Attention all hikers, bikers, and outdoor enthusiasts: make a note in your calendars, as the Great Northern Regional Trail is taking a brief hiatus. That's right, for those itching to enjoy the scenic route between October 16th and 19th, you'll have to look elsewhere. The trail will be closed for youth and early antlerless deer hunting, just in time to make way for the local wildlife managers to foster sustainable deer populations – or so the conservationists say. It's a regular occurrence around these parts, so the announcement by Sherburne County officials doesn't come as a surprise to the regular trail-goers. According to their latest bulletin, the Great Northern Regional Trail will once more welcome your footsteps and tire treads starting October 20.
In a move that must surely delight camo-clad enthusiasts and rile nature-lovers in equal measure, the county has also slated the trail for another round of closures from November 8 through December 14. This subsequent shutdown coincides with the regular firearm deer hunting season through the end of muzzle loader, effectively rendering the trail off-limits to everyone not toting a firearm or bow for a more extended period. Walking through the woods during these times might not be wise, unless you've always fancied sporting antlers for a hat.
While the temporary inconvenience might irk some, it's all part of an ongoing effort to manage local wildlife populations. With hunters at the ready to help control deer numbers, local authorities argue that such measures are necessary to prevent the adverse effects of overpopulation, such as damage to local flora and increased vehicle collisions – a concern that anyone driving the leaf-shadowed roads of the region can attest to.
For now, joggers, pet walkers, and fresh air fiends will have to find alternative routes to get their fix. Have no fear, the interruption to your trail habits is but temporary, and soon enough, the Great Northern Regional Trail will be yours once again to explore, enjoy, and exhale in the great outdoors – without the faint reverberation of gunshots in the background. Until then, safety is the order of the day, and patience, invariably, is a virtue. And, for those partaking in the hunt, remember to follow all safety guidelines and regulations, because nothing spoils the great outdoors quite like a safety mishap, echoing the sentiment when it's critical not just for personal safety but for the stewardship of the trails and forests we all cherish.
