My two oldest grandsons, Trevor and Taylor both like to hunt and for the last few years they have participated in the youth waterfowl hunt with their uncles. Last year Trevor also bagged his first grouse while we were up north in the fall and he was really excited about that. When my brother-in-law, Lynn came home from Alaska two years ago in October we went north for a few days and the boys hunted ducks on our little lake and had a blast (pun intended) in doing so. The boy’s love to hunt and spending the time with an adult and learning not only about hunting but also about hunting safety is invaluable. When we take the time to mentor our youth about hunting, fishing, trapping or the outdoors in general it is an investment in the future of the sport and in our environment. These are our future sportsmen and they will be the ones to carry on the traditions like deer camp or sitting in a blind with family on the opening of waterfowl season. Our youth of today will be our leaders of tomorrow so if they are shown an appreciation of the outdoors as youth they will do what it takes to preserve it as adults.

This year the Minnesota DNR has expanded the scope of hunting opportunities in the state for our youth. The following news release from the DNR gives the details of those expanded regulations:

Hunting regulation changes give youths, mentors more opportunities

Minnesota youth now have more opportunities to get out into the field this fall and experience hunting first hand.

“As an agency we have worked hard over the past five years to reduce regulatory barriers and create youth hunting opportunities in an effort to increase participation,” said Jay Johnson, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) hunting recruitment and retention program coordinator.

Specific changes to hunting regulations that directly impact youth include:

– A person who is age 11 and has a firearms safety certificate may purchase a license to take big game that will be valid for hunting during the entire regular season for which the license is valid if the person will reach age 12 during that calendar year

– A person age 10 or 11 may take big game without license or firearms safety certificate provided the person is under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian where the parent or guardian is within immediate reach and licensed to take the big game; big game taken by the 10- or 11-year-old must be tagged with the parent or guardian’s license

– Any person who is eligible to hunt small game can now apply for a prairie chicken license, regardless of age; a resident under 12 may apply for and take a prairie chicken without a firearms safety certificate if an adult parent or guardian who has a firearms safety certificate accompanies the resident

– Youth ages 12 to 15 can apply for moose and elk hunts.

“Giving youths more opportunities to hunt is important,” Johnson said. “But the most important part of the equation is getting experienced hunters to make a commitment that gets and keeps these youth in the field.”

Additional information pertaining specifically to youth hunting opportunities can be found on pages 34-38 of the 2008 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook.

The hunting season may be a ways away but fishing is still going strong and August and September can be a dynamite time for some excellent fishing. Bass and northern fishing can be especially good at this time of the year. Here are a few fishing reports from around the state:

ALEXANDRIA — Lakes Miltona, Reno, and Ida remain the area’s best walleye options in 12 to 18 feet of water. The bigger bass are now hitting crankbaits on the main-lake bars of most lakes, mainly in 14 to 17 feet. Look to lakes such as Carlos, Le Homme Dieu, Geneva, Mary, and Darling for panfish in 12 to 16 feet.

BRAINERD/NISSWA – Crankbaits, plastics, or minnows are the tickets for bass and northern pike at Gull Lake, North Long Lake, Round Lake, and Whitefish Lake. Sunfish have set up on the deeper weedlines of most area lakes and can be had with small leeches and jigs. Look for walleyes to be hitting live bait rigs tipped with redtails or leeches in 14 to 18 feet at Gull Lake.

CASS LAKE – The most consistent walleye bite is taking place at night with Shad Raps. North Cedar Bar, Tom’s Bar and O’Neal’s Point are worth checking. Some good-sized perch are being taken during the day with minnows on North Cedar Bar in 10 to 12 feet. Work the weedlines of Allen’s Bay for northern pike and bass. Muskie action still hasn’t cranked up and the few hooked have been small.

DETROIT LAKES – Walleyes are taking leeches and crawlers on the weedlines of Lake Sallie, Lake Melissa, Big Detroit Lake, and Island Lake. Muskie anglers are finding some success with bucktails and topwater baits on Big Detroit as well. Lakes Melissa and Sallie are kicking out northern pike and panfish continue to be found on the deep weed edge of most lakes.

GRAND RAPIDS – You’ll find suspended crappies near the weedlines of North Star Lake, Big Splithand Lake, Lake Wabana, and Little Splithand Lake. Bluegill action remains strong in 10 to 14 feet at Bass, Spider, and Little Cutfoot lakes. Walleyes tend to prefer spinner rigs with leeches or crawlers in 18 to 25 feet on Lake Pokegama and Trout Lake, 14 to 20 feet at Sand Lake, and in 16 to 22 feet on Swan Lake. Muskie reports remain limited, but northern pike are hitting minnows on Pokegama in 20 to 25 feet.

HACKENSACK -Leeches, crawlers, and crankbaits are producing a few walleyes on Ten Mile Lake. The eight- to 12-foot cabbage beds on Birch Lake and Pleasant Lake are giving up sunfish and crappies. Bass are hitting plastics on most lakes, while bucktails continue to raise muskies on Baby Lake, Little Boy Lake, and Lake Wabedo.

PARK RAPIDS – Spinners tipped with crawlers and leeches are producing walleyes during low-light periods at Long Lake in 24 feet of water. Hit Big Mantrap Lake with sucker minnows for northern pike in 14 feet of water or throw topwater baits for muskies in the weeds. Bluegills remain active on the 12- to 14-foot weed edge of Island Lake and the Crow Wing Chain. Crankbaits are triggering rainbow trout, most of which are suspended over deep water, on Bad Medicine Lake.

LEECH LAKE – Covering a lot of water with nightcrawlers and spinners in 12 to 18 feet has produced walleyes during the day. Work the flats and breaks near Stoney Point, Sand Point, Grandview Flats, and Goose Island with crankbaits during the evening hours for walleyes. Topwater baits are producing bass in the rice beds throughout Boy Bay and some panfish are being found in Shingobee Bay and Walker Narrows. Muskies have yet to establish a regular pattern, but bucktails seem to be working best on the weedlines.

RAINY LAKE – The deep humps and reefs are giving up walleyes in 36 to 45 feet. Crawlers or leeches on a live bait rig have worked best early and late in the day. The smallmouth bass bite has been very good on the Canadian side. The deep weedline in Lost Bay is holding northern pike and the bigger fish are hitting minnows and crankbaits.

Until next time, play safe and good fishn’ and enjoy the outdoors.

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