Recent content from Tony Kennedy
Wolves, walleyes, moose and the Superior Hiking Trail attract funding in record package of Minnesota projects
A package of conservation projects funded by a record $103 million in state lottery proceeds will need legislative approval.
Chronic wasting disease pops up in a whitetail deer near Wheaton
It's the first time CWD has been detected in that portion of western Minnesota and it will trigger new regulations for local hunters.
Minnesota reaps windfall from epic comeback of lake trout in Lake Superior
For the first time, the once-endangered fish could become a star in the state hatchery system for stocking other lakes.
Study finds high mercury levels in fish caught in lakes with zebra mussels
Mercury levels in adult walleyes and perch were found to be far higher in fish pulled from infested lakes compared to uninvaded bodies of water
The epic archery hunt at Minnesota's Camp Ripley was an annual party. Here's why it's never coming back.
The Minnesota National Guard has transformed what was a weekend deluge of bow hunters into a daily trickle.
DNR says Minnesota's longtime 6-walleye limit is headed for extinction
The agency is forging ahead with a rule-making process that would drop the statewide daily bag limit to four starting in 2026
Most incumbents lead Minnesota's nine contested judicial elections
MN Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson and Justice Karl Procaccini were both elected. Nine contested races included Court of Appeals and District Court seats.
Minnesota voters overwhelmingly approve renewal of dedicated lottery funding for environment
About 77% of voters supported maintaining the funding, according to preliminary election results released Wednesday morning.
The gnawing mystery of Minnesota's new beaver meat law
It is now illegal to eat a nuisance beaver in Minnesota.
DNR: Netting surveys on Mille Lacs bode well for future walleye numbers
The agency is being urged by a citizens' panel to allow a two-fish bag limit for the upcoming ice fishing season because the quantity and size of baby walleyes was described by the DNR as "phenomenal."
Minnesota hunters take aim at program allowing farmers to shoot large numbers of deer
In a pocket of western Minnesota, where many hunters can only take one deer, three farms have DNR permission to harvest 65 or more in response to crop damage.
Minnesota grouse numbers making it tougher for hunters in 2024
After last year's glut, hunters had expected another promising season.
How much trash is under water in Mille Lacs? A scuba team looked into it.
The group's divers recovered fishing gear, tires, beer cans and a chrome hubcap from an old Buick.
'Owen was a hero': How a 12-year-old saved his dad's life with a clutch shot during a bear attack
The hunting incident in western Wisconsin shook Ryan Beierman and his son.
Change in Minn. wage law raises labor costs for natural resource restoration work
Change in wage law will hurt natural restoration in Minnesota, some conservation groups argue.
Voters to decide whether to keep using Minnesota Lottery proceeds for the outdoors
More than 100 conservation groups, hunting clubs, paddlers, trail riders, businesses and government entities have joined a coalition to campaign for a "Yes" vote in November's election.
You're now allowed to bag walleyes on Mille Lacs. But can you catch them?
A boom in the lake's perch population is good for walleyes, but not helpful for people fishing for Minnesota's prize fish.
A pioneer in outdoor navigation turns to Minnesota for fishing smarts
OnX Maps purchased TroutRoutes from a small Twin Cities firm while also tapping a Minnesota fishing industry veteran to develop onX Fish, an app for lake fishing.
Camp Ripley's expanded deer hunt is one of the changes ahead for Minnesota hunters, trappers
With the Minnesota harvest season around the corner, the Department of Natural Resources has adjusted season lengths and many other rules.
Beyond his flannel shirt and camo hat, Tim Walz has made his mark in the politics of fish and game
At ease on the prairie bagging pheasants, the running mate of Kamala Harris has been tuned into hook and bullet issues since his earliest days in Congress
DNR poised to set a two-walleye bag limit on Mille Lacs starting in mid-August
Miscalculations about weather, catch rates and fishing pressure have left the state far below its annual harvest quota.
Will DNR loosen one-fish bag limit for Mille Lacs walleye anglers?
With ample capacity left in the state's harvest quota, there is hope around Mille Lacs Lake for a loosening of walleye regulations next month beyond the slot-restricted, one-fish bag limit set to open Aug. 16.
Plan to capture Minnesota elk, establish new herd gains momentum
In discussion phases since 2013, the project has concrete goals and two newly hired elk biologists.
A rustic Gunflint Trail fish camp inspired an adventurous young woman home
Hawaii's luster wore off the more Jessica Berg-Collman pondered her wild upbringing on the edge of the Boundary Waters.
