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…

WARM & RUMBLY.  Today’s warm temps and strong southerly winds will spark a line of thunderstorms this evening capable of dropping over 1.5 inches of rain.  We’ll keep an eye on that and the new Farm Bill offered up by the Senate in today’s Three Things and rumble through the 1,000-page document. Featured Photo: Geese…

By Nick Simonson When you put different upland game birds together on the same hook shank, you’re guaranteed to catch fish.  Hungarian partridge (a/k/a gray partridge, but not to be confused with ruffed grouse, which are colloquially referred to as “partridge” in some areas) are oftentimes an accompaniment to the ringneck pheasant in the game…

HOT HOT HOT! Warm temperatures settle in for the weekend and today’s calm conditions will make for a perfect near-summer day on the water. Tomorrow’s gusts will keep you on the south side of the lake, but temperatures spike to nearly 100 degrees, and those conditions will help fuel evening thunderstorms that will chase most…

By Nick Simonson In early summer, it lurks on the edges of meadows, right next to that perfect deer stand site.  It hides among the grasses along the trail which traces a favorite river or stream.  Its red stems and green leaves surround the perfect backwater pond.  It is poison ivy, and for the unaware…

THE ARTIST. Lure making and fly tying is half art and half science, we share our thoughts on that and go around the horn in today’s Three Things talking sprinting and sunshine Featured Photo: A sunnie falls for a beadhead pheasant prince. Simonson Photo.   DAILY CONDITIONS: WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast): Today: Fri 6/8 – Cloudy to…

TENTED UP.  Today will be another nice one to be outdoors, and the weekend is looking good too after tonight’s splash of rain.  The next shot of water isn’t expected until your travels home on Sunday evening, so take in the mid-to-upper-eighties and enjoy!  We talk a non-camping insect and more in today’s Three Things….

  UPCOMING.  When waters rise, get dingy and change from heavy rains, be ready to take advantage of fish on the feed.  We share those tips in today’s Three Things. Featured Photo: A pair of geese mill around a dock complex as a feeder creek pumps fresh rainwater into a lake. Simonson Photo. DAILY CONDITIONS:…

LAST CALL.  Don’t forget to get your ND Firearms deer lottery application in as the deadline is tomorrow.  We cover that and getting ready to scout things out for the upcoming season in today’s Three Things. Featured Photo: Rise Up.  The sun comes up over Big Detroit Lake, Minn. Simonson Photo DAILY CONDITIONS: WEATHER (Bismarck…

SETTLE IN.  Warm weather will help move fish back into their summer establishments as they begin setting up post-spawn patterns.  Key in on baitfish moving as well and on food sources developing in the shallows.  We talk about baitfish and more in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: Money in the Bank.  Minnows rest comfortably…