Outdoors - Cottage Grove Journal

The Newport Dog Park will have its grand opening April 17 from 3 p.m to 5 p.m., festivities to take place at 298 Fifth Avenue.

Newport Minnesota is having a grand opening soon for its dog park—and you’re invited! The official festivities for Newport’s Dog Park will take place Thursday, April 17th from 3 to … more

By Joseph Back | 4/10/25

Dan Sturgeon’s old-time spearing shack on Lake Winnebago was new in 1950.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: The real sturgeon spearing experience

I can now officially check the box for spear fishing sturgeon on Lake Winnebago. I spent three days with Dan “Sturgeon,” who is an old-school, second-generation sturgeon … more

By Dave Beck | 3/5/25

Forest Bathing returns to county parks in 2025 starting Feb. 12

Washington County Parks will feature six forest bathing sessions, including two full-moon walks, throughout 2025 in two different county parks. Experience an ancient wellness practice being … more

1/19/25

Wyatt Jensen who was on KAMO's "Joe Hunt" and hunting with his father Noah Jensen made an excellent shot on this beautiful buck.

KAMO's "Joe Hunt" as good as it gets!

Hello friends, Back in December of 2006 I wrote in this very same column about my thought that here in Wisconsin, we should have a multi-chapter organization that helps to get kids into the … more

By Mark Walters | 12/31/24

Opt outside with free entry to Washington County Parks the day after Thanksgiving

Washington County Parks will have free entry for the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 29. The Friday after Thanksgiving is traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year, and several outdoor … more

11/26/24

Guided bird hikes continue at Pine Point Regional Park Dec. 14

Washington County’s series of guided bird hikes throughout county parks will continue with a wintertime hike 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Pine Point Regional Park. Learn to identify the … more

11/26/24

That awesome memory is from many hunting seasons ago but around our family the story resurfaces this time of year and it’s all because we had to “go into town” to register my dad’s big buck.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Dad's big buck

In just a couple of days in Wisconsin we are going to celebrate one of the best traditions in our state’s history. No, not Jump Around at the Badger game and no, not a victory dance at … more

By Dave Beck | 11/20/24

From our base camp to our camp at the top of the mountain was a five mile ATV journey that was quite challenging.

An Outdoorsman's Journal

Hello friends, This week and next I will write about my most anticipated, expensive and in some ways, challenging trip of my life. I would head west with my golden retrievers to southwest … more

By Mark Walters | 11/12/24

This camper trailer should be a positive addition to Mark Walters’ life.

An Outdoorsman's Journal

Hello friends, As you read this I am high up on a Montana mountain with my 23-year-old daughter Selina Walters hunting elk and mule deer. I have to meet two deadlines as this is a 12-day trip so … more

By Mark Walters | 11/5/24

Keith Westaby, who is blind and lives in Owen, harvested this 8-point buck with the help of his brother, Dennis Westaby, during WRPCO's Deer Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities.

WRPCO's Deer Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities was simply amazing

Hello friends, This is a guaranteed week where I simply cannot even put 25 percent of what I would like to in a column due to space. In simple terms, I had an amazing weekend. First, Chuck … more

By Mark Walters | 10/22/24

Taste and Learn: Flatbreads at Shepard Farm

Join Dodge naturalists in the teaching kitchen at Shepard Farm (8946 70th St. S., Cottage Grove) for another Taste and Learn program from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9. From tortillas to naan, lefse to … more

10/22/24

Scott Stewart of Bruce with a 345 pound dressed black bear that he harvested near Flater’s Resort.

Adventures at Flater's Resort

Hello friends, I have been friends with "Musky Joe" Flater, who is a 5th generation owner of Flater’s Resort for a good 20 years. Joe is hard to describe in less than a million words. Old … more

By Mark Walters | 9/17/24

My electric bike has found many uses, including elk hunting, morel mushroom picking, trout fishing, transportation to my turkey blind and more.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Goodbye Green Machine!

I’ve had my old ten-speed bicycle for a long, long time. Case in point, I can’t remember the bike that I owned before that one. I couldn’t begin to guess how many miles I put on the … more

By Dave Beck | 9/11/24

Saxton Pope and Arthur Young became legends in bowhunting, hence the term “Pope and Young buck.”

Outdoor Tales & Trails: A history lesson

The summer evenings are now cooling to the point that a sweatshirt is needed. If you’re a bow hunter, our time has come. As you read this, our target bucks are getting close to … more

By Dave Beck | 8/28/24

Emotional Rescue, LLC and MindfulMotion Pilates, Wellness, and Ayurveda are teaming up to share “PupALates” with everyone!

Emotional Rescue, LLC and MindfulMotion Pilates, Wellness, and Ayurveda are teaming up to share “PupALates” with everyone! The class is a combination of Yoga and Mat Pilates, appropriate … more

Nicole DePalma | 8/21/24

Oyster mushrooms are delicious on their own, in a salad or on a sandwich

Outdoor Tales & Trails: The delectable oyster mushroom

Back in May OTT celebrated Forage Month. I wrote about morels, of course, as well as fiddleheads, pheasant tails, ramps, watercress and I think a couple others that escape me right now. The … more

By Dave Beck | 8/14/24

Friends in Need Food Shelf receives donation from Marathon Petroleum Refinery

The building for St. Paul Park Friends in Need Food Shelf is all paid for. Located at 535 4th Street in St. Paul Park and serving a core area including Cottage Grove, Newport, St. Paul Park, and Grey … more

By Joseph Back | 7/17/24

My go-to for taking scales off of panfish.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Replenishing the fish supply

My game plan during a recent fishing outing was pretty simple: replenish my fish supply. I realized that I had made a slight miscalculation regarding my fish inventory because my freezer was … more

By Dave Beck | 7/17/24

Public invited to Glacial Hills Regional Trail open house July 29

The public is invited to comment on the Glacial Hills Regional Trail Long Range Plan through an in-person open house on Monday, July 29. The open house is scheduled from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Hugo City … more

7/11/24

Shore Lunch Beer Batter and Mies All Purpose Fish Batter are the two top brands, in my book.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: The 411 on fish batter

Two weeks ago I was watching a midday Twin Cities news/variety show. Now that’s not something usually on my plate but a promo teaser caught my eye. They were going to cook a Midwestern … more

By Dave Beck | 7/11/24