Recent content from Tony Kennedy

State report: Lax oversight of deer and elk farmers needs fixing
The report recommended that the Board of Animal Health should more closely oversee deer and elk farmers, as well as strengthen consequences for those who don't comply with state rules,

Farm deer escapes concern DNR because of chronic wasting disease
The DNR has complained that the Board of Animal Health is too cozy with deer farmers to ideally protect the state's invaluable wild deer herd from infected game farm deer.

Wisconsin walleye have hit a wall, study finds
Study of 473 lakes finds alarming trend of decline in fish productivity over past few decades

State public lands that are often-overlooked pockets of wild for adventure
Whether you hunt, birdwatch, hike or fish, there are Wildlife Management Areas in Minnesota to check out. Here are seven.

High in the sky is the limit for early spring snow geese
Hunters may take as many snow geese as they can shoot, but wary birds keep harvest to a minimum.
Minn. Fishing Hall of Fame enshrines 3
Rainy Lake fishing guide Bill Dougherty, lure maker Mark Fisher and outdoor media specialist Mark Strand were inducted this month into the Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame along with two private companies.

End of the line for Kamloops rainbow trout on Lake Superior
After years of stocking, the trout species will soon vanish from Lake Superior

Helicopter crew netting deer in Fillmore County in state's fight against CWD
The DNR has hired a helicopter to help collar deer in the race to limit chronic wasting disease before it's too late.

Stuck in a ditch over roadside maintenance
Farmers, environmentalists and legislators struggle to solve roadside upkeep.

Conservation groups make point: Sometimes trees have to go
Grassland needs the room, but concept evades many.

Winona County chronic wasting disease case marred by regulatory failure
Winona County CWD case marred by regulatory failures, with fallout expected for deer hunters.

New Wright County boat-inspection program facing criticism
Critics calling Wright County plan inconvenient, inefficient.
DNR wants birding and wildlife trail through Sax-Zim Bog
The expansive Sax-Zim Bog, located an hour northwest of Duluth, would anchor a proposed corridor of at least six northern Minnesota communities.

DNR researcher studies fish gene pools to repopulate state lakes
DNR's Loren Miller's research on walleyes, other fish steers stocking choices
Accusation in Minnesota of hunting over deer bait is closely watched
Officer Timothy Michael Bennett pleaded not guilty earlier this month and is positioned to fight the DNR's charge, a misdemeanor.

DNR warns CWD is still a threat in Minnesota
Landowners in affected hunting areas aren't taking Chronic Wasting Disease seriously, a state official with the DNR warns.
Looming end of motorboats lottery in BWCA alarms some outfitters
The Forest Service will take BWCA applications on a first-come basis in 2019, irking some.

Mille Lacs walleye community dissatisfied with review of lake management that found no flaws
But outside experts' review criticized as "superficial" by walleye community leader.

Examining the complex coexistence of wolves, moose
Study shows wolf population dwindles when area lacks moose calves as prey

Small-sized is big on the current RV landscape; Minnesotans are on board
Compact camper sales are powering fast-growing RV segment.

Hunting program that makes private hunting land public nears its goal
Program that makes private hunting land public is gaining traction, nearing its original goal

Boom in 'wheel house' sales means more ice anglers
More people, including families, are using them for longer ice fishing stays.
Heinrich named first full-time Mille Lacs fisheries supervisor
The large lake specialist who helped cover Lake of the Woods in his previous DNR assignment is the first person to hold that newly created position.

DNR commissioner faces challenging landscape
The DNR is fighting dwindling conservation acreage, aging infrastructure and other hurdles

Fishing enthusiasts bait state high school league for bass-fishing event
A pro angler and a fishing coach want the league as a partner in a season-ending bass fishing event.
Those interested in early turkey season lottery need to apply by Jan. 26
Minnesota's spring turkey hunters have until Friday, Jan. 26, to apply for a lottery permit to bag a tom during the first two weeks of the season when licenses are in greatest demand.

