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Our Outdoors: It’s Not What You Think

By Nick Simonson Recently I wrote a column on that moment when you set the hook into something big. You just get that feeling; that sense of knowing that the fish on the end of the line from the moment it’s connected is a big one. During a recent return for walleyes on Lake Sakakawea…

Dakota Uplander: Drought Takes Its Toll on SW ND Pheasants

By Nick Simonson As drought conditions continue to grip the heart of North Dakota’s pheasant region, agents of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, employees of Pheasants Forever and area hunters report that the dry weather has been having a negative impact on the number of young birds they have been seeing. “Anecdotally, I’ve…

50 Pheasant Flies: Zebra Nymph

By Nick Simonson The Zebra Nymph is a heavy-metal pattern that trout and panfish can’t resist. With alternating wire strands for the body and pheasant tail fibers for the tail and legs, it’s a perfect combination of flash and finesse. MATERIALS Hook: Curved Nymph 12-18 Thread: 6/0 Black Head: Black Nickel Bead Tail: 8 PT…

Daily Edge for Wed. July 26

HEY MIKE, WHAT DAY IS IT? We’re halfway home to a busy summer weekend – fishing, shooting, preseason scouting – whatever you have on tap, it’s looking like a good one! In the meantime, bone up on some popular furbearers in North Dakota in today’s Three Things. (Featured Photo: A coyote pauses for a quick…

Daily Edge for Tue. July 25

DINNERTIME! We’re feeling July, but not overly hot as a couple average-type summer days settle in for the middle of the week Midsummer is the start of the feeding season, and while young-of-the-year perch and panfish make up a portion of many predators’ summertime buffet, a trio of other forage species of note come to…

Devils Lake Kids Fishing Camp is Aug. 6-11

NDG&F Press Release Hosted by the Devils Lake Park Board at Lakewood Bible Camp, the Devils Lake Kids Fishing Camp is open to all youngsters ages 8-13 years old. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is a co-sponsor for the 14th annual Kids Fishing Camp at Devils Lake Aug. 6-11. Game and Fish volunteers…

Daily Edge for Mon. July 24

BACK TO IT. Monday returns with heat and wind, and we’re already thinking about next weekend. There’s lots to do across the Peace Garden State, but no matter what you’re after on the water, there’s a lot of tournament action to be had and seen. Check it all out in today’s Three Things. (Featured Photo:…

Daily Edge for Sun. July 23

PERFECT SUNDAY! Weather, moon and sun times align for a perfect end to the last major moonphase of the month. You’re going to want to stretch out your weekend fishing and capitalize on a hot bite today. Whether fishing or hunting, knowing the conditions of your target location is important. Part of today’s Three Things…

Bendel Tapped for N.D. Women in Conservation Coordinator Role

Pheasants Forever Press Release Pheasants Forever is thrilled to announce Cayla Bendel as the organization’s new Women in Conservation Coordinator for the state of North Dakota. The position will focus exclusively on outreach, education and technical assistance to agricultural producers, landowners and volunteers with an emphasis on accelerating conservation engagement amongst women. Working collaboratively with…

Daily Edge for Sat. July 22

JOIN UP! Sun and moonrise coincide on this major moon phase weekend (new moon). Lock in some great fishing as this is the last weekend of the summer where a major moon phase falls on one of your freebie days off. Also, three great conservation groups deserve your attention – join up and work to…

Daily Edge for Fri. July 21

GRASS IS GROWING! Will there be enough of it for fall though, as N.D. CRP acres have fallen to around 1 million, from a high of around 3 million 10 years ago. Recent rain should help restore some green to the dry landscape of the Peace Garden State, and from far away, a fish attack…

Our Outdoors: Seven Summer Tips

By Nick Simonson The heat of July means fast fishing, and with that comes added stress to all the things that help us catch fish. Line gets nicked by sharp teeth and structure, knots shift and slip, reels require maintenance and all sorts of other little things can get overlooked as fish after fish comes…

Daily Edge for Thu. July 20

THAR SHE BLOWS! Winds rise today in the afternoon to give State Trap shooters a challenge, but a calm morning will set the table for a great first-half fishing trip. Check those things out and more in today’s Three Things and get ready for a great weekend of fishing around the new moon. DAILY CONDITIONS: …

N.D. Pronghorn Season Set, Lottery Opens Jul. 20

NDG&F Press Release North Dakota’s 2017 pronghorn hunting season is set, with 410 licenses available in five open units. Bruce Stillings, big game management supervisor for the state Game and Fish Department, said the recently completed aerial survey indicated the pronghorn population is down 14 percent from last year. “Numbers were a bit disappointing, but…

Daily Edge for Wed. July 19

WHAT’S THE BUZZ? Strong storms are expected to roll through the area this morning and possibly tomorrow night as shooters gear up for the N.D. State Trap Tournament in Bismarck starting this afternoon at Capitol City Gun Club. Learn more about the event and what’s happening around the region this week in today’s Three Things….

