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Bird migration is always an interesting time for those of us who like to observe the natural world, in part because you never know who will show up and how long they’ll stick around. Most …
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Marshall Helmberger
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5/23/24
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ISABELLA— The U.S. Forest Service declared a prescribed burn that went awry last week fully contained as of May 19, as light rain showers and higher humidity helped firefighters keep the Fry …
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Marshall Helmberger
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5/23/24
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Here in the North Country, the springtime woods can be a noisy affair, and few sounds are as symbolic of that seasonal cacophony as the calling of frogs. For years, I’ve tried (though …
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Marshall Helmberger
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5/15/24
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REGIONAL— This past Sunday’s incursion of heavy wildfire smoke into the North Country from north of the border was a portent of what to expect this summer and into the fall. North Country …
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Marshall Helmberger
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5/15/24
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REGIONAL— River and stream levels continued to exhibit considerable bounce this week as the impact of late April and early May rains faded. Area stream levels began the ice-free season at near …
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5/15/24
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REGIONAL— If there’s a consensus about the prospects for anglers when they hit the water on Saturday, it’s that the outlook is favorable for a solid opener. While water temperatures …
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Marshall Helmberger
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5/9/24
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The return of warblers to the North Country is always a sure sign that spring is on its way, although a couple species can make an appearance even as winter is still holding on. Our two earliest …
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Marshall Helmberger
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5/9/24
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REGIONAL— Gov. Tim Walz, this week, signed into effect a new law that allows anyone with a state game or fish license to use a digital image of their license in place of a paper copy when …
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Marshall Helmberger
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5/9/24
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SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST— The wind was picking up by midday but that just made the fire “snappier” in the terminology of the fire officials here who were taking advantage of a dry …
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Marshall Helmberger
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5/1/24
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REGIONAL— Our recent April showers have not only set the stage for new growth this spring, they have reminded us of the wonderful scent that comes in the immediate aftermath of rain. That scent …
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Marshall Helmberger
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5/1/24
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May 3 deadline to enter bear license lottery REGIONAL— If you’re planning to apply for this year’s lottery for the fall bear hunt, and haven’t done so already, you’d …
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5/1/24
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LAKE VERMILION— How things have changed on Lake Vermilion’s west end. Not that many years ago, resort owners on the lake’s western half were bemoaning low numbers of walleye, …
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Marshall Helmberger
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4/24/24
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REGIONAL— If you see or smell smoke in the North Country this spring, don’t be surprised. Fire crews on the Superior National Forest fire have begun their spring prescribed fire season …
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Marshall Helmberger
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4/24/24
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REGIONAL— A monumental and authoritative new book is likely to be a must-have for every serious birder in the Upper Midwest. “Breeding Birds of Minnesota,” published by the …
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Marshall Helmberger
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4/24/24
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PIKE RIVER—Staff at the Pike River Hatchery were hoping that the wet and cold weather that settled in mid-week wasn’t going to slow down the walleye run, which finally began in earnest …
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Marshall Helmberger
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4/17/24
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REGIONAL— In the wake of the most unusual winter in northern Minnesota history, ice-out proved equally unusual on many lakes and rivers in the region— and not only because most lakes …
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Marshall Helmberger
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4/17/24
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SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST— Land managers here are reminding trail users, both motorized and non-motorized, to practice TREAD principles when using forest trails during this sensitive …
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Marshall Helmberger
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4/17/24
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REGIONAL—Minnesota’s popular stream trout season opened April 13, with quality fishing opportunities in every region of the state. Trout anglers can find information on Minnesota’s …
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4/17/24
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REGIONAL— With the late March snowfall all but faded, North Country residents are increasingly thinking ahead to spring— and for many that will include a camping trip to one of the …
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4/10/24
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REGIONAL— Minnesotams could find that launching a boat this spring is more difficult than usual due to low water levels on many lakes and rivers. The lack of snow this winter and persistent dry …
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4/10/24
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REGIONAL— Last week’s major snowstorm helped but didn’t alleviate the ongoing drought conditions now in place over virtually all of northeastern Minnesota, and forecasters say they …
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Marshall Helmberger
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4/3/24
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THE BOUNDARY WATERS— Change appears to be afoot in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness as officials on the Superior National Forest look to update a management plan to better fit the …
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Marshall Helmberger
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4/3/24
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REGIONAL—Anglers will have new opportunities to claim the glory of catching a Minnesota state record fish. Anglers can now earn catch-and-release records for 18 species beyond the four current …
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4/3/24
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REGIONAL— With spring-like weather returning to the area in recent days, DNR wildlife officials are urging residents to prepare for the return of bear activity in the region by addressing food …
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4/3/24
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Timberjay photographer David Colburn made the drive to Elephant Lake on Saturday for the 38th Annual Melgeorge's Antique and Classic Snowmobile Race. With the warmer and drier than average winter, it …
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David Colburn
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3/13/24
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