THE RIVER.  Welcome to Friday! Things will settle down some after gale-force Thursday and a good weekend is setting up for your outdoor activities.   We’ve got a Big 3 reminder, some great venison recipes and the push for more secure funding for wild spaces in our Outdoors Roundup.

Featured Photo:  HONKERS.  Canada geese stake their claim along the shores of Nelson Lake. Simonson Photo.

WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):
Today: Fri 3/6 – Southerlies – Hi 47, Lo 30, Wind S@14, G22
Tomorrow Sat 3/7 – The Nice One – Hi 47, Lo 32, Wind E@10

SOLUNAR (Bismarck Times):

Sunrise        Sunset
7:11AM        6:36PM

Moonrise         Moonset          Overhead                Underfoot
2:46PM           5:42AM           10:41PM            10:11AM

Moon Phase:  Waxing Gibbous (86% Full)

EDGE HOUR:  2:15-3:15PM.  Moonrise and warming temps will make the bite better in this afternoon’s Edge Hour.

DAY RATING:

OUTDOORS ROUNDUP:

APPLY NOW!  North Dakota’s “Big 3” lotteries are open with applications for Moose, Elk and Bighorn Sheep online at gf.nd.gov.   Moose tags are down slightly (-5), more elk tags are available (+45) and bighorn sheep tag numbers will be made available on Sept. 1 after summer surveys are completed.

EAT UP.  QDMA offers up five venison recipes from its Field to Fork program which encourages new hunters to join others in the field, harvest their own deer and learn to butcher and cook it.

PARK IT.  The push for parks continues as the National Wildlife Federation reports continued efforts on capitol hill to fast-track the Land and Water Conservation Fund Permanent Funding Act and Restore Our Parks Act which would guarantee all funding for these programs perpetually.