The
GREAT OUTDOORS September 29, 2012
WADENA
PIONEER JOURNAL 314 S. Jefferson St., Wadena, MN 56482
The GREAT OUTDOORS
2 • September 29, 2012
Wadena Pioneer Journal
Malone has special knack for bagging deer female to win the trophy, but “It’s all in the details,” she earned it as an eighth- Malone said. grader. The Malones hunt on a Briana Malone is typical of Briana gives a lot of credit 440-acre farm nine miles a lot of the girls in her fresh- to her dad, Dan, but she also north of Wadena. Their huntman class at Wadena-Deer gives some to her cat. ing grounds are a mixture of Creek. While Briana and Fuzzy, pasture, woods and lowland. It She loves to hunt deer. a black and white tomcat, is good deer hunting property, What is even more impres- are not exactly close, they do and the trick is not usually seesive about Malone are the deer share a taste for venison. On ing them but waiting until they she has bagged. She has a the days Briana has bagged her are not aware a gun is being reputation for not only shoot- deer, Fuzzy has followed her pointed in their direction. ing deer, but shooting big deer. out of the yard. Once, he even Briana’s interest in deer has The 14-year-old has gotten sat in the deer stand. Somehow not been confined to the hunta buck every year since she he knows when Briana is go- ing season. The Malones see started carrying her own .243 ing to be bringing one home. deer come up to feed in their rifle as a sixth-grader. Her first He does not follow her if she ag bags during the winter. One kill was a seven-point buck, is not going to bring one back. of their hobbies is to give them her next was a nine-pointer and Briana started hunting deer names. last year it was a 10-point buck as a sixth grader, so finding a Briana and her sister, Sathat dressed out at just under deer rifle that would fit her, mantha, have been hunting 200 pounds. For her 2011 and she could also “grow” with their dad from a very buck, she won the neighbor- into, was a challenge. It was young age. hood’s traveling happen. “They very 4 6 trophy, 4 0 E which & 5 her 2 4father 0 E who P Omade W Eit R 2 SKID L Owere AD E Rcurious,” S goes to a hunter who bags the He has been hunting deer since Dan said with a smile. biggest deer. She is not the first he was 12. One of the educational
benefits has been learning sign language. Deer hunting and noise do not mix very well, so Dan has taught them sign language in the stand. Briana considers deer hunting a thrill, and she is willing to take the good with the bad. Deer hunters have to rise early, and sometimes the weather is cold. Briana is also interested in volleyball, but she has taken time out to attend two deer camps at Deep Portage near Hackensack. Deer Camp teaches kids safety and hunting skills. Briana has checked out as a Sharpshooter. Briana wants to keep right on hunting deer, but the petite teenager also wants a shot at bear. Exactly how Fuzzy will feel about bear is still a mystery.
BRIAN HANSEL
bhansel@wadenapj.com
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Briana Malone has shot seven, nine and 10-point bucks in the three years she has been hunting deer. Brianna hunts on the family farm nine miles north of Wadena.
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The GREAT OUTDOORS
Wadena Pioneer Journal
September 29, 2012 • 3
Unwritten rule of hunting must be obeyed There is an unand he’s right. written rule that The first time all hunters know: we hunted deer towhen you are ungether he spent the prepared, there is a entire morning sitvery good chance ting next to a small that your quarry woodlot and saw will appear. nothing but a squirI have never rel. I had to work heard a reason for that morning, but this, but it is a fact. I joined him for an Fools might try to afternoon hunt. We explain it, but the decided to drive Brian Hansel wise hunter just the woods he had Staff Reporter accepts it. You been watching. He have to at least look like you went on post with his brother are out to lunch. It does not and I walked into the woods. matter what you are waiting I had not taken 10 steps when to get a shot at – ducks, geese four deer came bursting out of or deer – if you are not doing the brush. One of them was a something stupid from time deer Bob called Mr. Big. He to time, you are hurting your brought the trophy buck down chances. on the run as it crossed some I know one guy who sits plowing. An hour later, we in his truck while he is deer were hanging the buck and hunting. He sips coffee and Bob was still in shock. eats cookies and waits for one “I sat there all morning long to come along. Why isn’t he and all I saw was one damned in a tree stand or a blind? He squirrel!� he ranted. “Then will give you two reasons: he Hansel sticks his ugly face in likes to be comfortable and the woods and four deer come killing a deer is not his mission out!� in life. The real reason is that Later the same day we were he believes that deer hunting hunting in the shotgun zone is largely a matter of being in south of I-94. We were sitting the right place at the right time, on a rock pile in the middle of
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nowhere, talking and laughing when another buck, even bigger than Mr. Big, came burning along, stopped and stared at us. It was a nice, standing shot most hunters could have made with a rifle. We decided to “rainbow� a couple slugs at the brute. The deer took off quite unscratched. We had no right to see such a beautiful animal while we were cracking jokes on a rock pile, but there it was – chest heaving, eyes big and wide, a rack of antlers that anyone would be proud to mount. Some years ago my son and I were party hunting off the same doe tag. He wanted to hunt northwest of town, and I wanted to hunt to the south. My wife supplied me with her cell phone, so we could alert each other if we bagged a deer. Strangely enough, it is legal to carry a cell phone while you are deer hunting.
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After waiting silently for three hours, I grew bored and decided to give my son a call. I had just heard him say “hello� when a beautiful buck ran past me. All my son heard were five quick and futile shots. Like most hunters, I spent the rest of the day kicking myself. That evening, I went back out to the same spot and waited and waited. Shooting hours were about to end for the day when I called my sister-in-law to ask how their party was doing near Henning. It was then I discovered that cell phones make excellent deer calls. Two deer materialized in front of me and I took the biggest one. You may choose not to believe in Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, but you better believe that doing the stupid things will produce results for a hunter – the problem is they may not be the results you were after.
