Special resource management deer hunts to take place at some Minnesota North Shore State Parks this fall

Special resource management deer hunts to take place at some Minnesota North Shore State Parks this fall

Numerous special resource management deer hunts are scheduled to take place at Minnesota state parks this fall, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The DNR advises anyone visiting a park during these hunts to wear blaze orange or other brightly colored clothing. Visitors should also check for hunt-related information at the park office when they arrive and look carefully for signage related to the hunt. Access to the parks will vary around the state during the special hunts.

Some parks will remain open to all visitors, some will have limited public access, and some will be open only to hunters with special permits. The deadlines for youth and adults to apply for a special permit to participate in the hunts - which include regular firearms, muzzleloader and archery options - have passed.

“The DNR allows these annual resource management hunts as a way to help control the deer population at state parks,” said Ed Quinn, resource management coordinator for the DNR’s Division of Parks and Trails. “When there are too many deer in one area, the native plants and animals can be negatively affected. Our goal is to ensure healthy natural communities.”

The DNR thanks park visitors for their patience and understanding at parks where access will be limited during the hunts.

Parks that will remain open to all visitors during special hunts (hunt dates in parentheses):
( North Shore state parks are marked in red )

Beaver Creek Valley State Park (Nov. 6-7)
Buffalo River State Park (Oct. 23-24 and Oct. 30-31)
Crow Wing State Park (Dec. 3-5)
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park (Nov. 6-8)
Glacial Lakes State Park (Nov. 6-7)
Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area (Sept. 18-Dec. 31)
Hayes Lake State Park (Oct. 16-17 and Nov. 6-21)
Itasca State Park (Nov. 6-14 and Nov. 27-Dec. 12)
Judge C.R. Magney State Park (Nov. 6-21)
Lake Bemidji State Park (Oct. 16-17 and Nov. 6-9)
Lake Bronson State Park (Nov. 6-14)
Lake Carlos State Park (Nov. 6-9)
Lake Louise State Park (Nov. 13-14)
Maplewood State Park (Nov. 6-9)
Schoolcraft State Park (Nov. 6-21)
Sibley State Park (Dec. 4-5)
Soudan Underground Mine State Park (Nov. 27-Dec. 12)
Zippel Bay State Park (Nov. 6-21)

Parks where some areas will be open only to hunters with special permits but other areas will remain open to all visitors:
( North Shore state parks are marked in red )

Banning State Park (Oct. 30-31)
Big Stone Lake State Park (Dec. 4-5)
Gooseberry Falls State Park (Nov. 6-21)
Hayes Lake State Park (Oct. 21-24)
Itasca State Park (Oct. 16-17)
Jay Cooke State Park (Dec. 4-8)
Lake Bronson State Park (Oct. 21-24)
Old Mill State Park (Oct. 21-24)
St. Croix State Park (Oct. 30-31)
Savanna Portage State Park (Oct. 30-31 and Nov. 13-17)
Scenic State Park (Nov. 6-21)
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park (Nov. 6-21)
Tettegouche State Park (Oct. 16-17 and Nov. 6-21)
Zippel Bay State Park (Oct. 17-18)

Parks that will be open only to hunters with special permits:
( North Shore state parks are marked in red )

Father Hennepin State Park (Oct. 30-31 and Dec. 4-5)
Frontenac State Park (Nov. 20-22)
Lake Maria State Park (Dec. 4-6)
Lake Shetek State Park (Dec. 4-5)
Lake Vermilion State Park (Nov. 6-14)
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park (Nov. 27-28)
Rice Lake State Park (Nov. 27-28)
St. Croix State Park (Nov. 12-15)
Whitewater State Park (Nov. 20-21)
William O’Brien State Park (Nov. 6-7)

Parks that are not having any special hunts and will remain open to the public:
( North Shore state parks are marked in red )

Afton State Park
Bear Head Lake State Park
Big Bog State Recreation Area
Blue Mounds State Park
Camden State Park
Carley State Park
Cascade River State Park
Charles A. Lindbergh State Park
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area
Fort Ridgely State Park
Franz Jevne State Park
Garden Island State Recreation Area
Glendalough State Park
Grand Portage State Park
Great River Bluffs State Park
Interstate State Park
John A. Latsch State Park
Kilen Woods State Park
Lac qui Parle State Park
McCarthy Beach State Park
Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
Minneopa State Park
Monson Lake State Park
Moose Lake State Park
Myre-Big Island State Park
Red River State Recreation Area
Sakatah Lake State Park
Split Rock Creek State Park
Temperance River State Park
Upper Sioux Agency State Park
Wild River State Park

Special situations:
Fort Snelling State Park and Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area will not be having a special hunt, but access to these parks is currently limited due to flooding.