Daily Edge for Tue. July 18

SHOOT ON! A cooldown today, with some light east winds will bring relief, following rain that swept through the eastern part of the state overnight. In today’s Three Things, check out a great shooting sports funding opportunity and more! (Featured Photo: Take aim at a successful shooting sports program! Simonson Photo) DAILY CONDITIONS: WEATHER (Bismarck…

Fur Harvester Classes Scheduled

NDG&F Press Release The North Dakota Cooperative Fur Harvester Education Program is sponsoring two fur harvester education classes for anyone interested in trapping or hunting furbearers. Courses in Bismarck and Jamestown are set for Aug. 22, 24 and 26. Courses are free and take 16 hours to complete over a three-day period. Students will learn…

Daily Edge for Mon. July 17

A CASE OF THE MONDAYS? NO WAY! Get out there early to catch some fish before heading in to work as conditions align for a great first-light bite. Both nights pose a small chance for more rain, but as for now there’s enough to get grasshoppers growing on the landscape. Use Dakota Edge’s first installment…

50 Pheasant Flies: Pheasant Retort

By Nick Simonson Welcome to our first installment of “50 Pheasant Flies” where we’ll get you some of the greatest patterns made from North Dakota’s favorite upland bird. Now, we recognize that trout fishing opportunities are limited in the Peace Garden State, and because of that, you’ll find a lot of super patterns in this…

Daily Edge for Sun. July 16

NICE RECOVERY. Conditions were idyllic on Saturday, and while today may have a bit more breeze, it’s still a great back half of the weekend that’s setting up following Friday night’s thunderstorms. Look for a hot bite to go with the hot weather and quarter moon this afternoon, and check out a few fun fishing…

McKeehen Hired as N.D. PF Regional Rep.

Pheasants Forever Press Release Pheasants Forever has appointed Renee McKeehen as the organization’s North Dakota Regional Representative. In her new role, McKeehen will work with 26 local chapters and more than 4,000 members throughout the state to expend funds for wildlife habitat and conservation education on behalf of Pheasants Forever with local, state, and federal…

Daily Edge for Sat. July 15

SWEET SUMMER RAIN! A line of storms brought gully washers across much of central and eastern North Dakota as totals for the hour-long storm topped half an inch in some places, enough to keep the dust down, hopefully green the grass and put a dent in the drought monitor next week. In the meantime, hatch…

Milkweed is Key for Monarchs

By Doug Leier, NDG&F Dept. It’s the middle of July and all over North Dakota, milkweed plants are working toward full bloom. While not everyone appreciates the bright pinkish-purple flower pods everywhere they grow, for the monarch butterfly, one of the more well-known representatives of the insect world, this is prime time for continuation of…

Daily Edge for Fri. July 14

GO FRY AN EGG! It might be that hot today to fry an egg on the sidewalk. Warm conditions fire up again, with a chance for a few thunderstorms later today. Plan for a fun August with a great regional event, and for later this fall with your duck stamp. In the meantime – cute…

Our Outdoors: Christmas in July

By Nick Simonson I grabbed the pink-and-purple deep running crankbait off the floor, almost as an afterthought. It had sat, stashed away for years in the miscellanea that most anglers have – lures, baits and other items of tackle that don’t quite make the cut, aren’t of any sort of confidence color, or just don’t…

Daily Edge for Thu. July 13

SHOW OFF! One more cool(ish) day before we turn up the heat, as Friday’s temps will approach triple digits. The weekend looks hot, and fire danger will rise again with gusty winds on Saturday. If you’re out there, be safe with sparks – campfires, matches, even left-over bottle rockets. (Featured Photo: Showy milkweed is a…

Dakota Uplander: Ruffies Remain an Option

By Nick Simonson Recently, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources released its annual spring drumming count survey for Ruffed Grouse, indicating a 57 percent increase in male birds observed on survey routes. With this significant spike, agents predict that state’s population of its most popular upland bird is nearing its 10-year peak in the decadal…

Blue-Green Algae Harmful to Pets

NDG&F Press Release The North Dakota Game and Fish Department advises outdoor enthusiasts to be cautious with their dogs around water this time of year, due to potential health hazards associated with blue-green algae. Wildlife veterinarian Dr. Dan Grove said it only takes a few hot days for blue-green algae to bloom. “We have experienced many…

Daily Edge for Wed. July 12

MAKING THE MOST OF IT. Despite losing two minutes of sunlight a day as we hurtle into the back half of July, after today’s dip into the 80s, we’ll rebound into the upper 90s and low 100s into the weekend. So even with the shorter days, the sun’s rays remain powerful this time of year. …

Conditions Right for Aquatic Vegetation

NDG&F Press Release Extensive vegetation growth along docks and boat ramps serves as a good reminder for anglers and boaters to follow aquatic nuisance species regulations. North Dakota Game and Fish Department ANS coordinator Jessica Howell said the Department has received reports of increased vegetation in local waters. “Aquatic plants can be the most abundant in…

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Sunglasses Season