Outdoors

Ryan Grahek, Blaine, MN took this great northern pike during his camping trip with brothers Jordan and Jake to Basswood Lake. Photos from Babe’s Bait & Tackle

Fishing report
by Captain Russ from Babe’s Bait & Tackle -

A North Arm timber harvest in the Burntside State Forest has finally been given the green light after more than a year of review and months of public comment.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has approved proceeding with the sale of a 62-acre timber thinning project on state forest lands, just north of Camp DuNord to improve forest health and reduce wildfire hazard.
The harvest would remove about one-third of the mature trees in scattered areas, leaving the largest, best formed and healthiest trees.
“This thinning proposal came out over a year ago and was put on a list for harvest,” said DNR outreach supervisor Amy Kay Kerber.
“The comment period closed without much comment. In the process of putting it up for sale we received communications from Camp du Nord and some adjacent landowners so we reopened the public comment period. It was a long period that opened in February and closed August 1.”

Fire crews on the Superior National Forest began burning piles of woody debris in various locations on the Forest last week and will continue while conditions are conducive.
Piles to be burned are located in timber sale units, next to privately owned lands, and in several campgrounds including: Fenske Lake Campground, South Kawishiwi Campground, Salo Lake, Birch Lake Campground, and the Sawbill Campground.
By reducing the amount of material available to burn in these areas, the Forest Service reduces the risk of wildfires that could spread quickly, become difficult to control and potentially threaten private lands and residences.
Conducting these burns enables the Forest Service to reduce wildfire hazards during a time when visitor use is relatively low.
All of the planned activities will be conducted with the safety of the public and firefighters as the highest priority and will occur only when appropriate resources are available.

Results from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ 2016-1017 wolf population survey suggest Minnesota’s wolf population has increased 25 percent since the 2015-2016 survey.

After remaining stable during the past four years, the survey estimates that within Minnesota’s wolf range there were approximately 500 wolf packs and 2,856 wolves. The survey’s margin of error is about plus or minus 500 wolves. The 2015-2016 survey estimated the number of packs at 439 and the wolf population at 2,278.

Minnesota’s wolf population remains well above the state’s minimum goal of at least 1,600 wolves and also above the federal recovery goal of 1,251 to 1,400. The DNR has consistently managed wolf populations at levels that exceed both state and federal minimums.

The Forest Service recognizes that unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), also known as drones, are a tool that can provide exciting new options for the public to explore the National Forests and are a tool for the agency to accomplish its mission.

However, the Forest Service wants to ensure the public understands there are restrictions on the use of drones on the National Forest, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), and that there are federal penalties for illegal use.

The purpose of these restrictions is to provide for the safety of air operations, protect natural resources, and protect the rights of other citizens.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has primary authority over drones and other UAS. The following are some key FAA regulations for the use of drones, but drone operators should check for additional guidelines on the FAA website or at an FAA office.

by Captain Russ from Babe’s Bait & Tackle

by Nick Wognum
DNR wildlife manager Tom Rusch sat down recently to talk about the best time of the year, the fall.
He reviewed the winter weather and how it has impacted wildlife in this area.
“It was mild winter number three that’s the story for a lot of critters, most certainly for deer,” said Rusch.
Deer
With low snow depths and not a lot of cold stretches, the area deer herd is back. In the Ely area hunters will be able to shoot a buck or a doe in what the DNR calls Hunter Choice.
That will likely changed to managed next year meaning hunters can take two deer. The reason for this is simple, we have moose here and the DNR believes fewer deer means more moose.
“We’re going to do what we can for moose. At the same time we’re not eliminating deer.

With the bear hunting season opening on Friday, Sept. 1, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources asks hunters to avoid shooting research bears that are marked with large, colorful ear tags and have radio-collars.
“We’re asking hunters to watch out for these valuable research bears, and avoid shooting them. These collared bears are providing a lot of data being used in bear management,” said Dave Garshelis, DNR bear research biologist.
Researchers with the DNR are monitoring about 30 radio-collared black bears across the state, especially in bear hunting zones 27, 25 and 45, and in parts of the no-quota zone. Most of them are in or near the Chippewa National Forest between Grand Rapids and Bigfork. Others are farther north, near Orr or Voyageurs National Park. Some collared bears are also around Camp Ripley, and in northwestern Minnesota, especially near Thief Lake Wildlife Management Area and Plummer.

On Tuesday, Sept. 12, Vermilion Ridge Campground will open at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, Minnesota’s newest state park. Beginning at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 6, campers can make reservations for arrivals Sept. 12 and later, just in time for fall color.

The campground has 33 campsites with electricity and Wi-Fi, three large group camps with screened picnic shelters and modern shower buildings, designed with a focus on energy efficiency and a light carbon footprint.

“As you drive into the park, you’ll notice a new style of signs, a new style of buildings that incorporate local stone and better Wi-Fi connectivity than at any other Minnesota state park,” Rivers said. “These are examples of what makes this a ‘next-generation’ park.”

ELY AREA RACERS (l-r) Ian VanVickle, Eric Mattila, Kael Richards, Nick Mattila and Kyle Lakner made up five of the six racers in the Semi Pro Open Final at the International Watercross Association races on Fall Lake in Winton on Sunday. Photos by Eric Sherman.