Weekend Nature Activities: Feb. 20–23

Feb. 20

Duluth Boat, Sports, Travel & RV Show (thru Feb. 22)
Fri. & Sat. 11-10 p.m., Sun. 11-5 p.m. For more info www.shamrockprod.com
D.E.C.C

Feb. 21

Pine Technical College Shooters Assoc., Gun Show (thru Feb. 22)
Sat. 8-5 p.m., Sun. 9-4 p.m. For more info call Joseph Mumm, 800-521-7463 ext. 572.

Johnson’s Portside Perch Extravaganza, Mille Lacs Lake Fishing Competition
8 am–2, contest is held out of Nitt’s Hunters Point Resort. For more information visit www.johnsonsportside.com.

Crocodile Productions, Inc. Gun & Knife Shows (thru Feb. 22)
For more info www.CrocodileProductionsInc.com or call 763-754-7140.
Hastings Armory

Workshop: Snowshoe Lacing (also must attend Feb. 22, 10am–3pm)
9am–2pm Learn to weave the decking onto the frame, lace, and knot traditional wood-frame snowshoes. Ages 10+ (2 consecutive days)
Lac Qui Parle State Park

Workshop: Snowshoe Lacing (also must attend Feb. 22, 9am–4pm)
9am–2pm Learn to weave the decking onto the frame, lace, and knot traditional wood-frame snowshoes. Ages 10+ (2 consecutive days)
Lake Carlos State Park

Bird Banding
9–noon Learn how and why scientists trap, band, and study birds. Watch how it’s done. (17 and under must be w/adult).
Lowry Nature Center, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday

Snowshoe Saturday
10am–noon Visit the park’s forest, stream, and meadow. Explore nature on snowshoes! BYO or borrow the park’s.
Whitewater State Park

Featured: Take a Kid Ice Fishing Community Day
10am–2pm Start a new family tradition! Fishing equipment and ice holes provided. Co-sponsored by the New Prague Sportsman’s Club. Drop in anytime.
An adult must accompany children.
Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park

Adventure Hike
10am Along the confluence of the Minneopa Creek there is uneven terrain, icy conditions, and stunning beauty to be found. Dress appropriate and only attend if you’re able to withstand a challenging hike.
Minneopa State Park (meet at Group Campground parking lot on the campground side of park)

Wannaska Lion’s Fishing Derby
10am–3pm Annual derby. Register at park contact station. Friends of Hayes Lake State Park will be serving lunch on the ice. Bring your appetite!
Hayes Lake State Park

4th Annual Crappie Flop Ice Fishing Tournament
10:30am (check-in) at the Bayside Grille in Excelsior, tournament will take place on Excelsior Bay from noon–-3pm. For more info  call Kyle Rooney at 312-933-4068 or kyrooney@gmail.com.

Snowshoe 101
11am–noon (again 1:30–2:30) Something for everyone to discover in this rich history, education, and presentations led by a naturalist. Then try it out! BYO or use the park’s.
Gooseberry Falls State Park

Sobieski & Swanville Lions Clubs Ice Fishing Contest
noon–3pm, For more info call Dean Beckman, 320-547-2293.
Long Lake Swanville

Hemlock Ravine SNA
Open for a snowshoe exploration, by reservation only. Learn about endangered hemlock trees and what is being done to preserve them for the future.
Hemlock Ravine SNA, meet at River Inn Interpretive Center/Jay Cooke State Park

Baptism River Snowshoe
1–3:30 BYO or borrow from the park (call 218-353-8809) for a hike up the Baptism River Valley. Low-impact/beginner trail. Naturalist-led, with tips along the way. Contact Kristine Hiller at (218) 384-4610 x. 227 for openings.
Tettegouche State Park

Lake City Sportsman’s Club Fishing Contest
1-3:30 p.m., on ice in front of Club. For more info call Mandy, 651-564-1082.

Snowshoe the St. Croix
1–2pm Join a naturalist for a leisurely snowshoe walk along the St Croix River. Ages 8+. We’ll explore a different topic each time on this 1-mile trek. Please register 651-583-2125 x0. BYO or borrow our snowshoes. Cancelled if below 15 degrees (windchill).
Wild River State Park

Film showing: “Seasons of the Whitetail”
1–2pm
Mille Lacs Kathio State Park (meet at interpretive center)

Historic Building Snowshoe Hike
2–4pm  Join Minneopa area naturalist Scott Kudelka to learn about snowshoeing then take a hike around the park to check out the historic buildings once part of a CCC site in the 1930s.
Fort Ridely State Park

The Big Chill: Learning about Wildlife
2–3pm How do they survive the cold winters outside? Join us and you’ll find out! Family friendly.
Fort Snelling State Park

River Valley RMEF Banquet,
4:30 For more info call Bob Halquist, 507-248-9622.
Johnson Hall, St. Peter

