By Doug Leier, NDG&F Dept. The history of bighorn sheep in the southern badlands of North Dakota is a roller coaster tale. And unfortunately, it’s been mostly down of late. That’s how editor Ron Wilson described the situation in a feature article in the February 2020 issue of the State Game and Fish Department’s magazine,…

HAHA!  The weather takes a serious turn overnight following Tuesday’s front and the joke’s on us all as things feel quite a bit chillier.  Don’t lose your sense of humor though as spring snow settles in for tomorrow.  In the meantime, we’ve got muley updates from NDG&F, forest management plans from RGS, and just how…

RUMBLY?  We may see some storms sweep across the landscape this evening ahead of a cold front which is going to set us back into the low 30s and colder for a while (think NEXT Tuesday).  Get your outings in accordingly.  In the meantime, we’ve got updates from local deer numbers to national issues in…

LAST GOOD ONE!  While the breezes will kick up today, so will the temperatures and highs in the low 60s will be a reality here at the end of March.  An April Fool’s joke causes the bottom to fall out and colder conditions to take hold through the rest of the week.  We’ve got more…

By Nick Simonson   Growing up a wrestling fan, there was no better time to be watching WWF (now WWE) than when Triple H and Degeneration X were the featured heels.  Challenging Vince McMahon and the establishment each week, after a win the various members would slap their crotch and yell out their trademark “Suck…

BEST OF THE YEAR.  The back half of your weekend will be the best day of 2020 thus far in terms of conditions (we joke it’s because they’ve postponed the start of the high school clay target league, and this Sunday would’ve been opening day!)  At any rate, get out there and enjoy it!  We’ve…

By Nick Simonson   With the impact of the coronavirus obvious across many layers of society, the North Dakota Game & Fish Department (NDG&F) has not been immune to changes in day-to-day life.  Under guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and orders from the Governor, all NDG&F offices and facilities have been…

OUT LIKE A LAMB!  Superb spring conditions take hold with temperatures near 60 today and tomorrow, allowing folks to get outdoors for spring snow goose hunting and the first openwater options of the year.  We cover what’s new for angling in North Dakota along with a helpful hand tool as we wave goodbye to the…

By Nick Simonson   Water is freedom, no more so than in spring.  Casting off the icy bonds of winter, breaking them into pieces and then absorbing them is the completion of a flow’s self-fulfilling and seasonal prophecy.  So too for the angler, flowing water represents the possibilities to not only move with life’s direction,…

WHAT A WEEKEND!  We’ve got great conditions setting up for all your fishing and hunting adventures as temperatures warm, winds remain moderate and rivers open up around the region as light geese move through – it’s a perfect storm of awesomeness!  We share that info and more to help you get the most out of…

POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS.  We’re not talking test results either!  Rather, the weather looks to be improving for this weekend to help with your social distancing.  We’ve got more on that, circling some good fishing and tying projects in today’s Outdoors Roundup! Featured Photo:   Hooked.  A sturgeon from the Rainy River caught on the staple 5/0 circle…

By Doug Leier, NDG&F Dept. Every two years, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department produces a new set of fishing regulations.  Each new proclamation brings with it a few changes that are publicized and discussed at public advisory meetings and in other forums.   One of the changes this year is a modification to…

COOLING OUT.  We’ll take a bit of a dip before we climb back up into more temperate settings this weekend as highs get stuck in the mid-30s.  Make it through Thursday and you’ll be set for that first really springy weekend of the season.  We’ve got the info you need, including cool resources from the…

TERRIFIC!  We’ll jump into the high fifties today as warmth takes over the region.  More of the same is headed our way for the weekend and we have the details on that, getting your tacklebox stocked and a final call for your applications for ND’s “Big 3” lottery in our Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  OLD…

ROUNDING THE CURVE.  We make the turn toward spring as temperatures spike today and Tuesday, providing welcome warm-ups to help get you back into the outdoors.  We take a look at the trickle-down of federal funds, some easy outdoor discussions to have and what the week will bring as part of our Outdoors Roundup. Featured…

