Minnesota's prairie chicken population now stands at about 3,000 breeding birds in the spring and 6,000 birds in the fall.
Historically, the prairie chickens were numerous in Minnesota. Records show that in 1923, hunters killed 300,000 prairie chickens. By 1942, when the state's last major prairie chicken hunt was held, the harvest had fallen to 58,000 birds.
Prairie restoration and protection programs have helped stabilize the bird's population in recent years. This year's hunt is aimed at building support for protecting and enhancing the bird's habitat.
Hunters are reminded that applications for the 2003 prairie chicken season and the fall turkey hunt will be accepted through July 25 in Minnesota.
The five-day prairie chicken season, which will begin on Oct. 18, is open to Minnesota residents only. Hunters will be charged a $4 application fee and may apply individually or in groups up to four.
ADVERTISEMENT
The hunt will be held in seven prairie chicken quota areas between Crookston in the north and Breckenridge in the south. Up to 20 percent of the permits in each area will be issued to landowners or tenants of 40 acres or more of prairie or grassland property within the permit area for which they applied.
While we're on the subject of fall hunting, applications for this year's fall turkey hunt are also being accepted through July 25 at ELS vendors across the state.
Fall turkey hunters may apply to hunt in one of 23 permit areas from Oct. 15-19 or Oct. 22-26. A total of 3,870 fall turkey hunting permits are available.
The application fee is $3. For successful applicants, the license costs $18 for residents and $73 for nonresidents. A $5 stamp validation is also required for turkey hunters 18 years of age or older.
Successful applicants will be notified by mail and must purchase their permit at an ELS vendor.
The gnomes of Dawson
Sometimes I feel like a gnome, sometimes I don't. The four-foot gnomes lining the city park in the western Minnesota town of Dawson look remarkably like some of the people who live around there.
And that's the way the people of Dawson want it.
ADVERTISEMENT
About 15 years ago, this farmland community of about 1,500 near Minnesota's western border took up the idea of creating gnomes each year to honor not only their Scandinavian heritage, but also some of the folks who have helped make the town a great place to live.
The first gnomes were carved from wood, and about a half dozen are still displayed in the town library on Pine Street, just off Main Street in downtown Dawson.
The intent was to display the gnomes outside, but the wooden statues couldn't stand up to the Minnesota weather. So, the gnomes are now being fashioned from cement. Each one looks like someone from Dawson.
If you walk around town long enough, you will probably recognize the gnomes "real-life look-alikes."
About a dozen of these creatures can be seen in the park right on Highway 212. A kiosk in the park tells the story of the gnomes. Each year in June at the community's Riverfest festival, a new gnome is unveiled to the world and the person the gnome represents is on hand to be honored.
All the townspeople of Dawson get to vote for the community-spirited person they wish to have honored with a gnome each year. But, only one vote per resident. "No ballot-stuffing is allowed. We're not Florida," said Dawson resident Sharilyn Bates.
Well, I'm not a Dawson resident, but even if I were, I don't think the good people of that fine community would ever create a gnome in my likeness. I mean, you would have to be one brave community to replicate my image in cement for all to see for decades to come. But then ... maybe there's a scarecrow job available.
Dawson is about 16 miles west of Montevideo. While you're in the area, you can golf the town's nine-hole course or visit nearby Lac Qui Parle State Park to round out your stay.
ADVERTISEMENT
Johnson, who works with the Minnesota Office of Tourism in St. Paul, can be reached at (651) 297-3488 or via e-mail at curt.johnson@state.mn.us