Classic crafts cruise on at Minneapolis Boat Show
Minneapolis Boat Show's antique models attract visitors and generates waves of new interest

Ducks were plentiful, but hunters few this season around Minnesota
Duck hunting season gave state hunters plenty of targets. But the number of people in the field hit an all-time low, according to license sales.
Minnesota deer harvest rises 15 percent because of abundance, eased regulations
Deer hunters have taken 190,000 deer statewide starting with the archery season, continuing through the regular firearms season and now into the muzzleloader season.

Inside the push for a new center for loons in Minnesota
Funding sought, momentum builds for National Loon Center in Crosslake.

Mystery surrounds wild buck adorned with ear tags reading 'Don't Miss'
State law enforcement officials are looking for the person or persons who apparently played a prank on deer hunters around Lanesboro.

Too young to hunt deer? Not in Wisconsin
Under legislation that Gov. Scott Walker is expected to sign into law this week, kids of any age will be allowed to hunt deer and carry their own gun when accompanied by an adult.
Minnesota deer hunters on pace to harvest 15 percent more whitetails
The harvest surged after a slow start, reaching a mark 10 percent higher than last year's showing.

South Dakota's 2017 pheasant collapse extends to lands groomed for holding birds
A party of 10 bagged only 30 roosters on managed farmland in South Dakota

Should deer season be delayed to better protect the bucks?
Since 1959, the Minnesota firearms deer season has opened on the Saturday nearest Nov. 6, linking it to the short window of time when bucks make themselves most vulnerable to ambush.
Search starts to find site for world-class shooting range
The Department of Natural Resources has officially kicked off the process for finding a location to potentially build a world-class shooting range and clubhouse to be used by state high school trapshooters and to attract other statewide, regional, national or international events.

Busted: Deer hunters nailed most often for baiting
Hunting over bait was the single most common bust during last year's Minnesota deer season. Nearly 200 citations were issued and another 56 hunters received warnings.

Health officials adjust advice to hunters regarding chronic wasting disease
New evidence about chronic wasting disease leads health officials to reconsider their advice

On brink of pheasant season, South Dakota bracing for reduced bag
Birds are even scarce in the hotbed of Mobridge, but state still boasts it has more birds than anyplace else.
Minnesota game bird hunters finding little to shoot
Game wardens across the state's pheasant range reported strong participation in many areas, but sparse results.

DNR wildlife researcher Davros working to help upland birds thrive
Nicole Davros, a DNR wildlife researcher, is looking for ways to increase pheasant populations. "I know our numbers look down," Davros said. "But I'm optimistic for the next five years."

Passionate bowhunter Krahn: 'Every one is a trophy'
Terry Krahn's passion for bowhunting deer started early, and hasn't waned

Trio of landscaping projects for birds include visions for SE Minnesota
Three projects are underway to improve habitat for grouse, woodcock.
DNR picks new leader for deer plan as deadline approaches
Leslie McInenly named to take the plan to the finish.

For luring walleyes, try lead core fishing lines
Fall fishing with lead-core line proves a worthy alternative.

Hunting bluebills still thrilling despite their scarcity
But veterans of the pursuit lament the shortage of birds in Minnesota — 'It's just a shame'
Grouse leverage greenery to their advantage in hunting season opener
Game wardens across Minnesota's grouse-hunting range witnessed a decent effort but scant success last weekend during the season opener for ruffed grouse, spruce grouse and Northwest Zone sharptailed grouse.

Wildlife managers seek to regain authority to kill problem cormorants
Fish and Wildlife officials looking to reverse ruling to allow culling of birds deemed destructive.

DNR deal raises suspicion, distrust among Mille Lacs walleye anglers
Indication that public wasn't supposed to know details of walleye deal causes a stir.
Minnesota's overall bear shortage a paradox amid soaring hunter success
Shortage of natural foods causes the animals to make themselves obvious.

