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FAIRMONT -- Memorial Day weekend is upon us and many will be enjoying the outdoors and all that has to offer. With that in mind, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is offering some advice on water safety, as well as spreading the word about some outdoor skills webinars.
According to information provided by the DNR, waterways throughout Minnesota already have been more crowded than usual this spring, and people will need to take seriously their safety responsibilities. This mirrors safety information provided by Martin County Sheriff Jeff Markquart offered earlier this month.
"Be mindful of other people at the boat landings if there's a line," he said. "Be mindful of your surroundings and just respect the other people out on the lakes."
Markquart and the DNR also provided reminders on the importance of life jackets. The DNR shares that, in Minnesota, 90 percent of boating fatality victims are not wearing a life jacket. By law, children under 10 years old must wear one while the boat is underway. Wearing a life jacket is the easiest step boaters of all ages can take to help ensure they get home safely.
In addition, people should make sure their life jackets fit and are in good condition. The DNR also recommends checking all safety equipment including navigation lights, sound-producing devices, fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors.
Drinking and boating are also two things that don't mix. The DNR says that boating under the influence is illegal and is the single greatest factor in fatal boating accidents.
Turning to the webinars, people interested in fishing, hunting and care for the outdoors can learn about activities like shore fishing, firearms safety, muskie fishing, archery or how to catch catfish during webinars hosted by the DNR.
"We're excited about reaching people interested in developing their outdoor skills," said Benji Kohn, DNR volunteer mentor program coordinator. "Sometimes all it takes to try something new are a few good tips and some encouragement, and that's what these webinars are all about."
The DNR started the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series in March to share how-to knowledge relevant to current Minnesota outdoor seasons and activities. Most of the webinars center on fishing or hunting skills, and some have covered other outdoor activities like kayaking or foraging.
The webinars are at noon on Wednesdays and last less than an hour. The webinar series expands the DNR's online offerings beyond the turkey and deer hunting classes developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Joining the latest webinar lineup are programs on archery, fishing, fish and wildlife biology, and skills taught through the DNR Becoming an Outdoors Woman program.
While the DNR will be resuming more in-person classes over the summer, these webinars are short, require no travel and can reach those with limited free time.
"Even as we add more in-person events, we want to keep our webinar series going because it has been a fun and effective way to share information with people," Kohn said. "Much of our audience is made up of outdoor enthusiasts who are interested in trying something new -- deer hunters who want to try hunting turkeys or anglers who want to catch more bass or walleye, for example."
Recruiting, retaining and reactivating hunters and anglers is one way the DNR is acting on its strategic plan to connect people to the outdoors. The webinars are a way to broaden access to knowledge and information about outdoor opportunities available in Minnesota, primarily related to fishing and hunting.