OutdoorMN News - DNR releases draft Sand Dunes State Forest operational plan for public review

[Rick]

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has released a draft operational plan for management of the Sand Dunes State Forest, located in central Sherburne County, about 3 miles west of Zimmerman.

The draft operational plan will undergo a 45-day public review from June 21 to August 4. Members of the public are invited to read the draft plan on the DNR’s website and provide comments through an online form; both are located at www.mndnr.gov/forestry/sand-dunes.

The DNR will hold a public meeting to discuss the plan on July 10, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Big Lake High School cafeteria; 501 Minnesota Ave., in Big Lake. Members of the public will be invited to interact with DNR staff and learn more about the draft plan. The meeting will begin with an open house, followed by a brief DNR presentation about the plan and, conclude with an open microphone session.

Last summer, the DNR organized a group of local residents, government leaders and other interested people to provide perspective and advice on management issues in the Sand Dunes State Forest. The group held six open meetings, and there were often additional people in the audience who joined in the discussion. These citizen-centered discussions helped shape the new draft plan released this week.

Sand Dunes State Forest, established by the Minnesota Legislature in 1945, includes about 6,000 acres of land owned and managed by the state. It features pine plantations, rare sand dunes, wetlands, woodlands, oak savanna and prairie and is home to more than two dozen rare plants and animals. The forest is a popular recreation destination for hikers, horseback riders, hunters, campers and others.

For ongoing news regarding Sand Dunes State Forest and future meetings of the advisory group, sign up for email updates . Enter an email address and then select Sand Dunes State Forest from the drop down list.  Visit www.mndnr.gov/forestry/sand-dunes for notes and resources related to the meetings.
 

Discuss below - to view set the hook here.

[monstermoose78]

This is close to home for me. I love the dunes, but the refuge is messed up. The refuge told me they were brining native game birds back, so I was excited and said sharptailed grouse and the guy looked and me and said no ringnecked pheasants. I laughed at him and said really he said yes really. I told him ringnecked pheasants are invasive species he argued they are native and I walked out shaking my head. 

 

The refuge could be a strong hold for sharptailed grouse, prairie chickens, and water fowl if they managed for them. The dune could extend this area. 

[BringAnExtension]

6 hours ago, monstermoose78 said:

I told him ringnecked pheasants are invasive species he argued they are native and I walked out shaking my head.

 

I hope that guy didn't work for the DNR.

 

[monstermoose78]

9 hours ago, BringAnExtension said:

 

I hope that guy didn't work for the DNR.

 

No USFishAndWildlife

[BringAnExtension]

Well, that is just as bad. 

[TNtoMN_HuntFish]

I really hope they don't screw this place up. I love it out there and have done a lot of hunting there. I sure wish there were fewer horse trails. It shouldn't be so easy for hunters to access all the woods. That makes it harder to get away from the guys who want to hunt no more than 50 yds from a gravel road. 

 

The dunes seems like a pretty special place to me. DNR does a lot of things that leave is scratching our heads, let's hope they manage this place properly. 

[monstermoose78]

They used to have a nice gun range but some stupid locals shot their garage and blamed the range!

[ZachD]

On ‎6‎/‎27‎/‎2017 at 9:00 AM, TNtoMN_HuntFish said:

I really hope they don't screw this place up. I love it out there and have done a lot of hunting there. I sure wish there were fewer horse trails. It shouldn't be so easy for hunters to access all the woods. That makes it harder to get away from the guys who want to hunt no more than 50 yds from a gravel road. 

 

The dunes seems like a pretty special place to me. DNR does a lot of things that leave is scratching our heads, let's hope they manage this place properly. 

Try the Sherburne wildlife refuge plenty of places you can get to were not a lot of people want to go the spot I deer hunt you need hip waders to get to

[TNtoMN_HuntFish]

9 hours ago, ZachD said:

Try the Sherburne wildlife refuge plenty of places you can get to were not a lot of people want to go the spot I deer hunt you need hip waders to get to

I never got around to scouting it, wish I would have. I spent a lot of time in Dunes and other small WMA scattered in the 601 zone to take advantage of the unlimited antlerless harvest. I know there is some good duck hunting to be had in Sherburne too if I can get away from the idiots. That seems to be a difficult task when waterfowl hunting within a 20 mile radius of the metro. 

Edited June 29, 2017 by TNtoMN_HuntFish

[monstermoose78]

Nope you just need to walk