Recent content from Tony Kennedy
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.
Restricted Mille Lacs walleye season to shut down entirely July 7-27
Restrictions needed to protect dwindling fish numbers, DNR says.
Northwest Sportshow's tradition of entrepreneurship carries on
The annual gathering for hunting, fishing and camping enthusiasts has been a familiar launchpad for innovative gear for 85 years.
Minnesota's southeast corner is the place for eagles
March is peak month to view them and to visit eagle center in Wabasha
Mille Lacs business owners say walleye strife is politics, not biology
There's discord between the Department of Natural Resources and Chippewa bands from Minnesota and Wisconsin over how many walleyes to allocate for state and tribal anglers
Some hunters, anglers voice support for DNR fee increases
A draft letter addressed to legislative leaders has been signed by Minnesota Trout Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, The Izaak Walton League and Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy along with more than 35 other sportsmen's clubs and natural resources groups.
Coalition defies 'no new public lands' cry with 7,000-acre plan in St. Louis County
Broad benefits to both habitat conservation, hunting touted.
Game warden shortage leaving large areas of Minnesota unpatrolled
With 23 openings expected by May, the DNR is seeking a $2.78 million budget hike from the Legislature to fill jobs.
National alliance calls for a review of Minnesota's handling of deer farms
Alliance questions animal health board's priorities.
Expect another catch-and-release walleye season on Mille Lacs
The DNR has yet to publish regulations for the coming open-water season. But the DNR's Mille Lacs Fisheries Advisory Committee was told last week to expect a second catch-and-release season.
Field report: Winter walleye season coming to sloppy end
Anglers and resorters are pulling back from an ice season that never produced the wild bite that has taken place in recent years
Tensions over deer farming surface in double CWD outbreak
At risk is the state's 1-million-animal deer herd, more than $500 million annually in economic activity tied to deer hunting and the state's legacy of family and friends bonding over whitetails in the fall.
Controversial 'Dr. Deer' stirs the pot in Minnesota's CWD disease zone
"Dr. Deer" throws water on DNR, calling CWD overblown and eradication measures excessive.
As demand soars for Canadian fishing trips, bush pilots and lodges flying high
At most of Ontario's 450 lodges, fishing trips were up from at least 10 percent to 30 percent last year.
Potential accord reached in feud over ATV trails on Crow Wing land
Officials credited sudden diplomacy by ATV riders for helping to build compromise.
Beer and fly-tying mix well at angler gatherings in the metro
Gatherings like the one by the St. Paul Fly Tiers at Summit Brewing have become more regular.
Garbage left by ice fisherman becoming bigger problem
For some lakes, such as Lake of the Woods, committees have formed to clean up abandoned garbage
Minnesota to hire federal sharpshoots to shoot more deer in Fillmore County
Lou Cornicelli, the DNR's top big game researcher, said Tuesday the sharpshooters could go to work in the area by the third week in February to help eliminate a vexing outbreak of CWD.
DNR sees wild ginseng as the root of more money
Unlike many other states, Minnesota has never required diggers of wild ginseng to buy a license. That could change.
Walleye over-harvesting a concern on Lake of the Woods
Minnesota game wardens have been writing numerous tickets for overharvesting, Conservation Officer Nicholas Prachar said Tuesday.
Quail hunting on the rise ahead of National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic
As the bird population recovers, hunters are returning — a good sign for February's event in Minneapolis.
Minn. deer hunter's death remains 'such a mystery'
Terry Brisk's loved ones are seeking answers after his death on the opening Monday of deer hunting as authorities vow not to "give up."
A pontoon that expands on the water. Will it fly at the Boat Show?
From a backyard workshop in Oakdale comes a pontoon boat that is the standard width of 8.5 feet on a trailer, but when it's on the water it unfolds to 11.5 feet.
Minnesota looks to tighten fishing rules on beloved crappies, sunnies
Lower DNR limits would be an unpopular next step.
Minnesota notching up its fight against CWD in wild deer
With two more likely infected deer found, hunt may get bigger.
DNR looking at cut in 60-year daily limit of six walleye
Minnesota's standard walleye limit of six fish per license holder could shrink for the first time in 60 years under a review that's in its infancy at the state DNR.
Ice getting nice: Conditions improving for ice fishing
Christmas rain was actually a boost, and hopes are for a long ice fishing season.
Ahead in 2017: Mille Lacs walleye drama, mining watch for BWCA
A coalition to protect the BWCA that finally includes hunters and anglers, Minnesota's battles against Chronic Wasting Disease and invasive species, the state's first deer management plan ever and the latest walleye drama from Mille Lacs make up a diverse slate of outdoors stories that bear watching in 2017.
State slaps CWD quarantine on Crow Wing County deer farm
2 animals in the private herd recently tested positive for chronic wasting disease.
Third infected deer discovered in Minnesota's CWD outbreak
The DNR said a hunter killed the infected deer in mid-November about 5 miles north of the two previously reported infected deer, which were killed about 4 miles west of Lanesboro. A taxidermist provided the DNR with a sample for testing, which led to the discovery.
Feds suspect BWCA outfitter of smuggling baitfish out of Canada for cash
Three members of a family-operated outfitting business in Ely allegedly netted large quantities of baitfish just inside Canada in apparent violation of the Lacey Act, a century-old anti-trafficking law to protect wildlife.
