobile Club trail ride and vintage snowmobile show and live music (including 32 Below on Saturday). Sunday is all about Bloody

Marys and the big game viewing party.

(They’re also rigging up a big screen so you can watch the game while ice fishing – a classic example of Minnesota multitasking.)

No cars are allowed on the ice, so shuttles will run from area hotels. Snowmobilers and ATV riders are the exception to the rule. You’ll find the party near the Pelican Bay access. Single and multi-day general admission and VIP packages are available at otonice.com.

When: Feb 2,3,4 More Info: otonice.com Where: Otter Tail Lake

Check out a bocce bash An intense ice bocce ball competition heats up on frozen Girl Lake in Longville on February 3. That’s when crews plow lanes right into the ice for the annual Ice Bocce tournament. The game (a combination of bocce ball, shuffleboard and bowling) attracts dozens of co-ed teams from around the region and awards prizes for 1st – 4th place. (You know it’s going to be a good time when they award prizes for the best team costume and best team names too!)

The event is free for spectators. Patrick’s Fine Dining sits just steps away from the action and provides a place to snack, drink and warm up as needed. Brush up on the rules of ice bocce and get all the details at longville.com/event/ice-boccetournament.

Photo: by Teri Frass

GO ICE FISHING FROM YOUR BAR STOOL Take your love of beer and ice fishing to the next level at Hillbillies Ice Hole Bar near Erhard. The popular gathering spot isn’t large (just 16 by 2 feet), but it’s packed with everything you need for a great night out, including music, TVs, an ATM, pull tabs and a chance to get on the ice without missing a second of the action. And when people say Hillbillies Ice Hole Bar is a great night out, they mean “out” as in “outside” -- this spot is basically an oversized ice house right on the ice on Lake Lida.

It opens when the ice is thick enough (usually right around New Year’s Eve) and welcomes a standing room crowd as long as the ice is safe. Check the Facebook page for details and special events like fishing tournaments and the popular polar plunge.

But just because you can ice fish while you eat a pizza doesn’t mean you’re going to find icicles in your beer. “It’s usually pretty warm,” said manager Angie Spilde. “Sometimes we have to open up windows because the body heat warms it up so much. Just wear your boots!”

Even if having a drink on a frozen lake isn’t on your bucket list, Spilde insists it’s still worth the trip – if only to get a selfie. “It’s pretty unique,” Spilde said. “There are a lot of pictures taken.

You’ve gottta try it at least once.”

WINTER 2018 Lake & Home Outdoors 37

Conquer ice climbing

Photos: Top, Right: Courtesy of

Sandstone Ice Festival

38 Lake & Home Outdoors WINTER 2018

Need a new winter rush? Try scaling an icy cliff at the Sandstone Ice Festival. While this year’s event ran from January 5-7, it’s an annual tradition in this town 65 miles southwest of Duluth. Robinson Park, the first ice climbing park in Minnesota, draws climbers from all over the Midwest and Canada to Sandstone for three days of outdoor winter adventures.

climbing at on-site instructional clinics.

Participants must be at least 15 and be familiar with basic climbing knots and belay technique. A limited amount of demo gear is available.

If you’ve only ever climbed indoors (a common problem, since some attendees live in lake and prairie regions that lack the geographic features for the sport), you can learn the basics of ice

If you’re not a climber, there’s still plenty of outdoor winter fun to be had. Try winter camping, snowshoeing and skinny skiing, or chow down at the Frozen Kettle chili cook off.

Go to sandstoneicefest.com to sign up for a clinic and to find rental gear locations.

Ogle original snow art Snow sculptors from around the county show off their ephemeral creations during the Ham Lake Snowbowl on February 10. Watch them work and vote for your favorite creation. (If destruction is more your thing, you can guess when a sculpture will eventually fall through the ice. The winner gets $500!)

