DNR question a da week

[Lee Borgersen]

      DNR question of the week

Q: Do hibernating bears ever leave their den during winter if the weather gets unusually warm?

A: Hibernating bears are prompted to come out of their den both by warming temperatures and by increasing day length (normally late March to early April). Thus, a January thaw typically will not fool a bear into coming out early. However, some bears may find themselves in a wet den when temperatures get warm, with snow melting around their den, and this could force them out.

Bears also may be more prone to disturbance from humans during warm spells when they are not hibernating as soundly, and this could cause them to vacate their den. After abandoning their den, they will typically find another suitable site that they already know about. However, any new den would not have the bedding material that bears rake in during the fall when they are preparing for hibernation.


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[glenn57]

done seen a dead raccoon on the road today!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lee Borgersen]

  ..  Ask a Conservation Officer:


                    No fishing license needed for children

                                     By Matthew S. Miller   







 

 











Q: I’m taking my young nieces and nephews ice fishing this weekend. How old do they have to be to have their own lines and keep their own limits of fish? Do they need a license?
 



 




A: Minnesota doesn’t specify an age that a child can start fishing on their own and use their own lines or keep their own limit of fish. Rather, that ability is up to the participation of the child. If the child can carry out most of the processes of taking fish (holding a rod, setting a hook, reeling in the fish, etc.) then they are actively fishing and can have their own two lines through the ice and keep their own limit of fish.

If the child is present but not taking an active part in the angling activities, either because they are too young to participate or they are away playing in the snow or doing another activity, then you would be limited to lines and fish for the licensed adult anglers in the party.


Minnesota does not require a resident younger than 16 to have a license. Sixteen- and 17-year-old residents need to purchase a youth angling license for $5. Nonresident youths younger than 16 don’t need a license if their parent or guardian has a family license. If the parent does not have a family license, then the nonresident youth would need to purchase their own youth license to catch and keep a limit of fish.

Please try to take a kid ice fishing this winter!