HEATING UP.  A warm weekend is headed our way as we say goodbye to January and hello to the start of February.  We’ve got the scoop on a pair of melting days, the power of wetlands and some CRP info from the NDG&F in today’s Outdoors Roundup.

Featured Photo:  Wetland Wonders.  Sloughs and other wetland areas are front and center in today’s Outdoors Roundup as we talk both CRP and World Wetland Day. Simonson Photo.

WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):
Today:  Fri 1/31 – Last Day! – Hi 31, Lo 17, Wind SW@13
Tomorrow Sat 2/1 – Hey Feb. – Hi 41, Lo 31, Wind W@15, G25

SOLUNAR (Bismarck Times):

Sunrise        Sunset
8:08AM        5:44PM

Moonrise         Moonset          Overhead                Underfoot
11:24AM         Fol. Day          5:58PM            5:37AM
Moon Phase:  Waxing Crescent (35% Full)

EDGE HOUR:   5:30-6:30PM.  Sunset and Moon overhead with mild temperatures will fire up a great night of ice fishing in our Edge Hour.

DAY RATING:

OUTDOORS ROUNDUP:

CRP SIGN UP.  The North Dakota Game & Fish Dept. details the ongoing CRP sign up process in this week’s North Dakota Outdoors webcast as a month remains in the effort to set marginal lands aside in the state.  From a height of 3.38 million acres in ND in 2007, the state currently sits at 1.25 million in set-aside lands.

WWD.  World Wetlands Day is February 2, and the value of wetlands – from water retention and filtration, to rearing and roosting habitat for hundreds of thousands of species – can’t be understated, especially in the duck factory of North Dakota. Take a look around and celebrate these places that play such a vital role in our world.

WARM SPIKE.  February comes in on a warm note as temperatures start to climb today and stay above freezing for much of the weekend, with a possible shot at 40s in much of the state on Sunday.  While things dip again next week, no significant snow is in the near-term forecast.