Outdoors

by Tom Coombe -

Novice and Junior Varsity team state championships were claimed by the Northeast Range trap teams.

On Tuesday, June 19, The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is planning a second treatment to eradicate gypsy moth infestations in areas in Cloquet, Duluth, Two Harbors, and White Iron Lake near Ely. This is dependent on the weather at the time.

The aerial treatments will start as early as 5:15 a.m. in Duluth, followed by White Iron Lake near Ely, Two Harbors, and Cloquet, which will be completed around noon. If weather conditions are not favorable the entire time, any remaining areas will be treated the next day, Wednesday, June 20, starting as early as 5:15 a.m.

The low-flying airplane will be traveling up to a half mile outside the treatment areas as it navigates through the gypsy moth infestation sites. The MDA apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the noise of the plane.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will begin herbicide applications on select state lands to improve reforestation efforts. Applications will begin around June 15 and continue through approximately September 15.

Signs will be posted on all herbicide treatment sites. Adjacent landowners within a quarter mile of the treatment sites have already been notified. Herbicides will not be applied within 100 feet of any water body, following DNR herbicide application guidelines.

Northeast Range Trap Team letter winners Austin Meskill, Joseph Foster, Josh Pohlman, Christopher Ferguson, Chelsea Larson, Jon Hakala and Kenny Aase.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is preparing to treat four areas in or near Cloquet, Duluth, Ely, and Two Harbors to eradicate gypsy moth infestations detected in those areas last fall.
Officials will conduct the treatments starting sometime between June 4 and June 15, with the exact dates determined by weather conditions and caterpillar development.
To eradicate the moths before they spread, officials will conduct two aerial applications of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) over each of the areas, spaced 7-10 days apart.
Btk is a biological product that is organic certified for food crops. It has no known health effects for humans, pets, birds, fish, livestock, bees, and other insects.
To help area citizens stay informed, the MDA has set up an Arrest the Pest Info Line at 1-888-545-MOTH. The info line will offer the latest details about treatment dates and times.

BUOYS at Burntside Lake were not put out until after Memorial Day due to a funding issue involving the Minnesota DNR, according to St. Louis County Commissioner Tom Rukavina. Reportedly three boats had lower unit damage due to hitting submerged rocks. The buoys were to be put out Thursday.

Big northern pike were found on opening weekend in the Ely area. Lake trout and stringers of walleye were also reported. Let's go fishing!

by Tom Coombe -

The Department of Natural Resources welcomes comments through Wednesday, May 9, on Minnesota’s draft deer plan that sets a new statewide harvest target, increases citizen participation in deer management and outlines ways to keep the population and habitat healthy.
The plan includes limiting the deer population in northeast Minnesota in areas where moose are present.
Part of the plan outlines strategic ways the DNR will prioritize its resources and activities to meet the plan’s eight key goals, which range from keeping Minnesota deer healthy to ensuring biological and societal factors are considered in management decisions.