Falls ‘wacky weather’ recognized
International Falls’ weather was recognized in the Oct. 16 edition of USA Today. The story features the 10 favorite vacation spots for wacky weather as listed by The Weather Channel’s Storm Tracker Jim Cantore.

The Icebox of the Nation “is a winter wonderland for outdoor sports,” notes Cantore.

The Falls is in good company. The other nine sites listed include Death Valley, Calif.; Dangriga Town, Belize; Gulf Coast, Miss.; Sydney, Australia; Killington, Vt.; Big Island, Hawaii; Crater Lake, Ore.; and Barrow, Ala.

Archer bags 32-point buck
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota bowhunter may have bagged a state record 32-point buck.

Twenty-nine-year-old Scott O’Konek of South Haven took the buck last week during the first of two special archery hunts at Camp Ripley.

O’Konek tells the Star Tribune he was ‘‘shaking’’ after shooting the big buck from his stand with a bow and arrow.

The buck might have the largest non-typical or asymmetrical rack taken by archery in Minnesota. The buck scored a preliminary antler score of 228. The current record is 225 set in 1989, according to the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association.

After the antlers have dried, a conclusive score will follow in 60 days.

The deer was an estimated 5 years old and field-dressed at 192 pounds.

Deadline for grant applications is Tuesday
Organizations interested in applying for a grant to finance a fish or wildlife habitat project are reminded by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that the application deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

A total of $3,740,000 has been committed to the new Conservation Partners Legacy grant program by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $400,000 will be awarded to local, state and federal non-profit organizations, along with government entities.

Projects must be designed to restore, enhance or protect fish and wildlife habitat on land that is either permanently protected by a conservation easement or under public ownership. Complete details about the grant program and application forms can be found online.