The monster Minnesota fish that got away (from the record books)
In the awe of a 30-pound northern pike he caught in the BWCAW, Jake Skarloken forgot to photograph the beast against a measuring tape. It cost him a state record.
More wild turkeys, hunters made for a spring hunt unlike any other
The harvest in Minnesota set a new record of 16,600 birds harvested.
DNR reveals a new leader for the Fish and Wildlife Division
Kelly Straka, a native Minnesotan with outdoors experience here and in Hawaii, Missouri and Michigan, will replace retiring Dave Olfelt.
Electronic licensing, carp deterrent are outdoors wins at Capitol
Outdoor Heritage Fund delivered a record $192 million to enhance habitat and support wildlife.
The weather and the bite made for a dreamy state fishing opener
The bite might have been mixed in places, but there was certainty for many Minnesotans: It was an ideal day to be out.
Live: Updates and photos from the Minnesota fishing opener
Hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans are participating in Saturday's fishing opener, with walleye the preferred game fish.
The weather and license sales point to a solid Minnesota fishing opener
325,000 fishing licenses of all types could be sold by sunrise Saturday, with youth sales a high point.
Licensing for Minnesota recreation making major leap to digital age
You'll still be able to buy a paper license at your favorite bait shop or store, but most hunters, anglers, boaters, snowmobilers, ATV riders and skiers will carry permissions on their phones.
Wildlife agency: Sturgeon won't go on endangered species list
In a decision welcomed by Minnesota's fishing community and the DNR, the Fish and Wildlife Service said it won't list lake sturgeon under the Endangered Species Act.
Will 'shotgun only' zone for deer in southern Minnesota be abolished?
There's still a chance for a breakthrough affecting the annual whitetail harvest — Minnesota's most popular form of hunting — for the southern half of the state.
Legislation directs millions toward dozens of Minnesota outdoors projects
The executive director of the commission responsible for choosing the projects said acceptance at the Capitol arrived earlier than ever before.
Drama on a federal level encircles a fish thriving in Minnesota
Sturgeon numbers here are strong, but anglers, guides, resorts and the DNR are still bracing for a possible endangered species listing.
Big Ten deer hunting rankings? Minnesota isn't power you'd expect.
When it comes to deer hunting, there are four other states that have Big Ten schools and outshine Minnesota when you look at the data.
Legislation would give state land to Red Lake Nation
Local residents say they were blindsided by the Upper Red Lake proposal; DNR said it was not consulted about bills.
State: Walleyes caught on Mille Lacs can't be kept until August
Walleye bag limits on two of Minnesota's most popular lakes have been cut back this year, including no keepers on Mille Lacs until at least mid-August.
Minnesota legislative auditor reviewing conflict over DNR timber sales
The review will look at the actions that led to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service sanction.
Harvest is official: Minnesota's deer hunt season was a downer
The DNR's final deer hunting harvest report reveals whitetail declines, even with less severe winter up north.
Rough Mille Lacs ice season at odds with great fishing. What's going on?
The lake's overall walleye population is down 10%. But despite the population decline, the catch rate on Mille Lacs this winter has soared to its highest level in at least 35 years, even with bad ice conditions.
Pot use in state parks, new hiking trail, elk politics in mix at Legislature
Big grant money for the outdoors will be in play at the 2024 legislative session along with policy proposals ranging from marijuana limitations in state parks to a repeal that would allow more elk to roam.
Fewer walleye on Mille Lacs will mean tighter regulations this year
"We're going to pump the brakes a little bit this year so we don't have to take more drastic action later on," a DNR official said in explaining what's ahead.
Fish Lake in Maple Grove will be removed from impaired waters list
State has worked to restore the popular, heavily used lake plagued by pollution.
Champions of Minnesota's wild places have busy 2024 ahead
The lengths Minnesota land and wildlife managers go to manage the state's resources can at times appear like a horizon without end. But what are their priorities for this year?
Lake of the Woods 'Bombers' remain winter workhorses
For decades, the tracked vehicles have been the go-to means to ferry the icefishing masses on the massive lake.
DNR explores a weighty walleye change: reducing the daily limit
The idea failed at the Legislature, but the DNR might try to cut the take-home limit from six walleyes to four using its own rule-making authority.
Minnesota legislative auditor opens probe of DNR's oversight of public hunting lands
The assessment is related to allegedly inappropriate logging on some state wildlife management areas.
Grant conditions revised to ensure DNR logging serves wildlife
The DNR must follow more detailed reporting requirements to show, in advance, how each timber sale will improve wildlife habitat.
