THAW CONTINUES.  Warmer temperatures and light winds are the talk of today, making things easy on the ice for your hardwater angling adventures.  We’ve got some spring thoughts with Earth Day contests, whitetail weekends and a sign that this winter isn’t so bad after all (at least for some of us) in today’s Outdoors Roundup.

Featured Photo: A whitetail in velvet pauses in the pre-dawn light on trail cam.  Simonson Photo.

WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):
Today:  Tue 1/28 – Nice – Hi 33, Lo 25, Wind L&V
Tomorrow:  Wed 1/29 – Ditto – Hi 31, Lo 22, Wind S@6

SOLUNAR (Bismarck Times):

Sunrise        Sunset
8:12AM        5:39PM

Moonrise         Moonset          Overhead                Underfoot
10:22AM         9:37PM           3:55PM            3:34AM
Moon Phase:  Waxing Crescent (12% Full)

EDGE HOUR:   3:30-4:30PM.  Moon overhead and calm conditions make this a great late afternoon Edge Hour on the ice.

DAY RATING:

OUTDOORS ROUNDUP:

KEEP IT CLEAN.  The NDG&F Department’s Earth Day Patch contest is underway with entries from kids age 6-18 due by Mar. 15.  Three age categories keep the competition fun and focused on the skills of the entrants while celebrating the national event and keeping ND clean.  One winner will be chosen from the top patch in each age group.

WHITETAIL WEEKEND.  QDMA has announced its offseason convention with “Whitetail Weekend.”  The event is scheduled for Mar. 12-14 in Athens, Ga., and will have a wide array of presentations, exhibitors and deer-related events for visitors.

SLIGHTLY SEVERE.  While still in the “Severe” category, North Dakota’s winter is slowly tapering toward average in the west with a recent reprieve from snow and cold. To the east, Fargo and Grand Forks trend slightly higher on the scale due in part to more snowfall from the most recent storm that clipped the eastern edge of the state.