But this event isn’t all about snow sculptures. The community of Ham Lake, just north of the Twin Cities, offers a flurry of winter activities, including a craft fair and vendor expo, a fat tire bike race, a broomball tournament and a sledding hill for kids (and kids at heart). There’s even a chance to watch sled dogs at work during the Tri-State Alaskan Malamute dog pull. A complete schedule of events is available at hamlakesnowbowl.org/ activities.html.

Photos: Top, Left: Courtesy of Ham Lake Area

Chamber of Commerce

Race Like the Pros Snowmobile fans, bundle up and check out the National Straightline Snowmobile Racing (NSSR) and Ice Kahuna race day in Fairmont. This year’s event was held on January 13. Head to The Chain of Lakes Club, on the south shore of Hall Lake to watch some of the fastest racers take on 1000-foot speed runs.

Based in Anoka, Minn., the NSSR holds other race days throughout the state on an annual basis. NSSR events are an excellent way to catch a glimpse of some of the fastest sleds on the planet.

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EXPLORE THE ULTIMATE ICE FORT The Stillwater Ice Castles take ice forts to a whole new level. The hulking ice structure, dripping with dramatic icicles that look like stalactites, lights up the night in Lowell Park near Stillwater’s historic lift bridge. Part tunnel, part ice slide, part igloo on steroids, the novelty of the castle combined with the quaint shops and the romantic charm of the historic river town that it calls home make this a fun trip for the whole family.

Bring a sled for the littlest ones and tow them to meet the ice princesses on Saturdays and Sundays. Performers hypnotize the crowd with flaming torches during the fire shows on Fridays and Saturdays. Since the castles are open from January 6 through March 3, there are plenty of chances to fit the attraction into your schedule.

OUTDOORS

Photos: Middle: ŠDiscoverStillwater.com

Photographer, Dave Parker Top Left, Top Right, Bottom:

Courtesy of Explore Minnesota

Photographer, Alma Guzman

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EXPERT

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DEER

A

ntler growth, mineralization, and casting (dropping antlers) is largely controlled by hormones and regulated by photoperiod (the amount of light per day). Much has been written on this subject, and you can find detailed accounts of the complex interactions between the pineal and pituitary glands, testes, and the hormone cocktails involved in the process.

In brief, antlers generally grow during spring and summer and mineralize in August and September in response to increasing testosterone levels. Testosterone levels begin increasing in July, peak in late October to early November, drop through late December, and remain at reduced levels through the following July. The testosterone cycle is largely governed by photoperiod, so just as decreasing daylight and increasing testosterone causes antlers to mineralize and shed their velvet, increasing daylight and decreasing testosterone causes antlers to fall off.

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Article supplied by Pat Morstad, President of the Minnesota QDMA

According to acclaimed antler expert Dr. George Bubenik of the University of Guelph in Ontario, the testosterone levels causing antler casting appear to be very close to the levels responsible for velvet shedding.

the antler and pedicle, and the antler falls off. Bucks occasionally shed both antlers within minutes but more commonly carry one for a few more hours or days. Â

How Do Antlers Fall Off?

Photoperiod has a major influence on testosterone levels and thus the timing of antler casting, but other factors can impact them too. Nutrition is important, as bucks in good physical condition generally retain their antlers longer than those who are nutritionally stressed. Widespread early antler casting may signify a nutritionally stressed herd resulting from too many deer for what the habitat can support. This can be an annual event caused by harvesting too few antlerless deer, or a single event caused by a mast crop failure, prolonged flooding, extreme or prolonged cold, or some other environmental variable.

Antlers grow from an attachment point on the skull referred to as the pedicle. This secure connection obviously withstands the impact from fighting, and most hunters have dragged at least one buck by the antlers. Dr. Bubenik explains that maintenance of the connection between the dead tissues of the antler and the living tissues of the pedicle is possible only during the period of high testosterone levels. So, when testosterone levels decline, a special type of bone cell called an osteoclast removes the bone tissue by reabsorbing calcium between

Factors Affecting Testosterone Levels

Injuries can also impact testosterone levels. The testes are the major producers of testosterone, so an injury to them can reduce testosterone levels, as can injuries to a buck’s body. Bucks with body injuries don’t immediately cast their antlers. Depending on the severity of the injury, they may cast them earlier than they normally would have. Noted author Charlie Alsheimer reported in 2009 that one of his captive bucks cast his antlers during the first week in March for seven of eight years while the buck was 3½ to 10½ years old. The single exception came after the buck was injured while fighting. He cast his antlers on Christmas day that year, more than two months earlier than typical for him.