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4 • September 29, 2012
The GREAT OUTDOORS
Wadena Pioneer Journal
It’s easy to feel the ‘wow’ of fall at Minnesota state parks and trails MINNESOTA DNR
■ Saturday, Sept. 29: Autumn ATV Ride and Picnic Lunch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Moose Walk/Moose Run ATV Trail near Tettegouche State Park on the North Shore of Lake Superior (reservations required).
www.dnr.state.mn.us
The leaves are beginning to change color here and there around the state, and staff at Minnesota state parks and trails have planned a variety of special programs and events to help visitors feel the “wow” of fall, according to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Starting Sept. 6, online fall color reports will be updated weekly by staff at Minnesota state parks and recreation areas. As in past years, these reports will include percent of color change, peak color projections, flowers and grasses in bloom, and three parks considered “hot picks” of the week. The fall color reports, updated by noon every Thursday, are posted on DNR website. The DNR also offers fall colors “to go” on a mobile website compatible with smart phones and tablets. The mobile fall color reports include percent of color change, integrated with Google maps. To access the mobile site, scan the QR code at DNR website or bookmark this site on a smart phone or other mobile device. Colors typically peak between mid-September and early October in the northern third of Minnesota, between late September and early October in the central third, and between late September and mid-October in the southern third (which includes the Twin Cities). “The fall colors are arriving right on schedule in northern Minnesota, and they’re making their way south,” said Jana Albers, forest health specialist for the DNR’s Forestry Division. “We had a decent amount of rain in August across much of the state, and if the sun-
Southern Minnesota
Photo by Brian Hansel
Minnesota’s parks are a favorite destination for people anxious to observe the fall beauty of nature.
shine and cool nights continue in September, that’s the ideal recipe for fall color. There are already splashes of color wherever you go, and it’s only going to get better in the weeks to come.” Many family-oriented Minnesota programs and special events will take place at Minnesota state parks and trails and other public lands to coincide with peak color projections in their area. There will be guided hikes, bike rides and ATV rides, geocaching and canoeing programs, and scavenger hunts and harvest festivals.
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Park in Marine on St. Croix. ■ Sunday, Sept. 30: Fall Colors Photo Scavenger Hunt from 2 to 3 p.m. at Interstate State Park in Taylors Falls. ■ Saturday, Oct. 13: Naturalist-led Fall Colors Walk from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Afton State Park in Hastings.
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■ Saturday, Sept. 22: Guided ATV ride through the fall colors of Beltrami Island State Forest (reservations required). ■ Saturday, Sept. 29: 25th annual Ozawindib Walk at 1:30 p.m. and Harvest Festival with lantern-lit hikes, music and children’s activities from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Itasca State Park in Park Rapids. ■ Sept. 29-30 and Oct. 1-2: Leaf Days, an annual celebration of fall color with special programs, demonstrations, food and more at Maplewood State Park in Pelican Rapids.
■ Saturday, Sept. 22, and Tuesdays, Oct. 2 and Oct. 16: Naturalist-led bike rides from 10 a.m. to noon on the Gateway State Trail in St. Paul. ■ Saturday, Sept. 22, and Sunday, Sept. 23: “Million Northeastern Minnesota ■ Saturday, Sept. 29: Fall Shades of Autumn” geocachColors Geocaching 101 from 2 ing weekend, with activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both to 3 p.m. at Gooseberry Falls days at William O’Brien State State Park in Two Harbors.
■ Saturday, Sept. 22: Guided 10-mile canoe trip on the Minnesota River from 1 to about 4 p.m. at Minneopa State Park (reservations required). ■ Saturday, Oct. 13, and Sunday, Oct. 14: Naturalist-led fall color walks from 2 to 2:30 p.m. at Sibley State Park in New London. For more information about these and many other free programs and special events, visit the online calendar or call the DNR Information Center at 651-259-6157 or toll-free 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Information Center can also provide fall color updates to those without access to the DNR website. A vehicle permit is required for entrance to Minnesota state parks and recreation areas. Can’t decide between a oneday or year-round permit? The DNR offers a deal: Park visitors can start with a one-day permit for $5 and visit as many state parks as they choose. Then, if they like, they can trade in the one-day permit before the end of the day and get $5 off a year-round permit. Year-round permits, $25, provide unlimited access to all 75 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas for a full year from the month of purchase. After returning from a trip to a Minnesota state park, people are encouraged by the DNR to upload fall color photos to the DNR’s fall color website.
Wadena Pioneer Journal
The GREAT OUTDOORS
September 29, 2012 • 5
Black’s Grove past and present Wadena’s unknown treasure
RACHELLE KLEMME rklemme@wadenapj.com
About three miles west of the Wadena city limits, Black’s Grove Park holds many years of history as well as interest for outdoor enthusiasts. Wadena Public Works Director Ron Bucholz said the city’s Parks Board likes to call it “Wadena’s unknown treasure.” A monument in the park states Captain John Black of the British Merchant Marine arrived in Wadena in 1988 and purchased the nearby Valentine Homestead, then later the woodland site itself. Frank Davis, nephew of Black’s sons, Jack and Angus, eventually inherited the land and later conveyed the grove to the village of Wadena in 1947 to be a picnic spot, Boy Scout camp and a memorial to his uncles. Park Board member Robert Zosel, Jr. said Black’s Grove has been part of his family’s history for a long time. His late father, Bob Zosel, Sr., an outdoor enthusiast and historian, camped there as a Boy Scout in the 1930s. In the 1960s, Robert, Jr. also camped there as a Boy Scout.
Over many years, the Zosel father and son planted hundreds of trees in the park, which boasts a combination of nature and history. One of the oldest features of the park is the red cabin. Bucholz said the cabin is not just a park decoration, but was once an actual dwelling place built by the Black family. Additionally, Bucholz said, people lived in the cabin as late as the 1940s and 1950s. The red cabin, now part of the public park, is run down and slated for repairs and restoration. The City of Wadena assigned $10,000 in its preliminary 2013 budget for repairs, and the amount could possibly be lowered. Bucholz said the biggest structural concern is the floor, and also, tuck pointing between the old logs needs to be done. Bucholz said he believes the building is structurally safe, but “I think the floor is a little spongy.” Sentence to Serve crews reroofed the building several years ago. “It’s just kind of ongoing maintenance of an old building,” Bucholz said.
part of the Wadena Police Department in May 2005, also has a memorial stone dedicated to him in the park. Wadena Police Department Dispatcher Sharon Roberts said the memorial was the brainchild of Resch’s partner, Officer Michael Peters. Roberts said she and other people working in law enforcement cleaned up an area of Black’s Grove Park hit by a storm. Later, the memorial was placed in the park by the creek. Bucholz and Zosel said Black’s Grove is one of Wadena’s unique highlights. “It’s a pretty special place, I think, for the community to have a park like that,” Robert Zosel, Jr. said.
