Outdoor News

20/02/2024

Joe Albert remembers fondly a family trip to Alaska as a kid where fishing played a big part in the memories made. Now a dad himself, Albert returned to Alaska with his wife and kids and was reminded again that fishing here is something special.

From the moment my son, now 12, started to express an interest in fishing, I began telling him about fishing in Alaska.

20/02/2024

A man from Kansas who was declared as a new state-record holder for a crappie he caught last year has had that fish removed from the records after weights were discovered in the fish.

Five days after certifying Parkhurst’s crappie as the new record, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks received a tip from an eyewitness.

20/02/2024

An albino doe was hit by a car Jan. 24 in Washington County, Wis. Had anyone shot that deer during a hunting season, they would have received a citation because all-white deer are protected in Wisconsin. How prevalent are they in the state?

If a white deer is found dead in Wisconsin from natural causes a person cannot take possession of it without authorization from a warden.

19/02/2024

Lakes at Stake Wisconsin, a new bi-partisan group, has formed so members can advocate for wakeboat regulations to protect lakes and lake users from damage.

“Tourists don’t come to Wisconsin to wake-boat, they come here to fish and the economic impact is substantial,” Gardetto said.

19/02/2024

How are population estimates gathered for lake sturgeon on Wisconsin’s Winnebago system? Harvest data from the spearing season plays an integral role. A look at how adding sturgeon to the Endangered Species List would disrupt the science used to manage a healthy population in the state.

If the sturgeon harvest was halted, it would set back the accuracy of Winnebago system population estimates in Wisconsin.

19/02/2024

From January through April, shed hunters strap on binoculars and haunt backroads in ATVs, or they trek through farmland or woods checking trails and bedding areas. And inevitably, issues with trespassing arise.

“Sometimes when people sneak on private land, they want sheds for their hobby collections, but there is a deeper greed driving some people."

18/02/2024

Illinois deer hunters have seen quite a drop over the past 10 years when it comes to hunter success rates. Here's a look at the numbers. What exactly is behind the drop?

NDA’s report indicates that by 2021-22, Illinois’ “success” rate dropped dramatically, with only 29% of hunters taking at least one deer.

18/02/2024

Tournament bass anglers and organizers in Pennsylvania are upset about rule changes at Raystown Lake for 2024 that sharply reduce hours when events can occur. Tom Venesky looks into the issue and says these restrictions don’t make sense.

In the big picture, I think tournament anglers are a drop in the bucket when it comes to overall boating activity at Raystown Lake.

17/02/2024

The 2022-23 and 2023-24 winter seasons have been complete opposites in Minnesota. Wild turkeys and pheasants likely are benefiting from the mild weather, but ruffed grouse could be impacted by little snow in the forests.

Wild turkeys and pheasants likely are benefiting from the mild winter, but ruffed grouse could be impacted by little snow in the forests.

17/02/2024

Not bankrupt, but not flush with cash either may best describe the budget situation for the Wisconsin DNR. DNR officials explained to the Natural Resources Board, at its Jan. 24 meeting, that a “structural deficit” exists and will become a red-ink reality in 2026.

Not bankrupt, but not flush with cash either may best describe the budget situation for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

17/02/2024

Unseasonable warm weather, rain, and high winds combined to create the worst ice conditions in memory for the sturgeon spearing season that opened Feb. 10 on Wisconsin’s Lake Winnebago and the upriver lakes Poygan, Winneconne, and Butte des Morts.

DNR Warden Supervisor Christopher Shea said the spearing effort on opening weekend was around 10% to 15% of that in a normal season.

16/02/2024

Bad actions by individuals can have consequences for hunters as a whole, oftentimes leading to land being put off limits that was once open to hunting. One latest example comes out of Utah.

The Ute Indian tribe in northeastern Utah terminated all active nonmember hunting, fishing, and recreation permits for its 4 million-plus acres of tribal lands in the Uintah Basin.

16/02/2024

The new safe allowable walleye harvest for state anglers and the Ojibwe bands on Minnesota’s Mille Lacs Lake is down 10% from last year’s 175,000 pounds. As a result, discussions are taking place about tightening the fishing regulations for the big lake this year.

Because of the reduction, the DNR and MLFAC are discussing tightening the fishing regulations for Mille Lacs Lake this year.

