Waterfowl
hunting, habitat management and biology – and the majesty of the Roseau
River Wildlife Management Area – are among topics planned for the
Minnesota Waterfowl Symposium, a one-day conference open to outdoor
enthusiasts, hunters and natural resource experts.
At
the Saturday, Feb. 4 event, waterfowl experts from a variety of
agencies and organizations will discuss waterfowl and waterfowl habitat
with the public. It takes place 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Minneapolis
Airport Marriot, 2020 American Blvd. E., in Bloomington.
“Each
year this conference is a great chance to talk face-to-face with the
public about a wide range of issues relating to wetlands and waterfowl,”
said Ricky Lien, wetland habitat team supervisor with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “This discussion is important and we always enjoy people’s enthusiasm for these issues.”
The
conference, now in its 20th year, is presented through a partnership
between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Waterfowl
Association and the DNR.
Attendees
can get gun fitting and repair questions answered by a gunsmith, see
the junior duck stamp display, learn about cooking and other uses for
wild game, and more. They also can check out the Minnesota Decoy
Collectors Association annual decoy show hosted across the hall at the
same location.
Presenters include:
- Kevin Lines, Minnesota DNR, engaging in local conservation issues.
- Orrin Jones, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, an experimental teal season in production states.
- Randy Pracher, Minnesota DNR, the Roseau River WMA.
- Marshall Johnson, Dakota Audubon, and Nina Hill, University of Minnesota, the marsh bird response to habitat management using fire and grazing.
- David Wolfson, University of Minnesota, a crane delineation project.
- Steve Cordts, Minnesota DNR; goldeneye biology and hunting.
- Jeff Lawrence, Minnesota DNR, a history of hunting regulations.
- DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr will participate in a question and answer session.