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Wadena Public Works Director Ron Bucholz shows the red cabin in need of repairs at Black’s Grove Park.
The park itself was originally about 64 acres, then expanded when the city acquired the new airport property in the late 1990s. One feature of the park is its trails. The first of the trails were built in the 1980s, and others were built within the past several years. Cross country skiing, hiking and mountain biking are among the activities in the woodland paths. Black’s Grove Park includes memorials to community members who passed away in the last several years. Bob Zosel, Sr. passed away August 2011, and a memorial at the park was dedicated May 5. Officer Pete Resch, who died in the line of duty when
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6 • September 29, 2012
The GREAT OUTDOORS
DNR offers advice for staying safe in a duck boat With many duck hunters anxiously preparing for the Sept. 22 Minnesota opener, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds people to make sure they pack the one thing that could save their lives – their life jackets. “We want all hunters to come back to shore safely,” said Kim Elverum, DNR boat and water safety coordinator. “However, the lack of flotation devices is still a common law violation among waterfowl hunters, and the most common cause of duck hunter deaths. Thirteen hunters have drowned in boating accidents since 1986, when a Minnesota law was passed requiring duck hunters to wear life jackets. “While 13 deaths is 13 too many, before life jackets were mandated, three to six hunters died in duck boat accidents nearly every season,” Elverum said. The most recent Minnesota duck hunter drowning was in 2009. According to national statistics, more hunters die every year from cold water shock, hypothermia and drowning than from firearms mishaps. Minnesota law requires a readily accessible U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket of the proper size and type for every person on duck boats. Plus, for boats 16-feet and longer, one U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation seat cushion must be on board to throw to someone in distress. Seat cushions are no longer approved as primary flotation devices. Life jackets made with the waterfowler in mind are available in camouflage colors, including inflatable life jackets and belt-pack vests. According to water safety experts, having a life jacket doesn’t matter if it’s stuffed in a decoy sack when an accident occurs. “You just don’t have time,” Elverum said. “Trying to put on a life jacket during a boating accident would be like trying to buckle a seat belt during a car crash.” The DNR discourages hunt-
ers from wearing hip boots or waders in a boat due to safety concerns. Hunters have drowned while trying to take their waders off after they have fallen into the water or their boat has capsized. “That releases any trapped air in the boots and at the same time binds the victim’s feet together so they can’t kick to stay afloat,” Elverum said. Hunters who choose to wear hip boots or waders in a boat and suddenly enter the water should pull their knees up to their chest, because air trapped in the waders or hip boots can act as a flotation device. “Hunters should practice this maneuver in warm shallow water before they need to do it in an emergency,” Elverum said. The DNR offers these water safety tips for duck hunters: • Wear a life jacket to and from the blind. • Don’t overload the boat; take two trips if necessary. • Don’t wear waders or hip boots in the boat or at least learn how to float with them on. • Stay near shore and avoid crossing large expanses of open water, especially in bad weather. • Share trip plans with someone and advise them to call authorities if the hunting party does not return on schedule. •In case of capsizing or swamping, stay with the boat; even when filled with water, a boat provides some flotation and is more likely to be seen by potential rescuers. Several hunters in distress have been rescued in the last few years when they called for help on their cell phones. “If you are near enough to a cell phone tower, bring your cell phone along in a waterproof, zipperlocked bag,” Elverum advised. “The phone can be used without removing it from the bag.” The DNR has a free publication about waterfowl hunting boat safety called “Prescription for Duck Hunters.” It is available by calling the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-646-6367. It is also available online.
Wadena Pioneer Journal
Safety prevents hunting accidents Although game animals and hunting gear needs vary across the country, there is one aspect of hunting that is universal — the topic of safety. The combination of powerful weapons and the thrill of the hunt can lead to injury or death if safety precautions aren’t taken or mistakes are made. Before you grab your gun or bow, take a refresher course in hunting safety and follow these tips: • First and foremost, always treat your disarmed bow or gun as if it were loaded. Never assume that the weapon is completely safe. • Never point your weapon in anyone’s direction, even if it is unloaded. And don’t rest a weapon on your toe or foot, or up against a fence or tree. • Know your safe zone-of-fire and stick to it. Your safe zone-of-fire is the area or direction in which you can safely fire a shot. (It is called the “down range” at a shooting facility.) Be sure you know where your companions are at all times. Never swing your gun or bow out of your safe zone-of-fire. • Keep the safety engaged at all times until the time when you are ready to shoot. • Clearly identify your target before shooting. Every year, people are shot because they are mistaken for deer or other animals. Until your target is fully visible and in good light, do not even raise the scope of your rifle to see it, but use binoculars, instead, to clarify the target. Know what is in front of and behind your target. Never take a shot at any animals on top of ridges or hillsides since you don’t know what is behind it. It is a good idea to scout out your proposed hunting area to make sure there aren’t homes or roads close by. • Know the range of your weapon: how far it will shoot, what loads you have in the chamber and how accurate you are with a bow or gun. (It’s a good idea to visit a gun range prior to hunting season and fire your weapon to gauge accuracy.) • When hunting from a tree stand, use fall restraints, like a shoulder harness or safety belt, to prevent you from falling. • Keep your emotions in check. No trophy buck or
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Wadena Pioneer Journal
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pheasant is worth risking making a mistake. • Hunt only during the state-allowed hours, usually from dawn until dusk. Never hunt at night or in weather where visibility is compromised. • Make sure you are hunting on state-approved land. Avoid areas that are “Posted” as private property. • Always unload your weapon after use. In addition, don’t climb over a fence, duck blind (a camouflaged, bushlike object that prevent ducks from spotting you in the water) or into or out of a tree stand with a loaded weapon. • Practice ear and eye safety. Many hunters damage their ears by repeatedly firing a weapon without proper ear protection. If you must listen for game approaching, put a soft earplug in the ear closest to the weapon to acquire some protection. Wear protective eye goggles as well. • Keep your weapon clean and well maintained. The smallest amount of debris lodged in your weapon (even a small amount of snow in a rifle barrel) can cause a misfire and potential injury. Always dismantle and check the weapon carefully after each use, and any time it is dropped. • Wear conspicuous-colored clothing, like bright fluorescent orange, so you’ll stand out in thick foliage and not be mistaken for an animal. If you live in a rural area, during hunting seasons (which vary by state and weapon), have family members protect themselves by dressing in bright colors as well. • Clean your gun. Guns should be cleaned after every time they are used, and a gun brought out from prolonged storage should be cleaned prior to shooting. Accumulated moisture, dirt, grease or oil can prevent the gun from operating properly. Before cleaning ALWAYS make sure the gun is unloaded. • Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons. • Never drink alcohol or use drugs before or during a hunting trip.
