Outdoor notes

The Paul Bunyan Chapter of Ducks Unlimited with celebrate its 30th anniversary at its annual banquet on April 12 at The Legacy at Cragun's. For membership and banquet tickets, phone Mike Engler at (218) 963-3856 or Eric Davidge at (218) 829-2241.

The banquet and Greenwing program for youth are vital parts of DU, a non-profit organization dedicated to wetlands and waterfowl conservation. Funds generated in Minnesota through voluntary contributions are used to enhance, acquire and restore habitat in Minnesota. In the past two years, Minnesota DU chapters, which rank second in the nation, have helped conserve more than 60,000 acres, spending more than $2.5 million t o make this possible.

Current projects include the management of 100 natural wild rice lake totaling 30,000 acres, 50 construction projects ti improve nesting and migration wetlands, direct work on 12 important migration lakes, substantial work on private lands and the wood duck box program.

Five state record fish recognized;

two removed from records

Two state-record fish have been removed from the record books, including a rare blue catfish caught last year, the DNR said.

The angler, Steve Ness of Browerville, had told the DNR he caught the 52-pound, 8-ounce catfish near Lac Qui Parle last summer. But conservation officers have since learned the fish was actually caught in South Dakota. Ness has been cited for unlawful possession of wild animals in the state and for knowingly signing a false affidavit.

Common in other areas of the country, blue catfish are so rare in Minnesota that an official state record didn't exist before Ness' was added. Now, that line is blank once again.

The state record rainbow trout also has been removed from the books at the request of the angler who caught it. The fisherman said the application was entered with incorrect information about the 17-pound, 6-ounce fish caught in 1974 near the Knife River. No citations were issued. The state record for rainbow trout reverts to the previous 15-pound, 7-ounce steelhead caught near Two Harbors in 1970.

Meanwhile, five new state-record fish will be officially recognized at an awards ceremony at the Northwest Sports Show in Minneapolis on March 8. New records were set for yellow bullhead (3 pounds, 10.5 ounces), two records for white crappie (3 pounds, 6 ounces set Jan. 23, 2002, and 3 pounds, 15 ounces set July 28), silver redhorse (8 pounds, 4 ounces) and tullibee (5 pounds, 11.8 ounces).

Six Minnesotans honored

at turkey convention

Six Minnesotans recently were honored at the 27th annual National Wild Turkey Federation Convention in Nashville.

DNR biologist Dr. Richard Kimmel received the Henry S. Moseby Award for leadership in the field of research for wild turkeys. DNR Conservation Officer Larry Webinger received the Conservation Officer of the Year award for law enforcement work in southeastern Minnesota. Andrew Mollenhauer, Andover, won the National Essay Contest for his essay titled "Lessons Learned: What hunting has taught me about life." Ron Schara, Ramsey, won Communicator of the Year for his media work promoting the sport of turkey hunting and the hunting heritage. Schara also was cited for helping to form the first chapter in Minnesota and serving on the national board. Dean Potter, immediate past state chapter president for Minnesota, accepted the L.A. Dixon Memorial Outstanding State Chapter Award, given to state chapters that rank in the top 10 for their activities and membership development. Bill Stevens, Anoka, was awarded the Lynn Boykin Hunting Heritage Award for his involvement with many of the conservation groups and their youth programs across the nation.

Minnesota now has 95 NWTF chapters with nearly 25,000 members, according to Tom Glines, regional field supervisor for the NWTF.

Firearms safety class scheduled

A firearms safety class has been scheduled for April 1-17 at Baxter School. The class will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Cost is $10. To pre-register, contact Doug Neff at 825-7125.

Walleye Alliance members to get

price break on custom rods

Walleye Alliance members can get a $20 discount at two rod building class in Breezy Point. The offer is good for the first 10 people to enroll.

The class fee for Alliance members is $205. Classes are scheduled for March 14-16 and April 25-27. Classes are limited to six participants per class.

Included in the class fee are all materials, components, use of equipment, disposables, lunch on Saturday, a one-year membership to the Custom Rod Builders Guild and a hat. Finished rods will have a retail value in excess of $150.

The classes will meet at the Pelican Lakes Conservation Club Building in Breezy Point and will begin on Friday at 7 p.m., resume Saturday at 8 a.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m. and conclude about noon on Sunday. Phone Kris Kristufek at (218) 562-4512 to enroll.

Fishing Museum to host fish fry

The Minnesota Fishing Museum will host its third annual fish fry and raffle on March 14 at the VFW in Little Falls. Serving is from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $6 per person (children 5 and under eat free) and are available at the Museum at 304 W. Broadway in Little Falls, and at the door on the evening of the fry. All proceeds benefit the museum. Phone (320) 616-2011 for more information.