Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Where is winter?
12:46 PM | 
Posted by
Kara |
Where is that snowy weather that has many Minnesotans in a tizzy? The weather is finally starting to dip down and stay there... ice on windshields of cars and hard frost covering the ground in the mornings. It's almost December and the state has yet to be blanketed in that fluffy white stuff!
Ice fishing events are being planned, however due to the late freeze we are pushing them back a month to make sure that everyone is safe!
Ice fishing events are being planned, however due to the late freeze we are pushing them back a month to make sure that everyone is safe!
Kara's super secret tips for winter fun:
- Always have hot chocolate mix on hand! Coming in from the bus stop, a day of winter fun activities or even hanging out inside it always warms you up! (Im kind of a sucker for Swiss Miss with the mini marshmellows)
- Back up gloves are key! Keep an extra pair handy. Nobody likes having a snowball fight with wet gloves! Warm hands keep your whole body feeling warm.
- Try making real snow snowcones! Your local grocery store or food supply store should have flavoring you can buy. Mix shaved ice with real snow and go to town. Mix different colors to make fun new flavors. Just a reminder... dont eat the yellow snow... I mean the yellow snow that you DIDNT put lemon flavoring on.
Winter is knocking at our door, just waiting for the right time to fall in! Get those sleds, skates and mittens ready for it!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Gone Hunting!
Hunting season is in full swing in Minnesota and around the country. From bow hunting for deer to multiple different types of bird hunting, hunters are out in full force. I was lucky enough to go duck hunting for the first time this past weekend. The Chopp family took me under their wing to teach me the ins and outs and get an up close and personal look. Learning about what you are hunting for before you go is an important step about your hunt! You don't want to be getting chilly or not be properly prepared when you are out in the wilderness as it could have a negative impact on your experience.
Mr. Chopp, and his two sons, Matt and Jimmy, taught me what I needed to know about proper gear, how to set up a good blind, tricks on setting up your decoy spread and some different calling methods. We hunted just outside of Tower, Minnesota on Lost Lake. Big water hunting is incredibly different than other duck hunting areas from what I am told. Which just means I will have to go again :) About three minutes before legal shooting hours, a flock of about 15 ducks attempted to dump into the decoys, got spooked and took off again. Three ducks did end up landing in the decoys however it wasn't legal shooting just yet so we got to watch them swim away. After spending more time in the blind without any luck, we decided to head back to the landing and go to the cabin.
While getting the boat on the trailer and securing everything, Mr. Chopp threw an orange jacket to me and said it was my turn to shoot a grouse. I was so nervous because I had never shot a grouse before. I dawned the orange jacket and hopped in the front seat with my gun, unloaded and chamber open. After driving down the road, Jimmy spotted a grouse running about 30 yards ahead of the truck. Mr. Chopp stopped the truck and let me out. I loaded my Stoger P2000 12 gauge shotgun and walked away from the truck to legal shooting distance. As I took aim on the bird, I ran over the tips I have learned from my outdoor mentors. One in particular tip, from my dad, stuck out the most. "Always exhale when you pull the trigger. It will help you relax more and time your breathing properly." I exhaled, with the site of my gun on the grouses head, and pulled the trigger. BOOM, one shot and the grouse was down. Mr. Chopp, Matt and Jimmy all made sure I had an extra shell if the bird was to get up, which it didn't. One shot and the bird was in my hands.
After Matt retrieved my bird, handed it to me for a quick picture, I looked around at the wilderness I stood in. The leaves on the trees are all turning into oranges and yellows and the sounds of the woods all hit me hard at that moment. How amazing it felt to bag my first grouse at 22 years old turned into thoughts of "how amazing would it feel to a 9, 10 or 11 year old to get their first bird."
This past weekend reignited the passion I have for getting our youth back outside and passing on our hunting and outdoor traditions. The DNR Youth Mentor program is giving me the amazing opportunity to represent Youth Outdoors USA Minnesota at the Minnesota Governor's Deer Opener. Opening morning I will be taking a youth hunter into the woods to bag their first deer. I cannot wait!
How's hunting season in other states going?
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
walleye wonder world!
They walleyes are biting like crazy here in Minnesota in the northern part of the state! This rain is really helping with the bug population as well!
Whats up in your neck of the woods?!
Whats up in your neck of the woods?!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Spring Spring Spring
Spring is in full bloom!! Weather in the 60's to 70's is doing everyone well! Finally those spring activities will get under way! Minnesota is planning their first fishing event of the season! Stop by Gander Mountain in Blaine, MN at 7 pm on Friday, April 29th!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
What are you doing this weekend?
