Outdoors notes

White-winged scoters will be featured on the 2005 Minnesota Migratory

Waterfowl Stamp. The painting by David Chapman, Minnetonka, was chosen as the winning design from among 25 entries in a contest sponsored by the DNR. Chapman also won the 1992 pheasant stamp contest and the 2002 turkey stamp contest.

The $7.50 stamp is required of all Minnesota waterfowl hunters ages 18 through 64.

Fifty miles of ATV trails coming to Beltrami, Marshall

DNR Commissioner Gene Merriam has designated 47.75 miles of all-terrain vehicle trails in Beltrami and Marshall counties, effective Nov. 1. The trails mostly follow existing trails and ditch banks on wildlife management areas comprised of Consolidated Conservation Lands. A system of grant-in-aid trails is also proposed to link some of these trail segments to one another, local communities and other popular recreational facilities in the future.

"Some of the 47.75 miles will remain closed until culverts are installed or other work is completed," said Mary Broten, DNR trails and waterways area supervisor in Thief River Falls.

Archery hunters asked to submit deer for CWD testing

Archery hunters who harvest a deer in permit areas designated for Chronic Wasting Disease testing can assist the DNR and enter a drawing to win one of several bows and firearms. The list of deer permit areas where CWD samples are being taken can be found at: www.dnr.state.mn.us/mammals/deer/cwd/testingstations.html.

Archers who take a deer in one of the surveillance permit areas are encouraged to call their local DNR wildlife office to arrange dropping off their deer head. In the Brainerd area phone 833-8620. All hunters who turn in a sample will receive a cooperator patch and will be entered in a drawing to win bows and firearms from Gander Mountain, Cabela's, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, Sportsmans Warehouse, Minnesota State Archery Association, and Austin-Halleck muzzleloaders.

Brainerd DNR employee wins national boating safety award

The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators has named Tim Smalley of the Brainerd office of the DNR its 2004 boating safety professional of the year. Smalley was honored for his outstanding efforts during the association's annual conference in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Smalley has been instrumental in a number of important boating safety initiatives during his 20 years with the agency. He has written, developed and produced boating and water safety brochures that have been reproduced and distributed by several other states and organizations, produced multiple award-winning TV and radio public service announcements that have aired in more than 26 states, developed boating safety videos that are used in Minnesota and elsewhere, created a nationwide boating education advisory panel that allows e-mail communication among professionals regarding boating issues, worked on the NASBLA education committee that's responsible for reviewing and approving all submitted non-course material, served as a media spokesperson on boating safety issues, and provided instructional sessions to national boating safety organizations.

Parks and Trails Council celebrates 50 years

The Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota, a nonprofit group that protects and expands the state's parks and trails, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month.

Terry McGaughey, volunteer trail coordinator for the Paul Bunyan Trail, said the organization was instrumental in the establishment of the Paul Bunyan Trail and is helping with the acquisition of land in order to link that trail to Crow Wing State Park.

From 1967-2004 the council has acquired more than 6,500 acres of land for the state's park and trails system, said Dorian Grilley, executive director.

Wisconsin to host Bassmaster Elite 50 tournament

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. -- The 2005 Bassmaster Elite 50 series finale is scheduled for June 12-18 on Lake Wissota in Chippewa Falls. The tournament features 50 of the world's top professional bass anglers in four days of competition. After the second day the field is reduced each of the last two days.

Phone (715) 832-0023 or (334) 551-2300 for more information.

Public comment period open on OHV access in state forests

The DNR is reviewing 7,000 miles of trails in Fond du Lac, Whiteface River, Solana, Wealthwood, Paul Bunyan, Beltrami Island and Badoura state forests. Hunters, fishermen, nature enthusiasts, tourists, photographers, wild mushroom and berry pickers are invited to take part in a public comment period that ends at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 12. Letters can be sent to DNR Information Center, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155. Or contact Jim Weseloh at (218) 327-4127 (jim.weseloh@dnr.state.mn.us) or Jack Olson at (218) 828-2701 (jack.olson@dnr.state.mn.us).

Hearings on the Fond du Lac and Whiteface River state forests are scheduled for 6-9 p.m. on Oct. 26 at the University of Minnesota Cloquet Forest Center, 175 University Road, Cloquet. Hearings on the Solana and Wealthwood state forests are scheduled for 6-9 p.m. on Oct. 27 at Hazelton Town Hall south of Aitkin.

Future hearings for Paul Bunyan, Badoura and Beltrami Island state forests plans will be announced in November. Questions should be directed to Olson, Weseloh, your state representative or state senator. To find their names and phone numbers, call (800) 657-3550.

Whitefish, tullibee netting dates, regulations announced

As in past years, Schedule I lakes will be opened and closed on a 48-hour notice posted at lake accesses and other public places. These lakes are opened based on weather conditions that affect the vulnerability of game fish to accidental harvest and presence of whitefish or tullibees in shallow water.

Schedule II lakes will be opened and closed as follows: Schedule A lakes will be open from Friday, Oct. 8, through Sunday, Dec. 5; Schedule B lakes will be open from Friday, Nov. 5, through Sunday, Dec. 12; and Schedule C lakes will be open from Friday, Nov. 12, through Sunday, Dec 12.

Upper Red Lake, Beltrami County; Mille Lacs Lake, Aitkin, Crow Wing and Mille Lacs counties; and O'Reilly Lake, Itasca County, will not be opened to sport gill netting in 2004.

Waterfowlers should be aware of Eurasian watermilfoil

Waterfowlers are asked take extra time to help prevent the spread of non-native, invasive species like Eurasian watermilfoil.

The non-native, submersed aquatic plant was recently discovered in several Minnesota lakes, bringing the total number of water bodies with the plant to 160.

Two popular duck hunting lakes where Eurasian watermilfoil was recently discovered include Lura Lake near Mankato, and Leech Lake in northeastern Minnesota. It was also found in an area where the Snake River flows into Cross Lake near Pine City.

Waterfowlers should assume that any aquatic plant parts could be potentially harmful and should not be transported from one marsh, lake or river to another. Also, zebra mussels can attach to aquatic plants. If aquatic plants or even fragments of aquatic plants are not removed from equipment, waterfowlers may unintentionally transport a non-native, invasive animal such as the zebra mussel to another lake or river.