SETTING THE STAGE.  Today will kick off a great run of weather, warming things up into the mid-70s and low 80s right on into Memorial Day weekend!  To get you set we’ve got the tips on colors to use that trigger bites on any water and how to find your own confidence colors wherever you…

By John Bradley, NDWF Executive Director   Numerous vulnerabilities in our economic and healthcare systems have come to light the last few months during the COVID-19 pandemic. But the crisis has also highlighted just how much Americans love—and need—to connect with nature on our public lands. Across the country, people have been flocking to local,…

STATUS SATURDAY.  We’ll make it into the mid sixties with light east winds for your outdoor adventures today.  While you enjoy that, we check out where we sit in terms of ground moisture, our forested areas and what’s in store on the long-range climate predictor in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  Jacked Up.  A pair…

By Nick Simonson   In the era of catch-and-release a number of tools have come to the forefront in ensuring the successful turn back of big fish to be caught again: rubberized nets, mesh cradles, and elongated needle nose pliers help make short work of landing, caring for and releasing fish while limiting damage to…

CONSERVATION ROUNDUP.  Efforts around the state, country and continent are constantly working to preserve habitat, protect creatures and learn more about the magic of migratory animals.  We’ve got insights on all three in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  GREENING UP.  Spring takes on a new hue as vegetation greens up. Simonson Photo. WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):…

By Nick Simonson   Spring brings with it the first trips out into a greening countryside.  Whether sneaking off to a favorite shore fishing spot or hanging up some trail cameras to catch the first glimpses of a buck caught on a memory card, spring adventures often set anglers and hunters up against flora and…

GETTING THERE.  We’re still waiting on a real spring as conditions muddle around with winds and overcast skies – it better hurry, it’s almost Memorial Day and the unofficial start to summer!   We’ve got updates on traditions still rolling with some modifications, a survey season lost and what to expect for your weekend fishing trips…

By Doug Leier, NDG&F Dept.   You may have heard the term “R3” associated with the future of hunting and fishing, not just in North Dakota, but across the country.   It stands for “Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation,” and represents a conscious effort to bring new people into the fishing and hunting world, get past…

PUSHING THROUGH.  We’re making our way through mid-May with some unstable conditions and cooler temps, but many are still finding opportunities to get on a spring bite. While you do, we’ve got updates on a major poaching case and seismic shifts in Pheasants Forever’s leadership as part of today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  SPRING SIGHT. …

STAYING COOL.  Things remain below average for this time of year as we struggle out of the weekend’s chilly spell.  It’ll be a bit damp today and tomorrow, but we’ve got the news to help you make it to the weekend’s warm up including continued fishing events, massive recycling campaigns and a word about woodcocks…

NDG&F Dept. Release The North Dakota Game and Fish Department completed its annual spring mule deer survey in April, and results indicate western North Dakota’s mule deer population is up 7% from last year and 22% above the long-term average. Biologists counted 2,364 mule deer in 267.3 square miles during this year’s survey. Overall mule…

NICE, FOR MARCH.  Cool temperatures prevail today, though skies will remain mostly clear.  To help you make it through your Monday, we’ve got news and views from around the web on yellow perch, red line and hooks, and what to do if you find your brown buck, long after you put it down. Featured Photo: …

THE CLIMB.  Today begins our adventure out of yet another spring trough and tonight’s lows will likely be the chilliest of the week.  We cover that along with prepping yourself for some pesky spring flora and fauna in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo: LET IT BE. Keep an eye out for emerging stands of poison…

By Nick Simonson   The winter of 2019-20 was a split personality to say the least.  East of the Missouri River, the state was plagued with heavy snow, colder temperatures and a prolonged season.  West of the flow, it was a virtual banana belt with light snow events and minimal ground cover from December to…

TOUGH ONE.  Gusty conditions will dominate an overcast and sometimes damp Saturday, but we’ve got the news from agencies around the region to help you through it.  From a reminder that the deer lottery is open in ND (can you tell we’re excited?) to tips for young animals in MN, to the tale of the…