16/02/2024

A bill moving through the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate has created turmoil between conservation groups that usually partner toward common goals.

The Wisconsin Sharp-tailed Grouse Society has made the decision to not renew its affiliated club membership with the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation.

16/02/2024

Down in the bottom-right-hand corner of Minnesota, some 700 miles of trout streams flow through the valleys between bluffs. Many are open for business right now, which is an outdoor opportunity that might be one of the most underappreciated in our state.

Higher-than-average temperatures and a lack of snow have conspired to make winter trout fishing more appealing than ever.

16/02/2024

The best of the “light goose” migration is nearing in states like the Dakotas with March right around the corner. For those who take part in the Spring Light Goose Conservation Order season, huge flocks of birds can offer an incredible sight, and hunting to savor.

Before I knew it, we were driving the countryside north of Aberdeen, in search of some migrating tornado flocks of snow geese and blues.

16/02/2024

Minnesota DNR officials say that while a warm snap in early February may have rousted some male bears from their dens, sows with cubs are on a schedule determined by other factors.

Denning throughout winter is what bears “are hard-wired to do,” Tri said, even if temperatures in the 40s and even 50s were reminiscent of those of March or April.

15/02/2024

The Doors are open for the 2024 Duluth Boat, Sports, Travel & RV Show!
Stop by and see us through Sunday for a free copy of the latest Outdoor News. And, as always, a FREE CAP with any new or extended subscription!

15/02/2024

Minnesota had 11 hunting incidents in 2023 and no hunting fatalities. Here’s what happened in all 11 cases, and what is being done to help lower the number of those accidents even further.

“If people can follow those four fi****ms safety rules, I think that number (of incidents) could go down,” Mueller said.

15/02/2024

We're off and running at the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo starting today (February 15) through Sunday!
Stop by our booth ( #2) and see us! Pick up a free copy of the latest Outdoor News. And, as always, a FREE CAP with any new or extended subscription!

15/02/2024

The National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic will take place March 1-3 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Here’s what to expect from this big event that offers plenty in the form of fun and information for hunters, landowners and bird dog enthusiasts.

“National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic is like going to an amusement park if you get jacked up about habitat, shotguns, and dogs."

15/02/2024

With the Minnesota legislative session kicking off, Outdoor News spoke to a handful of legislators, Minnesota DNR officials, and organization representatives within the state to hear about what the priorities are for each as it pertains to the outdoors.

Outdoor News spoke to legislators, Minnesota DNR officials, and organization representatives within Minnesota to figure out what to expect.

14/02/2024

https://www.outdoornews.com/2023/07/10/your-land-your-legacy-the-family-forest-carbon-program-unlocks-the-potential-of-your-forest/

The majority of forests in the United States — 39% — are owned by families and individuals who have valuable experience and want to be good stewards of their land. But good forest stewardship is expensive and requires technical expertise. This is where the Family Forest Carbon Program comes in.

14/02/2024

As one of the methods laid out in the DNR’s plan to survey and manage chronic wasting disease in whitetails in Minnesota, culling of deer has been and continues to be used following fall and winter hunting seasons – this year in four areas of the state.

Culling of deer has been and continues to be used following fall and winter hunting seasons – this year in four areas of Minnesota.

14/02/2024

The Minnesota legislative session kicked off Feb. 12 and there were several bills introduced for further discussion by committees, many of them applying to natural resources, the environment, or hunting and fishing. Here’s a look at what is coming.

The other is granting the DNR expedited rulemaking authority to establish daily and possession limits on rough fish.

14/02/2024

Forward-facing sonar can be a polarizing topic among anglers. The truth seems to be that this technology is here to stay and it has opened up a new frontier in fishing – regardless of species.

While forerunners to forward-facing sonar technology allow you to see 360 degrees around the boat or scan to both sides, neither provides a more vivid, real-time picture of fish as FFS.

13/02/2024

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking people interested in Lake of the Woods fisheries management to share their perspectives about future management of the lake.

The updated master plan will be used to guide management of Lake of the Woods fish populations for the next five years.

13/02/2024

This year’s Great Lakes ice cover is currently below average, which means a decrease in revenue for ice fishing businesses across the region. "Everybody up here is definitely hurting.”

The maximum ice cover across all the Great Lakes decreases about a half percent per year or about 5% per decade.

13/02/2024