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September 29, 2012 • 7
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8 • September 29, 2012
The GREAT OUTDOORS
Wadena Pioneer Journal
Recreation along the river County-owned parks increasingly popular
Huntersville Canoe Outfitters, said the free firewood helps her rklemme@wadenapj.com customers, and Motzko is good Rustic parks run by Wadena to them. County and lining the Crow “He just works his fingers to Wing River are an increasingly the bone,” Kennelly said. “He popular draw in the area. visits with the people, he has a County Parks Administrator good rapport with my people, Deana Skov said usage of the they tell me how helpful he is.” parks has inKennelly creased in the said a father last 15 years. and son group Part of that camps over usage is made at Tree Farm of returning Landing every campers Parks June. Maintenance “They’ve Operator been coming Glenn Motzko for almost 40 said people go years,” she to the parks said. and already Motzko said plan for next families enjoy year. Glenn Motzko, Parks Mainte- the parks, and The county- nance Operator for Wadena kids especially owned parks, County from the cities from north to get a charge south along the out of the hand Crow Wing River Canoe Trail, pumps. are Tree Farm Landing, An“You make up your own derson’s Crossing, Stigman’s activities. We don’t have playMound, Frame’s Landing, ground equipment,” Skov said. Little White Dog, Knob Hill, Fishing and tubing are popCottingham, Bullard’s Bluff, ular, Motzko said. Old Wadena and McGivern. “This is probably the nicest Motzko said the parks are river in the state of Minnesota,” spaced at comfortable canoe- Motzko said. “It’s safe – avering distances apart from one age depth of two to three feet another. – it’s crystal clear, bathwater “Some will do the entire warm in the summertime, and river,” he said, adding it takes fishing can be fantastic...it’s about seven days to canoe super clean.” through the Wadena County Of individual parks, Cotportion of the Crow Wing tingham attracts the most River. traffic – it is right off County Stigman’s Mound, a picnic Highway 7, close to the Waarea at Nimrod, is the only park hoo Valley restaurant and bar. not offering overnight camp- It also attracts four-wheelers, ing. The others offer rustic swimmers, horseback riders campgrounds with outhouses, and other outdoor enthusiasts. picnic tables and fire rings. Motzko said the parks in Firewood is also provided as general attract people from all well as hand pumps. over the state, other states – “They’re rustic, they’re about one-fourth of park users safe, the view is gorgeous,” are from North Dakota – and Motzko said. overseas. Dorothy Kennelly, owner of Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and
RACHELLE KLEMME
Photo by Rachelle Klemme
A river canoeing group enjoys Old Wadena Park in August 2011. Canoeing is one of the popular outdoor activities among the ten parks run by Wadena County.
church youth groups also use the parks. Skov said, with the bad economy, people are also looking for vacations that are closer to home and don’t cost a fortune. Kennelly said July is the busiest time of the year for Huntersville Outfitters. She said she loves her job and the outdoors, and after her husband, Turk, passed away, she took early retirement from the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and continued with the family’s outfitting business.
Motzko said over the last few years, there has been more fall activity in the county parks along with summer activity. Kennelly said she takes canoe reservations through the end of September, and then she takes time off to enjoy the outdoors. “That’s when my girlfriends and I go kayaking and horseback riding and canoeing and even get in a little fishing time sometimes,” Kennelly said. “October is my month to play. That’s my reward for working hard all summer.”
Wadena Pioneer Journal
The GREAT OUTDOORS
September 29, 2012 • 9
Wadena area is a great place to be a kid Wadena was a listed above great place to be a kid seemed so much in the 1990s. bigger than what As much as I loved they are now, and cities in my college tent camping was days, I feel lucky to nothing to comhave spent many of plain about. my childhood years Swimming in a small town surand attempting rounded by evergreen to catch minwoods, prairie swamps nows in Ottertail and winding rivers. Lake were other Many of those Rachelle Klemme reasons summer memories involved was my favorite Staff Reporter fishing from the dock time of the year. or the shore of Big Pine and The beach we always went to Little Pine Lakes near Perham, was shallow, and you could Dower Lake near Staples, ob- walk quite a while before the viously Sunnybrook Park in water was over your neck – Wadena, and near some over- again, quite handy when you pass by some river – there’s a were about 4 feet tall. spot on U.S. Highway 10 someWadena didn’t have its own where between Perham and De- swimming lake, but I hardly felt troit Lakes that looks strangely deprived – some family friends familiar. had a swamp in their back yard, Of course, when you’re all and I felt so adventurous wadof 7 years old, all the places ing through as high as my wa-
terproof boots would allow. Tapley Park had its long field and a playground piece shaped like a flying saucer you could climb inside. We didn’t know the park’s proper name, so we called it “the spaceship park.” In the winter, we were inside more often for obvious reasons. At least there were things to do in the Tri-County Community Center, even if it was just drinking Gatorade and sitting in the hot tub. Driving south on Minnesota Highway 29 after apartment hunting June 16, 2010, I had the passing thought to pull over and check out the Community Center – then kept driving, thinking I’d have all the time in the world. If only I knew. Winter wasn’t all about being inside, though – there was sledding out in the country and at Wolf Lake, the ice skating rink, and the times when the
kids at church would pile together in the van and go snow tubing in Todd County. Maybe I’m already at the age where I’m griping and wallowing in over-idealized nostalgia, but it seems like things are different now. I remember catching 20 fish at a time when I was little and out on the lake with family, and how good the sunnies tasted. But nowadays, they say you can’t eat more than a couple of lake fish a year without taking in too much mercury. Lyme Disease? We heard about it, but it wasn’t as prevalent back then. Zebra mussels weren’t even in our vocabulary. Kids nowadays, depending on the beach, need to wear flip-flops just to keep their feet safe in the water. I hope they get to look back and still recall great memories of the great outdoors.