WINTER 2018 Lake & Home Outdoors 45

Dominance status can also impact testosterone. In northern regions, dominant bucks often shed their antlers earlier than younger, smaller deer. This may be related to nutritional status as many but not all older bucks partake heavily in the breeding season. It may also be related to younger bucks experiencing less dramatic decreases in testosterone levels. Bucks skip many meals during the breeding season, and those that rut hard may be in poor post-rut condition. This can occur even when abundant forage is available for deer. These bucks are choice candidates for early antler casting, as long as another overriding factor isn’t present.

That overriding factor is the presence of estrus does, as they can influence testosterone levels. Dr. Bubenik said an unbred doe’s pheromones can keep

bucks’ testosterone levels elevated.

This factor doesn’t relate to early antler casting, but it can explain late casting in some herds, especially those with highly skewed sex ratios during the rut, those with peak breeding seasons in late December and January, or those with high rates of sexual maturity in doe fawns. Most northern hunting seasons correspond closely to, or immediately follow the rut, and research in Pennsylvania suggests the majority of does are bred during their first estrous cycle, even in the absence of mature bucks. Conversely, many southern seasons begin well before the rut, and thus have the opportunity to dramatically skew the adult sex ratio prior to the breeding season. In these situations it’s not uncommon for does to go unbred during their first estrous cycle. Also, peak rut in some southern herds occurs from

Christmas through late January, so the majority of does are in estrus much later than their northern counterparts. Finally, the productive Midwest experiences higher doe fawn breeding rates than the Northeast or Southeast. Highly skewed sex ratios, late ruts, and fawns reaching sexual maturity in December and January are three reasons that may explain why southern and Midwestern bucks tend to carry their antlers longer than bucks in the Northeast.

One last factor to consider with respect to antler casting is the influence of fighting.

Dr. Bubenik states that frequent fighting can prolong elevated testosterone levels and cause unusually deep mineralization of the antler pedicle. This deep mineralization can then delay antler casting of one or both antlers.

What About Early Antler Shedding?

In isolated incidents of early antler shedding, the bucks involved are probably injured during fall and cast their antlers early as a result. In situations where numerous bucks are involved or where bucks across several square miles cast their antlers early, nutritional stress, physical exhaustion from the rut, or a combination of the two are likely responsible. Nutritional stress can easily be confirmed or ruled out by assessing body weights, lactation status and/or kidney fat percentages from the does you harvested. This is one more reason to collect harvest data from every deer taken on the property you hunt and/or manage.

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PHEASANTS

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Established in 2015, Out of the Blue Fishing Tackle has developed and marketed custom fishing tackle including numerous styles of Out of the Blue Brand freestyle hand painted jigs, Yaeger bucktail feather bombs, and custom tied walleye spinner rigs. Our product is handcrafted and has been field tested and proven to catch fish.

Fishing Guide Service ‘Out of the Blue’ is my 2012 Alumacraft Competitor fishing boat. She is completely outfitted for multispecies fishing. We can go after bass or walleye on any lake in Otter Tail county with a public access. The Captain offers fishing guide service by appointment only, three weeks in advance is preferred, but not always necessary, with availability of 5pm to 9pm Monday - Friday, and all day most Saturdays and Sundays. Any fishing gear you need will be supplied.

Guest capacity is limited to three people and anyone fishing in the group must show the Captain a valid MN fishing license.

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Out of the Blue offers local lake access to you in Otter Tail County, MN.

