OUTDOORS NOTES

Natural resource conservation staff from Camp Ripley near Little Falls recently received the Natural Resources Conservation Award at a Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards ceremony at the Pentagon.

Among those accepting the award were Nancy Dietz and Brian Dirks, animal survey staff, DNR.

Camp Ripley natural conservation program partners include the National Guard, the DNR, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, The Nature Conservancy and St. Cloud State University.

DNR seeks comment on Rabbit Lake fishing regs

The DNR is seeking comments on whether to extend, modify or eliminate the 24-inch maximum length limit for northern pike in Rabbit Lake near Crosby in Crow Wing County. The regulation has been in effect since 2001.

The DNR will hold a public meeting in Brainerd from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 11 at the DNR Office, 1601 Minnesota Drive, and an open house in St. Paul from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at the DNR Central Office, 500 Lafayette Road.

To comment, contact the DNR Area Fisheries Office at 828-2550 or at the Brainerd address above. Comments will be accepted until Sept. 21.

Local firearms safety class starts next month

A firearms safety class will be conducted next month at the Brainerd American Legion, 708 Front St. Interested persons are required to pre-register by calling 829-7582 and are asked not to call the American Legion.

The $15 fee is due on the night of the first class.

Class times are 5:45 to 9 p.m., Sept. 8; 6 to 9 p.m., Sept. 10; 9 a.m. Sept. 12 (range day) at the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds; 6 to 9 p.m., Sept. 15; 6 to 9 p.m., Sept. 17; 6 to 9 p.m., Sept. 22; and 6 to 9 p.m., Sept. 24 with a test and graduation.

RGS fundraiser dinner slated in Hackensack

The Deep Portage Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society has scheduled its 20th annual Sportsmen's Banquet Sept. 3 at the Deep Portage Conservation Reserve, 2197 Nature Center Drive N.W., Hackensack, beginning with a reception party at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m.

The evening will feature a live and silent auction, games, drawings and door prizes.

Tickets are $55, spouse dinner ticket $30 and youth membership and dinner ticket $30. Banquet, Conservation and Sustaining sponsorship packages are also available at $275, $500 and $1,000, respectively. Those under the age of 16 who recently took and passed a hunter education course and/or women who have participated in a recent Outdoors Women program will receive a complimentary dinner ticket when accompanied by a paying adult.

For more information and/or tickets, contact Jerry Lamon at (218) 947-3338 or Jblamon@tds.net.