Minnesota DNR extends ban on feeding deer by 11 more counties
The state Department of Natural Resources has expanded a ban on deer feeding to 11 central and north-central counties to guard against the spread of…

Data confirms pheasant carnage from South Dakota's insufferable drought
Ringneck estimates are down 45 percent.
DNR, fearing spread of CWD, wants owner of troubled deer farm penalized
Fearing spread of CWD, agency pushing animal health board to suspend farmer's license.
Walleye fishing on Mille Lacs reopens with a whimper
Walleyes were biting on big lake for those anglers going out.
College angler tournament 'great' for host Bemidji
Minnesota's Lake Bemidji this week will host 90 of the nation's best collegiate angler teams for three days of bass competition in a series that will determine a national Bassmaster college champion.
School fishing boom making tournament splash
Mille Lacs and Gull Lake will be proving grounds for students this week.

How the zebra mussels scourge spread across Minnesota
Zebra mussels are invading more of Minnesota's lakes and rivers than ever — and their relentless advance poses a growing threat to our state's way of life.

Meet the scientists working to stop spread of zebra mussels in state
As the zebra mussel continues its destructive march across Minnesota's waterways, researchers are counterattacking with sophisticated chemical and genetic weapons.

Is your nearby lake or river infested with zebra mussels?
More than 200 major bodies of water in Minnesota have tested positive for the presence of zebra mussels so far. Use the search tool to see which lakes and rivers have been affected.

More and more, fish replicas are catching on with anglers
Growth of catch-and-release fishing keeps crafters of the next-best thing busy
Minn. DNR chief apologizes for extended walleye ban on Lake Mille Lacs
Catch-and-release will resume on Aug. 11.

Mille Lacs becomes a big bass hot spot
The DNR is closely monitoring lake, eyeing smallmouth numbers.

Mille Lacs ranked No. 1 bass lake in the nation by fishing magazine
Mille Lacs has been losing its identity as a leading walleye lake in the Upper Midwest, but it keeps gaining attention for great bass fishing.

Monster muskie found belly-up on Mille Lacs exceeds state record
Earlier this month, Gary Gilbert and his wife stumbled upon a decaying 59½-inch muskie. Death blanched its coloring, but its body was fully intact.

On Upper Red Lake, fishing is simply a breeze
Walleyes are biting on Upper Red, when the wind doesn't stop anglers.
DNR opening super-sized training academy to fill game warden shortage
DNR gets funding to fill posts opened by retirees.

State's newest state park a work in progress, but drawing crowds
Crowds already are flocking to the fishing pier and its surrounding day-use area at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park. A few boat-in campsites have opened and crews are working toward a late-summer opening of the park's first campground.
Fishing opener in Tower, Minn., offers fun by the boatland
Those familiar with Lake Vermilion said Saturday was the best all-around opening day of fishing that they can recall.

Several issues await Minnesota anglers this summer
Year-over-year changes are shaped by issues tackled by DNR fisheries personnel.
State auditor set to review agency that oversees deer and elk farms
Judy Randall, deputy legislative auditor, said concerns about the possible spread of CWD from privately owned deer and elk to the state's wild herd sparked interest in an evaluation.

Hunting snow geese — abundant yet elusive — requires some blind luck
A wildly expanding population doesn't mean it's an easy hunt in the unpredictable late season
Ravaged portion of St. Croix State Forest enjoys a rebirth
Turkey enthusiasts lead habitat restoration project.
Walleye fishing on Upper Red Lake keeps improving
Ice anglers this winter harvested 109,000 pounds of walleyes under a three-fish bag limit, but the DNR announced this week that there's ample room for a spring bag limit of four walleyes.
Suspicious deer killed in CWD hot zone may be from farm, DNR says
The discovery was made recently when the animal was shot during a culling exercise to reduce chances the disease will spread to other whitetails.
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