Outdoors notes

An orienteering program is scheduled at 1:30 p.m. April 18 at Deep Portage Learning Center near Hackensack.

Learn how to use a compass, read a topographic map and measure distance with paces. If you hunt, hike or enjoy wild areas, you may want to familiarize yourself with a map and compass.

Fees are $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and younger, seniors and Deep Portage members.

For more information or program reservations, call (218) 682-2325 or e-mail portage@uslink.net or visit the Deep Portage Web site at www.deep-portage.org.

Deep Portage is located 10 miles east of Hackensack, off Cass County Road 46.

Nisswa guides to share their stories

Nisswa Guides League members Marv Koep, Lenny Hodgson, Jim Minerich and Ray Gildow will present "Fishing Stories - All True" from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Crosslake Community Center.

With well over 100 years of guiding experience among them, the presenters of the Crosslake Chautauque program will discuss the history of fishing in the Brainerd lakes area and share their stories.

Admission is free.

Hunting Kids Banquet scheduled Friday

The Hunting Kids Banquet is scheduled Friday at Beimert Outdoors, 3385 Highway 210 S.W., Pillager.

Social hour and games start at 5 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. and door prizes following dinner.

Tickets are $10.

For more information, call (218) 746-4018.

Hunting retriever club open house scheduled

Marsh and Meadows Hunting Retriever Club's open house is scheduled from 1-3 p.m. April 19 at Hunts Point Sportsman's Club, County Road 29, Pequot Lakes.

Dogs are welcome.

Also, the club has scheduled its Hunt Test on June 20-21.

For more information on the open house or test, call (218) 568-8445 or e-mail peg@huntspointclub.com or go to www.huntspointclub. com.

Gray wolves removed from endangered list

The final rule removing the gray wolf in the Western Great Lakes region from the list of endangered and threatened species was published Thursday in the Federal Register. The rule will go into effect on May 4, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Gray wolves in the region will remain under protection of the Endangered Species Act until the effective date. Once the rule is in effect, tribes and states in the core recovery area - Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin - will assume management responsibility. The Service will work with states and tribes to monitor wolves for at least five years to ensure their ongoing survival.

For more information on gray wolf recovery in the Western Great Lakes area, visit the USFWS Midwest Region Web site at www.fws.gov/midwest/wolf.