OUTDOORS CALENDAR: Sharptail viewing blind ... Spring Bird Survey ...

To get an event in the calendar, contact Brad Dokken at (701) 780-1148, (800) 477-6572 ext. 1148; or by email at bdokken@gfherald.com . Deadline is 5 p.m. Thursdays.

Events

• Through May 11: Sharptail viewing blind, 6 to 9 a.m., Lake Bronson State Park, Minn., two miles east of Lake Bronson on Kittson County Highway 23. Info: (218) 754-2200.

• Saturday: Spring Bird Survey, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Lake Bemidji State Park. Binoculars and field guides are available on request. Info: John Fylpaa, (218) 308-2300 or by email at John.Fylpaa@state.mn.us .

• Saturday: Spring flower photo shoot and digital photography workshop, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lake Bemidji State Park. Professional photographer Janet Nelson will share her photo skills. Bring your own digital camera or borrow one at the park. For ages 12 and up; class limited to 15. Info: (218) 308-2300 to register. No fee for the class; vehicle permit required to enter the park.

• May 24 through July 12: Bog-watcher Sundays, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Lake Bemidji State Park. The park's naturalist will be roving the boardwalk to help locate flowers of the bog. Info: John Fylpaa, (218) 308-2300 or John.Fylpaa@state.mn.us .

• June 6: Becoming an Outdoors Woman fly fishing workshop, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lake Bemidji State Park. Class includes a presentation on fly fishing equipment and casting basics, followed by fishing on Lake Bemidji or another local lake. Bring waders, water shoes and lunch; fishing license and park vehicle permit is required. No charge to participate. Info: Kristi Coughlon, (218) 308-2647 or Kristi.coughlon@state.mn.us .

• June 6: Bugs and Blooms: Bog Flowers on the Boardwalk, 10 a.m. to noon, Big Bog State Park north unit, north of Waskish, Minn., on state Highway 72. Info: (218) 647-8592.

• June 11: Archery in the park, 7 to 8 p.m., Red River State Recreation Area, East Grand Forks. Certified archery instructors will provide hands-on instruction; for ages 8 and older; children younger than 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Info: Catherine Johnson, (218) 773-4950 or catherine.dnr.johnson@state.mn.us .

• June 13: National Get Outdoors Day, Zippel Bay State Park north of Williams, Minn. Vehicle permits are not required on this day. Info: Kevin Dorow, (218) 783-6252 or kevin.dorow@state.mn.us .

• June 13: Waskish Fire Tower's View of the Past, 1 to 2 p.m., Big Bog State Park near Waskish, Minn., on state Highway 172. Free admission to Big Bog and other Minnesota state parks as part of National Get Outdoors Day. Info: (218) 647-8592.

• June 13: Archery in the park, 9 to 11 a.m., Red River State Recreation Area, East Grand Forks. Certified archery instructors will provide hands-on coaching; for age 8 and older; children younger than 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Info: Catherine Johnson, (218) 773-4950 or catherine.dnr.johnson@state.mn.us .

• June 25: Eagle watch, 7 p.m., Lake Bemidji State Park. After a brief introduction in the visitor center, the park naturalist will lead a walk to visit the park's nesting eagles. Info: (218) 308-2300 or John.Fylpaa@state.mn.us .

• June 26: Archery in the park, 1:30 to 4 p.m., Lake Bemidji State Park. Certified instructors will provide hands-on archery instruction. Children must be more than 8 years old and accompanied by an adult if younger than 15. Info: (218) 308-2300 or John.Fylpaa@state.mn.us .

Banquets

• Friday: Lake of the Woods Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society banquet, Springsteel Resort north of Warroad, Minn. Social hour begins at 6 p.m. with banquet to follow. Ticket info: LOWRuffedGrouse@gmail.com .

Fishing

• Wednesday: First night of Red River Valley Catfish League season, north-end boat landing, Grand Forks. Info: Rob Raymond, (218) 791-3762.

• May 29-30: F-M Walleyes Unlimited 31st annual Pelican Spring Classic, Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County. Info: fmwalleyes.com.

• June 12-13: Second Annual Otter Tail Summer Classic, Otter Tail Lake, Minn. Info: fmwalleyes.com.

• June 27-28: Scheels Boundary Battle Catfish Tournament, Red River in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks. Entry fee $220 per two-person team. Info: boundarybattle.com.

• Aug. 1-2: Cats Incredible Catfish Tournament, Red River in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks. Entry fee $230 per two-person team. Info: (218) 399-FISH, iafflocal3423@yahoo.com or iaff3423.org and click the Cats Incredible link.

Shooting

• Wednesday: North Dakota Class II Permit to Carry instruction and testing, 6 p.m., Grand Forks Masonic Center; Utah instruction and certification, 7:30 p.m., same location. Info: dakotacwp.com.

• Saturday: North Dakota Class II Permit to Carry testing, 9 a.m., Grand Forks Scheels, Grand Forks. Info: Bill Collison, (701) 740-8674; permittocarry.org.

• Saturday: 2 for 1 Utah Permit to Carry training, 10:30 a.m., Grand Fork Scheels. Info: Laura Ramirez, (218) 252-1631; permittocarry.org.

• May 10: 2 for 1 Minnesota, Utah, Florida and Arizona Permit to Carry training, 10 a.m., East Grand Forks Cabela's. Info: Laura, (218) 252-1631; permittocarry.org.