Work on segment of trail begins

Construction of the Bemidji-to-Guthrie segment of the Paul Bunyan State Trail began last week, according to the DNR.

The trail will be closed to all public uses during construction from the Highway 197 bridge to County Road 16 south of Guthrie.

The anticipated completion date is Nov. 1. A public announcement will be made when the trail is reopened. Anderson Brothers Construction of Brainerd has been contracted for the project.

The trail will be paved for approximately 11.5 miles between the two communities, primarily along the old Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad grade. Bridges were constructed along this route in 2002, over Washington Avenue and the U.S. Highway 2 bypass.

DNR Trails & Waterways intends to construct the Guthrie to Walker segment of the trail in 2009, providing a continuous paved trail connection from Bemidji to Baxter.

Future trail and bridge construction will be required in the southern part of Bemidji and in Crow Wing State Park to fully complete the Paul Bunyan State Trail. Once finished, it will extend for approximately 110 miles from Crow Wing State Park, south of Brainerd, to Lake Bemidji State Park, north of Bemidji.

RGS fundraiser Thursday

The Drumming Log Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society has scheduled its 22nd annual Sportsmen's Banquet on Thursday at the Timbermist Banquet Hall, 19624 County Road 3, Brainerd, beginning with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m.

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

Membership and dinner tickets are $50, $25 for a spouse dinner ticket and $25 for youngsters under age 16, which includes a one-year RGS membership. Banquet, conservation and sustaining sponsorship packages also are available for $275, $500 and $1,000, respectively.

Youths 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 receive a complimentary dinner ticket when accompanied by a paying adult.

Proceeds from the event will be used to restore and protect grouse and woodcock habitat.

For more information on the banquet and/or tickets, contact Mark Haglin at (218) 829-4736 or mark@pine shadows.com

Bugle Days scheduled

The second annual Minnesota Bugle Days, celebrating the state's wild elk population, will be held at Lake Bronson State Park in northwestern Minnesota on Sept. 26-28.

Elk enthusiasts from across the country will gather Friday to explore the field and share stories around a campfire. Saturday will include elk bugling and viewing and guided tours by the DNR.

For more information, contact the park office at (218) 754-2200.