Outdoors

Minnesota’s wolf population estimate was 2,655 wolves and 465 wolf packs during the winter of 2017-2018 within Minnesota’s wolf range, an estimate that is statistically unchanged from the previous winter, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
“Subtle changes in wolf population numbers year to year indicate that Minnesota supports a healthy wolf population and the long-term trends demonstrate that the wolf population is fully recovered,” said Dan Stark, large carnivore specialist for the DNR.
The survey’s margin of error was plus or minus about 700 wolves and makes the estimate statistically unchanged from the previous winter’s estimate of approximately 2,856 wolves and 500 wolf packs.

Where I belong
It worked out good for me, I was late coming off the stream and he was late getting his haybales off the field. I could choose from several, I picked an easy one, one between me and a set of wheels that would carry me home, eventually.
I know where I am, I know where I should be, and I know I don’t want to miss right now this place. Don’t have any idea what’s to come of it, but I like it, I like where I am now.
The bale was long on the north side, I sat down benched against it, watching the sun slowly slide over tree tops, me foot tired, and, maybe, it tired of summer leaves.
The evening air wasn’t too cool, but the hay’s insulation, warm against my back, was surprisingly comfortable.
Three crows came from the east, flap, flap, floated over the field, nothing in the way of noisy caws, no hurried wing beats, they were just headed the way of sun.
I quit watching them when a lone doe slipped out onto the fresh mowed field.

A TOTAL OF 25 ATVs left Ely Sunday morning for a 131-mile round trip to Crane Lake on the Echo Trail including a stop at Ed Shave Lake and Vermilion Falls. The ride was organized by the Trail Prospectors Alliance. Photo by Nick Wognum.

by Nick Wognum -

Presentation by Boundary Waters Advisory Committee
Date: Thursday, September 13, 2018
Time: 7 PM – 8 PM
Place: Frost River, 1910 W Superior St, Duluth, MN 55806

While most people think of the Boundary Waters as a haven for canoeists, fewer are aware that BWCAW has more than 200 miles of backpacking trails. One such trail is the 30 mile long Powwow Hiking Trail near Isabella. Although most of the trail burned down in the August 2011 Pagami Creek Fire, it is making a comeback thanks to volunteers working with the US Forest Service.

After the fire, the Powwow Trail was cleared by the Forest Service and the Minnesota Conservation Corps in 2012. Since then thousands of dead, charred trees fell over the path. In seven years, hundreds of young jack pines have grown five to eight feet tall, obscuring rock cairns and making the Powwow Trail impassable by even expert hikers.

This week’s Angler brings to a close the Angler as a separate section of the Echo. Next week is the wrap-up which appears inside the Ely Echo in a different format. The winner of the mini vacation will be announced at that time. Thanks to all the anglers and the advertisers for another great summer!

Laken Ott and his Dad Radley, Chico, CA display the Northern Pike caught and released on Lake Ella Hall. Reported to Packsack Canoe Trips & Log Cabins.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert for today through Sunday for northern Minnesota.

As a result, the Department of Natural Resources will not issue burning permits for brush or yard waste for all areas north of Alexandria, including Mille Lacs and Pine counties.

Burn restrictions may expand as smoke from the Canadian fires drifts south.

For updates and the air quality forecast, check the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency website.

A plan that covers how fish populations will be managed in Lake Vermilion through 2022 has been finalized by the Minnesota DNR.
Public input resulted in slight changes to the final plan including new stocking guidelines for muskie, a planned evaluation of the current northern pike special regulation and adjustments to fish survey methods including the timing of fish sampling.
The plan retains the walleye regulation implemented in May 2017.
The planned evaluation of the current northern pike special regulation is underway, including a proposal to simplify pike regulations by bringing them in line with the new statewide zone regulation starting in May 2019.
A public open house on that topic is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, at the Tower Civic Center, 402 Pine St., in Tower.

by Nick Wognum -

A new statewide deer plan released today by the Minnesota DNR sets new goals and priorities, increases formal opportunities for citizens to influence deer decisions, and aims for a disease-free deer population.
The plan reflects a two-year planning effort that involved statewide meetings and hundreds of in-depth conversations with citizens and stakeholders. It includes input from a 19-member citizen advisory committee, dozens of public input meetings and open houses, more than 1,100 submitted comments and letters from tribal governments, hunting organizations and others.
“We’ve listened, and the plan reflects that,” said Tom Landwehr, DNR commissioner. “The document is largely about sharing a vision, clarifying expectations and improving two-way communication among hunters and other stakeholders for the benefit of deer management.”
The 50-plus page plan is available on the DNR website.