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218.731.5988

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PHEASANTS WILDLIFE

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In the chilly winter months of Minnesota, many of us like to grab a cup of cocoa and burrow under a blanket with a good book. As we look out the window inside our warm house, we often see chickadees busy at work snatching seeds from the feeder and darting away. It makes us shiver to see such tiny birds hard at work to survive. We wonder, how can a bird that weighs the same as two quarters ($0.50) survive those temperatures and why do they stick around when so many other birds leave the area?

Wildlife use three main strategies to survive winter. They may move or migrate, go into some form of dormancy or tough it out.

Some may use more than one strategy, and each strategy has it benefits and risks.

Migration Many birds migrate south. Some as far as South America. The blackpoll warbler, which breeds in boreal forests, has an impressive migration. This tiny songbird flies more than 1,700 miles over the Atlantic Ocean to islands in the Caribbean or the northern coast of South America. But the tiny arctic tern wins the prize for the longest migration of any animal in the world. Flying in a 12,000-mile zig zag route between its breeding grounds in the Arctic to its wintering grounds in Antarctica.

Redpoll

Not all northern birds migrate south for the winter. Seed-eating birds such as redpolls and pine grosbeaks that breed in northern Canada actually migrate to Minnesota in the winter.

Most of our insect and nectar eating birds migrate south because these food resources are generally not available in winter. Many aquatic bird species migrate when the lakes freeze up, limiting access to the habitats and foods they rely on in summer.

Other animal species migrate too, including the monarch butterfly, some species of dragonfly and bats. Unlike birds that generally migrate south for winter, bats migrate in whatever direction they need to go to find caves in which to spend the winter. So some individuals may even migrate north to the nearest cave.

Unlike other hibernators, black bears are dormant, but don’t need to wait to bring up body temperatures so they can awaken quickly to defend themselves and their cubs if disturbed in the den. They will also occasionally emerge from their dens for a period during the winter.

Photo courtesy of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Frog species, such as green, mink and northern leopard make short migrations to permanent water to overwinter under the ice. Their strategy - saving energy by burrowing under debris at the bottom of the water body.

Dormancy Some species are dormant (inactive) over the winter. Dormancy generally takes two forms - torpor or hibernation. Torpor is a process where an animal slows its body processes down when the weather is bad and becomes active when the weather improves. Squirrels, porcupines, skunks

Bears den in a variety of places and not always underground. Rock crevices, standing hollow trees and holes dug in hillsides are some of their favorite sites. In some cases, bears will choose simple depressions under brush, at the base of a tree or above ground in a cozy cattail nest in a frozen marsh.

Photo courtesy of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and raccoons use this strategy to endure the chilly winters. For example, gray squirrels will spend the windy, cold days in their dreys (bundles of leaves you find in trees) or in tree cavities, only to come out looking for stored acorns or a full bird feeder during sunny days.

Animals that hibernate have the ability to go months without eating, drinking, urinating or defecating. Some, like the woodchuck and black bear, spend their summers eating and eating to build up mass and then go to sleep in fall and wake up in spring. Often, their body temperatures are lowered and breathing and heart beats are far reduced compared to the active season. Woodchucks can lower their body temperatures to 40 degrees

Fahrenheit and breathe once every 6 minutes!

Snakes and frogs are among the critters that have the ability to hibernate thanks to their amazing physiology. Frogs survive winter in water and on land. Aquatic frogs, such as the northern leopard frog, typically hibernate underwater in oxygen-rich areas where they lie on top of the mud or are partially buried. The terrestrial wood frog winters in deep cracks and crevices in logs or rocks or under leaf litter in the soil near their breeding pools. Amazingly, the blood and tissue of a wood frog will partially freeze, but high concentrations of glucose in its vital organs (acting like a natural antifreeze) prevent their cells from rupturing.

WINTER 2018 Lake & Home Outdoors 53

Enduring these periods of dormancy is critical to their survival. To prepare, wildlife need to store food, eat lots of high-energy food and/or live together in a secure location.

Toughing it out Species that tough it out have behavioral or physical adaptations that allow them to remain active during winter when faced with cold, wind, snow/rain and lack of food.

