As Fillmore County comes to grips with the positive identification of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the wild whitetail population, state organizations, landowners, game farmers, and hunters are grappling for answers and a clear path forward. On the heels of the findings, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) developed a CWD response plan and a Deer Management Plan … [Read more...]
Preston allows USDA Wildlife hunt
At the February 21 meeting, John Hart, district supervisor USDA Wildlife, requested permission from the Preston City Council to use firearms to hunt deer on the Pine Tree Apple Orchard. The authority was requested from the city council because the Jacobson orchard property is located within the city limits in the northeast part of the city. Other property owners in that area … [Read more...]
Newly protected shoreline on the Root River
ST. PAUL, MN –Birds, trout, school kids, paddlers. That’s just the start of the list of those that benefit from the Root River watershed. And now 86 acres of forest, wetlands and open water are protected forever by Root River landowners Monica and Geoff Griffin and the Minnesota Land Trust. “If I could choose a single spot for a conservation easement,” mused Program Manager … [Read more...]
Friends paddle through 2016
A love of canoeing and the outdoors brought two lifelong friends together to fulfill a goal in 2016. Jason Worden of Chatfield, Minn., and Jeremy Rabe of La Crescent, Minn., grew up together in Chatfield, were in the same graduating class of 1996, and have remained close friends since. Although “life” happens - people get married and have children, responsibilities … [Read more...]
DNR plans swift actions to tackle Chronic Wasting Disease
Between 700 and 800 local hunters turned out for the DNR’s special meeting in Preston on December 15 to address their Chronic Wasting Disease response plan. The DNR had only expected about 400 people at the meeting, so by the time the meeting began, extra chairs had been brought into the gym as there was standing room only. “We hope to be on the front end of this infection. … [Read more...]
Special deer hunt within Preston city limits
The possibility of allowing archery hunting within the Preston city limits during the special hunt being held by the DNR was debated at the city council’s December 19 meeting. Mayor Kurt Reicks was absent. City Administrator Joe Hoffman noted a few deer harvested north of Preston tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Therefore, the DNR has authorized a special … [Read more...]
Chronic Wasting Disease identified in Fillmore County
Sixteen years after being first identified in captive Minnesota elk herds and five years after the state’s only case involving a wild herd, Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been identified in Fillmore County. Two bucks were harvested approximately four miles west of Lanesboro in permit area 348. While not a complete surprise, the result is certainly devastating to the ongoing … [Read more...]