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MINNESOTA DNR NEWS
DECEMBER 30, 2010
All releases are available in the DNR’s website newsroom at www.mndnr.gov/news.
IN THIS ISSUE
DNR to add 19 acres to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Catalog highlights free programs, special events at Minnesota state parks and trails
Hugo man charged with poaching trophy buck
DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contacts: Colleen Coyne, DNR communications director, 651-259-5023; Patricia Arndt, Division of Parks and Trails communications and outreach manager, 651-259-5578.
DNR to add 19 acres to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
As the centennial year of Split Rock Lighthouse winds to a close this week, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is pleased to announce the acquisition of a 19-acre parcel of land within Split Rock Lighthouse State Park by the Division of Parks and Trails on behalf of the citizens of Minnesota, preserving a beautiful view for generations to come.
The Division of Parks and Trails has been actively pursuing this property over the past 25 years and closed the transaction on Dec. 23. The acquisition of this land was made possible by the diligent efforts of the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota, according to the DNR. Funding was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) and capital bonding.
"We were pleased to facilitate the purchase of this crucial parcel of land in one of Minnesota's most scenic and historic state parks," said Steve Thorne, president of the nonprofit Parks & Trails Council, which first purchased the land and immediately made it available for the DNR to purchase for the public's use.
The addition of the new land will bring the size of Split Rock Lighthouse State Park to 2,089 total acres. The property sits approximately 150 feet above Lake Superior along both sides of Highway 61 and is adjacent to a historic MnDOT wayside rest. It offers outstanding views of Split Rock Lighthouse and Lake Superior. The Gitchi-Gami State Trail also crosses the property. The park’s existing picnic grounds and part of the campground are located on a portion of the property acquired by the DNR in the early 1980s.
“I recall talking with the previous Division Director, Don Davidson, about how happy he was to acquire the Lake Superior shoreline part of this property back in the ‘80s,” said Mark Kovacovich, district supervisor for the Division of Parks and Trails Northeast Region, who was then working as a natural resources technician for the undeveloped Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. “Since then, I have often worried about what would happen with the rest of the property adjacent to Highway 61 that wasn’t initially acquired. It is comforting to know that the character of this beautiful place will be preserved for future generations. This is truly a win for the citizens of Minnesota.”
Out of all of Minnesota’s 73 state parks and recreation areas, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park was the sixth most visited in 2010, with more than 324,000 total visitors and nearly 10,000 overnight guests. On July, 31, 2010, the historic lighthouse at the park, which is operated by the Minnesota Historical Society, celebrated its 100th anniversary with a spectacular fireworks display launched shortly after the lighting of the beacon. Additional programming included a performance series held in the Visitor Center theatre and lighting of the lighthouse beacon the first Friday of every month from May through November.
Additional information about the park and its history can be found at mndnr.gov (www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/split_rock_lighthouse/index.html).
Editor’s note: Logo of Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund is attached.
Image of land around Split Rock Lighthouse is available at
http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/split-rock-lighthouse-sp-image.jpg
DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 30, 2010
Media contacts: Colleen Coyne, DNR communications director, 651-259-5023; Patricia Arndt, Division of Parks and Trails communications and outreach manager, 651-259-5578.
Catalog highlights free programs, special
events at Minnesota state parks and trails
From a family snowshoe hike on the Root River State Trail, to snowmobile survival skills at St. Croix State Park, to a luminary-lit owling evening at William O’Brien State Park, the new Minnesota State Parks and Trails Programs & Special Events catalog lists many ways to connect with the outdoors this winter.
Special events highlighted in the catalog include:
· Friday, Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve candlelight walk and skate at Fort Snelling State Park (one of 25 candlelight events at state parks and trails this winter)
· Saturday, Jan. 8: National Winter Trails Day (with free snowshoe checkout) at Fort Snelling State Park
· Feb. 19-21: Take-A-Kid Ice Fishing Weekend (no license required if accompanied by a child under age 16).
Most of the programs and special events are free, except for the vehicle permit needed to enter state parks ($5 for a one-day permit or $25 year-round).
The winter catalogs are available at Minnesota state parks and from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Information Center, info@dnr.state.mn.us, or 651-296-6157, or toll free 888-646-6367. They also can be picked up at the following locations: Explore Minnesota Tourism Travel Information Centers, metro area libraries, REI stores, Hoigaard’s, Joe’s Sporting Goods, Midwest Mountaineering, and the Cabela’s store in Rogers.
Programs and special events are also listed online at www.mndnr.gov. The online calendar includes programs and special events listed in the catalog and many more.
Editor’s note: A image of the catalog cover available at http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/w10cover_29769.pdf.
Image of adult ice fishing with child at Fort Snelling State Park available at http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/parent-child-ice-fishing-at-fort-snelling-sp.JPG
DNR NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 30, 2010
Media contacts: Colleen Coyne, DNR communications director, 651-259-5023; Rich Sprouse, public information officer, Minnesota DNR Division of Enforcement, 800-366-8917, ext. 2511.
Hugo man charged with poaching trophy buck
The story and evidence just didn’t add up for a Hugo man who is facing $10,000 in fines and restitution – and loss of his hunting privileges – for allegedly poaching a 10-point trophy buck in early November.
After receiving a Turn-In-Poacher (TIP) call, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officer Robert Haberman of Little Falls recovered a deer from a central Minnesota taxidermist. The deer tag had not been validated, nor had the deer been registered. The buck scored 146 2/8 inches under Boone and Crockett, which records trophy animals.
Christopher C. Mogren, 43, said he had legally taken the buck by archery. However, an inspection of the carcass revealed a clean arrow wound behind the left shoulder and a large wound on the right shoulder consistent with firearm trauma. A forensics analysis found multiple metal fragments similar to those from a bullet fired from a high-powered rifle.
Mogren eventually admitted using a firearm to shoot a “severely injured” deer that had wandered onto his property. Using a skid loader, he transported the deer to his home where he later arrowed the deer. He purchased an archery tag, waited a couple of days, and tried to claim the deer was taken by archery.
Mogren said a family member subsequently dropped the deer off at the taxidermist.
State conservation officers seized the skid loader, a Remington model 700 rifle with scope, and 21 packages of deer venison. They also collected photos of Mogren posing with the deer and the arrow used.
Mogren has been charged with a gross misdemeanor for taking big game out of season ($3,000 fine), taking a big game animal without a license ($1,000 fine), gross misdemeanor transporting an illegally taken big game animal ($3,000 fine), failure to validate a deer tag ($1,000 fine), and failure to register a big game animal ($1,000 fine). Restitution for a trophy buck is $1,000.
A trial date has not been set in Washington County. If convicted, Mogren could also lose his hunting privileges for three years.
Anyone witnessing wildlife or fishing code violations is encouraged to contact the nearest conservation officer, law enforcement agency or the toll-free TIP hotline at 800-652-9093. Also, #TIP is available to most cell phone users in Minnesota.
Finding a conservation officer is just a click away at www.mndnr.gov/officerpatrolareas. Click on the map, and a balloon will pop up that shows the officer phone number and State Patrol dispatch number.
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