Owls and foxes eat small mammals they hunt under the snow, chickadees and redpolls eat seeds and beavers and squirrels build shelters and store food to access throughout the winter.

Mice and voles survive the cold, bitter winds of winter and hungry predators by retreating to the area between the surface of the ground and the bottom of the snow pack (called the subnivian zone). Here, they create tunnels with air shafts that allow them to travel between the snow layer and ground where stored food and nesting areas are at hand to take them through the long winter months.

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Many species will use trails packed by snowmobiles or cross country skis rather than walking through deep snow. Some mammals, such as flying squirrels and mice, will conserve body heat by spending winter together in shared dens.

Some species may put on fat for insulation or don a thicker, heavier coat to retain heat. The further north you go, the longer the fur on some animals, such as foxes.

The longer the coat the more it insulates by holding a layer of air close to the skin.

Deer acquire hollow hairs that provide better insulation than solid hairs. Snowshoe hare and lynx have large feet that act like snowshoes to spread their weight across the snow. Ermine will change coat color to help blend in with the snow, making them less obvious to predators.

Other critters actually need the snow to survive. A blanket of snow can create an important insulating space above the ground that provides thermal cover for mice and voles that do not have the ability to grow long winter coats. You may

have noticed their tunnels appearing as the snow melts in spring.

Ruffed grouse will change their diet in the winter toward buds, twigs and catkins. After the snow falls, they create their shelters by plunging into the powdery snow, head first, and completely submerging themselves.

Their body heat creates a sealed dome much like an igloo that allows them to stay warm in the most inclement conditions.

Even with adaptations, many individuals do not survive winter. The key to survival is quality habitats that provide the food and shelter needed by those species that tough it out, either before winter sets in or during those cold winter days.

Be sure to get out and enjoy the wildlife that stick around in winter. Look for animal tracks in freshly fallen snow and keep an eye toward the sky for some of our rarer visitors like the great gray or snowy owl.

For more information on winter bird feeding and wildlife viewing tips, visit mndnr.state. mn.us/nature_viewing.

OUTDOORS

Photos courtesy of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Unlike the gray squirrel, which caches individual nuts and other foods in numerous shallow spots throughout the forest, the red squirrel caches hundreds of conifer cones, its main winter food, in central locations. The most conspicuous sign of a red squirrel cache is a large accumulation of cone seeds, scales and stripped cone cores atop the snow.

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GOATS

by Tina Shaw U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service www.fws.gov/midwest/

When you’re fighting something as relentless as invasive plants, sometimes you need to think outside of the box.

We’ve been beating back European buckthorn and other nonnative plants for years at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in an effort to bring back the open spaces of native oak savanna. Native, shallow-rooted plants like little bluestem get choked out by aggressive plants like buckthorn, that don’t have much competition. Over hundreds of years, lands that were once open grasslands with sparse oak trees have become overwhelmed by a shrubby understory that blocks out new oaks from growing.

How do we fight back? Goats!

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The perfect fit

Goats at work

Goats are a great fit for the refuge because they’re quiet and fueled by invasive plants! Parts of the landscape are too steep, sandy or dense for machinery, but goats weighing just 60-80 pounds can easily navigate steep, dense terrain without disturbing the soil. Further, goats are the perfect solution in cities and towns because there are no air quality concerns like there may be with other solutions like controlled fire.

The goats are kept within two layers of fencing, including one that is electrified.

The fencing helps keep the goats where we want them and deters predators from an easy meal. Once the goats have finished one section, the fencing is moved to a new section. Water is provided to keep the animals well hydrated and educational signs are installed to teach visitors about the benefits of goat grazing.

Within just two weeks, the herd of 25 goats cleaned up two and a half acres!

Unlike cattle and sheep, goats are independent thinkers. They don’t walk single file lines that lead to soil compaction and erosion and they aren’t skittish like sheep, flocking into tight groups. The nature of goats make them a lot of fun to watch, drawing in visitors who like to check up on them, take photos and tell their friends.

