A hunter accused of killing a federally protected animal in Idaho faces a hefty civil penalty and jail time, wildlife officials said.

The man thought he was shooting a black bear when he killed the female grizzly May 9 in the Priest Lake drainage area of Idaho’s Panhandle, McClatchy News reported from Idaho Fish and Game.

Once he realized ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — In Minnesota, if you’re a poacher — meaning if you intentionally kill wildlife without a license or by other illegal means — should you go to jail?

A lot of legal hunters think so. So do a lot of conservation officers, who sometimes spend years gathering evidence on bad guys, only to see the miscreants go to court, pay a ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Whether he’s having lake trout or walleye for shore lunch, Lukas Leaf employs the same recipe.

“We fry up a pound of bacon, eat the bacon, and fry the fish in the bacon grease,” Leaf said. “With fresh fish, there’s nothing better.”

Similar culinary rituals played out on lakeshores from Winona to Warroad and Winton ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — At a time when anglers are debating if advanced underwater sonar technology is wrecking the sanctity of fishing, wetting a line on Annie Battle Lake is becoming more of a throwback than ever.

Nestled inside Glendalough State Park in Otter Tail County, this deep and clear 334-acre lake is set aside by the Department of Natural ...Read more

MILLE LACS LAKE, Minn. — Within minutes of the clock striking midnight, marking the official start of the Minnesota fishing opener on Saturday, 24 extra-eager anglers cast their lines from a boat in the dark, hoping luck would shine upon them.

Almost right away, 13-year-old Katelynn Norman’s orange bobber sank below the water.

Boat Capt. ...Read more