from a water access or other shoreland property even if it is to put them in storage for the winter. • Second, to accommodate the thousands of boaters that face that dilemma, the DNR developed a special one-way pass, or DNR authorization form. The form allows boaters to transport watercraft to a location for removing prohibited species and storage, or once cleaned to a storage location such as a garage or boat shed. The forms are available online. The DNR form must be filled out and carried in the vehicle during transport. The form includes conditions that zebra mussels or other species must be removed prior to subsequent transport from the decontamination or storage location, such as back to the water in the spring. Storing lifts and docks for winter Shoreland owners and lake service providers may legally
take water-related equipment out of infested waters, even if it has zebra mussels or other prohibited invasive species attached, and place it on the adjacent shoreline property. Boat lifts, docks, swim rafts, weed rollers, irrigation equipment or pumps can be taken out of infested waters and placed on shore without a permit. However, if people choose to move equipment from any lake or river to another water body, visible zebra mussels and faucet snails must be removed, and it has to go through a 21day drying period before it can be placed in other waters. Next spring, docks, lifts and swim rafts stored on shoreline property may be legally placed back into the same water without removing zebra mussels and other nonnative species. Watercraft and water equipment inspections When people pull their watercraft or water-related equipment out of the water for the
season, they should be sure to inspect it and see if aquatic invasive species are attached. People should look on the posts, wheels and underwater support bars of docks and lifts, as well as any parts of boats, pontoons and rafts that may have been submerged in water for any extended period. In newly infested waters, adult zebra mussels may not be abundant, so there may only be a few mussels on a piece of equipment. Shoreland owners should check for adult zebra mussels, which are yellowish-tan and brown striped, and range in size from one-eighth inch to about one inch long. People who find something they suspect is a zebra mussel, faucet snail or other aquatic invasive species should take a picture of it, keep a specimen, and report it to the nearest DNR invasive species specialist. A listing of specialists is available on the DNR’s website.
Prevent spread of aquatic invasive species during ‘cabin close-up’ season MINNESOTA DNR www.dnr.state.mn.us
Labor Day has come and gone and soon Minnesotans will be raking leaves and preparing for winter. But the switch from summer to fall means a new season where Minnesotans must be vigilant to prevent and curb the spread of aquatic invasive species like zebra mussels. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers important legal reminders and tips that apply to cabin and lakeshore owners as well as boaters. Watercraft transportation and storage When removing watercraft from lakes or rivers at the end of the boating season, there are two important things to know: • First, it is illegal to transport any watercraft, which have zebra mussels, faucet snails or other prohibited invasive species attached, away
10 • September 29, 2012
The GREAT OUTDOORS
Wadena Pioneer Journal
Forest Delicacies
From late summer until the first frost of autumn, foragers seek a bounty of edible mushrooms MIKE KALLOK Special to the PJ
On this sweltering August day in the hardwood forest, the mosquitoes are biting and the shade of the oak canopy provides no relief from the humidity. But I can easily overlook these discomforts when each step holds the promise of more wild mushrooms. I raise my basketful of golden-hued chanterelle mushrooms to my nose and breathe in their delicate apricot scent. Like many people, I once allowed my fear of potentially toxic wild mushrooms to overshadow my curiosity about edible mushrooms. But after acquiring some basic knowledge, my perception has changed. Today I regard mushrooms as another path to the simple joy of procuring one’s own food. Make no mistake: Eating wild mushrooms can be dangerous. Every mushroom field guide is sure to note that words and images are no substitute for learning proper identification firsthand from an expert. Fortunately, finding experts is as easy as attending a Minnesota Mycological Society mushroom foraging excursion—known as a foray. First-time mushroom hunters quickly learn that foraging is a sensory experience. In addition to a mushroom’s appearance, its feel and its scent can be important attributes for discerning a choice edible from a poisonous lookalike. As a rule of thumb, all edible wild mushrooms should be cooked because it makes them easier to digest. Most wild mushrooms also contain small amounts of toxins, which readily break down with heat. So it is back at home in the
kitchen where culinary adventures await the successful forager. Harvested mushrooms that can’t be eaten within a few days should be preserved. The flavor of some mushrooms, such as black trumpets, is intensified by dehydrating them. Other mushrooms, such as chanterelles, maintain their flavor best if they are sautéed and frozen. Unlike the cultivated, whitebutton Agaricus mushrooms found in most grocery stores, the flavor of wild mushrooms rarely elicits indifference. “When people say, ‘I don’t like mushrooms,’ I always ask what kind of mushrooms they’ve tried,” says John Lamprecht of the Minnesota Mycological Society. “If they say the white ones from the grocery story, I point out that is like saying you don’t like vegetables when all you’ve ever tried is broccoli.” April and May are for hunting the morel—Minnesota’s state mushroom. But myriad choice edibles appear in Minnesota from late summer through fall. In the field, under the tutelage of an experienced forager, beginners can easily learn to find and identify the following species of wild fungi. Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius) Chanterelles are among the most widely sought and consumed mushrooms in the world. They are found growing in soil near oak trees, and never on decaying wood. Foragers often find many in one area. While chanterelles are occasionally found in small clusters that grow from a common base, foragers should exercise caution: The toxic jack o’ lantern mushroom, which always grows in large clusters, can be
Foraging Tips • When in doubt, throw it out • Never pick more than you can eat or preserve • Don’t eat a mushroom that is not in good condition or that smells bad • Eat wild mushrooms only when cooked thoroughly and only in moderation, especially if you’re trying one for the first time—overindulging can cause symptoms similar to mushroom poisoning • Public lands in Minnesota open to mushroom picking include state parks, wildlife management areas, and state forests • Always ask permission to pick mushrooms on private land, and always check to make sure it is legal on public land • Join the Minnesota Mycological Society to learn from experienced foragers. Sign up for a foray at www.minnesotamushrooms.org. mistaken for a chanterelle. The cap of the trumpetshaped chanterelle varies from bright yellow to yellow-orange. The underside of the cap and the stem are slightly paler. Chanterelles have a distinctly fruity, somewhat peppery taste. They are sumptuous simmered in soups or simply sautéed with onions and butter. Black Trumpet (Craterellus fallax) Black trumpets grow in hardwood forests, especially around oaks. The mushroom’s irregular shape and dark color make it easy to overlook amid leaf litter, but this elusive delicacy is worth searching for. The earthy, somewhat floral flavor of the black trumpet is sometimes compared to truffles. One popular preparation method is to sauté them in butter and roll them into an omelet. King Bolete and Noble Bolete (Boletus spp.) Both of these mushrooms are choice edibles and are often harmlessly mistaken for one another, but their location
is key to their identity: The king bolete prefers coniferous forests, while the noble bolete (above) grows in hardwood forests. Boletes as a group can be identified by their spongy underside. Instead of gills, they have a mass of tiny, vertical tubes containing spores. The king bolete, known as the porcini in Italy and the cape in France, is one of the most prized edible mushrooms. The caps of these meaty mushrooms can be sautéed or even grilled. Hedgehog, aka Sweet Tooth (Hydnum repandum) The hedgehog shows up in hardwood and coniferoushardwood forests. One might mistake this dark orange to brown mushroom for a driedup chanterelle, but a closer look will reveal toothlike growths beneath the cap. It has a wonderful nutty flavor, which can be enhanced by sautéing it with hazelnuts or almonds. See MUSHROOMS on PAGE 11
Wadena Pioneer Journal
The GREAT OUTDOORS
September 29, 2012 • 11
MUSHROOMS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 We have all your hunting needs!