George H. Crosby-Manitou State Park is not having a special hunt, but hunting is allowed in a portion of the park during the normal season, Nov. 6-21. The park will remain open to all visitors during this time.

The city of New Ulm is having an archery deer hunt Oct. 9-Dec. 31. Some of the deer stands are located within Flandrau State Park, but nowhere near trails or public use areas. The park will therefore remain open to all visitors during this time.

Although there is no hunt at Hill Annex Mine State Park, the park is only open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

Details on which areas of each park will be affected by the special deer hunts will be included in the “visitor alert” boxes on the individual park web pages on Minnesota DNR website.

Information is also available by calling the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-646-6367, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Minnesota North Shore State Park information; http://www.northshorestateparks.com/
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Nordic Walking Lesson and Walk at Cascade Lodge

Nordic Walking Lesson and Walk at Cascade Lodge

Cascade Lodge and Nordic Walk for Life are offering a Nordic Walking beginner’s lesson and an all-levels lesson, followed by a guided trail walk on Saturday, Oct. 16th from 9:00 – 11:45 a.m.

Schedule:
9:00 – 9:30 am Beginning Nordic walking lesson

9:30 – 10:15 am Nordic walking lesson: ‘Walk with Comfort and Ease: Techniques to Help You Relax, Relieve Strain and Build Strength’ (also applicable to walking without poles)

10:15 – 11:45 am Group walk in Cascade River State Park

These activities are part of a special Nordic Walking Weekend Getaway based at Cascade Lodge.

Classic Nordic walking is an all-body fitness activity originally developed in Finland to help people train for cross country skiing. It is now practiced by millions of people of all ages and abilities worldwide, and is especially popular in Europe. Nordic walking, by involving more of the body’s muscle mass, burns more calories, provides more cardiovascular benefits and increases overall conditioning more effectively than regular walking. It can also help improve coordination and stability when walking.

Leading the lessons and walk is Amy Okaya, MPH, a Professional level trainer certified by the American Nordic Walking Association and the Founder of Nordic Walk for Life (www.nordicwalkforlife.com). “Nordic walking can be done year round, and is great winter exercise. You can get many of the same benefits as cross country skiing without having to worry so much about controlling your speed or the risk of falling. I’m especially excited to be offering this class on the North Shore where there are so many great walking trails!”

Cost is $30 for the two lessons, walk, and pole rental. Individual components are $10 each (pole rental $5 extra).

To sign up, contact Cascade Lodge at (218) 387-1112.
info@cascadelodgemn.com

Cascade Lodge on the North Shore Visitor Guide
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Cascade River Fall Colors Lutsen, Minnesota

Cascade River Fall Colors Lutsen, Minnesota

from September 30th, 2010 by Don Davison

Images are clickable to larger images...

Go to Don's Blog to see more awesome North Shore images at http://frozenfingersphotos.blogspot.com/

North Shore Fall Color Reports from http://www.northshorefallcolors.com/
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Oberg Mountain Fall Colors Lutsen, Minnesota

Oberg Mountain Fall Colors Lutsen, Minnesota

from September 30th, 2010 by Don Davison

Images are clickable to larger images...

Go to Don's Blog to see more awesome North Shore images at http://frozenfingersphotos.blogspot.com/

North Shore Fall Color Reports from http://www.northshorefallcolors.com/

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Incredible day for bird migration and fall colors

Incredible day for bird migration and fall colors

[ image of turkey vulture ]

Huge numbers of turkey vultures are passing over upper North Shore areas today. Also plenty of immature bald eagles, merlins, sharp-shinned hawks, bluejays, and kestrels. Winds have been optimal out of the west or north combination. Causing birds to funnel up along Lake Superior.

Favorable winds for optimal funneling effect are out of the north, west or combination of. Turkey vultures and immature bald eagles have made a large number migration now that frost is becoming common at night. Sharp-shinned and broad-winged hawks have been on the move for many weeks and were seeing lower numbers as most have already migrated through. Observers are hitting popular locations and the shoreline to enjoy the lakeshore and passing birds. Find out why birds get funneled along Lake Superior. Or find good birding spots.


