Outdoors - Pierce County Journal

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Everything turkey you need to know

The first turkey season is in the books, the second one is underway, and a welcoming spring season rolls on. Is there anything else to talk about? I didn’t think so. The … more

By Dave Beck | 4/27/23

Town of Salem resident Samantha Bowen staffed a booth at Earth Fest for GROWW Action Saturday, April 22 at the UW-River Falls University Center. The group was gathering signatures on a petition to stop the expansion of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in Pierce County, such as a potential 5,000 cow operation in the town of Salem.

Earth Fest’s second event draws big crowds

More than 2,000 attendees filled the UW-River Falls University Center Saturday, April 22 for Earth Fest. The cold, wet weather moved the fest from Glen Park to UWRF, but didn't seem to dampen … more

4/27/23

The benches and tables at Point Douglas Park off Prescott were underwater Saturday as the St. Croix registered major flood stage at Stillwater.

LMC approves policy for temp vehicle storage during flooding

ELLSWORTH – With major flooding on the Mississippi River overtaking buildings and vehicles along the Great River Road, people are having to move campers and other recreational vehicles to safer … more

4/27/23

My nephew Reid with his turkey, a reminder to send in your photos as well.

Outdoor Tales & Trails : Gobble gobble, it’s turkey time

I should have written about turkey hunting before now because the youth hunt took place last weekend. In addition to that, the first of six seasons starts on Wednesday with the last season going … more

By Dave Beck | 4/20/23

Grace Coggio, right, UW-River Falls sustainability fellow and communication studies associate professor, speaks with attendees about water quality during last year’s inaugural Earth Fest in River Falls. This year’s event is set for April 22.

One year after its start, interest in Earth Fest continues to grow

RIVER FALLS – In the year since the initial Earth Fest occurred in River Falls, the much-discussed topic of sustainability has become even more so, making this year’s fest especially … more

4/13/23

Like this beautiful sunset over the water, the sun is setting on winter.

Outdoors Tales & Trails: The sun is setting on winter

It seems we have finally emerged out of the long white cover of winter. Over the last couple of weeks, I have posted pictures online showing signs of spring as a reminder that we are close and … more

By Dave Beck | 4/13/23

The 2,000 pound, 20-year-old eagle nest came crashing down around 7:53 a.m. on the morning of April 2nd. The nest contained a chick which was found deceased a few hours after the fall.

Local internet sensation crashes to a heartbreaking end

20 years ago, a pair of American Bald Eagles chose a location for their nest. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) eventually put up their ‘EagleCam’ that gave a 24/7 look … more

By Bruce Karnick | 4/7/23

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Testing the luck downriver

Have you driven by any of the boat landings near Red Wing, Minn., lately? Holy smoked carp! It’s crazy how many boats are hitting the water these days. There have literally been … more

By Dave Beck | 4/6/23

Heavy snow across the upper Midwest this winter will make it very likely that the upper Mississippi River will flood this spring, according to National Weather Service forecasters.

Heavy, wet snow raises risk of spring flooding in upper Mississippi River basin

Heavy, wet snow that pounded upper Wisconsin and Minnesota is expected to cause flooding this spring along the upper Mississippi River, and it could be considerable. The National Weather Service … more

By Madeline Heim, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | 3/30/23

The Minnesota DNR has a bald eagle webcam, which went live December 2022. In February, the mother eagle laid two eggs and kept them safe during a 13-inch blizzard.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Bald eagle webcam gives up close look

My grandma Tilly grew up in Minnesota and when I was just a young kid, she told me the biggest whopper story ever and I bought it hook, line and sinker. My only defense is that I was really … more

3/30/23

A stop at the LAX Reproductions booth at the Minnesota Muskie Expo is a must each year.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Another harbinger of spring

I can’t forecast the weather for this week, but I do have a warm weather topic and given our crazy long winter, that’s the best I can offer. I spent a few hours at the Minnesota … more

By Dave Beck | 3/23/23

My brother Garret and I had a laugh over him almost tripping on this deer shed antler.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: My favorite place

A long time ago I took an English Composition course. I can remember it like I can remember the last fish I caught, or the last shed deer antler I found. There were two assignments from … more

By Dave Beck | 3/16/23

This map shows the existing Halverson Park (at the top), which consists of 5.24 acres in the town of River Falls. Kim Halverson has donated an additional 5.27 acres to the town to expand the park (outlined south of the existing park).

Land donation will expand Halverson Park

TOWN OF RIVER FALLS – A town of River Falls resident followed in his dad’s footsteps, donating a piece of property to the Town of River Falls to expand an existing park. Kim Halverson … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/9/23

Outdoor Tales & Trails: How to win ‘ALONE’

Are you familiar with the television series ALONE on the History Channel? The basic premise of the show is that ten contestants are shipped out to separate remote locations somewhere in Canada … more

By Dave Beck | 3/9/23

Hunting channels and game cameras are showing signs that spring turkey hunting is not far away.

Outdoors Tales & Trails: Better days are coming

Last week’s snow and cold were a good reminder that it’s still winter and that winter is going to be here for a while. Recently a couple of signs that better things are to come have … more

By Dave Beck | 3/1/23

Margo and Lola: A world-class fly fishing experience in Pierce County

By Reagan Hoverman While many fly fishermen enjoy traveling west to Montana and Colorado to fish some of the most beautiful rivers in the world, few of them know that world-class fly fishing … more

By Reagan Hoverman | 6/28/22