Iron Hills West Gun & Pawn, LLC Staples - Sauk Centre, MN treasured as both an edible and a medicinal mushroom. Its purported health benefits include antitumor properties, enhancement of the immune system, and reduction of glucose levels. Hen of the woods is great sautéed in butter or battered and deep fried. It can be preserved by dehydrating, parboiling and freezing, or pickling. Reprinted from Minnesota Conservation Volunteer, bimonthly magazine of the Department of Natural Resources. Used with permission.
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Sulfur Shelf, aka Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus spp.) Found primarily in hardwood forests, this bright orange mushroom is easy to spot, plentiful, and difficult to mistake for anything else. It’s usually found growing on a tree or sprouting from downed timber. Like the bolete, the sulfur shelf has a mass of tiny pores on the underside. Its base is often tough, especially as it matures. However, the tender outer margin can be cut off and consumed. This meaty mushroom can be pickled, sautéed, or boiled in stock and used as a substitute for chicken. Hen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa) Found at the base of oak trees, this parasitic mushroom causes a white rot of the root system and trunk base. Known as the maitake in Asia, it’s
12 • September 29, 2012
The GREAT OUTDOORS
Wadena Pioneer Journal
Minnesota’s pheasant index up 68 percent from 2011 MINNESOTA DNR www.dnr.state.mn.us
A mild winter followed by a warm spring contributed to a significant increase in Minnesota’s pheasant count, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The pheasant population index increased 68 percent from 2011. Pheasant hunters are expected to harvest about 290,000 roosters this fall. That’s up from last year’s estimated harvest of 204,000 but roughly half the number taken during the 2005-2008 seasons when hunting was exceptionally good. “While the 2012 increase reflects movement in a positive direction, the counts still remain 51 percent below the 10-year average,” said Kurt Haroldson, the DNR biologist who compiled the survey. While favorable weather worked in the birds’ favor this year, their long-term success is more closely linked to habitat than annual variations in snowfall, rainfall and temperature. “The state’s pheasant population is linked more closely to quantity and quality of habitat than annual differences in weather,” Haroldson said. The pheasant population estimate is part of the DNR’s annual roadside wildlife survey. The survey summarizes roadside counts of pheasants, gray (Hungarian) partridge, cottontail rabbits, white-tailed jackrabbits and other wildlife observed in the early morning hours during the first half of August throughout the farmland region of Minnesota. The highest pheasant counts were in the west central region, where observers reported 58 birds per 100 miles of survey driven. Hunters will find good
Photo by Brian Hansel
The pheasant hunting season in Minnesota begins Oct. 13 and runs through Jan. 1.
harvest opportunities in portions of west central, east central and southwest Minnesota. The most important habitat for pheasants is grassland that remains undisturbed during the nesting season. Protected grasslands account for about 6 percent of the state’s pheasant range. Farmland retirement programs such as Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CRP), Reinvest in Minnesota and Wetlands Reserve Program make up the largest portion of protected grasslands in the state. High land rental rates and competing uses for farmland diminish the economic attractiveness of farmland conservation programs. During the next three years, contracts for 620,000 acres of CRP lands are scheduled to expire. If not re-enrolled, this would reduce CRP acres in Minnesota by 42 percent. Minnesota’s pheasant population largely has mirrored what’s happened on the land. “Pheasant numbers were higher during the small, diversified farming days from roughly
1931 to 1964 when habitat was more abundant,” Haroldson said. “Pheasant numbers declined during the intensive farming boom from 1965-1986 as field sizes grew and habitat shrank. Then, pheasant numbers rebounded when CRP began in 1987. However, enrollment in that program peaked several years ago, and further declines will not bode well for future pheasant populations.” To help offset continued habitat losses caused by reductions in conservation set-aside acreage, DNR has accelerated acquisition of wildlife management areas in the farmland region of Minnesota. DNR also supports habitat conservation on private lands by working with a variety of partners in the Farm Bill Assistance Partnership and Working Lands Initiative. More than 15,000 acres of private property have been opened to public hunting through the state’s Walk-In Access program. The August roadside survey, which began in the late 1940s, was standardized in 1955. DNR conservation of-
ficers and wildlife managers in the farmland region of Minnesota conduct the survey during the first half of August. This year’s survey consisted of 171 routes, each 25 miles long, with 152 routes located in the ring-necked pheasant range. The complete report is available online. Observers drive each route in early morning and record the number and species of wildlife they see. The data provide an index of relative abundance and are used to monitor annual changes and long term trends in populations of ring-necked pheasants, gray partridge, eastern cottontail rabbits, white tailed jackrabbits and other select wildlife species. The gray partridge index also increased from last year and is similar to the 10-year average. The cottontail rabbit index remains below the 10year and long-term average. The jackrabbit index was 96 percent below the long-term average. Finally, the mourning dove index was 36 percent above last year but similar to the 10-year average.