Many types of birds migrate through the Minnesota North Shore. Large numbers of bluejays and bluebirds have been passing through the past few weeks. We've also seen a marked increase of migratory birds especially immature raptors; kestrels, turkey vultures and bald eagles along the hills adjacent to Lake Superior.

Check out great places to experience bird migration and fall colors.
North Shore Fall Color Tours
Updated every day.
http://www.northshorefallcolors.com/report/index.html
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Did a wolf attack a woman in Pincushion Recreation Area above Grand Marais, Minnesota?

Did a wolf attack a woman in Pincushion Recreation Area above Grand Marais, Minnesota?

[ Image is of wolf not from Minnesota ]

Following text is pasted directly from the Cook County government Web site;
"On Wednesday, August 25th, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office investigated a report of a 19 year old Grand Marais woman being attacked by a stray dog near the Pincushion Trail system. The attack occurred around 7:30pm on Tuesday night, August 24th. The woman was alone walking along the trail that leads to the old dump. She heard a noise behind her, and when she turned to look she observed a dog approaching her. Unprovoked, the dog charged and attacked her, biting and clawing at her face. The woman defended herself by covering her head and face and playing dead. The dog eventually left.


The woman received scratches mainly to her face and shoulder, and a couple of puncture wounds. She was treated and released.


The woman described the dog as a mostly black, skinny German Shepherd mix, with matted hair and possibly mangy. The woman was certain it was a domesticated dog.


There have been no other reports of similar stray dogs and or attacks. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office has searched for the dog and continues to investigate the matter. The Minnesota Humane Society and United States Forest Service have also been contacted. The Pincushion Trails have been posted warning hikers of the potentially stray dangerous dog.


If you see this dog, do not approach and immediately contact the Cook County Sheriff’s Office at 218-387-3030. " --end
Direct link to press Release from the Cook County Sheriff Office:
http://co.cook.mn.us/index.php/component/content/article/64-press-releases/1059-press-release-dog-attack


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Editor note - Questions and comments;
Who owns a mangy german sheperd?
Isn't a mangy wolf a desperate animal that may have a higher tendency to go after domestic animals, pets and possibily humans?
Wolves with mange look a lot like a german sheperd.
There seems to be a epidemic of wolves in and around Cook County with signs of mange.
This past winter while fishing Gunflint Lake there were numerous complaints about mangy wolves hanging out around homes and businesses. And there were wolves killed by some agency that sent a person to trap and or kill wolves.
My blog post refers to mangy wolves we witnessed this winter.
http://www.snowmobiletrailsblog.com/2010/02/snowmobiling-fishing-and-wolf-watching.html
Mangy wolves are booted out of the pack and are faced with starvation, freezing to death, severe sun burning due to no hair left.
A couple years ago while under my truck changing my oil in my driveway, a mangy wolf walked right up to me and circled the vehicle. Smelling a foul odor as it passed me again, I realized it wasn't one of my golden retrievers, that were in the house. It circled my truck again and again until I got up and jumped into the truck box. The wolf stopped circling and stared at me.
It was trying to figure out how to attack me. I could see it in it's eyes. It was hurting and hungry.
It was difiicult to not want to help it, no animal deserves to die a slow death caused by mange. But, I probably would have been charge with some felony if I put it out of its misery... I moved slowly over to the garden hose and sprayed it until it left. It came back for about a week, usually showing up when my dogs were outside.


Bear hunters have experienced much higher incidents of wolves raiding their bear bait stations this year. Even standing off with bears protecting the bait pile.

The wolf population in Minnesota was targeted to be 1500 wolves. Actual numbers today may exceed 3000 wolves.


Link to interesting article from Northlands News Center in Duluth, Minnesota
'Wolves Attack Wisconsin Hunting Dogs'
http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/video/Wolves-Attack-Wisconsin-Hunting-Dogs-104053694.html


Despite the persistence of diseases such as canine parvovirus, as well as Lyme Disease, and mange, the wolf population in Wisconsin continues to grow.
http://www.wolf.org/wolves/learn/intermed/inter_population/wi.asp


The Wisconsin DNR actually has a web site for subscribing to Wisconsin Gray Wolf Depredation Alerts
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/mammals/wolf/

Minnesota DNR wants gray wolf off the endangered list
http://www.startribune.com/local/88199997.html

Western US lawmakers turn sights on gray wolves from Associated Press
Oct 3rd, 2010 article from Anchorage Daily News
http://www.adn.com/2010/10/03/1484363/western-lawmakers-turn-sights.html

In the past two weeks I've done a study of my own. I asked 44 known to me, but random people who are Cook County residents two questions;
1. Is there too many wolves in Cook County?
2. What they thought about the possibility that it was a wolf, not a german sheperd, that attacked a 19 year old woman in Pincushion Recreation Area? All individuals surveyed were given the press release about the attack linked above after I asked question 1.


