By Nick Simonson Welcome to the final stretch of hunting season.  By this time, boot leather should be well worn, blaze orange faded to a dull peach, and that reliable camouflage coat covered in mud, spilled coffee and other stains that evidence a successful go of things thus far.  So it is at this time…

A GOOD MIX.  There’s hunting to be done, spring efforts to plan for and a calendar full of events in the meantime during this shift to winter.  Keep an eye on the roads and both hands on the wheel if you’re headed out today, or better yet, stay inside and get set for ice fishing…

SLIP SLIDING TO WINTER.  A slippery mix is headed our way as we hit the final few days of November and look forward to yet another deer season on the horizon. We talk about those newsworthy items and some slicing suggestions for synthetics on your jigs in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: Iced.  Plan…

THAT’S A WRAP.  By the time you read this, the firearms deer season will be gone.  Here’s hoping you bagged your buck or doe and are looking forward to a season of snacking on jerky, waking up to sausage, and closing out the day with a meal of steaks on the grill.  While these more…

By Nick Simonson The Klinkhammer was originally tied by Dutch angler Hans van Klinken in order to imitate the emerging insects that grayling were rising on in his local stream.  Since that time, a number of variants of the popular parachute fly have been tied, and it’s no surprise that a pheasant tail version has…

NINE TOES.  It’s an even nine hours of daylight today, starting with sunrise at 8 am on your final day of the firearms deer season.  Cooler temps and light snow will highlight relatively cooperative conditions for you to close it all out. We talk about that and more in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: …

STAY FOCUSED.  The deer you want is still out there as we enter “Desperation Weekend” and the final two days of the firearms season.  Conditions are setting up nicely for the last 20 hours or so for those big bucks so pick out your hot spots and get ready for the last stretch.  Speaking of…

BLACK OUT! Welcome to Black Friday – all the best deals across the region for hunting, fishing and shooting can be found at your favorite retailers today.  We break down the best of the best in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: Cam It!  Trail Cameras are on sale and in bulk this Black Friday…

By Nick Simonson I’m thankful for Ole, And his powerful nose. As he sniffs out the pheasants, Wherever he goes.   I’m thankful for trap shoots, In June and July. That cut down on fall misses, So I don’t wonder why.   I’m thankful for crappies, Dressed in black and green. And bluegill and white…

BIG FAST!  For those of you saving up your calories for the big feast, today’s big fast can be buoyed by some outdoor exercise – either walking for deer or upland game.  Alternatively, ice options are rapidly opening, including darkhouse spearing.  We talk about that and more in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: A…

RIGHT TRAIL. Good hunting lies just ahead, as the next four days present calm conditions, warm temps and the power of the full moon – all lined up with your Thanksgiving holiday stretch!  We talk about this perfect alignment to help finish out your deer season and more in today’s Three Things. Featured Photo: A…

AND THEY’RE OFF!  Ice houses were popping up on lakes from Sanborn, N.D. to Detroit Lakes, Minn. on smaller water bodies yesterday as calmer conditions and a recent cold stretch allowed anglers to creep out for some exploratory angling along the I-94 corridor.  We talk about gearing up for safe first steps on the ice…

ICING ON THE LAKE.  Many are eagerly awaiting first ice as cold temperatures and winter-like conditions make their appearance on the northern plains.  The rush to hardwater should be tempered by caution, and we share those tips in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: Soon Enough.  A foam float sits in an ice hole. Simonson…

By Nick Simonson At the halfway point of the deer firearms season and snow settling in across much of the state those sportsmen that have punched their tag and retired their rifle for the year are looking forward to a return to the ice.  Getting the two primary pieces of must-have gear ready for the…

THAT ESCALATED QUICKLY! Today’s snow event jumped from three, to five to seven-plus inches with three consecutive model runs – YIKES! Batten down the hatches and put your hunting plans on pause (or at least slow-mo).  We talk about the forecast and second weekend deer tactics in today’s Three Things. Featured Photo: Headed Home.  A…

HALFWAY THERE.  At the halfway point in the month of November, and the hunting season in general, we take a look at the highs and lows and how to get ready for what’s to come in today’s Three Things. Featured Photo: Go for Snow! Ole the lab takes cover with a pair of roosters as…

SQUISHY. Watch for the melt today as temps jump into the 50s.  Moving about in the field will be a bit wetter, so pack your waterproof swamp stompers.  We talk current crop conditions, getting geared up for early ice and the power of a rotary vise in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: A rooster…

STILL.  A windless morning will start your day off right and animal movement should be fast and frequent in the calm conditions after a five-day stretch of gusts.  Watch for the same this evening as things warm up.  We talk about that and more in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: A shadow is cast…

LAST COLD ONE.  The complexion of your deer season will change tomorrow as we work through one last day of cold conditions before things heat up some.  We get you set for the week with fun outdoor videos to burn away the last cold day and and a great tying site to get you set…

By Nick Simonson It seems to happen all the time once firearms deer season opens; a hunter sitting on stand sees countless pheasants flushing in a grassy field the next section over or a walking group puts up dozens of birds without a dog and armed only with their rifles.  It’s a case of right…

FAST MOVING. We’re already into the final stretch of the first weekend of firearms deer season with lots of good reports from around the state of moving deer, despite less-than-ideal conditions including continued wind today.  We look ahead to the week to come for some good hunting days and check out veterans’ celebrations in the…

DAY TWO!  Your first full day of firearms deer season kicks off with some wind and snow as a small squall sneaks across the western half of the state in the morning, Reports of half-rutted bucks are coming in, meaning the best is yet to come.  We take a trek for outdoor news in today’s…

WELCOME TO THE BIG ONE!  It’s firearms deer opener – YOU MADE IT! For the thousands that will hit the field today at noon sharp, we’ll see you out there in cold temps but relatively calm conditions.  Watch for a day full of movement as deer get bumped by walkers and driven by the rut and…

By Nick Simonson The flash of white caught my attention, as two yearling does bounded off into the grass on the south side of the small stretch of hayland I was bowhunting.  I quickly replayed all the factors in my head.  Did I move? Not more than normal.  Was it the wind? No, blowing lightly…

AND THEN THERE WAS 1.5.  We’re a mere day and a half out from the firearms deer opener and things will start to FEEL like November as cold conditions settle in behind the end of yesterday’s Low moving east.  Temps for opening hour at mid-day tomorrow will be in the low teens for much of…

COOL OUT. Post frontal spits of snow and lessening winds will highlight today’s chilly temps, making things start to feel like winter and kick the rut into high gear.  Tonight will be a good one to sit for your last ditch bow buck, and speaking of deer, we stay on that topic to keep you…

SLIVERS & SHIVERS.  As we approach tomorrow’s new moon, strong winds and spitting snow flurries will be the tale of the day as gusts up to 35 mph will keep would-be hunters indoors.  Everyone needs a prep day anyhow with firearms deer opener just 3.5 days away!  With that, we find more good deer news…