Lantern-lit Snowshoe Hike* & Pizza!
5–6pm Join the Douglas Lodge staff and cast your vote for favorite pizza! You’ll be helping select the pizzas to be served this summer at the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Café. After voting, head out for a hike along the lantern-lit snowshoe trail.
Itasca State Park (*see below corresponding event)

Heartland Faribault County PF Banquet
5 p.m., For more info call Jim More, 507-462-3469.
DHS, Delavan

Lantern-lit Snowshoe Hike*
5:30–8pm Enjoy a lit hike along Schoolcraft Trail. BYO s’more or hot dogs to cook on a campfire!
Itasca State Park (Meet at Mary Gibbs Miss. Headwaters Café, see above corresponding event)

Bear Creek NWTF Banquet
5:30 p.m. More info, call Jim Peschges, 507-289-9234.
Rochester Eagles Club

North Country NWTF Banquet
5:30 p.m. More info call 218-999-7386.
The Eagles Club, Grand Rapids

East Central Spurs 624 PF, Banquet
5 p.m., For more info call Brian Sim, 651-485-2960.
American Legion, Pine City

Candlelight Ski, Snowshoe & Hike
6–8:30pm Enjoy scenic, candlelit trails during this annual event. Beginner or expert, welcome! Warm up by the fire and enjoy a hot drink.
Gooseberry Falls State Park

Candlelight Snowshoe Hike
6–9pm Snowshoe or walk. Fairly new moon so we’ll have candle luminaries along trails. Warm up by the wood stove and enjoy snacks and refreshments in the warming shelter after the hike.
Glacial Lakes State Park

Night Hike (Ski, Snowshoe, or Walk)
6–8:30pm 1-mile trail around Cataract Lake is groomed and lit for skiers, snowshoers, and hikers. Snowshoes available or BYO. 16+ need a ski pass (if skiing); available at office for $6 (annual pass $20). Then enjoy chili, hot drinks, and a bonfire at 5pm. 150 candles lit at 6pm. Come join us!
Maplewood State Park

Music under the Pines
6:30–8pm Held at Mary Gibbs Miss. Headwaters Café. Music by Alabaster Falls (also see lantern-lit snowshoe event)
Itasca State Park

Owl Walk
6:30–8pm Walk the trail with a naturalist to search for owls. Walk is down hills along hard-packed trails (no strollers or wagons). Be prepared for the strenuous hike and bad weather.
Afton State Park (meet at visitor center)

Winter Constellations
7–9om Stories and telescope viewing. A night in the park you don’t want to miss!
William O’Brien State Park

Feb. 22

Volunteer Training: Maple Syruping
1–2pm We need volunteer help with our maple syruping program, for crowd control, tapping, collecting, evaporating, and equipment handlers. Please join us!
Fort Snelling State Park

Upcoming . . .

Feb. 25 Development along the River, Lunch n Learn, noon–12:45, visitor center

Feb. 28 Timber Harvest Tour
Landowner Peggy Meseroll is an active member of NE MNWWN and serves on the MFA Board of Directors. She’s allowing for a tour during an active harvest on her land. PLEASE RSVP to Jan at twoxfour@2z.net (879-4433 or 343-2436) to attend. Your safety is critical, so please bring your safety equipment and dress accordingly!

Other ideas . . .

Season dates

Feb. 22: Walleye, sauger, pike, and bass season ends.
Feb. 22: Bowfishing season for carp, bullheads and other rough fish ends (season remains open year-round on certain waters south of Hwy 210)

 

Hit the slopes for downhill snowboard, ski, or sledding:

NORTHGiants Ridge Ski Resort, Biwabik
Vertical Drop: 500 ft. Longest Run:  4,000 ft.
Downhill ski, terrain park, cross-country ski, tubing

Lutsen Mountains, Lutsen
Vertical Drop: 1,088 ft. Longest Run: 10,560 ft.
Downhill ski, terrain park, cross-country ski

Pine Valley Tubing Hill, Cloquet
Tubing

Spirit Mountain, Duluth
Vertical Drop: 700 ft. Longest Run: 5,400 ft.
Downhill ski, terrain park, cross-country ski, tubing

MPLS or StP

Afton Alps, Hastings
Vertical Drop: 350 ft. Longest Run: 3,000 ft.
Downhill ski, terrain park, tubing

Buck Hill, Burnsville
Vertical Drop: 310 ft. Longest Run: 1,250 ft.
Downhill ski, terrain park, tubing

Eko Backen, Scandia
Tubing

Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area, Maple Grove
Vertical Drop: 100 ft. Longest Run: 800 ft.
Downhill ski, terrain park, tubing

Green Acres Recreation, Lake Elmo
Cross-country ski, tubing

Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area, Bloomington
Vertical Drop: 185 ft. Longest Run: 1,200 ft.
Downhill ski, terrain park

Wild Mountain, Taylors Falls
Vertical Drop: 300 ft. Longest Run: 5,280 ft.
Downhill ski, terrain park, tubing

SOUTH

Coffee Mill Ski Area, Wabasha
Vertical Drop: 425 ft. Longest Run: 4,300 ft.
Downhill ski, terrain park

