Minnesota Mixed Bag: Law enforcement officials locate body of one of two BWCAW accident victims – Outdoor News
Ely, Minn. — The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and St. Louis County Rescue Squad on May 31 located the body of Jesse Melvin Haugen, 41, of Cambridge, during search operations near Curtain Falls in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Searches had continued for nearly the past two weeks.
The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said search efforts continue in attempts to locate the second missing canoeist, Reis Melvin Grams, 40, of Lino Lakes. The sheriff’s office said crews would continue searching this week.
According to the Associated Press, the two men went over Curtain Falls, between Crooked Lake and Iron Lake on the Minnesota-Ontario border, while fishing in the area on May 18. The missing men were part of a group of five in two canoes.
“One of the canoes got into some distress, and the others tried to give assistance,” Cmdr. Nate Skelton, of the sheriff’s office, told the Star Tribune. “That’s when they both went over the falls.”
Two of the men who went over were later rescued. One was flown to a Duluth hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The fifth man was found at a nearby campsite.
Skelton told Minnesota Public Radio that the waterfall is not a straight drop but goes down about 30 feet, with rapid current. He said the group was familiar with the area.
MORE COVERAGE FROM MINNESOTA OUTDOOR NEWS:
Duck seasons are set in Minnesota where the early teal hunt will continue
Minnesota DNR’s Fish and Wildlife leader, Dave Olfelt, to retire as Kelly Straka takes over top spot
A state sharp-tailed grouse plan: Will it happen in Minnesota?
FORMER DNR F&W DIRECTOR GUENTHER DIES
Cohasset, Minn. — John David Guenther, a former director of the DNR Fish and Wildlife Division, died June 2. Guenther, who lived in Cohasset, was 79.
Guenther retired from the DNR in 2006, following three years as the Fish and Wildlife Division director and three decades with the agency. According to an Outdoor News story regarding his retirement, he “worked in a variety of capacities during his time with the agency, including most recently as regional administrator/regional director in Grand Rapids (1994-2003), and Fish and Wildlife Division director (2003-2006).”
A visitation was scheduled for Friday, June 7, at Rowe Funeral Home in Grand Rapids, beginning at 2 p.m. until the 3 p.m. memorial service.
DNR UNVEILS NEW SHOOTING RANGE FINDER WEB TOOL
St. Paul — A new web tool will make it easier for people to locate shooting ranges that meet their needs, according to the Minnesota DNR.
There are about 350 shooting ranges throughout the state that cater to a broad variety of archery and firearms shooting, but the previous DNR web tool provided limited options for determining what was available at each range. The new, searchable Range Finder allows people to search for ranges by types of shooting sports and geographic location.
As part of the range finder upgrade, the DNR sought details from all shooting ranges in the state about what their ranges provide. The range finder also includes links to shooting range websites (if they’re available) and can generate maps using Google Maps.
TAKE A KID FISHING WEEKEND IS FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY
St. Paul — During Take a Kid Fishing Weekend – Friday, June 7 to Sunday, June 9 – Minnesota residents may fish without licenses if they take children 15 or younger fishing.
Youth 15 and younger do not require fishing licenses at any time of the year, although they must observe all fishing seasons and other regulations. Take a Kid Fishing Weekend allows adult Minnesotans to fish without licenses as long as they take a child fishing with them.
The Minnesota DNR’s take a kid fishing webpage has a variety of online resources available for anyone interested in taking a kid fishing.
DNR, TWINS HAT PROMOTION CONTINUES; FOUR GAMES TO GO
St. Paul — Anyone with a 2024 Minnesota fishing or hunting license may access a ticket package with the Minnesota Twins this season that includes a special-edition blaze-orange wool-blend Twins cap with a ticket purchase.
The Minnesota DNR Days partnership included seven games this year, with four remaining: June 15 versus the A’s, July 20 versus the Brewers, Aug. 4 versus the White Sox, and Sept. 10 versus the Angels.
The DNR says this is a high-demand promotion with a limited quantity of hats. Those interested should purchase their tickets early to reserve their hats. Find game times and instructions for purchasing tickets on the Minnesota DNR Days webpage.
TCTU HOSTING T.U.N.E. CAMP, JULY 9-14
Lanesboro, Minn. — T.U.N.E. Camp – The Ultimate Nature Experience – is a five-day conservation and ecology camp for girls and boys ages 11 to 16 that will be held at the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, just outside Lanesboro.
This year, the camp will be held July 9-14. Twin Cities Trout Unlimited has supported this educational activity for several years by providing scholarships and volunteers, and this year is no exception. TCTU has provided four scholarships and is looking for volunteers to help out with fly-tying, fly-casting, and fly-fishing instruction.
For details and registration: https://tu.myeventscenter.com/event/Volunteer-At-Tune-Camp-The-Ultimate-Nature-94674
