ON THE FENCE? Don’t be!  It’ll be another great day to get out and about, as above average temperatures persist today with relatively moderate southwest winds.   We check out the upcoming cold swipe and talk more about fences as they relate to hunting in today’s Three Things.

(Featured Photo: A fenceline along some PLOTS land near Regan, N.D. divides the parcel and its creek bottom in two. Simonson Photo)

DAILY CONDITIONS:

WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):
Today:  Sun 12/17 – Another nice Sunday. Hi 38, Lo 21, Winds SW@10.
Tomorrow: Mon 12/18 – Rising winds. Hi 41, Lo 27, Winds NW@15, G30.

SOLUNAR (Bismarck Times):
Sunrise: 8:23AM Sunset: 4:56PM
Moonrise: 7:33AM Moonset 4:25PM
Overhead: 112:17PM Underfoot: Fol. Day
Moon Phase:  Waning Crescent (1% Full)

EDGE HOUR:   4:00-5:00PM.  The setting new moon aligns with sunset and the last 60 minutes of day light in today’s Edge Hour.

DAY RATING:

THREE THINGS.

IN ALIGNMENT.  Models have come together showing the middle of next week as our hard drop into the freezer, with lows dipping below zero and highs only rebounding into the teens for a few days  For those areas without good ice, this should signal the start of the hardwater season.  For those already-frozen spots this will help make movement much easier.  Sharpen your hooks and check the springs on your tip-up flags!

SAFE TRAVELS.  When approaching and crossing a fence, make sure to open your breach, unload and hand your firearm off to a friend before crossing. If you’re hunting alone, unload the gun and lean it against a fencepost on the other side of the fence, keeping the muzzle up and free from debris.  Walk down to the next fence post and cross in the middle of the wire, then walk over, pick up your gun, reload and continue hunting!

LOW POINT.  Watch for deer crossing fencelines where the top strand has popped loose and sags or is cut altogether.  These low places often also occur along treelines, where a branch has fallen and bent a strand or two down, providing a nice place for a deer to make a short hop into a field.  Set up a treestand or a blind near this point of least resistance.

Stay Sharp!