It’s the ideal day of the weekend to get on the ice as temps stay in the upper 20s and snow isn’t forecast until after midnight, but if ice fishing isn’t your thing this weekend is for the birds as well with lots of avian-themed activities available in the region, which we discuss in depth in today’s Three Things.

(Featured Photo: The sun sets over a standing food plot of corn near Valley City, N.D. Simonson Photo)

DAILY CONDITIONS: WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):
Today:  Sat 2/17 – Hit the Ice! – Hi 25, Lo 14, Winds NW@14, G22.
Tomorrow:  Sun 2/18 – 2 inches early – Hi 14, Lo 6 Winds N@16, G24

SOLUNAR (Bismarck Times):
Sunrise: 7:42AM Sunset: 6:11PM
Moonrise: 8:48AM Moonset 8:14M
Overhead: 2:27PM Underfoot: 2:04AM
Moon Phase: Waxing Crescent (3% Full)

EDGE HOUR: 6:00 – 7:00PM.  Winds taper in late afternoon and the best bite will be around sunset in today’s Edge Hour, with a small front moving through overnight.

DAY RATING:

THREE THINGS.

ONE, TWO, THREE.  The Great Backyard Bird Count is underway, running through Presidents Day. Submitting a checklist of the birds observed during a 15-minute span on any one or all of these days helps create a database of species, populations and other vital factors related to birds.

FESTIVE.  The annual Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic presented by Pheasants Forever is also underway this weekend in Sioux Falls, SD, with a wide variety of hunting, outdoors, shooting sports and planting booths, seminars and information available. Follow PF on Facebook and Twitter for real-time updates, videos and more

FORTY!  Another big initiative that is being pushed at Pheasant Fest and in the time remaining before the bill comes to be, is to increase the cap on CRP.  With a goal of 40 million acres as the nationwide cap, conservation organizations, agriculture groups and many others are continuing last year’s efforts to push for a heightened cap on these marginal land reserve programs as commodity prices stabilize lower than in recent boom years.

Stay Sharp.