Man killed when commercial transport vehicle crashes through Lake of the Woods ice
Several passengers and the driver escaped from the "bomber." It's the season's second known ice-related fatality in Minnesota.
Mild winter has changed landscape for eager state ice fishers
Anglers are itching for a deep freeze, with ice production weeks behind schedule in some areas of the state.
Ice fishing season rides into state — and it needn't be a cold mess
Remembers when overnights on the ice were more about survival than fun? The way it was then isn't the way it is now, especially if you take advantage of what's available.
Ice fishing season rides into Minnesota — and it needn't be a cold mess
Remembers when overnights on the ice were more about survival than fun? The way it was then isn't the way it is now, especially if you take advantage of what's available.
New Minnesota deer hunters group wants changes in wolf politics
With meetings across the north, Hunters For Hunters seeks to amplify voices of people who believe Minnesota's wolf population is a problem going unaddressed.
Wisconsin firearms deer harvest by hunters takes a dive, too
With some data echoing Minnesota's plight, hunters in Wisconsin took nearly 18% fewer deer than last year, DNR says.
Even with solid weather, Minnesota's whitetail harvest continues to disappoint
The primary firearms hunt yielded fewer deer than desired by DNR wildlife managers, who also pointed out declining license sales.
Mille Lacs passes hype test as a walleye angler's dream in late fall
Tales of big walleyes after Halloween rang true on a November joyride in Garrison Bay, and a good bite is expected through winter.
Data and observations back it up: Not much bang in Minnesota deer opener
Wolf complaints and vacant deer camps were widespread up north, where hunting was the worst.
Like many Minnesotans, young hunter had visions of a buck on deer opener
A 13-year-old Hastings boy was among Minnesota's thousands in pursuit of success on opening day.
Former Viking Trae Waynes leaves the football field for the forest
The former Vikings defensive back is making a splash in western Wisconsin as a hunting outfitter offering a curated whitetail deer experience. "I knew I didn't want to play football forever," he says.
2 hunting mentors accidentally shot during youth firearms deer season
The cases in Sherburne and Hubbard counties over MEA weekend involved mistakes by young hunters. The statewide deer season opens Nov. 4.
Legislation seeks solution for sea of leftover boat shrink wrap
Rep. Larry Kraft, DFL-St. Louis Park, has introduced a bill to make producers of the film responsible for its collection and recycling.
Researchers push against anti-wolf billboard in northern Minnesota
A roadside billboard along Hwy. 53 on the Iron Range has caused a controversy by suggesting that legalized hunting of wolves could save tens of thousands of baby deer.
DNR will receive federal aid held up by logging practices that triggered reprimand
The Fish and Wildlife Service had halted the funding over concerns the DNR was failing to consider wildlife when logging on hunting lands.
Minnesota duck hunting gets off to a flying — and in some places, record-making — start
The DNR's waterfowl specialist graded opening weekend as "very good to excellent," and some records were set.
State bear harvest down; outlooks promising for grouse, pheasants
Fall hunting is almost in full swing, with duck and goose hunters joining on Saturday with the opening of their primary season.
Optimism over Minnesota duck opener tempered by 'so-so' surveys
Spring counts were called "so-so at best," but production of ducklings and goslings seemed to go well, DNR said.
Internal DNR survey results: 90% disagree with approach to logging
A survey was sent to wildlife section employees about the agency's handling of logging on lands where wildlife considerations are required to come first.
Famous Minnesota walleye lake in line for a northern upgrade
Gull Lake could see an upgrade of its northern pike population if the Minnesota DNR finalizes a proposed experimental fishing regulation. The northerns are often an accidental catch for anglers.
Pheasant population doubles in state's southwest corner; declines elsewhere
But a DNR summary of this year's survey said pheasant indices remain well below their long-term averages in most other regions of Minnesota.
Legendary catch: Minnesota teen reels in wallet with $2,000, returns it
Connor Halsa of Moorhead returned every penny and gained a friend for life when connected with Iowa livestock hauler Jim Denney.
What happens when the federal government shuts off state wildlife habitat funds?
The federal wildlife program in the news this month for being violated by the Minnesota DNR has given more than $400 million into the state over the past 20 years
New Minnesota rules will keep teal hunters away from tribal ricing areas
Ricers on the White Earth Nation and Leech Lake reservations won't have to share water with duck hunters during the five-day teal season starting Sept. 2
DNR abruptly pauses logging on federally aided hunting lands
The pause is the latest development in the ongoing conflict over efforts to make sure the DNR's timber sales are mainly for wildlife purposes — not to satisfy relentless timber quotas.
