Doug Smith

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Doug Smith

Reporter | Outdoors

Phone: 612-673-7667

Doug Smith covers outdoors issues and writes about hunting and fishing.

Smith: Living the RV life

Sales of recreational vehicles are on the rebound, with the biggest growth among families with kids, and of lighter models that can be towed by more vehicles.

Updated: February 09, 2012, - 12:33 AM

Smith: Concerns about dogs prompt trapping bill

Change would be controversial, and there are questions whether interest groups could work it out.

Updated: February 06, 2012, - 01:53 AM

Boaters would have to pass course to trailer their boats

Minnesota's 800,000 boat owners would have to pass a course on how to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species before they could trailer their boats anywhere, under a bill proposed by the DNR.

Updated: February 05, 2012, - 12:44 AM

Bill would restrict use of body-gripping traps

Legislation intended as response to the death of six dogs.

Updated: February 02, 2012, - 10:21 PM

Almanac: Is wolf season too conservative?

A clash appears to be brewing between legislators and the Department of Natural Resources over details of a wolf hunting season next fall.

Updated: January 28, 2012, - 08:43 PM

DNR would let hunters kill 400 wolves

Reaching the quota would mean killing 10% to 15% of the state's estimated 3,000 wolves, but the DNR says the population could sustain a considerably higher harvest.

Updated: January 26, 2012, - 06:53 AM

Smith: Hunters upset after dogs killed by traps

After several deaths since fall, the DNR will consider tightening the rules to reduce risk of dogs getting caught in body-gripping devices.

Updated: January 24, 2012, - 10:41 PM

Almanac: Bill proposes wolf season at time DNR doesn't favor

The first shot has been fired in what is expected to be a lively debate at the Minnesota Legislature over a wolf hunting season in Minnesota.

Updated: January 22, 2012, - 12:02 AM

Effort to track wolf attacks produces varying numbers

The number of verified wolf attacks on livestock or pets in Minnesota was down 16 percent in 2011 but still was 6 percent above the five-year average.

Updated: January 14, 2012, - 06:39 PM

Followers strive to keep Sigurd Olson's legacy alive

Some 500 souls a year make a pilgrimage north to visit Olson's one-room log cabin and rocky, pine-studded "Listening Point'' retreat on Burntside Lake near Ely.

Updated: January 14, 2012, - 04:12 PM