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“Soaring with sleds and eagles” on the next Prairie Sportsman

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John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon
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Download a photo of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon.

GRANITE FALLS, Minn. — Host Bret Amundson is at the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in Duluth with 18-year-old dogsled enthusiasts Carlie and Chloe Beatty, and at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha surveying golden eagles. “Soaring with Sleds and Eagles” airs on Pioneer Public Television Sunday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m.; on Lakeland Public TV Saturday, April 6 at 2:30 p.m.; on KSMQ Thursday, April 18 at 7:30 pm; and on TPT Life Saturday, May 11 at 12:30 p.m.

Twins Carlie and Chloe of Lakeland are featured as first-time entrants in the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. They finish second and sixth in a 40-mile race that starts in Duluth and ends near Two Harbors. The event also features 120-mile and 300-mile marathons. The Beattys were in second grade when they read about dogsledding and convinced their parents to travel to northern Minnesota to learn about the sport from an experienced musher. Their enthusiasm grew and the family later purchased six retired, veteran sled dogs from musher and Stony Creek Kennel owner Rita Wehseler of Tofte. She mentored the twins, and when they entered their first race at age 14, Chloe took first and Carlie fourth.

The National Eagle Center is located in Wabasha because strong currents on the Mississippi River there keep the waters open, so bald eagles fish year-round -- attracting bird watchers from around the country. About 20 years ago, avid bird watcher Scott Mehus discovered that golden eagles are also migrating through southeast Minnesota on their way to Canada as blufflands are perfect hunting grounds for the carnivorous raptors.

The final segment in this episode shows ways anyone can become a citizen scientist and help researchers gather, observe, sample and record to study wildlife and habitats.

About Prairie Sportsman

Prairie Sportsman celebrates our love of the outdoors – to hunt, fish and enjoy recreation provided by our vast resources of lakes, rivers, trails and grasslands – while promoting environmental stewardship.

Prairie Sportsman’s team includes Cindy Dorn, producer/writer; Bret Amundson, host/assistant producer; Dylan Curfman, editor/videographer and Max Grabow, assistant videographer/editor. The 2019 season is made possible by funding from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, SafeBasements of Minnesota, Diamond Willow, Live Wide Open and Western Minnesota Prairie Waters.

About Pioneer Public Television

Established in 1966, Pioneer Public TV is an award-winning, viewer-supported television station dedicated to sharing local stories of the region with the world. For more information visit www.pioneer.org.