FROM THE DNR: Bear license deadline, 2013 Governor's Pheasant Opener details

IN THIS ISSUE
Bike trail paving will cause temporary trail closures at Glendalough State Park
Purchase bear licenses by Aug. 1; youth licenses free until then
Plans move forward for 2013 Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener in Madelia
St. Croix State Park to celebrate 80th anniversary of Civilian Conservation Corps with
musical tribute

DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bike trail paving will cause temporary trail closures at Glendalough State Park

All trails east of the bridge to the Glendalough State Park lodge and trail center will be closed from Friday, July 26, untilSaturday, Aug. 3, during final grading and paving of the park’s new bike and pedestrian trail, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said. This includes the Beaver Pond Trail, Lake Emma Trail, Ice Ridge Trail and Annie Battle Lake Trail.

All of these trails have sections that cross the construction zone, where there will be heavy equipment and hot pavement. Camping at the park’s canoe-in campsites also will be limited, but the main campground — where there are 22 cart-in campsites and four camper cabins — remains open.

Park visitors are encouraged to hike on the park’s Prairie Hill and Sunset Lake trails during this time. Both trails currently feature an abundance of wildflowers, after the significant spring rainfall. Access to the lodge and trail center should remain open on the weekends, but may be limited on weekdays. Construction times may be affected by weather and other considerations.

The new paved trail, which starts at the bridge over Battle Creek, will provide a loop through the park, create new trail portions traversing oak forest and restored prairie grassland and offer views of Annie Battle and Molly Stark lakes. When completed, it will connect the trail to the south entrance of the park creating a continuous 8-mile loop through the park.

Check the visitor alert on the park’s Web page at www.mndnr.gov (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/glendalough/index.html) or call the park at 218-864-0110 for updates and more information.

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DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 18, 2013

Purchase bear licenses by Aug. 1; youth licenses free until then

Hunters selected in this year’s bear lottery must purchase their licenses by Thursday, Aug. 1, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said.

Licenses not purchased by the deadline will become available first-come, first-served at noon Wednesday, Aug. 7.

Youths age 10-12 can receive a free no-quota bear license until Aug. 1. No-quota licenses will be available for purchase after Aug.1 but youth younger than 13 will have to pay the full price of $44 because of an inadvertent change in state law that eliminated the 10-12 year old exemption from this fee.

Youths who purchase leftover licenses in regular bear permit areas also will have to pay the adult price.

The free 10-12 youth bear licenses were not addressed when youth license simplification changes were approved during the last Legislative session. The DNR will propose changes to reinstate youth fee exemptions in 2014.

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DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 18, 2013

Plans move forward for 2013 Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener in Madelia

The south-central Minnesota city of Madelia will be the home of the 2013 Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener, to be held Friday, Oct. 11 and Saturday, Oct. 12, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said.

“We’re excited and honored to be home of this year’s celebration,” said Dan Madsen, Madelia city administrator. “We are proud to be the ‘Pheasant Capitol of Minnesota’ and look forward to showcasing all that our city and area have to offer.”

Madsen pointed out there are 8,600 acres of public hunting land within 20 miles of Madelia. Pheasant research for the DNR is also headquartered in the community.

This is the third annual Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener, initiated by Gov. Mark Dayton in 2011. Previous host communities were Montevideo and Marshall. The event highlights the many hunting, recreational, travel and local opportunities that host communities have to offer visitors.

Dayton plans to again lead elected officials, dignitaries and celebrity hunters who will participate in the event. The public will also be invited to take part in activities throughout the weekend.

The event is being coordinated by the city of Madelia, Madelia Chamber of Commerce, Explore Minnesota Tourism and the DNR.

Madelia has a population of 2,319 and is 20 minutes west of Mankato and about an hour and a half southwest of Minneapolis.

More information and updates can be found at www.mnpheasant.com.

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DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 18, 2013

St. Croix State Park to celebrate 80th anniversary of Civilian Conservation Corps with musical tribute

In honor of the 80th anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), two special musical programs will take place at St. Croix State Park in Hinckley on Saturday, July 27, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said.

The programs will feature music and storytelling by Michigan-based author and performer Bill Jamerson, who has performed at CCC reunions around the country and at dozens of national and state parks.

Dressed in costume, Jamerson will take his audience on a musical journey with stories and songs about working in the woods, living in a bunkhouse, the hardships of river drives, the importance of camp food, and going into town in spring.

At 1 p.m., Jamerson will salute Minnesota lumberjacks with a program titled, “It’s Daylight in the Swamps,” a phrase shouted by cooks at lumberjack camps to wake up the men in the morning. With guitar in hand, he will sing traditional lumberjack songs and tell stories about life in the lumber camps. The program is geared toward families, and children will be invited on stage for a sing-along and a chance to win prizes. Meet at the council ring.
At 5 p.m., he will pay tribute to the CCC with a program titled, “Dollar-A-Day Boys.” It will feature stories and songs, including “Chowtime,” an entertaining look at camp food, and “City Slicker,” which tells of the mischief the boys find in the woods. Meet at the council ring.

The CCC was a federal work program created by President Franklin Roosevelt during The Great Depression. From 1933-1942, 84,000 young men between the ages of 17 and 25 enlisted from Minnesota. They planted more than 180 million trees, fought forest fires, built dams and bridges and left a legacy of log and stone buildings at several state parks, including St. Croix State Park.

For more information, including a map and virtual tour, visit www.mndnr.gov (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/st_croix/index.html). Park information is also available by calling the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or toll-free888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.