CHILLY.  We’ll get a taste of winter again as temperatures drop throughout the day and gusts rise to make things feel like 20 below by evening.  We keep you warm with the latest info on deer hunting trends, cool new maps and money matters for managing federal lands in today’s Outdoors Roundup.

Featured Photo:  SPIKE IT.  According to QDMA, more U.S. hunters passed on smaller bucks than ever before. Simonson Photo.

WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):
Today:  Wed 2/12 – Big Slide – Hi 29, Lo -8, Wind N@20, G30
Tomorrow: Thu 2/13 – Calm & Cold – Hi 3, Lo -11, Wind S@6

SOLUNAR (Bismarck Times):

Sunrise        Sunset
7:52AM        6:02PM

Moonrise         Moonset          Overhead                Underfoot
10:36PM         10:02AM         3:47AM            4:13PM

Moon Phase:  Waning Gibbous (86% Full)

EDGE HOUR: 7:30-8:30AM.  Get out before things get cold with a solid sunrise bite in our Edge Hour.

DAY RATING:

OUTDOORS ROUNDUP:

STATE OF THE HUNT.  QDMA provides insight into changing hunter preferences with its 2020 Whitetail Report.  Therein, the organization states that less yearling bucks were taken in 2018 than in any season prior, showing hunters passing on smaller deer and more practicing quality deer management.

I DO LOVE MAPS.  The NDG&F has updated a number of maps for lakes around the state with better contour details on drops, humps and channels to help you find more fish.  Visit the lake information page for those maps and info on stocking and surveys to up your odds.

WITH A ‘B.’  The President’s budget proposal includes 1.4 Billion dollars for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Under the Trump Administration, the service continues to open up hunter and angler access to federal lands, including wildlife refuges with over 500 million dollars requested for management of those acres.