Public Land Owners Brave the Cold for the 4th Annual North Country Icebreaker

Several years ago, the Minnesota Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers recognized a growing desire among members to gather and celebrate all that makes the northern winter special. From that idea, the North Country Icebreaker was born. This year marked the  4th Annual North Country Icebreaker- Presented by Irish Setter, held at Breezy Point Resort on Pelican Lake, bringing together a passionate community of conservationists, hunters, anglers, and public lands advocates. 

The weekend began Friday evening with a wild game potluck that drew more than 75 attendees. Tables were filled with dishes reflecting both creativity and a deep connection to the land—caribou carpaccio, pheasant roulade, moose ramen, and venison chili, among many others. The potluck was more than just a gathering; it was a celebration of ethical harvest, shared knowledge, and the traditions that tie us to wild places. Guests left Friday night energized and eager for the day ahead. Shoutout to  Maluna Coolers  for supporting the event.  

 

  

Saturday’s activities kicked off at 10 a.m. with an ice spearing demonstration by  Hjelle-Arc Spears. Attendees then had the opportunity to try spearing at six spear houses, fish from ten portable houses provided by the  Minnesota DNR, and warm up in two heated Ice Castle houses courtesy of  Pelican Lake Fish House Rentals and Guide Service. Despite the biting -25°F temperatures, the spirit of the event remained strong. 

  

For those who chose to stay inside the conference center, the learning continued. Former Minnesota BHA Board member Mike Verhoeven led a trapping seminar focused on ethical trapping practices, while wild game chef Jeff Benda, of Wild Game & Fish Media shared his expert insights during a venison steak cooking seminar. Younger attendees were not left out—kids enjoyed hands-on activities like bird-feeder building and lure painting, connecting the next generation to conservation in a fun and meaningful way. 

  

During social hour, four judges sampled dishes from five wild-game cooking teams in a friendly competition. Eli Mansfield’s bear sloppy joes served over a wild rice cake earned top honors as the Wild Game Cookoff Champion. 

Storytellers Tyler Notch, Greg Kvale, and Timo Rova kicked off the evening with tales of elk hunts, smoke jumping in the wilderness, and the Vietnam War. These stories brought laughs, tears, and a call-to-action that forced the crowd onto their feet—literally standing up for public lands!! 

   

The evening concluded with a prime rib buffet and a keynote address from conservation writer and public lands hero Hal Herring. Speaking to a crowd of more than 130 public land supporters, Herring inspired attendees with a powerful reminder of why advocacy matters, especially in divisive times. He spoke about the importance of defending public lands, protecting places like the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and staying engaged in the ongoing conservation challenges we face in the political arena. The evening closed out with prizes from both national and local BHA partners, and an emotional rallying cry from former Minnesota Chapter Board Chair  Eli Mansfield, “Keep doing the right thing in the right place, for long enough, and we will be successful." 

The North Country Icebreaker once again proved to be more than just a winter gathering. It was a celebration of community, tradition, and a shared commitment to conserving the lands and waters that make these experiences possible. I could not be more proud to be working with such a dedicated board and volunteers who made this weekend so energizing! 

-Chance Adams 

BHA-Minnesota Board Chair 

Photos courtesy of Courtney Perry Photo and Matt Addington Creative