CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports continued work activities include small-game hunting and fishing enforcement. Winterizing boats and maintenance of other related equipment were performed. Several animal-related complaints were handled along with a few reports of bears causing concern for residents.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is accepting public comment through Dec. 9 on its proposal to classify 13 high-risk invasive aquatic plants, fish and invertebrates as prohibited. The DNR classifies invasive species as prohibited to prevent their introduction and spread in Minnesota, and to protect the state’s environment, economy, natural resources and outdoor recreation. The reasons for listing the species are summarized below. More information on these species can be found on the AIS Classification page of the DNR website (mndnr. gov/Invasives/AIS/ Classification.html).
As deer hunters enjoy current hunting seasons and 400,000 hunters prepare for the opening of firearms deer season on Saturday, Nov. 5, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds them to plan ahead for a safe and enjoyable hunt. The DNR’s online make a plan tool (mndnr. gov/DeerHunt) provides a comprehensive step-by-step list of information hunters need to consider before heading to deer camp. The tool covers topics including hunting regulations, deer processing, chronic wasting disease sampling, safety and how to make the most out of a hunt. To use the online tool, hunters need their deer permit area number, which they can find on an interactive deer map. In Minnesota, archery deer season began Sept. 17 and continues through Saturday, Dec. 31; firearms deer season begins Saturday, Nov. 5, with various closing dates depending on a hunter’s DPA; and muzzleloader season is Saturday, Nov. 26, through Sunday, Dec. 11.
District 5 - Eveleth area Monday CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports a busy MEA weekend with lots of people enjoying the outdoors, including duck hunting, grouse hunting, riding ATVs, fishing, boating, or the hunting deer. Grouse hunters are still finding lots of birds and a few youth deer hunters also found success for their first time. Meetings in regards to last week’s wetland violations were attended along with site visits. Enforcement action for the week involved license issues and youth ATV violations. CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports working the Rainy River and working small-game hunters throughout the area. The nice weather this past weekend had many people enjoying outdoor activities. CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports small-game and waterfowl hunters continue to provide positive reports. With the recent unseasonable cold front, some of the ponds and small lakes completely froze over with about three-quarters of an inch of ice along the shoreline. Grouse numbers continue to be strong, with an influx of people in the area over MEA weekend. Evidence that deer hunters are preparing for the upcoming firearm season was apparent. It is up to the individual to know what type of land they are on and what activity is allowed. Angling picked up over the weekend with the upswing in temperatures, and success was reported there as well.
Anglers fishing during the winter season on Upper Red Lake in northern Minnesota will have a three-walleye bag limit, with only one walleye longer than 17 inches allowed in possession. The new regulation becomes effective Tuesday, Nov. 1.
As night falls on Nov. 1, a just-past-firstquarter moon hangs below Saturn, with brilliant Jupiter off to the east. The moon continues to wax as it glides between the two planets on the 2nd and 3rd and below Jupiter on the 4th. Between and well below the planets shines Fomalhaut, dubbed the “loneliest star” due to being located nowhere near any other bright stars. Fomalhaut represents the mouth of Piscis Austrinus, the southern fish, an extremely dim constellation. November’s full moon undergoes a total eclipse in the early hours of the 8th. The eclipse begins at 3:09 a.m., when the moon starts to enter Earth’s dark inner shadow. Totality lasts from 4:16 to 5:41 a.m., with maximum eclipse at 4:59 a.m. The eclipse ends at 6:49 a.m. As the moon darkens, the bright winter stars come into their full glory, complete with special guest Mars. The Pleiades star cluster glimmers above the moon, and Aldebaran, the eye of Taurus, the bull, shines to the east of the Pleiades. Aldebaran and Betelgeuse—at Orion’s right shoulder—form a nearly equilateral triangle with Mars; the red planet will be the highest of the three.
