From The Pages Of MN ODN Archives - Outdoor News

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.

The post Episode 547 – Public lands win, roadless rule, tasty (?) rusty crayfish, ICAST preview, Asian carp appeared first on Outdoor News.

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.

The post Episode 546 – CWD zones, canoeing MN rivers, roadless rule, Wis. sharptails, greatest guitarists appeared first on Outdoor News.

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.

The post Episode 544 – Capitol wrap-up, new boating permits required, Lake Detective, BWCA temporary reprieve appeared first on Outdoor News.

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.

The post Episode 543 – Capitol rundown, muskie tactics, ranger-and-dog reunion, public lands whack-a-mole appeared first on Outdoor News.

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.

The post Episode 542 – New Minnesota WMA, pheasant chicks, Joel Pedersen from TRCP, public lands victory appeared first on Outdoor News.

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.

The post Episode 541 – New DNR aircraft, nature talk with Stan Tekiela, Lake Superior agates, bass opener appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman recap the 2025 Minnesota fishing opener plus talk fire danger in north country. Tony Peterson then joins Rob for a robust discussion on late-season wild turkey hunting tactics. General Manager from Bass Pro’s new store in Duluth, Joe Thompson, previews the store’s big “Evening of Conservation” grand opener for next Wednesday, May 21. Then Tim Lesmeister and Drieslein recap last week’s public lands rally at the State Capitol and talk about the big black bear story in Florida.

The post Episode 540 – Fishing opener recap, turkey talk with Tony Peterson, new Bass Pro store in Duluth appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman start the show with a Minnesota walleye opener preview, plus a breakdown (already!) on how waterfowl seasons will unfold this year. Then Sharon Stiteler, the Birdchick, drops in to talk spring migration. Linda Bylander joins the show to talk about her retirement as the Minnesota Becoming an Outdoors Woman coordinator, then Tim Lesmeister helps wrap up the show with discussions on the new NRA President Bill Bachenberg, and overblown worries about black bears in northeast Iowa.

The post Episode 539 – Fishing opener, birdwatching, outdoors women programs, Iowa bears, new NRA president appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman start the show with an update on the Minnesota turkey season, plus a legislative update. Then Ron Schara offers some mid-season turkey hunting tips and makes a pitch for MN-Fish and its spring auction. Rapala pro Tony Roach then drops in with tips and tactics for the May 10 Minnesota inland waters walleye opener. Tim Lesmeister and Drieslein wrap up the show talking opener tips and the hen mallard cam formerly known as the Eagle Cam.

The post Episode 538 – Turkey season, Ron Schara turkey tips, Tony Roach on fishing opener, hen mallard cam appeared first on Outdoor News.