AUTUMN CRUSH.  We’re eyeing up the fall clay season where young shooters can get set up for a successful shooting career, along with furbearer changes and updates from the G&F.  Additionally, we cover shotgun patterning and the things you need to do in order to be ready for every autumn hunting season in today’s Outdoors Roundup.

Featured Photo:  Paired Up.   A mated pair of fritillary butterflies pause in some flattened field grass. Simonson Photo.

 

WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):
Today:   Sat 8/10 – Mixed Results – Hi 81, Lo 65, Wind S@6
Tomorrow: Sun 8/11 – Rain Late – Hi 74, Lo 60, Wind E@11, G22

 

SOLUNAR (Bismarck Times):

 

Sunrise        Sunset
6:34AM       9:02PM

 

Moonrise      Moonset       Overhead    Underfoot
5:54PM         2:06AM        10:23PM           9:57AM

 

Moon Phase:  Waxing Gibbous (79% Full)

 

EDGE HOUR:    9:30-10:30AM.  Moon underfoot and a break in the rains will make the mid-morning run your best fishing with today’s Edge Hour.

DAY RATING:

 

OUTDOORS ROUNDUP:

 

FALL CLAYS.  The North Dakota State High School Clay Target League (ND CTL) kicks off its fall season on Sept. 15, and registration is open now for many teams.  The more laid back of the two sessions, the fall league is a shorter six-week program designed to get new shooters acclimated to competitive shooting and is a great time for sixth graders – both boys and girls – to join the sport and get set for spring league.

FUR SURE.  Mike Anderson and Stephanie Tucker discuss the changes to furbearer regulations in North Dakota for the upcoming season, especially in the relatively new river otter trapping season and nighttime hunting options.  This week’s North Dakota Outdoors webcast covers all the details that trappers and hunters need to know, and an update on mountain lions in the state.

FULL CHOKE.  Now’s the time to pattern new chokes ahead of the hunting season.  Whether it’s waterfowl or upland, knowing how a shotgun is shooting at various ranges – 20, 30, 40 yards or more – is key in determining effectiveness in the field.  Remember patterns change with each load, so if you’re running various shells through a gun, pattern them all or just pick one.