OVER THE HUMP.  In your holiday-shortened week, we’ve made it to the middle after a stormy and rainy Tuesday which may have broken the drought which was settling into the western half of the state.  While the impact of some gully-washing storms is yet to be seen on young pheasants, deer and other wildlife, the needed moisture will be good for habitat. We cover that, the second deer lottery and staying safe in our Outdoors Roundup.

Featured Photo:  WET HEN. A hen pheasant pokes her way through the wet grasses following a storm. Simonson Photo.

 
WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):
Today: Wed 7/1 – About Perfect – Hi 81, Lo 60, Wind SE@9
Tomorrow:  Thu 7/2 – Warm & Windy – Hi 91, Lo 65, Wind S@25, G35

SOLUNAR (Bismarck Times):

Sunrise        Sunset
5:53AM        9:40PM

Moonrise         Moonset        Overhead       Underfoot
6:07PM           3:12AM           11:00PM            10:33AM
Moon Phase:  Waxing Gibbous (83% Full)

EDGE HOUR:    5:30-6:30PM.  Moonrise and calm conditions will spur on a good evening of fishing, starting with our Edge Hour.

DAY RATING:

SECOND CHANCE. Applications for remaining deer tags in North Dakota are open, beginning today.  Log on to gf.nd.gov and click on the buy and apply tab to get in on the second lottery. The application period is open until July 22.

SOLID SOAK.  Ahead of tomorrow’s updated drought report, it was wet in the west, with areas of ND receiving more than three inches of rain on multiple rounds of storms.  The CoCoRAHs system of field reporters shows Killdeer with 3.23 inches and Richardton with 3.05 inches and New Salem with 2.12 inches of rain on the final day of June.  We’ll see what impact that had on dry conditions in the region.

JUST. WOW.  QDMA shares the story of how visiting a food plot nearly killed an avid deer hunter, showing just how important that cell phone can be in the wild, even when not far from civilization.  Stressing the importance of leaving details of location, activity and contact for others, the article is downright amazing.