Fall is a great time to use goats to fight buckthorn, since most native wildflowers and grasses have gone dormant for the season. Around this time of year, most of the remaining green leaves are from invasive plants - a tasty treat for goats to eat. The refuge plans to bring goats back next year to continue the fight against black locust, buckthorn and siberian elm.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

Connect with our Facebook page at facebook.com/usfwsmidwest, follow our tweets at twitter.com/usfwsmidwest, watch our YouTube Channel at youtube. com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at flickr.com/photos/ usfwsmidwest.

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State Parks

Fat biking Fat biking has been an emerging winter sport in the Midwest for several years and is expected to continue to grow in popularity.

There are several state parks, as well as Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, with trails that welcome winter fat bikers.

All photos courtesy of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

by Kristi Coughlon

M

innesota’s state parks, recreation areas and trails offer a variety of opportunities and events to explore the white world of winter. Whether you’re experienced or a novice, you’ll have no trouble finding destinations, facilities and events to enjoy the snow and ice.

Want to go on a snowy hike? Plenty of state parks and recreation areas plow or pack miles of trails for winter walkers. The scenery is great and you can burn off those holiday calories or cure your cabin fever.

Snowmobile trails There are over 22,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails awaiting you and your sled. Use the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources interactive snowmobile trail maps or downloadable GPS map to find information about trails.

Enjoy snowshoeing or cross-country skiing? Many parks have snowshoe rentals available and an abundance of kid-friendly activities. Whether you prefer classical or skate skiing, there are miles and miles of groomed trails in the parks. And, you can snowshoe almost anywhere in state parks and recreation areas. Experience the trails in a whole new light by joining others at candlelight ski and snowshoe events. Trails are lit with lanterns or luminaries and refreshments are provided.

WINTER 2018 Lake & Home Outdoors 59

PHEASANTS Want to try some winter camping?

Camping is available year-round in many state parks. They offer some great programs on how to stay warm and have fun on winter camping adventures. If winter tent camping isn’t for you, consider a camper cabin or yurt or other winter lodging opportunities available at many of the parks.

Into snowmobiling? Enjoy a family winter getaway on a vast network of groomed snowmobile trails. Use the Minnesota DNR’s interactive snowmobile trail map to plan your adventure. You can also download a Garmin background map to your GPS that contains snowmobiling opportunities on state trails and trails within state parks, forests and other state-owned lands.

Winter camp Many state parks offer winter camping for those who enjoy snowy solitude and beauty.

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How about some ice fishing? Minnesota residents can fish (including ice fishing) without a fishing license in most Minnesota state parks. Catch some quality family time and plan a special ice fishing weekend. Some state parks offer great ice fishing programs, including a “Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend.” If you like the ice but not for fishing, check out some of Minnesota’s best frozen waterfalls at several state parks across the state and along the north shore.

Like to watch winter wildlife? Stop by a state park and catch a great program on winter birding or how to identify animal tracks.

Or, simply grab your binoculars and winter gear and hit the hiking trails with a state park bird checklist. Take a hike or drive to view the bison herds in their native habitat at Minneopa or Blue Mounds state parks.

Ice fishing Bundle up the kids and head to a state park to go ice fishing for free (at most state parks) or participate in an ice fishing program to get some hands-on experience.

Snowshoeing Travel through state parks and trails the oldfashioned way on snowshoes. Enjoy a candlelight snowshoe event under a star-filled sky. Visit the DNR website for a calendar of upcoming candlelight events and other state park winter activities.

Yurt in winter Afton and Glendalough state parks and Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area offer a winter camping experience without sleeping on the ground. Yurts are insulated canvas tents with wood floors and woodstoves.

Got a fat bike? Minnesota State Parks and Trails launched a pilot project to help people find safe and appropriate places to ride fat bikes this winter. Ride your fat bike at Cuyuna Country State Recreation

Area, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and several other locations throughout the state.

