It’s deer hunting season——so be safe on trails and in the woods! Take note that some parks will be closed for hunts. Not hunting? Well, MN Nature has got some fun stuff for you to do! (Free unless otherwise noted.)
Example:
Afton State Park
Park Visitor Alert!
Youth hunt
Horse trails will close for the season on Sunday, November 1, 2015. The Youth Deer Hunt will take place on November 7 and 8, 2015 so the park will close to all visitors on Friday, November 6th at 6 PM, and re-open at 8 AM Monday, November 9, 2015. View map PDF
For more information: state parks during fall hunting season.
Where to hunt? Do an internet search for a city and you’ll find opportunities and regulations. example: Brainerd “Minnesota deer hunting opportunities”
————— FRIDAY, Nov 6 —————
November 6 to 8, 2015 Lake Superior Storm Festival
A celebration of Superior’s wild side. There’s nothing quite like a November gale — wind howling, icy waves lashing the rocks, a shiver of awe running down your spine. Treat yourself to a storm-season retreat before the bedlam of the holidays begins. This event honors the power and wild beauty of the Big Lake. All events listed here.
Lutsen, Tofte, Schroeder, Grand Portage & Grand Marais
————— SATURDAY, Nov 7 ——————
Nov 7 Aitkin County Geocaching
At your own leisure. Coordinates and info. here.
Aitkin County
Nov 7 Bird Walk Series $$$
9 to 11 AM $5/person (+ tax) Join experienced birders as they guide you through several of Anoka County’s beautiful parks. Enjoy seeing and/or hearing more than twenty-five species of birds on each walk. A checklist of Minnesota birds and a map of each park will be provided. All levels of birding ability are welcome. Pre-registration is required.
East Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park
Nov 7 Nordic Walking $$$
10 to 11:30 AM $5 Join us for a monthly walk through the woods and along the shorelines of Anoka County Parks! Poles are provided or bring your own! Trekking/hiking poles and Exerstriders are all welcome. Wear comfortable shoes with good tread. Pre-registration is required.
Bunker Hills Campground Visitor Center ( County Parkway B, Coon Rapids, MN 55448)
Nov 7 Art Opening G. W. Anderson
10:00 am to 2:00 pm Working almost exclusively “en plein air” (painting of the object(s) or what the eye actually sees) artist G. W. Anderson has focused on natural subjects near his home in South Minneapolis including local lakes and streams, Coldwater Spring near Minnehaha Park, and recently, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Educated at Layton School of Art and Design and taking a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Minneapolis College of Art and Design, he has worked as an illustrator, freelance artist and teacher, rarely publicly showing his work. His artwork will be on display through December.
Bloomington Education and Visitor Center
Nov 7 Animal Habitats (Junior Girl Scouts) $$$
9:30AM to 11:30 AM Learn about wild animals in Minnesota, and investigate a real animal habitat outdoors at the Nature Center’s wetland and woodland. Challenge your team to build an Eagle Nest together, learn about endangered animals, and how you can help them. Activities during this program meet most requirements for Junior Girl Scout Animal Habitats Badge. Badges are not provided by the Nature Center. Fee: $4/child. Scout leaders can call to register their group, or
individuals can register online by Nov 4th.
MAPLEWOOD NATURE CENTER
Nov 7 Leave it to Beaver
1 PM to 2 PM Fur, dam, cache, aquatic, and webbed feet, what do all these things have in common? These are all things that describe a beaver. No, not Theodore Cleaver, but a furry aquatic webbed footed rodent. Come and learn about the life history of North American beavers. Program will start at the Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center.
Fort Snelling State Park
Nov 7 Nature-themed Ornaments
1 PM to 2:30 PM Make and take your own nature-themed ornaments. Several different ornaments will be available to make. Choose one or all. Guidance and instruction will be given for each ornament. Pre-register inside the office or call the park. Meet at the River Inn Interpretive Center.
Jay Cooke State Park
Nov 7 Cliffside Views, Working Crews and Beaver Chews
1 PM to 3 PM Come join us for a wonderful hike along the scenic bluffs and rushing waters of Whitewater S.P. Along the trail we will keep a keen eye out for soaring eagles and the handy work of busy beavers. We will also learn a little bit about the ever changing park that has called this valley home for nearly the last 100 years. Adverse Weather Conditions: If weather conditions warrant, the program may be cancelled. Be sure to contact the park office or naturalist listed below for program status.
Whitewater State Park
Nov 7 Sunset Photo Hike
3:30 pm to 5:30 pm An annual favorite, as we capture the setting sun over the refuge. The location is perfect as we capture the sun as it sets over the grasses which will be showing their full fall color. We will head down the trail and get into position. Sunset is at 4:55PM, so we will have plenty of time to prepare and get set-up. Don will go over some tips on capturing the sunset once we are in position.
