Ticks carrying Lyme disease thrive in lakes country

Now that Memorial Day weekend has arrived and summer has unofficially begun, those taking to the woods should remember: Beware of ticks.

• Wood ticks in hand

Sakakawea, Oahe boat ramp access to be good

Anglers this summer should not have a problem finding public access points from which to launch a boat on Lakes Sakakawea and Oahe in North Dakota, despite both Missouri River reservoirs being about 10 feet lower than last year.

OUTDOORS REPORT: Area fishing report

Devils Lake is ice-free, and walleye and pike fishing has been good, reports Devils Lake fishing guide Mark Bry. Look for current areas to be holding the most fish, Bry said, and culverts, bridges or other places where water comes into the lake all are worth trying.

Process dispute leads to Dayton outdoors vetoes

Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed two provisions of a bill funding outdoors and arts projects, saying a House committee ignored a citizen advisory panel.

Minnesota DNR plans stepped up watercraft inspections

The Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the boating season for many Minnesotans. So the Department of Natural Resources is reminding boaters and anglers to be extra vigilant to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Minnesota DNR lifts burn bans in 32 counties

Prompted by recent rains, the Department of Natural Resources on Tuesday lifted burning restrictions in all or parts of 32 Minnesota counties, including Polk, Clearwater, Mahnomen and southern Beltrami counties.

WEEKLY DNR ENFORCEMENT REPORT: Spring fishing, wildfires etc.

CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) said anglers continue to report excellent fishing on Upper Red Lake. Fishing on Lake of the Woods is also good, with most of the lake now ice free.

• Minnesota DNR logo

WMA camping restrictions remain in place in ND

Camping restrictions established last year on some wildlife management areas in western North Dakota and along Lake Sakakawea will remain in place this year.

Get your gear on: Eureka tents

If you haven’t tented in awhile or simply are in the market for a new tent, three recent models from Eureka offer the perfect mix of portability and functionality and are available in two- or three-person sizes, depending on your needs.

• Eureka Taron

OUTDOORS CALENDAR: Northwest Sporting Clays 200 Minnesota Circuit Shoot

A list of upcoming events related to the outdoors

OUTDOOR NOTES: Minnesota elk season won’t include Grygla

The Department of Natural Resources won’t be offering an elk season this fall near Grygla, Minn., because of low populations in the area.

VIDEO: Avid hunter takes up photography during hunting off-season

Zach Johnson spends most of his spare time in the fall hunting waterfowl and deer, but the UND student has started chasing the birds with a camera during the off-season. The results to date have been favorable.

• PHOTO GALLERY: From shotgun to shutter
• Zach Johnson
• Mallard in full resplendent plumage

NICE FISH: Paddlefish, 70-pound minimum

A list of some impressive fish caught recently

BRAD DOKKEN: The tale of the reunited rack

I joined Mitch Haaby of Roseau, Minn., earlier this month for a story about collecting antler sheds. My goal wasn’t to write a “how-to” or “where-to” story about hunting for fallen antlers — enough people are scouring the woods already — but instead to tell a story about Haaby’s passion for deer hunting and how collecting antler sheds helps prepare him for hunting season.

• The antler from a whitetail buck found in October 2004

TALKIN WITH DOKKEN: Where are all the hummingbirds?

Brad Dokken answers the question: Are there hummingbirds in the Grand Forks area, and what can one do besides a hummingbird feeder to attract them?