Mount Kato Ski Area, Mankato
Vertical Drop: 240 ft. Longest Run: 2,800 ft.
Downhill ski, terrain park, tubing

Welch Village Ski and Snowboard Area, Welch
Vertical Drop: 360 ft. Longest Run: 4,800 ft.
Downhill ski, terrain park

CENTRAL

Andes Tower Hills, Kensington
Vertical Drop: 290 ft. Longest Run: 3,000 ft.
Downhill ski, terrain park, tubing, cross-country ski

Eagle Mountain, Burtrum
Tubing

Buena Vista Ski Area, Bemidji
Vertical Drop: 230 ft. Longest Run: 2,000 ft.
Downhill ski, terrain park, tubing, cross-country ski

Powder Ridge Winter Recreation Area, Kimball
Vertical Drop: 290 ft. Longest Run: 2,400 ft.
Downhill ski, terrain park, tubing

Ski Gull, Nisswa
Vertical Drop: 287 ft. Longest Run: 2,200 ft.
Downhill ski, terrain park, tubing

Detroit Mountain Recreation Area, Detroit Lakes
Vertical Drop: 210 ft. Longest Run: 2,200 ft.
Downhill ski, terrain park, tubing, cross-country ski

Join a meeting

Four Points Retriever Club. Meets on 2nd Tues of each Month. 6 p.m., Latuff Pizzarea, Plymouth. For more info call Terry Strege, 763-682-5624.
Monticello Rod & Gun Club. Meets last Thurs. of the Month, 7 p.m. www.monticellorodandgun.org for more info.

Ringnecks Forevermore Assoc. meets 1st Wed. of every month, 7 p.m., Bertha Lions Building.

Lake Superior Chapter of Muskies Inc. meets 2nd Tues. of every month Oct. thru May. 7 p.m., Mr. D’s Bar & Grill. For more info call 218-273-6389.

Hasty-Silver Creek Sportsmen’s Club Inc. Meets every 2nd Wed. of the month. For more info call Jason Neu, 320-267-8145.

Fur Fin and Feather Club meets every Weds. at Osseo American Legion. For more info call Lloyd 763-473-4103.

Lake Country Retriever Club meets the 2nd Tues. of each month, 7 p.m., Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club. For more info www.lcretrieverclub.org

Minnesota Valley In-Fisherman Club meets the 4th Tues. of each month, 7 p.m. at Apple Valley American Legion club, 14521 Granada Dr., Apple Valley. Gary, 952-423-3662.

Brainerd Lakes Chapter of Muskies Inc. meets 2nd Tues. of each month, 7 p.m, Waterfall Inn. For more info call Jeff Young, 218-821-3669.

St. Cloud Chapter of Muskie’s Inc. Meets the 3rd Tues. of each month. 7:30 p.m., Waite Park American Legion. For more info call Ken Schmitt, 320-290-6272.

St. Cloud Fly Anglers Club meets the 3rd Mon. of each month, 7 p.m., Waite Park Gander Mtn. store. Call Dave Kollmann, 320-252-5906 or Tom Clapp, 320-685-3960.

North Metro Chapter Muskies Inc. meets the 3rd Wed. of every month. 7 p.m., Coo Rapids VFW. For more info call 612-916-7426 or www.northmetromuskie.com

Scott County Pheasants Forever Chapter #125 meets 2nd Thurs. of each month, Oct.-April, 7:30 p.m., The Ridges at Sand Creek Golf Course. For more info call Stacy Dvorak 612-202-6119.

Mississippi Longtails PF meets first Tues. of each month. 7:30 p.m., The Point on Hwy’s 61 & 10 in Hastings. For more info call Dan Richmond, 651-730-4434.

LeSueur County PF Chapter 214. Meets the 1st Wed. of the month, Sept.-May, 7:30 p.m., American Legion, Montgomery. For more info call Ken Mader, 507-661-4841.

Rapids Archery Club meets the 2nd Mon. of each month at the archery building located at the Bunker Hills Regional Park. For more info call Dan, 763-427-0808.

Crow River Sportsman’s Club March thru Nov. meets 3rd Thurs. of every month, 7 p.m, at the Club. For more info call Scott Martinson, 763-498-9327.

Twin Cities Chapter Muskies Inc. Meets every 2nd Tues. of the Month, 7 p.m., KC Hall, Bloomington. For more info call Denise Olson, 612-804-4687.

MN Duck & Goose Caller Association meets the last Thurs. of each month, 7 p.m., Cabela’s Meeting Room, Rogers. For more info call Andy Thill, 612-749-9503.

Fishers of Men Twin Cities meets the 1st Thurs. of each month, 7 p.m., Lutheran Church of The Master. For more info call John Cummins, www.fishersofmenclub.org or 612-670-0707.

Twin Cities Chapter of Muskies Inc meets 2nd Tues. of every month, 7 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall. For more info call George Selcke, 952-933-2608.

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