Wadena Pioneer Journal
The GREAT OUTDOORS
September 29, 2012 • 13
Waterfowl hunters and harvest increase from 2010 MINNESOTA DNR www.dnr.state.mn.us
Minnesota hunters bagged more ducks and Canada geese in 2011 than in 2010 and more waterfowl hunters took to the field, too, reversing a downward trend, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “The results are in and the numbers moved in a good direction,” said Dennis Simon, DNR wildlife section chief. “Duck hunter numbers and success were up, resulting in an increased harvest from 2010.” Simon said new data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also showed that Minnesota ranked first in the nation in Canada goose harvest and second in the number of active waterfowl hunters. “The takeaway from last year’s season is that more waterfowl hunters were in the field and those who went hunting had better success, which is a good thing and something hunters have longed for,” said Simon. “It means that the harvest was up as well, but total duck harvest was still well within our long-term historic averages.” The total duck harvest in Minnesota increased 19 percent from 2010, from 524,000 ducks in 2010 to 621,000 ducks in 2011. The recent 10-year average harvest is 655,000 ducks. Mallards were the most common duck in hunters’ bags, with 181,000 mallards harvested. Mallards represented 29 percent of the total duck bag. The recent 10-year average mallard harvest is 206,000 mallards. Wood ducks were the second most common duck in hunters’ bags, with 151,000 wood ducks harvested in 2011 compared to 78,000 in 2010.
Photo by Brian Hansel
Wood ducks fill a small pond south of Battle Lake in Otter Tail County. Woodies are a popular game bird with Minnesota duck hunters during the first weeks of the season.
The recent 10-year average wood duck harvest is 102,000 birds. Blue-winged teal harvest was 90,000, ring-necked duck harvest was 63,000, and green-winged teal harvest was 37,000. Duck hunter success was 8.1 ducks per hunter per season, which increased from 7.5 ducks per hunter per season in 2010 and near the 10-year average of 8.4 ducks per hunter per season. Steve Cordts, DNR waterfowl specialist, said the agency made a number of regulation changes in 2011 that collectively played a role in last year’s higher harvest. “We created additional opportunity by establishing North and South Duck zones and opening the season one week earlier than normal. Hen mallard and wood duck bag limits were changed. Shooting hours were changed to one-half hour before sunrise on opening day,” said Cordts. “Breeding duck numbers and duck production were also very good in 2010, which resulted in large numbers of ducks present during fall hunting seasons.” Cordts said opening the season earlier likely had the
most impact on increases to duck harvest, particularly with the large increase in harvest for early migrant species like bluewinged teal and wood ducks. Canada goose harvest increased from 189,000 in 2010 to 239,000 in 2010 and was above the 10-year average of 220,000 Canada geese. About 100,000 Canada geese were harvested during the early September goose season. The number of active duck hunters in Minnesota was 77,000 in 2011, an increase from 70,000 in 2010. Minnesota ranked second nationally in 2011 in numbers of active duck hunters, trailing only Louisiana. “While encourag-
ing, this is still lower than the 100,000 active duck hunters in Minnesota as recently as 1999,” said Cordts. Estimates of hunting activity and harvest are derived using the Harvest Information Program (HIP), required for all migratory bird hunters. A series of screening questions are asked of hunters when they purchase a license. The screening questions are not the harvest survey but help to better identify migratory bird hunters, who are then randomly selected and mailed harvest surveys and asked to record hunting activity and harvest during the season.
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14 • September 29, 2012
The GREAT OUTDOORS
Wadena Pioneer Journal
Minnesota’s dry weather has had multiple effects on the fishing season DAIN SULLIVAN
dsullivan@wadenapj.com
Many area waters have gone down because of a dry summer in Minnesota, and the conditions have had mixed results on fishing success, said Brad Parsons, fisheries manager for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. While some species of fish tend to suffer when the water goes down, others thrive, Parsons said. For example, he added that walleye and northern pike do well when the water is higher and cooler. “Those cool-water fish tend to get a little sluggish when it gets that hot, so they don’t bit as well,” he said. “It’s kind of like us when it’s hot and humid out. You don’t feel like moving around a lot or doing a whole lot.” But Parsons thinks dryness that results in shallow waters could be a plus for anglers. “In some places, like rivers, it tends to concentrate fish into the deeper pools, and it can actually be easier for people to go and catch fish,” he said. “People with shore fishing spots near a deep pool probably did quite well.” Samantha Peterson, assistant manager at Casey’s General Store in Wadena, said bait sales haven’t suffered at all during the dry spell. But that doesn’t mean she hasn’t seen water changes caused by dry conditions. “There was a river that was more dirt than it was water,” Peterson said while discussing the sights she saw on a recent trip. Also, with lower waters come more weeds, Parsons said, adding that in some places dry weather has caused weed lines to set up in different areas, making it hard for people to
Photo by Rachelle Klemme
Austin Denny, left, and Autumn Denny cast their lines out at Sunnybrook Park for the 2012 fishing opener. Experts say dry conditions have affected fishing in different ways recently.
use boats or fish their favorite spots. As for area water outlets, some have done better than others throughout the summer, Parsons said, adding that rivers, streams and lakes fed by ground water probably didn’t drop as much during the dry weather, while waters reliant on surface water suffered. Tom Kines, senior meteorologist for AccuWeather, said Wadena has received 30 percent of the amount of water it usually does throughout a summer. “Normally, we should have about 5 inches during that timeframe,” Kines said. Kines also said when rain did fall, there was too much runoff, and water didn’t have a chance to soak into the ground. Dryness isn’t a short-lived
threat, Parsons said. He and other experts anticipate the possibility of winter kill as a result of low oxygen levels in shallow water areas. He also said some species, like bass, are good about moving downstream as winter sets in, but others lose numbers from altered habitat and harsh conditions. However, winter kill may not be such a bad thing. “In some cases, winter kill is a good thing,” Parsons said, adding that numbers of unpopular fish like bullheads and carp go down because of winter kill. “It sets up for better production for next year.” Ultimately, Parsons stresses that dry weather is part of a natural cycle. “Occasional drought is part of the natural system, and it can actually improve habitat in the
long run,” he said. But he knows too much dry weather can be a problem. Parsons said in 1988, he was working in Alexandria, where a number of lakes – especially Lake Mary – lost a lot of water to dry weather. He said this resulted in people having trouble with maneuvering their boats at public water access points and moving docks. For the most part, Minnesota has been fortunate and received plenty of moisture in past years. “We’ve been pretty spoiled here. We’ve been in a wet period for quite a while,” Parsons said. For now, he believes the well-being of the area’s water sources depends largely on how much snow will fall this winter.