Southeastern Minnesota deer hunters dreading herd reduction as antidote to CWD
The disease's fallout: dread, suspicion and blame.
How ice fishing unites one Minnesota town for the winter
Park Rapids' fish house, a heated eight-hole trailer, is in constant demand by all walks of life in the community.
DNR authorizes special hunt to stop chronic wasting disease in SE. Minn.
Hunt will begin Dec. 31 in area around Preston. People in the 370-square-mile zone will be banned from feeding deer.
Litchfield-based Core Ice rethinks the size, use of icehouses
A Litchfield company thinks its lighter, versatile icehouse can gain a big following.
DNR developing response plan to halt spread of CWD
The agency remains focused on creating a response plan to stop the disease in an area where two CWD-positive deer were harvested this fall near Lanesboro.
Whitetail lore lives on in Wisconsin's Buffalo County
Buffalo County deer grow big because hunters 'Let 'em go' when still young
Buck show-and-tell tradition fades into history in Minnesota and Wisconsin
Electronic registration of deer has upended tradition of buck parades.
Minnesota deer hunters in Wisconsin required to quarter animals this year
Minnesota hunters participating in the 2016 Wisconsin deer season are required for the first time to quarter the animals and not bring home whole carcasses, no matter where in the state they harvest a deer.
High temps turn down deer harvest on opening weekend
A partial review of the state's DNR conservation officer reports supported the notion that deer were somewhat immobilized by the temperatures, which were warm enough to spoil venison in some cases if the meat wasn't iced or refrigerated in a timely manner.
State parks, in bid to lower deer populations, offering special two-day hunts
State parks lock out regular patrons and use land for two-day foray aimed at shrinking herd.
DNR nearing kickoff for first-ever statewide deer plan
The DNR says the public has to get involved to put a relevant, broad, long-term plan together
Repeal of Mille Lacs walleye agreement another wedge on resource management
Abrogation of Mille Lacs walleye agreement another wedge on management issues.
3 Chippewa Indian tribes renew hunting of Minnesota moose
A three-year hunting reprieve for the state's struggling moose population has come to an end with the planned shooting of 38 bulls by three Chippewa tribes in northern Minnesota.
Tentative clean water conservation deal for Minnesota aids birds
Called the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, the state-federal partnership is primarily aimed at addressing water quality concerns.
As a pheasant mecca, South Dakota is shrinking
As agriculture chews up South Dakota grassland, bird numbers decline.
Migratory Bird Treaty turns 100
The U.S. and Canada are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty, the first international accord forged to protect wild birds. It also was among the first to protect any wildlife species.
Pack the shotguns and fishing poles for a Minnesota cast and blast weekend
The fishing was so enjoyable that a planned grouse hunt was skipped.
Duck hunting opener mostly good, according to DNR reports
On Tuesday, the Department of Natural Resources released a roundup of reports from state conservation officers. Viewed collectively, they illustrate a pretty good start to duck hunting in 2016 with exceptions in the southern tier.
Emphasis on prairies, pheasants in this year's Lessard-Sams funding recommendations
About half would aid prairies and wetlands.
Wood Duck Society dwindling, but it still educates
The group's numbers may be down, but it's still trying to increase bird numbers.
State wrestled with wild rice baiting question before duck opener
The decision reached before the duck opener was that limited seeding of shallow water is lawful.
Only Minnesotan in this week's Bassmaster blowout could win it
Struggling Bloomington angler got final spot in national tournament on Lake Mille Lacs last weekend.
Minnesota in for a better grouse season, but there's issues
The grouse population is on the rise, though a wet summer could affect both numbers and tracking.
Minnesota appears on the cusp of new era of loon conservation
Minnesota's beloved loon population — the largest in the U.S. — is stable at about 12,000 breeding adults.
Hunting's future rests with recruiting from new audiences
With white men dominating the industry, others must be courted.
Boat built, couple head down big river in their element
Having built a Norse-inspired vessel, the two are testing it -- and themselves -- with a journey down the Mississippi River.
Lake Mille Lacs catch-and-release walleye season will end Sept. 6
Local Ojibwe bands had expressed displeasure with Dayton's decision earlier this month to allow the season to continue even though a quota had been surpassed.
Minnesota fishing secrets bubble up inside club
Secrets are freely shared at the longtime Apple Valley group that has been expanding by about six anglers a year.
Minnesota scrambles to rekindle outdoors participation
Minnesota wants to turn the tide in the battle to get youths involved in the outdoors
Aug. 17: Mille Lacs Band ponders suit over walleye decision
At issue is Gov. Mark Dayton's move last week to break this year's joint management agreement governing the annual walleye harvest by band members and state-licensed anglers.
18 states, including Minnesota, partner to assist pheasants
The goal is maintaining and improving the birds' habitat in hunting states.
Minnesota still crazy about fishing, but there are cracks
The DNR has been doing more promotions and outreach work to combat a decline in fishing interest on a per capita basis. Attracting young people is a concern.
Minnesota deer hunters will get more chances in 2016 due to herd growth
A bigger herd means a cautious easing of regulations by the DNR.
A remote fishing camp puts Lake of the Woods walleyes in close reach
'Tourist camp' in Ontario offers a remote, no-frills fishing paradise
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