What are you doing this weekend? Well, the Youth Outdoors USA - Minnesota team will be heading to do some serious networking at this years Northwest Sports Show in Minneapolis. From RV's to dock diving dogs the sports show has many outlets to get people back outside and learning about the wilderness! Learn how to orbe, basically walk on water inside a giant bubble, and catch your own trout! Should be a pretty great time! YOUSA - MN is working hard on making connections that will help out nationally! What are yall doing in the other states! We would love to hear from you!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Springing Ahead?
Are you going to springing ahead or falling behind? I vote spring ahead! Pull out those hiking boots and head out for an early spring hike! If you are in an area where it is pretty dry and doesn't have snow on the ground like we do, maybe go out for a shed hunt! Finding antlers that deer have dropped is always an adventure! What about some early spring fishing? Bass are biting I hear! What activity will spring you ahead into our new season?
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Mother Nature works in mysterious ways
So I was right, due to the beautiful weather we were having up here in Minnesota, Mother Nature said "just kidding" and slammed us with 2 inches of freezing rain and about 6 inches of snow... and guess what... it's still coming! Hopefully this will be the final snowfall of the year so we can get our spring activities going! However this does pose a great opportunity to squeeze in some last minute sledding, snowtubing and maybe a final snowball fight? As Al Roker says "whats happening in your neck of the woods"! Let us know!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Wet spring so far
Due to yesterday being the official first day of spring we would like to say hello to a new season! New seasons mean all types of different things! From different activities to different apparel. Yesterday I got to put on the knee high boots and take a walk in my backyard. The lake in the backyard mixed with the melting snow made for muddy conditions so my knee high boots from Lacrosse kept my feet dry and happy! It is always interesting to see what is left with the snow melts.... everything from sticks and logs to Nike shoes and a golf ball were laying around. My friends and I also got to see nature come alive with a the neighborhood family of fox coming back out to play and the geese moving back in. Spring means new life and new sites to see! I cannot wait to see what else spring has to offer us!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Another goregous day
Another gorgeous day here in Minnesota! Lots of people are out walking the trails around the lakes or even their blocks! What are you doing to enjoy this great weather? Our national director Phil got to hit the water for a fishing adventure! He seemed to be very successful, with the biggest being a 25" bass! Way to go Phil! Sadly enough here in Minnesota the ice is still in full effect however starting to fade away which is going to become dangerous for our ice fisherman! Remember to always be safe when you are outside!!! :)
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Minnesota YOUSA Up and Running
Hey everyone! Kara here, your Minnesota state director! I am so excited to be apart of the Youth Outdoors USA family! We have a lot of things being planned as we speak for Minnesota and I am excited to share just a few of them with you! On May 8th, I will be venturing out to Rogers, Minnesota and in conjunction with Cabelas will be helping out with a youth and women outdoors event! Feel free to swing by and find out more about activities youth can do and where to go! Also planning has begun on three BWCAW canoe trips, a beginner, moderate and advance trips! More information will be posted on the Minnesota YOUSA page with details as they are finalized! Please friend us on facebook "YOUSA Minnesota Chapter" and like our fan page "YOUSA - Minnesota Chapter" Hope everyone is having an awesome day! Up here in Minnesota the snow is finally starting to melt! Now that I said that however we will probably get another couple inches! :) Im working on setting up the Youth Outdoors USA main facebook and fan page and our twitter account is up and running! Follow us on twitter at YouthOutdoorsUSA, find us by using kara@youthoutdoorsusa.com
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Youth Outdoors USA Blog
Welcome to the blog of Youth Outdoors USA!
Youth Outdoors USA is a website featuring extensive information to help motivate our youth to get back outside enjoying sports and all the natural wonders this world has to offer. We hope you will enjoy visiting our website often, and get all the young people you know involved.
On this blog, we will be talking about just about anything related to "The Great Outdoors", and offering ideas to get your loved ones interested in investigating all the terrific activities available outside for themselves.
Now, I would like to introduce Kara Wattunen, who is our director in Minnesota, and the head honcho of social marketing for Youth Outdoors USA. She has spent many wonderful days hunting and fishing in her region, and has some tremendous ideas for expanding your child's world beyond the ever present video screen.
Thanks for stopping by! We hope you have a great time joining us in our quest to get kids, their families and friends outdoors having the time of their lives.
Youth Outdoors USA is a website featuring extensive information to help motivate our youth to get back outside enjoying sports and all the natural wonders this world has to offer. We hope you will enjoy visiting our website often, and get all the young people you know involved.
On this blog, we will be talking about just about anything related to "The Great Outdoors", and offering ideas to get your loved ones interested in investigating all the terrific activities available outside for themselves.
Now, I would like to introduce Kara Wattunen, who is our director in Minnesota, and the head honcho of social marketing for Youth Outdoors USA. She has spent many wonderful days hunting and fishing in her region, and has some tremendous ideas for expanding your child's world beyond the ever present video screen.
Thanks for stopping by! We hope you have a great time joining us in our quest to get kids, their families and friends outdoors having the time of their lives.
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