SPOTTED.  Evening rains avoided Bismarck but continued to dampen areas north and south of the area yesterday.  We’re looking forward to drying out today on light northwest winds and highs in the mid-70s, a nice Saturday, if not overly warm. Here’s hoping you find the spot for pike, walleyes or whatever you’re after today in…

WASHOUT.  Massive storms moved through the area again overnight, bringing thunder, lightning, small hail and damaging winds, dropping two or more inches of rain throughout the central stretch of the state. We recap the highlights and look ahead to the weekend in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: A soaked rooster pheasant makes his way…

By Nick Simonson The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has released the results from the 2018 firearms deer license lottery.  Results can be checked online at gf.nd.gov. Featured Photo: Hunters are hopeful this time of year to draw a tag for November’s hunt. Simonson Photo

By Nick Simonson As the neighbor’s speedy, slender lab streaked unleashed across the road toward Ole and I on our evening walk, I watched the hairs bristle from the back of my dog’s head straight down to his tail and expected the worst. The two retrievers squared off and in tried-and-true lab fashion sniffed each…

WIRED.  There’s tension along the Missouri River as we watch the rising water levels (along with debris and fast currents). We talk about what’s fueling the system and more in today’s Three Things. Featured Photo: A group of doves rests on a powerline just before sunset near the Missouri River. Simonson Photo DAILY CONDITIONS: WEATHER…

STARBURST!  Don’t say we never gave you anything…besides a good photo of the season’s first milkweed bloom.  We’re hitting our summer stride and doing so with a bit more moisture than this time last year – and that’s bringing a lot of summer flowers into full color.  We talk about that and a music-stopping bird…

SOMETHING OF A SELFIE.  When fishing solo and trying to capture that believe-it-or-not moment, finding a way to photograph that memorable catch can be a challenge.  We debate the pros and cons of some tactics and share some tips for getting the evidence (and a better pic) in today’s Three Things. Featured Photo: Stay focused. …

NDG&F Press Release North Dakota’s spring pheasant population index is down 30 percent from the same time last year, according to the state Game and Fish Department’s 2018 spring crowing count survey. R.J. Gross, upland game management biologist, said the number of roosters heard crowing this spring was down statewide, with decreases ranging from 15…

TAKE THE LEAD.  Prevent bite-offs from pike and muskies this summer or render your line invisible with the right leader.  Today’s wire and fluorocarbon leaders are the strongest yet thinnest available to anglers and with smaller terminal tackle, anglers reduce visibility, drag and tangling with better connection points as well. Featured Photo: Throwback.  While multi-strand…

ON & OFF.  Rains return today, keeping the dust down behind a swirling low located to our south.  With some inside time (probably this afternoon) on the horizon, we dive into some mid-season prep ideas in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: Picture in Picture.  Get trail cameras ready now and even hang them this…

FOR THE FUTURE.  Pollinators, like the painted lady butterfly in the featured photo help with the natural process of plant reproduction, building stronger farms, more robust habitat, and a better environment.  We talk about that and more in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: A painted lady butterfly rests in between flower stops. Simonson Photo…

WHO’S JACKED?  A great pre-fourth weekend is on tap and it all starts today with highs in the 80s and southerly breezes keeping things warm.  A slight bump on a calm Saturday afternoon might bring some rain, but Sunday smooths things out once again.  We look ahead to that and talk about what’s happening in…

SWEET SUMMER! Today’s conditions feel like the first day of summer, with highs in the mid 80s and almost no wind. We’ve got a nice weekend shaping up for your fishing efforts with just a slight chance of rain on Saturday.  We talk solstice and more in today’s Three Things. Featured Photo: Cock of the…

NDG&F Press Release The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 71st annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of 2.8 million birds, down 5 percent from last year. Migratory game bird supervisor Mike Szymanski said even though the index is below 3 million for the second consecutive year, it still stands 16…

WHAT A WEEK! Things are looking more like summer for the solstice tomorrow as calm conditions take hold over the next couple of days and a stable pattern sets up. While we’ll have some clouds in the forecast, chances of rain are minimal.  We check out where we stand as we approach the official start…

TALE OF THE TAPE.  There are a number of tape-based tools that sportsmen can easily pack into their tackleboxes and field bags, and we address those items and some quick emergency situations they can remedy in the outdoors. Featured Photo: That’s a wrap! Beyond covering wires, electrician’s tape is great at securing reels to rods,…

JUST SMASHING!  It was an exciting weekend with so much shooting action in between the weathermakers that it was almost tough to keep up.  But after two days of the ND State High School Clay Target League State Tournament, we’ve got the tabs on totals and top shooters in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo:…

By Nick Simonson While unhooking my second pike of the morning, the two-pound fish slipped quickly out of my wet hand and back into the water with a splash.  All that was left as evidence that I had even caught it was a chewed-up plastic tail and a small coating of slime ringing my hand…

ON TARGET.  We’re live at the Shooting Park in Horace, for Day 1 of the ND State High School Clay Target League State Tourney in Horace, ND bringing you all of the action in what is sure to be a wild weekend of weather challenging even the greatest shots.  Stay posted to DEO for updates…

By Nick SImonson An emerging area of cover that provides a haven for largemouth bass from the start of summer all the way up to the season’s end is a shallow bay or shelf with a mud bottom capable of sustaining a stand of lily pads.  Frequently associated with a population of frogs lounging about…

SHOULDER UP!  The shooting sports season comes to its big conclusion in Horace this weekend as the North Dakota State High School Clay Target League (ND CTL) hosts the State Championship on Saturday and Sunday.  You too can take aim at better scores this season, whether it’s trap, skeet or sporting clays, we tell you…

PEEK-A-BOO.  You should be seeing bucks in velvet on your trail camera and, if you’re lucky, in person.  Along with growing antlers, it’s common to start seeing growing fawns trailing their mothers as we get into summer.  We talk about that and more, in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo. I See You.  A young…

LACE ‘EM UP.  We know you’re thinking about hunting season, because so are we!  We’ve got some tips to help you get ready for whatever it is you pursue this fall in today’s Three Things. Featured Photo: Broke in. A pair of well-worn upland boots awaits a return to the field. Simonson Photo.   DAILY…

NDG&F Dept. Press Release Drought conditions, and not as many hunters in the field last fall meant fewer pheasants, sharp-tailed grouse and Hungarian partridge in the bag, according to statistics compiled by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Last year, more than 58,300 pheasant hunters (down 24 percent) harvested 309,400 roosters (down 38 percent),…

SUSPECT. One of these things is not like the other.  Which one is different? Can you tell? Those of us in the Sesame Street generation get it and can pick out the decoy from a mile away.  We go from silly to excited for the approaching trap tourney and talk more about that in today’s…

SPECIALTY TOOLS.  Having the right gear for the right kind of fishing makes everything easier.  Whether tangling with toothy critters like pike and muskies, or something smaller like trout and panfish, being able to remove hooks quickly and kindly is key to preserving the resource. Featured Photo: Tools of the Trade.  A hook cutter and…