Results were;
Question 1. Is there too many wolves in Cook County?
44 total individuals
32 individuals said; Yes.
10 individuals said; No.
2 individuals said; I don't know.
Of the total; 30 individuals of those surveyed stated they have seen wolves on or near their residential property.


Question 2. What they thought about the possibility that it was a wolf, not a german sheperd, that attacked a 19 year old woman in Pincushion Recreation Area? All individuals surveyed were given the press release about the attack linked above.
44 total individuals
19 individuals said; It is obviously a wolf, generally these people didn't believe that someone actually owns a german sheperd with mange.
16 individuals said; Yes.
7 individuals said; No.
2 individuals said; I don't know.
Of the total; 26 individuals indicated they knew nothing about this event prior to my request.
Some indicated they have hiked there since and never saw any info about the attack.
Some indicated I made this up and there has been no attack, by wolf or dog. Even though I showed them an official press release printed off of the Cook County Government Web site, with the Cook County Sheriff logo/letterhead plainly visible.
Some indicated why isn't there a reward?
Many indicated it doesn't surprise them.


There needs to be more transparency about wolf populations, survey methods, depredation of domestic livestock, pets and possible attacks on humans...
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Very Interesting - Driver texting bans don't work: found U.S. study

Bans on texting and driving are unsuccessful at reducing crashes, a new U.S. study on the road-safety law has found.

Researchers at the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) examined collision-based insurance claims made in four U.S. states — California, Louisiana, Minnesota and Washington — in the months immediately before and after driver texting was banned.

They found the bans didn't have an impact on reducing crashes — and could even up the risk.

"Texting bans haven't reduced crashes at all. In a perverse twist, crashes increased in three of the four states we studied after bans were enacted," Adrian Lund, HLDI president, said in a statement. "It's an indication that texting bans might even increase the risk of texting for drivers who continue to do so despite the laws."

But ultimately, the institute suggests the reason for the counter-intuitative results is simple non-compliance: many drivers, especially younger ones, shrug off these bans.

In recent years, a number of U.S. states and Canadian provinces have enacted legislation and launched public-awareness campaigns aimed at curbing the use of hand-held devices while driving. A 2009 study from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found collision risk was 23 times greater for drivers who text-message, surpassing any other driving distraction by far.

The study released Tuesday found that among drivers younger than 25 — the group most likely to text — 45 per cent reported they still texted in states that bar such activity. This fell just shy of the 48 per cent of drivers who reported text-messaging in ban-free states.

And in all four states, crashes increased among that younger cohort after the ban was put in place, jumping by as much as 12 per cent (in California). "The point of texting bans is to reduce crashes, and by this essential measure, the laws are ineffective," Lund said.

According the the study, many respondents who knew it was illegal to text said they didn't think police were strongly enforcing the law.

Christopher Schneider, a UBC sociology professor, says our society is likely just in a transitional phase before such legislation is transformed into being understood as a "public evil" — similar to campaigns waged against drunk driving in the 1970s and 80s.

"A lot of the promotion of texting while driving is being given to us as a widspread social problem, which I think it is. . . . People could get hurt," he said. "I suspect in another 20 years, the youth who are ignoring some of this legislation will be teaching their kids, who will grow up learning about the evil that is texting while driving."

Schneider also said laws may get stricter as public pressure builds. In Alaska, he noted, a fatality caused by phone-based distracted driving carries a maximum penalty of 20 years — much more than a fine and lost demerit points.

Thirty-one U.S. states have implemented texting bans for drivers. In Canada, nearly every province has similiar laws in place against using hand-held phones while driving. Alberta and New Brunswick have both said they are in the process of studying potential bans.

from the Winnipeg Free Press.
http://www.leaderpost.com/technology/Driver+texting+bans+work+study/3593087/story.html
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