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A wild elk herd in northwestern Minnesota crossed grassland. The Department of Natural Resources is working with the Fond du Lac band of Lake Superior

Plan to capture Minnesota elk, establish new herd gains momentum

In discussion phases since 2013, the project has concrete goals and two newly hired elk biologists.

1,082 miles by bike: Taking the long way to a St. John's class reunion

July 17
Shown north of Walden, Colo., Chris Manning cycled more than 1,000 miles over nine days to get to Collegeville, Minn.
Chris Manning of Colorado was determined to make his 35th-anniversary reunion in Collegeville on two wheels.
  • Minnesota has plan to sell school trusts lands in BWCAW to federal government

Anderson: With summer training, know a dog's tail is meant to wag

July 13
Autumn hunting seasons are months away, but summertime training of retrievers and other breeds benefits both canines and their human companions.
Though hunting seasons are months away, bonds between dogs and their partners are often solidified in June, July and August.
  • Love of outdoors, flexible work, good Wi-Fi a winning combo for camp hosts
Outdoors
July 18

Trophy Tales: See the photos and send us your best catches

A weekly look at anglers and their memorable catches, and a place for you to send your big fish that didn't get away.
Outdoors
July 18
The Mississippi Speed Record team paddled 2,300 miles of the Mississippi River in under 17 days.

New film relives Minnesota-led Mississippi River Guinness speed record

Documentary of a canoe team's 16-plus-day Mississippi River odyssey in 2023 will premiere Aug. 3 in Minneapolis.
Duluth
July 12
Aerial view of the Lake Three area in Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Minnesota has plan to sell school trusts lands in BWCAW to federal government

The proposal involving 80,000 acres crafted by state officials and the U.S. Forest Service would end a long-running land management challenge.
Outdoors
July 11
The Bentzinger family reupped to host at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, covering last May.

Love of outdoors, flexible work, good Wi-Fi a winning combo for camp hosts

The Minnesota state parks system relies heavily on retirees. Workplace shifts and program tweaks have made campground hosting more attractive to some.
East Metro
July 10
A Washington County live cam view of the Highway 12 project shows the progress as of July 10, 2024; this view is looking east from near the Mahtomedi

Old bike paths east of Mahtomedi and in Stillwater get redo

Two sections of bike trail, one along Hwy. 12 and the other along Hwy. 5, will be repaved as Washington County focuses on the worst-condition trails.
Books
July 10
photo of author Angie Hong next to the St. Croix River

Get your supper club on, find bike paths and nature trails in Stillwater writer's 'Exploring the St. Croix'

LOCAL NONFICTION: TikTok sensation Angie Hong will visit area libraries, and walk-and-talk at Franconia Sculpture Garden, to spread the word about her new book.
Outdoors
July 6
Jessica Berg-Collman pilots her boat to the day’s first fishing spot on Saganaga Lake with client Keith Gausman and his son Kayden, not shown, on bo

A rustic Gunflint Trail fish camp inspired an adventurous young woman home

Hawaii's luster wore off the more Jessica Berg-Collman pondered her wild upbringing on the edge of the Boundary Waters.
Outdoors
July 5
Dan Cooke, owner of Cooke Custom Sewing, paddles his Phoenix canoe with a custom spray skirt he made. He was participating in the Northstar Experience

Gear-making 'genius' who covered Minnesota outdoors dies at 68

Friends and family are honoring Dan Cooke, whose custom production of packs, canoe covers and more was revered. He died Monday of brain cancer.
Outdoors
July 4
Among ground nesting birds in Minnesota, the pheasant has the largest fan base, thanks to the bird's more than 100-year history in the state.

Anderson: Did June rain wash away Minnesota pheasant nesting prospects?

Poised for a population comeback, Minnesota pheasants see nesting success threatened by rains.
Variety
July 3
Two kayaks provided by the Gear ReSource Outfitters waited on the shore of the Cannon River near Faribault, Minn.

Want to go paddling or tubing on a river this holiday weekend? Check the water levels

Many kayaking, canoeing and tubing outfitters are shut down because of flooding, but a few spots remain open for business.
Outdoors
June 28
From left, John V. Schanken and his monster in 1929; the Leech Lake muskie haul in 1955; and Jake Skarloken and his likely record northern in May.

Anderson: Releasing even 'fish of a lifetime' is the ethic guiding many anglers

The "Muskie Rampage," in which more than 160 muskies were caught and killed, was a watershed Minnesota moment.
Business
June 28
Anoka-based Federal is among Vista Outdoor's ammunition brands that may be sold to a Prague-based company.

Vista Outdoor postpones special shareholder meeting to consider latest bid for company

MNC Capital's unsolicited bid of $3.2 billion for the entire company came after a key regulatory approval of Vista's deal to sell its ammunition business to a Czech company.
Outdoors
June 26
Shown in a Department of Natural Resources social media post on June 20, parts of Gooseberry Falls State Park were shut down owing to flooding.

From Gooseberry Falls to Minneopa, state parks felt weather's wrath

Managers still are assessing swamped campgrounds, damaged trails and popular attractions closed by flooding.
South Metro
June 26
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park is near the site of a gravel mine that was recently permitted by Rice County.

Rice County approves gravel mine near Nerstrand Big Woods State Park despite residents' environmental concerns

Neighbors hoped the County Board would do an environmental assessment; county officials say the mine will reduce the environmental impact of trucking in gravel for local projects.
Business
June 26
Vista Outdoor received a key regulatory approval for the sale of its ammunition brands, including Federal in Anoka, to the CSG Group.

Vista Outdoor gets key regulatory approval and yet another increased bid from second suitor

The $2 billion sale to a Czech company cleared the CFIUS review a week before a shareholder vote. A rival group quickly raised its bid.
Business
June 24
Anoka has been the home of Federal ammunition for more than 100 years. The plan under an acquisition by CSG is to keep it there.

Czech company raises offer for Vista Outdoor's ammunition group, including Federal, to $2B

Vista, CSG Group say they remain confident in deal as they approach key shareholder vote next week.
Agriculture
June 23
Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune White Earth, MN;9/28/05;left to right:At the White Earth Land Recovery Project facility, brothers Wayne(sitting) a

White Earth won't enforce water permits on non-tribal land

The band said a more comprehensive approach is needed to protect water in the area.
Local
June 22
Jumping worms are a type of earthworm. They look very similar to other worms, but they have a distinctive light-colored band near their head. They wig

Minnesota to ban sales of invasive jumping worms

The state DNR is worried the damaging worm may be sold as fishing bait; the ban goes into effect July 1.
Sports
June 21
Flooding threat continues into Saturday morning, especially south of MSP

Grandma's Marathon officials keeping an eye on rain but hopeful races will be held

Runners will be notified at 3 a.m. as to if race-day changes are needed, a Grandma's spokesman said.
Outdoors
June 21
Catching walleyes on the mid-May opener is one thing. But knowing where to find them and how to hook them in midsummer is a riddle that stumps many Mi

10 tips on how to catch Minnesota's tight-lipped walleyes in midsummer

Anderson: Unraveling the mystery of finding, and catching, walleyes in midsummer
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Most Read
  1. Plan to capture Minnesota elk, establish new herd gains momentum
  2. Creator of enduring Minnesota ultra race inspired runners and learners
  3. 1,082 miles by bike: Taking the long way to a St. John's class reunion
  4. New film relives Minnesota-led Mississippi River Guinness speed record
  5. The monster Minnesota fish that got away (from the record books)

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