SUNDAY FUNDAY!  Get out there and enjoy light winds, the start of our warm-up and the power of the nearly new moon to help with your fishing adventures!  Watch that late ice and consider walking on rather than driving, where possible and prudent. Featured Photo:  The sun rises over a treeline.  Simonson Photo. WEATHER (Bismarck…

By Nick Simonson   Whether fishing for trout making their spring sprint up tiny coldwater streams or going after those species that get stocked in any number of rivers and lakes around the region, having some sort of spawn imitator in a fly box is important. Here are three simple recipes that make for some…

GUSTY ONE.  Saturday’s winds will fade into evening setting up a nice second half of the weekend and a great day to get outside.  We’ve got news on G&F closures, the long range look from NOAA for your late March fishing and some animal info for kids schooling from home in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured…

By Nick Simonson   In that gap between the last snow melting and the sure signs of spring like budding trees and greening grass, the tom turkey is king of the corridor throughout the rills and rivers of the region.  For those starting  in turkey hunting or looking to increase their success in harvesting a…

FULL FRIDAY!  It’s the first full day of spring as you kick off your weekend with a wintry feeling day, but don’t worry things will get better into the weekend and next week!  We’ve got an eye to the forecast and some news and notes from around the wild world in our Outdoors Roundup. Featured…

By Nick Simonson   Except in those instances where the steelhead were running hard and fast up the tributaries of Lake Superior, or the walleyes were so thick one could nearly walk across them on Devils Lake’s famed Channel A in the spring, I’ve rarely fished in a scenario that would cause my line to…

THE FIRST.  Happy first day of spring!  Well, effective 10:50pm today (Thu. 3/19) anyhow!  We’ve got great views, great reads and a look at your weekend fishing conditions in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  DAMP. A rooster pheasant hangs out under the canopy on a damp Wednesday morning near Bismarck. Simonson Photo. WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):…

By Doug Leier, NDG&F Dept. You won’t find a U.S. Census taker out on the ice knocking on fish house doors looking to ask a few questions. But it is possible that anglers at Stump Lake this winter, and Lake Audubon last year, did get a tap on the door from a clipboard-carrying surveyor. These…

LAST DAY!  You’ve reached the last full day of winter, congratulations!  Shake off your green beer hangover and get caught up on moving light geese, more CWD concerns to the east and whether or not to add a drop or spray of attractant to your lure as waters open up.  All that and more in…

UNTOUCHABLE.  While those events which fuel conservation efforts might be scrapped by the coronavirus this spring, a return to the outdoors likely won’t be.  Make sure you’re licensed and ready to roll and have all the news to you need to get set for open water in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:   Top O’ The…

MONDAY MONITOR.  We’re checking out the approaching spring conditions from what remains of winter to the threat of flooding in the near term.  Along with that, we get some thoughts on where to go to get away from people during the Covid-19 outbreak, where that option is or will be available. Featured Photo:  CASTS COMING. …

By Nick Simonson   With spring planting just around the corner, farm and ranch operators throughout the upper Midwest are preparing to implement their plans coming off a very wet 2019.  Where lower areas spent much of late summer and early fall flooded with excessive water, many are considering better options for those acres with…

OUR INDOORS.  You might be stuck at home, you may be social distancing, you could just be ducking a squall of snow and getting ready for spring.  Whatever has you inside today, we’ve got those plans in our Outdoors Roundup to help you get ready for your adventures when things improve! Featured Photo:  Get Organized. …

By John Bradley, NDWF Executive Director   Hunters and anglers are active and engaged outdoors people and spending time outside is why many of us live in North Dakota. Whether you like to hunt, fish, camp, hike, or any one of hundreds of other available outdoor opportunities, we know how to get it done. Our…

WINTER’S LAST GASP?  We’ll get some snow this weekend, but the models keep pushing the bulk of it north.  While there are some predictions for an event later next week, conditions may be warm enough to keep it to rain, in the meantime we keep thinking spring with tips for the upcoming season! Featured Photo: …