Outdoors

Protections restored for grizzly bears; hunts blocked
A U.S. judge ordered federal protections restored for grizzly bears in the Northern Rocky Mountains on Monday, a move that blocks the first grizzly hunts planned in the Lower 48 states in almost three decades.
More than the hunt: Deer opener will draw thousands for tradition, camaraderie
Deer hunters will take to the woods this weekend for the opener of the Minnesota firearms deer season, as the state for the first time begins to develop a statewide deer management plan.
Boundary Waters newbie? Here's how to eat, plan, paddle and get home
You've always wanted to do a Boundary Waters trip but it's a little scary, right? Don't worry. With a little research and planning, it's possible to take a first trip independently. Here's a quick guide.
Photos: A national park in the heart of the Cities
The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is a 72-mile stretch of the Mississippi from the riverbanks at Dayton through the drop at St. Anthony falls to the flats south of Hastings.
A biodiversity road trip to the headwaters - and a really big bog
One of the best ways to see the place where the continent's four major biomes converge is on a road trip to Itasca State Park and the Big Bog. Even better: Exploring the region with a guide to the plants on the way.
Intelligence Squared debate: Do hunters conserve wildlife?
Funds raised from hunting permits contribute to wildlife conservation efforts in the US and abroad. Is hunting a humane way to maintain equilibrium and habitats, or are there better alternatives? Four experts debate the Intelligence Squared motion: Hunters conserve wildlife.