LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY, Minn. – A dedication is planned for 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3, to commemorate the addition of 1,300 acres to the Carp Swamp Wildlife Management Area in Lake of the Woods County.
The dedication will be held 10 miles south of Baudette, Minnesota, on state Highway 72.
Pheasants Forever acquired the property in partnership with the Minnesota Sharp-Tailed Grouse Society, according to an article in the winter edition of the Minnesota Sharptailer, the Minnesota Sharp-Tailed Grouse Society newsletter.
The Carp Swamp WMA is part of an existing 14,000-acre complex, and the additional 1,300 acres expands on a “unique mosaic of public lands in a traditional Minnesota Northwoods forested area,” Pheasants Forever said. The complex consists of large swaths of lowland brush that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will manage for sharp-tailed grouse, according to the Sharptailer newsletter.
Other partners listed on an invitation to the dedication, in addition to the DNR, are Minnesota Safari Club International and the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment approved by Minnesota voters in 2008.
For more information, contact Sabin Adams at (320) 250-6317 or check out the website at http://events.pheasantsforever.org/events.
Minnesota spring turkey season opens April 16
ST. PAUL – Minnesota’s spring turkey season begins this month, with opportunities available from Wednesday, April 16, through Saturday, May 31, the Department of Natural Resources said. The season is divided into six hunt periods, A-F.
Wild turkey hunting is popular in Minnesota, and turkey hunting – including setting decoys, listening for gobbles and calling to birds – can make for an active and unforgettable experience, the DNR said. For anyone new to the experience, the DNR has how-to guides and videos on a learn-to-hunt webpage at mndnr.gov/gohunting/wild-turkey-hunting.html .
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Minnesota’s 2025 spring turkey season dates are as follows:
- Youth season: April 16-May 31.
- Archery season: April 16-May 31.
- A season: April 16-22.
- B: April 23-29.
- C: April 30-May 6.
- D: May 7-13.
- E: May 14-20.
- F: May 21-31.
Hunters who harvest a bird in Permit Area 507 can help check the health of wild turkeys – and enter for the chance to win a shotgun donated by and and given away in a raffle run by the Minnesota Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation – by submitting samples to DNR wildlife research. More information about how to submit samples, and important season and regulation details about turkey hunting in Minnesota, can be found on the Minnesota DNR website at mndnr.gov/hunting/turkey .
NDGF: Wildfire potential high in spring
BISMARCK – Outdoor enthusiasts need to be aware of potential wildfire conditions while enjoying time outside this spring, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department said. More people spending time outside, combined with dead ground vegetation and high winds, make this time of year highly susceptible to wildfires, the department said.
Because of highly variable weather patterns, North Dakota experiences a distinct spring fire season every year. With that in mind, it’s important to pay attention to the fire danger index, and to follow the appropriate measures.
Hunters and anglers are urged to keep up with the daily rural fire danger index, issued by the National Weather Service, to alert the public to conditions that may be conducive to the accidental starting or spread of fires.
In addition, county governments have the authority to adopt penalties for violations of county restrictions related to burning bans. These restrictions apply regardless of the daily fire danger index and remain in place until each county’s commission rescinds the ban.
Information, including restrictions, on current fire danger indexes is available at NDResponse.gov.
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Minnesota stream trout season opens April 12
ST. PAUL – Minnesota’s popular stream trout season opens Saturday, April 12, with quality fishing opportunities in every region of the state, the DNR said. Brook trout and splake fishing also open April 12 on Lake Superior and its tributary streams.
Trout anglers can find information on Minnesota’s trout streams on the DNR website at mndnr.gov/fishing/trout . Anglers will find helpful learning guides and fishing tips tailored to each of Minnesota’s six trout fishing regions. Anglers can also access StreamFinder feature at mndnr.gov/fishing/trout/map.html , which provides anglers with a description, species list, regulations and access information for trout streams throughout Minnesota.
Minnesota has roughly 3,800 miles of designated trout streams. Anglers 18 to 64 years old fishing on designated trout waters must have a trout stamp validation in addition to an angling license, and a trout stamp validation is required for anglers 18 to 64 years old to possess trout or salmon they catch on any Minnesota water. Complete trout season details are available at the Minnesota DNR’s fishing page at mndnr.gov/fishing .
NDGF offers summer educator workshop
BISMARCK – The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is sponsoring Pollinators in the Classroom, a professional development workshop for educators.
Pollinators in the Classroom will be held June 10-11 at United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck. The workshop will explore pollinators, what they are, where they live, life cycles, importance and how people can make a difference. In a news release, Game and Fish said the workshop will be fun and fast paced, with many hands-on activities educators can use in their classrooms, and incorporate discussion of classroom and curriculum integration.
Students will receive a copy of the Urban Pollinator Program Curriculum, and should be prepared for walking field trips in the area. All materials are included.
The course is suitable for k-12 educators.
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For more information contact curriculum specialist Sherry Niesar at (701) 527-3714 or sniesar@nd.gov. Register by clicking on the link at gf.nd.gov/education/educator-workshops/schedule.
NDGF names Earth Day Patch Contest winners
BISMARCK – The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has announced the winners of the 2025 Earth Day Patch Contest. Over 1,600 students from 100 schools entered this year’s contest.
Winners in four age categories are Tryg Klindworth, Beulah (grades K-3); Mariah Achtenberg, White Shield (4-6); Jazmin Vasquez, Minot Bishop Ryan (7-9); and Brielle Volk, Mohall (10-12). Achtenberg’s design was chosen as the overall winner and will be made into the 2025 Earth Day patch.
Youth and adults who participate in cleaning up public lands receive the 2025 patch to celebrate Earth Day and their service. Projects that qualify for the Earth Day patch include refuse pick-up on local, state or federal properties and landscaping on public property including planting trees, bushes and pollinator plants.
Groups participating in the service projects are encouraged to take the following precautions to ensure their safety: keep young people away from highways, lakes and rivers and only allow older participants to pick up broken glass or sharp objects.
Participants are asked to contact Sherry Niesar at (701) 527-3714 or sniesar@nd.gov to receive a patch.
The Trust Project