Interested in participating in winter park events? Itasca State Park offers an Old Time Ice Harvest event on February 10 where old time tools of the trade are used to harvest lake ice. Join the Northland Fat Bike Rally at Lake Bemidji State Park on March 3. All levels of riders can participate and spectators are welcome.

Want help planning your trip? The DNR website has a variety of information available to help you plan your winter fun.

Check out the state parks Winter Activities Guide at mndnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/ winter_guide.

Grab your hat, put on your layers and get out and explore Minnesota!

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PHEASANTS

by Tina Shaw U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service www.fws.gov/midwest/

Camaraderie at Clarence Cannon Since 2010, Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge in Missouri has been hosting a deer hunt for sportswomen and men who have permanent mobility limitations or visual impairments. Each year, nine hunters are randomly selected to participate. Even if they don’t take a shot, hunters enjoy seeing deer and other wildlife roaming across the beautiful fall From waterfowling among the cattails to scoping deer in the oak savanna, sportswomen and men of all ages and backgrounds turn to national wildlife refuges for rewarding hunts. We work with our state partners and other conservation organizations to provide hunting opportunities for all by hosting events for hunters with mobility, vision and other impairments. With the proper access, facilities or assistance, everyone can enjoy a safe and successful outing.

Here are just a few of the opportunities available across the region.

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landscape. For many, the experience is a success thanks to the camaraderie, support and appreciation for wildlife they share throughout the weekend. Hunts like these take a lot of planning and logistical support. We are pleased to have the help of long-time volunteers Ed Smith, Don Tabor and Ted Silverberg as they work with our staff of six to provide assistance and navigation logistics for a safe and rewarding hunt!

Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1964 to provide feeding and resting areas for migratory birds along the Mississippi Flyway. If you’re interested in participating next year, call the refuge to learn more or visit them online.

Friends make the difference at Crane Meadows At Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota, volunteers and the Friends of Crane Meadows go above and beyond! This year, in addition to providing logistics and support for

hunting events, they coordinated a multidonor campaign to fund and build fully accessible hunting blinds. Friends of Crane Meadows and more than 20 volunteers dedicated more than 330 hours to assist refuge staff with setting up blinds, sighting rifles, transporting hunters, tracking, field dressing and cleaning deer. From start to finish, the Friends are present to mentor hunters and work together to help ensure a rewarding hunt.

Hunters who are 12 or older and have a mobility, vision or hearing impairment can apply for this event. A hunter safety certificate is required. We work in collaboration with Options: Interstate Resource Center for Independent Living to review and select hunters.

Decades of Waterfowling at Trempealeau For almost three decades, Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin

has been coordinating waterfowling opportunities for hunters who have a permanent physical impairment or who are legally blind. The overall goal of this event is to create opportunities that allow people to hunt in the way they feel most comfortable whether by boat, on land in the cattails or in pop-up blinds. Participants bring a partner,

often a family member or long-time friend, to assist. For many, this is the only time they’re able to share the experience with someone important to them.

Partnerships are essential for successful hunts. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides staff and

equipment to help meet the needs of each hunter. Several retired staff still come out to volunteer and many assistants take time off work to make it to the event. The Friends of Trempealeau Refuge provide morning coffee and snacks along with a hot lunch. These gathering times are an important part of the event, allowing

hunters to exchange stories, compare techniques and think about new approaches. Learn more about hunting at Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge.

For almost a decade, Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge has been hosting events for mobility, hearing and vision impaired hunters at the Lost Mound Unit near Savanna, Illinois.

Deer hunting is a common occurrence on national wildlife refuge lands, but not many places offer fully wheelchair accessible hunts of this caliber. The refuge has drive-up ready hunting blinds and also offers hunting locations that can be adapted around the unique needs of the

hunter. Learn more about managed hunts at the Lost Mound Unit.

Learn more about hunting opportunities on national wildlife refuges near you and plan your visit today!

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public

service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

Connect with our Facebook page at facebook.com/usfwsmidwest, follow our tweets at twitter.com/usfwsmidwest, watch our YouTube Channel at youtube.com/ usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at flickr.com/photos/usfwsmidwest.

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