By Nick Simonson   Pheasants Forever (PF) and pet food producer Purina have partnered on an ambitious three-year, 30,000-acre incentive program directed at landowners in the prairie pothole region of southwestern Minnesota, north-central Iowa, and those parts of North Dakota and South Dakota located east of the Missouri River.   With the ultimate goal of adding…

FINE FRIDAY.  Before our weekend washes away, get out there and enjoy today!  Light winds, a high around 60 and sunny skies will be your last feel of spring’s nicer side before things get a little dicey tomorrow.  We’ve got birds, bees and blustery conditions on tap in our Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  Milkweed is…

By Nick Simonson   This week marks an important point of return.  I don’t know if that’s a real term, but it’s far less ominous than “the point of no return,” which has had its share of dramas, dark songs and thriller type novels written about it.  The point of return, however, is that point…

SO FULL.  It gets a little chilly but the full moon will make it work today.  We’ve got updates on land access in North Dakota, tweaks to the Duck Stamp contest and some questionable May conditions in our Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  Round About. The full moon will provide some power against a tough weekend. …

NDG&F Dept. Release   North Dakota’s 2020 deer season is set, with 69,050 licenses available to hunters, 3,550 more than last year.   In total, any-antlered licenses increased by 1,500 from last year, any-antlerless by 1,600, antlered whitetail by 250, antlerless whitetail by 200, and antlered and antlerless mule deer licenses remained the same.  …

By Doug Leier, NDG&F Dept.   The course of life can change in subtle ways, and one seemingly small “what if” can make a huge difference. One of those for me occurred at the time I graduated from college.   I was scheduled to complete my degree from North Dakota State University in December. At…

TAKE IT IN!  Today is a pick of the week kind of day with temperatures warming into the 60s during this cooler stretch and light winds fostering any kind of outdoor activity you want to take on!  We’ve got an under-the-radar update on the upcoming deer license lottery, tips for stocked trout hitting area waters…

MEH TO MARVELOUS.  Get through today and Wednesday with its clearer skies and calmer conditions is your reward!  Things are getting back to normal on the landscape as we check out the NDG&F decree of open C&R paddlefishing along with dark skies and bad photos in our Outdoors Roundup! Featured Photo:  Range Watch.  We’re waiting…

DON’T THINK, FEEL.  You certainly can sense spring in the light rains, shifting winds and general buzz in the air, even with today’s cooler temps and precipitation.  We’ve got more on the birds that make the season feel right, the extension in daylight that comes with it and a way to clean out your winter…

THE VIEW AHEAD.  We know, we shouldn’t be thinking about hunting season yet but we are.  We’ve got a look ahead at the likely drop date for deer lottery applications, some quick trail cam tips and a cooler forecast for your first full week of May in our Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  SCENT CHECK. A…

By Nick Simonson As we say farewell to the fly-tying season – not saying we won’t sneak a new pattern in here and there as the openwater bite dictates this spring and summer – there’s one last super streamer to add to that catch-all fly box for bass, panfish and anything that snacks on minnows. …

SOME SATURDAY!  Pleasant temperatures and moderate winds will make today your best bet to get on the water this weekend.  We get good news on many fronts this week following the start of the Governor’s phased reopening including shooting sports facilities, a new fundraiser from PF and a top young South Dakota artist’s success. Featured…

By Nick Simonson   Few deals can top a two-for-one special and the same can be said for lakes that provide a two-tiered fishing option. Whether it’s perch and walleyes, bass and bluegills or pike and perch, these common predator-panfish scenarios can be found throughout the region offering up two popular angling targets in the…

HAPPY FRIDAY!  Birds are chirping, temperatures are warming and things are looking pretty good for the weekend as we get set to start May! We’ve got more on why you hear that loud chorus in the morning along with spawning factors for fish and a watch for ANS with the NDG&F as part of our…

By Nick Simonson   I’ve been on  both sides of the wind in many of my outdoor adventures but none more notable than last week, when the well-worn mooring rope on the cleat of my boat broke and my boys and I had the stunning experience of heading down from the parking lot to the…