The GREAT OUTDOORS
Wadena Pioneer Journal
September 29, 2012 • 15
WDC to build outdoor classrooms ple are going to have to sign up to use them,” he said. The outdoor classrooms, which will feature many of the amenities of an indoor classroom, will be built on the east side of the middle/high school, near the fifth- and sixth-grade wing, he added. Pete’s Nursery will build the addition, but Techam said it is school leaders’ hope that art staff will help design it. More than anyone else, the classrooms are for the students, Techam said. “I hope it’s something that they would be excited about,” he said. “You sit in the same classroom every fourth hour. Maybe this is something that would make them a little bit more excited.” WDC senior Drew Larson, 17, likes the idea of having class outside because he thinks it will make it easier for students to pay attention. “I don’t see how it would harm the learning environment at all,” Larson said, adding that regular indoors classes can be boring. “In fact, it would probably keep kids a little more focused.” Larson also admitted that being able to enjoy nice weather while learning would be a plus. Graig Klawitter, a science teacher at the school, was pleasantly surprised when he heard the outdoor classrooms
DAIN SULLIVAN
dsullivan@wadenapj.com
Wadena-Deer Creek Middle/High School will soon have two new classrooms, but they will be slightly different than the ones already set up. “We’re going to build two patio-type classrooms,” said Steve Techam, chair for the WDC School Board. Techam thinks the two 625-square foot outdoor classrooms could be finished as early as this fall. Why take class outside? “This is something that’s a movement in education today,” Techam said. “It’s just a different way of providing information for kids in a different setting for them.” Techam added that he feels the classrooms will help kids – especially those taking science and art classes – get a better hands-on experience with their studies. But the classrooms can be used by everyone at WDC Schools and in the community, he said He also said the outdoor classrooms are a plus for the green facility because “we want to leave this world a better place than we found it.” The classrooms won’t be useable in winter months, but Techam thinks they will be in high demand on beautiful days. “I think, if it’s popular, peo-
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Wadena-Deer Creek senior Drew Larson, 17, walks to class on the east side of the middle/high school Sept. 21, close to where two outdoor classrooms are expected to be built this fall.
will be added. He originally thought greenhouses were going to be added to the east side of the building, but he likes the classroom setup. “I’m thinking this is probably a better deal,” Klawitter said. “I think biology would
especially be using it.” Klawitter also thinks the classrooms will be a change of pace students need. “That’s always big in education,” he said. “Keep people interested in things.”
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16 • September 29, 2012
The GREAT OUTDOORS
Wadena Pioneer Journal
The best moments spent in a boat For as long as particular day, we I can remember, would kick back, I have loved to chew sunflower fish. seeds and shoot Once, when the breeze. I was a toddler, Little did we my dad taped me know that Coldin the yard of my water was just the grandparents’ old beginning of our Rush Lake home. fishing journey, In the video, I’m and that simple fleeing toward little boat would the dock and my prove to be a key Dain Sullivan dad is calling me icon in our lives. Editor/General Manager back so I don’t The years drown. At that went by, and the age, I was dying to get to the boat stayed with us. It didn’t lake, and I’m the same way decide to break down or slow today. down. It just kept running. There’s just something Sure, some of the seats are about being out on the water, ripped, but to this day, the mowatching the sunset, listening tor still works, the livewell fills to the loons call out to one up and the carpeting is surprisanother and patiently waiting ingly clean. for that big strike. It’s one of Eventually, the boat took the most peaceful feelings I’ve us to Minnesota, where my ever experienced. family was able to spend some My dad is a lot like me. summer vacations enjoying the When I was old enough, he and lakes. We discovered a couple I would haul our 16-foot boat nice resorts in Otter Tail Counover to Coldwater Lake, near ty, and became regulars to the Ashley, N.D. Talk about an area. oasis in the middle of nowhere. From the moment my famIt seemed like every time we ily and I pulled the boat onto went there we struck gold. the gravel road leading to If we weren’t catching Whispering Waters Resort, monstrous northerns, we were we knew we wanted to live in pulling in our limit in walleye. this beautiful area. I’m glad we And even if, for some odd rea- made the move in 2008, espeson, the fish weren’t biting on a cially since we have so much
family living nearby now. The boat has truly helped us build beautiful memories within our family. It’s also given us the chance to see some extraordinary places. The wildlife in Minnesota is unforgettable, and everything looks more majestic from inside our boat. I’ll never forget a midnight fishing run my dad and I made on Dead Lake one summer. The night was so still, and we could hear coyotes howling in the distance. Over the past couple of years, I’m afraid the boat hasn’t been used as much as it used to. I’m a little busier now, and sadly, I haven’t been able to fish as often as I’d like recently. But something tells me life won’t always be this hectic, and I’ll soon get to enjoy my favorite hobby more, just like the old days. Thankfully, my dad is always ready to fish
– and so is the boat. How can something as simple as a boat play such a big role in a man’s life? I’m not completely sure. Perhaps it’s the memories attached to the glove compartment stuffed with the homemade walleye spinners I tied when I was a kid that make the boat special. Then again, maybe it’s the fishing pole accessories my dad added over the years to make the boat our own. It’s not just about catching fish for me and my dad; it’s the first breath of fresh morning air that fills our lungs as we hook the boat up to the pickup; it’s the teamwork we rely on to back the boat into the water; and it’s the heart-to-heart talks that we can’t always find the time to have off the water. The boat is our escape. But, the more I think about it, it’s our home.
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