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…

STANKONIA.  Nah, we’re not talking the Outkast album that mainstreamed dirty south rap, but we are talking about how to eliminate your scent and keep from offending the deer in your hunting area in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: Piled Up.  Ahead of this week’s deer opener, a camo coat and blaze orange vest…

By Nick Simonson Antlers.  Those that are big enough reduce even the best hunter to a shaking pile of human-shaped jello on stand. Beyond their power in the field, however, there is a huge market – however sometimes dubious or even illegal – for antlers in one form or another.  From curing ailments to bringing…

IN MOTION.  Deer activity is ticking up as we tick the days off our calendars toward this Friday’s opener. We look ahead to that and more in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: A young muley buck works his way along a fenceline near Mandan. Simonson Photo.   WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast): Today: Sun 11/4 – Steady…

By Nick Simonson I predominantly hunt alone these days, and when I am in the field with others, it is usually with one or two trusted friends who have proven to be good, respectful hunters, but more importantly, safe with their guns.  Those muzzles that have absent-mindedly strayed across me in the past and been…

WESTERN WHITE. Light snow accumulations from last night and this morning don’t make it much farther east than Kidder County. We assess what’s to come for next weekend’s deer opener and how harvest conditions will affect the deer moving in your unit in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: Pheasants mill about next to some…

FREAKY FRIDAY! Get out there and enjoy it, as calm and cool conditions will help in the field today before tomorrow’s storm makes a mess of your hunting (and western travel?) plans.  We look ahead to that and more in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo:  A spike buck pauses for a look back along…

By Nick Simonson For a pheasant hunter, or any upland hunter for that matter, areas of marginal land are spaces that must be explored. Small pocket sloughs in the middle of a cut field, grassy ridges that rise out of row crops, or brushy draws and hollows that are tough to access all hold birds. …

DAMP DAY.  Mist and light rain will hold off until this afternoon, so morning is your best bet to be in the field or on the water with light southerly winds. Snow is on tap for Friday night into Saturday, so plan accordingly.  We go around the horn today with the latest outdoor news to…

BOO! (YAY!)  Halloween will be spooky nice with light winds and highs touching 50 – a perfect day for the field before you head in to hand out candy!  If you’re looking for other treats to hand out besides tooth-rotting sugar (and we’re not talking apples or pennies) we’ve got some suggestions in today’s Three…

MOVING FORWARD. Winds kick up a bit today, blowing us toward deer season next weekend.  In preparation for the “grandaddy of ’em all” we get ready with some G&F Q&A, some cleaning tips and a reminder to get orange, even if bowhunting once the gun season starts in today’s Three Things   Featured Photo: Camera…

GET AFTER IT! The front half of the week may be a bit breezy, but warm temps will keep you in the field.  We go around the horn with the weekly forecast, a trap wrap and some sky watching in today’s Three Things. Featured Photo: Cottonwoods in bright yellow run along the Little Missouri River….