DNR elk plan: The Department of Natural Resources has recommended a pre-calving elk population of 30 to 38 animals near Grygla, Minn., and 20 to 30 elk in Kittson County -- not including a subgroup near Caribou on the Minnesota-Manitoba border -- as part of its five-year management plan.
The DNR developed the plan with input from citizen working groups in each of the two areas, and the goal is to reduce the damage elk are causing to crops and hay supplies while at the same time provide recreational opportunities such as hunting.
Regional DNR director Mike Carroll and regional DNR wildlife supervisor Paul Telander presented the plan to the Kittson County Board on Nov. 3, the Kittson County Enterprise newspaper reports.
The Kittson County elk herd consists of three subgroups: the "water tower" group north of Lancaster, Minn.; the Lancaster group; and the Caribou-Vita subgroup, which wanders between Caribou in northeastern Kittson County and Vita, Man. The combined population of the three subgroups is about 120, the DNR said, with about 40 staying year-round in Minnesota.
The DNR estimates the Grygla herd at about 55 elk.
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The complete elk management plan is available online at http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/about-dnr/reports/legislative/elk_plan_09.pdf
-- Herald staff report
SNA management proposals: The DNR is seeking public comments from Dec. 1 to Dec. 30 on recently completed draft management plans for two scientific and natural areas in northwestern Minnesota.
The 943-acre Pine Creek Peatland SNA is adjacent to the Canadian border north of Roseau, Minn., in Roseau County. The Winter Road Lake Peatland SNA covers 2,890 acres southeast of Warroad, Minn., primarily in Roseau and Lake of the Woods counties.
"These SNAs belong to all Minnesotans, so statewide public comment is especially relevant," said Katie Haws, DNR Nongame Wildlife specialist, Bemidji.
The 18 peatland scientific and natural areas are protected by state law and include some of Minnesota's most ecologically diverse and important peatlands.
The plans are available on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us/input/mgmtplans/peatland/index.html . Plans also are available at public libraries in Warroad, Roseau and Baudette, Minn. or by mail from the plan preparer.
Submit comments in writing to katie.haws@state.mn.us or by postal mail to Katie Haws, DNR Ecological Resources, 2115 Birchmont Beach Road NE, Bemidji, MN 56601.
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Info: (218) 308-2641.
-- Minnesota DNR
Did you know?
- Deer head collection barrels will be removed from collection sites in North Dakota on Monday, the Game and Fish Department said. After that, hunters who still would like to submit deer heads for chronic wasting disease and bovine tuberculosis testing must take the head to a district Game and Fish office before Nov. 30.
- North Dakota's muzzleloader deer season opens at noon Friday and continues through Dec. 13. Hunters with a lottery muzzleloader license can hunt white-tailed deer statewide. "Concurrent-season" doe licenses remain in units 1, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2K2, 2L, 3D2, 3E1, 3E2, 3F1, 3F2 and 4F. Hunters can use these licenses during the muzzleloader season with a muzzleloader or archery season with a bow and must stay in the assigned unit. Info: gf.nd.gov.
- A new winter catalog from the DNR highlights more than 130 family-friendly programs and special events at Minnesota state parks. The 2009-10 edition of the Minnesota State Parks Programs and Special Events catalog lists more than 130 things to do from now through the end of March. The winter catalogs are available at Minnesota state parks and from the DNR Information Center, info@dnr.state.mn.us or (651) 296-6157.