Bloomington Education and Visitor Center
Art Opening Sandra Pillsbury-Gredzens
7 PM to 8 PM In continuing efforts to showcase artists at the Tettegouche State Park Visitor Center, in November and December artwork by Sandi Pillsbury-Gredzen will be displayed. Meet the artist at this opening event. In her own words:
In 1853, Henry David Thoreau wrote: “Dwell as near as possible to the channel in which your life flows.” Ever since I was a small girl, I have been blessed with living near that “channel.” My love for nature began in the Encampment Forest on Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior. Our family had a cabin nestled in the woods, and setting not far from the shores of the “Big Lake.” I would hike various rivers along Lake Superior: Encampment, Split Rock, and Gooseberry. It was these experiences that first inspired me to paint landscapes, lakescapes, flowers and waterfalls.
Tettegouche State Park
——————— SUNDAY, Nov 8 ———————
Nov 8 Bird Language
9:00 am to 1:00 pm Join us as we gather on the slopes of the Minnesota River Valley to explore what the birds are telling us about our surroundings. We will split the time between the classroom and outdoors. Bring a notebook, pencils, and something to sit on outdoors. Register here.
Donnie Phyillaier and Jonathan Poppele, Refuge Naturalists
Bloomington Education and Visitor Center
——————— UPCOMING ———————
Nov 9 Bdote: Where Rivers and People Come Together
1 PM to 2 PM For thousands of years people have followed the rivers to this area we now call Fort Snelling State Park. Who were these people and what influences did they have on Minnesota’s history? During this easy walk, visit the sites where the past and the present meet.
Fort Snelling State Park (Program will start at the Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center)
Nov 10 Edmund Fitzgerald Commemorative Beacon Lighting $$$
12 PM to 6 PM At 4:30 pm, the lighthouse will close temporarily while the names of the crew members are read to the tolling of a ship’s bell and the playing of the Naval Hymn. Following the ceremony, the beacon will be lit and the tower once again opened for visitors to tour. This is the only opportunity each year when visitors can climb the tower after dark and see the lit beacon. Cost is $7/MNHS, members are free. More information about the day’s activities, are available on the “Lighting” event webpage.
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Nov 11 Orienteering Club: Veteran’s Day Night-O
6:30 pm to 7 pm Check in at 6:30 PM, mass start at 7 PM. Veterans participate for free. Social afterwards. Preregister online (optional).
Start /finish at 24 Bertha Ct, Mahtomedi (Katherine Abbott Park, Mahtomedi, MN)
Nov 11 Nocturnal Mountain Biking $$$
6:30 to 8:30 PM Registration and info. here.
Murphy-Hanrehan
Nov 12 Owl Moon Story Hike $$$
6:15 PM – 7:30 PM Ages 3.5-6 with adult. Read “Owl Moon” and take a nightwalk to listen and look for owl, mouse and raccoon. This is a great opportunity to learn to get comfortable with the night. $4 per child, register by Nov 10.
MAPLEWOOD NATURE CENTER
Nov 14 Tundra Swan Migration $$$
9 AM to 3 PM Cost $25 This bus tour is open to the general public. Our host is Mary Stefanski, district manager of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge. Witness the spectacular Tundra Swan migration that takes place on the refuge. Bus tour, instruction and lunch included. Registration: To register call 507-494-6238, the deadline is November 7, 2015.
Upper Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge, Winona
Nov 14 and 15 Snowshoe lacing workshop $$$
9 AM to 3 PM Get ready to explore winter by learning to lace your own pair of traditional wood frame Ojibwe-style snowshoes. Learn which knots to use and how to weave the decking onto the frame. This workshop recommended for ages 10 and up will consist of two consecutive day sessions. Saturday November 14 and 15, 2015. Reservations and deposit by Nov 1, 2015.
Afton State Park
Nov 15 Bird Watching Trek
8:00 am-10:30 am Join in on a bird walk during fall migration. The Refuge is a great place to find migratory waterfowl, raptors, warblers, and sparrows. We will search for these species and more while the birds are resting and feeding before continuing their southerly migration. Birders of all skill levels are welcome. Bring binoculars, a field guide, and dress for the weather.
Bass Ponds Trailhead
Nov 19 River Rangers
6 p.m. The River Rangers will present the program Camo Critters and More. Ron Bolduan will share pictures of local wildlife blending in with their surroundings. This all ages event is free and open to the public. This event is sponsored by New Ulm Area Sport Fishermen and New Ulm Public Library. Call Ron Bolduan at 507.354.8367 for more information.
New Ulm Public Library
Dec 5, Frozen Frolic Fat Bike Race $$$
Details here.
——————Seasons
11/07/15 – 11/22/15 Deer Hunt – Firearm season – 1A
11/07/15 – 11/15/15 Deer Hunt – Firearm season – 2A and 3A
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