Getting ready to hit the trail(s)

The sign wasn't obvious. Rather, it mostly blended in with its surroundings. Not unlike the ruffed grouse that call this area home.

By the time the small-game season opens Saturday, that will change at the Hay Creek Hunter Walking Trail and numerous other such trails in the greater Brainerd lakes area.

But no worries. The basic, smallish signs at these hunting trails will be for informational and navigational purposes only. Nothing gaudy. They won't inhibit the experience that is ruffed grouse hunting in central Minnesota.

"We want that hunting experience - taking the kids and the dog hunting. We want them (hunters) to have that kind of experience," said Gary Drotts, DNR wildlife manager in Brainerd. "It's not about shooting your limit. It's about getting out with the kids and the dog on a beautiful day."

According to Drotts, there are 33 such trails encompassing 120 miles in his work area - Crow Wing and lower Cass counties. And while the signage at these trailheads will be new, the trails are not. According to Drotts, some of the trails in his work area - managed by the DNR and/or the Crow Wing Land Department and/or the Cass County Land Department - have been there for about 35 years.

Currently, at Hay Creek, only a small, earthy-yellow Loerch Wildlife Management Area sign is in place, engulfed in tall grass just off an unmarked road west of Brainerd. According to Drotts, by the small-game opener, a brown "Hunter Walking Trail" sign and a post with a map of the trail and trail brochures will be in place at a small gravel parking area inside the site at the trail's edge - and at other state-run trails in his work area.

"We've always had this kind of stuff (hunter walking trails)," Drotts said. "But we have the technology now (to better promote such trails). In the old days we would have someone do the map by hand and it would be in black and white. But it's a lot more user-friendly now. We can do a lot better job of it now.

"It took 35 years to get this. We've been at it a long time. We have to thank Crow Wing and Cass counties for their cooperative efforts for these trails."

The Hay Creek Trail, which has been in existence for about five years, is 3.7 miles east of the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport on Highway 210, on the right-hand side of the highway. The total Hay Creek trail system is three miles in length (main trail and related loops/spurs). It's a fairly flat path that passes through 20-plus-year-old aspen in the north to various age classes of aspen and oak in the south. The majority of the trail has been developed through ongoing timber sales. Trail improvements have been funded by DNR Game and Fish funds and donations by the Ruffed Grouse Society and the Brainerd chapter of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association.

"You have some grouse around here (Hay Creek), but not as much as up by Pine River (and areas north of Brainerd). That's where the best ruffed grouse habitat is at," Drotts said. "But the No. 1 hunting spot (for ruffed grouse in Drotts' work area) is Meadowbrook State Wildlife Management Area north of Pillager. That's nearly 30 miles of trails."

According to Drotts, the trails are mowed every two to three years to keep them navigable. Some trails, such as Hay Creek, also are used by snowshoers and cross-country skiers, although the trails aren't groomed. Hunters - and trail users - are reminded that a blaze-orange article of clothing above the waist is required for small-game hunting.

Maps are available in brochure form, but not yet online, Drotts said. For maps and more information, he said it's best to visit the Brainerd Area Wildlife Office at 1601 Minnesota Drive, Brainerd, or to call the office at 828-2550.