Top topics on Outdoor News Radio this week include a discussion with Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman on how swimmer’s itch has created wrath toward common mergansers on some western Minnesota lakes. Then Charlotte Roy from the Minnesota DNR joins the program to break down the pretty good forecast for ruffed grouse hunting in Minnesota this fall. Josh Ahlberg, sales and marketing director from Outdoor News, jumps in to give listeners a first-hand report from last week’s ICAST angling trade show down in Orlando, Florida. Tim Lesmeister and Drieslein wrap up the show with chatter on whether or not the western “corner crossing” case will qualify for review by the U.S. Supreme Court and what Coca-Cola buying more cane sugar might mean for corn growers, set-aside programs, and pheasant habitat.

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Top topics on Outdoor News Radio this week include a discussion with Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman on a possible liberalization of the walleye regulation on Lake Mille Lacs. The pair also highlight a habitat and land acquisition milestone for Nobles County Pheasants Forever. Then DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen joins the program to discuss multiple issues including bag limits, status of the electronic licensing system overhaul, and long-term funding. Tim Lesmeister helps wrap up the program with chatter on the bear attack on a 69-year-old woman in western Wisconsin, the Make America Beautiful Again executive order, and Boundary Waters permitting.

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Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman discuss a multitude of topics to start the show including a lake access closed down thanks to a few bad apples. Then Andrew Schmidt, a government affairs guru from Pheasants Forever, joins the program to talk about some good news for conservation that came out of the big congressional budget reconciliation bill last week. Longtime friend of the program, John Devney from Delta Waterfowl, visits to share updates on the status of duck numbers across the north-central portion of the continent this year (it’s not good) plus his thoughts on snow goose and trumpeter swan management. Tim Lesmeister helps wrap up the chatter breaking down the big story in Wisconsin of a game farm buck that someone tried to declare a nontypical record, plus the compelling commentary from the guys at the Voyageurs Wolf Project.

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On this Fourth of July summer weekend edition, Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman break down the latest upbeat news from the U.S. Congress where Sen. Mike Lee’s public lands liquidation language failed to pass. The Minnesota DNR also is requesting comments on lowering the walleye limit from 6 to 4. Then Valerie Brady from the University of Minnesota’s Natural Resources Research Institute joins the show to talk about invasive rusty crayfish and how if you can beat ’em, eat ’em. Matt Jensen, the VP of marketing from Rapala, spends a segment previewing the 2025 ICAST show later this month, plus outlines new offerings in the brand’s popular CrushCity line of soft plastics. Tim Lesmeister and Drieslein wrap up the program outlining the Trump administration’s plan to rescind the roadless rule and former U.S. Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck’s thoughts on the issue. They also share the latest on the investigation into the two recent deaths on Isle Royale.

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Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman talk about the eight new counties banning feeding and baiting, plus status of chronic wasting disease meetings in southeast Minnesota. Roy Heilman joins the show to promote canoeing opportunities for Minnesotans outside the BWCA, as in the state’s many remote and incredibly fishable rivers. Tim Lesmeister and Drieslein talk up the Trump administration possibly rescinding the roadless rule, a ban on importing pangolins, and the possibility of sharptail grouse hunting in Wisconsin for the first time in 7 years. Twice a year, Rob and Lesmeister talk music, and this week they devote a segment to choosing their Mount Rushmore of great rock-n-roll guitarists.

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Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman start the show remembering former Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman and her impact on outdoors issues the past decade. They also discuss elk tag drama in Minnesota in 2025. Then state Conservation Officer Jake Swedberg joins the program to discuss the expanding K9 program in DNR Enforcement. Ron Hustvedt visits to talk about the large increases in Boundary Waters permit fees that the Superior National Forest is considering, and he reminds listeners of Game Fair 2025 dates. Tim Lesmeister and Drieslein wrap up the show with chatter on U.S. Sen Mike Lee, R-Utah, North Dakota’s decision to allow baiting for deer hunting, and part two of the Ernest Hemingway story, Big Two-Hearted River.

The post Episode 545 – Remembering Melissa Hortman, new DNR K9 units, higher BWCA fees, North Dakota baiting appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Staff Writer Natalie Ryder begin the program with her recapping the special session and how issues like the shotgun zone and continuous bass season wrapped up. Then Captain Adam Block from DNR Enforcement explains how the new boating operator’s permit will unfold for Minnesotans beginning July 1. Lake Detective Steve McComas jumps in to share insight into what’s happening on state lakes this spring/early summer. As usual, Tim Lesmeister and Drieslein wrap up the show with multiple topics including U.S. Senate language affecting the Boundary Waters watershed, state elk tags, and the questionable idea of stocking sturgeon in Lake Minnetonka.

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Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman begin the program talking about the successful 2025 turkey hunting season in Minnesota plus the multitude of outdoors policy changes likely emerging from the State Capitol this year. Then Steve Heiting joins the program to offer some early season muskie fishing tactics. Sharon “Birdchick” Stiteler calls in to share a fun story about her recent adoption of a sled dog from Denali National Park in Alaska. Tim Lesmeister helps Rob wrap up the program with talk on the likely addition of a continuous bass season in Minnesota, plus recurring “whack-a-mole” threats to public lands in the U.S. Congress.

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Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman begin the program with chatter on the status of pheasant nesting season, plus buckthorn rants and another recent black bear encounter for Tim. Then Stan Tekiela visits for the second straight week to offer some nongame nature talk. Joel Pedersen, the CEO and president from Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, visits to discuss the recent decision in the U.S. House to drop language that would have sold off a half million acres of federal public lands. Tim Lesmeister and Rob talk Alaska fishing plus a new wildlife management area in northwestern Minnesota, and the power sportsmen and women wield in the U.S.

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Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman start by discussing the Minnesota DNR’s new multi-million-dollar airplane and camera system, then Backyard and Beyond columnist Stan Tekiela jumps into the broadcast to talk about spring warbler migration and his photography trip to Arizona. Craig Prudhomme then jumps into the show to talk about rock hunting for Minnesota’s state gemstone, the Lake Superior agate. Tim Lesmeister helps wrap up the show with Memorial Day Weekend tips for catching largemouth and smallmouth on the catch-and-keep bass opener.

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