COUNT ON IT.  While the summer roadside count numbers may be a bit disappointing in light of the mild winter and relatively good spring and summer, they do provide insight into what is needed to turn things around for upland game in this state, and we talk about that and more in today’s Three Things.

 

Featured Photo: A rooster pheasant forages on the north end of Bismarck.  Numbers are once again expected to be low statewide for hunters in the fall of 2018. Simonson Photo.

 

 

DAILY CONDITIONS:

WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):
Today: Fri 9/7 – Warm with wind. Hi 83, Lo 57, Wind S@15, G21
Tomorrow:  Sat 9/8 – Gusty. Hi 80, Lo 57, Wind S@26, G36

SOLUNAR (Bismarck Times):

Sunrise        Sunset
7:11AM       8:11PM

Moonrise      Moonset       Overhead    Underfoot
4:16AM       7:21PM        11:54AM     Fol. Day

Moon Phase: Waning Crescent (6% Full)

EDGE HOUR:   7:15-8:15PM – Moonset and sunset begin to align in today’s Edge Hour, providing a good bite.

DAY RATING:

 

THREE THINGS:

 

HABITAT.  The one driving factor in upland production is habitat.  More grass makes recovery from years like 2017 easier, less makes it harder for birds to establish their nests and rear broods. The correlation is about as close to direct as any in the outdoors.  With residual habitat at a premium this spring, it has been suggested that – especially in the southwest portion of the state – the lack of grass slow-tracked the projected bounceback this season.

 

HABITAT. The farm bill currently sits in committee, now that Washington has gotten back to work, and while the legislators attempt to reconcile the house’s 29 million acre CRP program, with the Senate’s weaker 25 million cap – an increase of just 1 million acres of the trough we sit in now – the bigger issues such as work requirements for SNAP benefits, may continue to be the sticking point in this nearly all-encompassing bill.

 

HABITAT.  Changes only come through the efforts of individuals, and binding like-minded individuals strengthens those efforts exponentially.  If you’re not a member of a conservation group that helps put grass in the ground, preserves prairie potholes, or creates public spaces for hunting and for wildlife, consider doing it now.  Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and other groups work to improve habitat and public lands – LOCALLY and nationally.

 

 

You’re Sharp. You get the picture!