outdoors
Anderson: Visits to the Smith shack for duck hunting revives best of times
Memories abound from decades of visiting the Smith family's shack. You can gauge a hunt's success not only by ducks bagged but by dogs petted, great food consumed and memorable sunrises shared.
Play this fall: Ideas for where to hike, roll, run, camp, and more
Minnesotans barreled into the outdoors in spring and summer during the throes of COVID-19. Don't expect that to slow in autumn, with its inviting weather and scene.
Duluth bails out Spirit Mountain — again — and ski hill to open for winter
The city approved a $300,000 cash infusion Monday evening.
Fatal mix: More off-road vehicles, reckless drivers create surge in deaths
So far this year, an unprecedented surge in ATV ridership across Minnesota has led to 20 fatal accidents — more deaths than the state normally sees in a year.
Anderson: DNR conducting an air war against duck hunting threats
A cross of native broad-leaf cattails and invasive narrow-leaf cattails, hybrid cattails can aggressively outcompete other aquatic plants. In some instances, so little open water remains ducks can't find places to land.
Sumacs are known for fall color, but there is more to the show
Fall colors are coming on fast for the sumacs. They are showing much red, in many beautiful tones, and some yellows. The sumacs give off an orange glow.
Lake cabin, then house — the order has worked out well for Minnesota family
The cabin, surrounded by 80-foot white and red pines, originally had one small bedroom and no indoor plumbing.
Anderson: Sporting art leads to book of a lifetime
Trading in sporting art, Bob White has spent the pandemic months preparing for publication of what he calls a "lifetime'' book of his work.
Minnesota kayaker makes marathon solo crossing across Lake Michigan
Prior Lake man has paddled 5,000 miles in his Quest in the five years since he took up the sport, and he's not done yet.
DNR asks thousands of hunters to participate in deer survey
The state Department of Natural Resources is asking thousands of deer hunters to record what they see in the woods this fall as part of the department's largest-ever hunter survey to better understand why they're passing up shots.
Fall walleye fishing on Mille Lacs after July shutdown is successful
Walleye harvest by state-licensed anglers totaled 64,339 pounds through August; the 2020 allotment was 87,800 pounds.
Warty-looking milkweed pods produce a beautiful autumn scene
Much is happening out there: Gray squirrels are making leafy nests, and the velvet on white-tailed deer antlers has disappeared. Ohio buckeye nuts, black walnuts…
How the west — and a converted schoolhouse — won over a Minnesota family
Westward, ho!Browns Valley is a city on Minnesota's western border bump, nestled at the Continental Divide between lakes that are the headwaters of the south-flowing…
Dodge Nature Center in West St. Paul aims to raise $40M in largest fundraiser ever
Twin Cities nonprofit seeks more visitors to nature center and trails.
Anderson: There are positives as grouse season opens, but issues, too
As opening day on Ol' Ruff nears, optimism is tempered by issues such as West Nile and increasing ATV use.
Brainerd man pleads guilty to poaching black bear on Red Lake reservation
Brett James Stimac admitted to wildlife trafficking and trespassing.
DNR estimates wolf population up about 13%
Wisconsin wildlife officials estimate that the state's wolf population has increased by about 13%.
At long last, Boundary Waters named 'dark sky sanctuary'
Enthusiasts hope the title makes northern Minnesota a destination for stargazers.
Minnesota moose will not be listed as federally endangered species
Moose populations in Minnesota have fallen by more than 60% since 2006.
Anderson: 2020 is for the birds ... pheasants, that is
Minnesota's pheasant population has leapt 42%. An omen, perhaps?