By Doug Leier, NDG&F Dept.   I wasn’t surprised when health officials reported recently that North Dakota residents were mostly complying with social distancing guidelines. We’ve got a pretty good track record when it comes to doing what we can to protect ourselves.   The same could be said for anglers and boaters complying with…

HEATING UP.  We maintain highs in the 70s this week with good conditions heading into a weekend warm-up. Along with a more stable scenario we’ve got word on how all those great platforms get made to help you launch your boat on ND waters, a look at drought conditions sneaking back into the state’s southwestern…

BACK ON TRACK.  We’ll warm up today after Sunday’s front and Monday’s struggle to break out of the sixties, setting us up for a week in the 70s with a predicted warm spike for the weekend! We’ve got the forecast for today and the future along with upcoming archery excitement and a friendly reminder to…

HEADED BACK UP.  While things will be post frontal for the end of your beginning of summer, we’ll see improvement throughout the week for time on the water.  We take a look at what you can do to prevent the spread of ANS, North Dakota-based studies on waterfowl nesting and grazing, and a view of…

RAINY ROUND THE REGION.  While rain will be the story for the top half of your Sunday, we’ve got the moves from the regional wildlife agencies that are making headlines in regard to walleyes, elk and turkeys in the tri-state area.  So pour that cup of coffee, click a link and get up to speed…

By Nick Simonson   Bridges provide the many things that a variety of fish species need throughout the openwater season: shade from the sun, structure that attracts food items, holding places in varying depths, and current breaks to help them expend less energy.  For these reasons, any bridge can provide fast fishing and learning to…

By Nick Simonson   I’m not much for travel, even in the outdoors.  Though it’s the safest way of getting from point A to point B, I sweat profusely while aboard just about any airplane, regardless of whether there’s fishing or hunting on the other side of the trip and often start dreading the flight…

DOUBLE UP!  A great start to your holiday weekend is on tap for this Friday, with sun and moon times along with great conditions lining up to kick off the four-day stretch.  We’ve got more on our Double Edge Day plus concern for ND’s bats, a fun look at how hunters see things and what’s…

WEEKEND WATCH!  Excitement is building for the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend and conditions on either end of it should be great for the outdoors.  We’ll duck some rain and thunder on Saturday and Sunday, but opportunities on those days will exist, just keep an eye to the sky. We’ve got updates on fishing closures from…

By Nick Simonson Criminal charges are expected to be filed against six Barnes County men for their involvement in the illegal taking of big game and other wildlife-related violations in recent months throughout the county, which allegedly includes the poaching of a number of whitetail deer.  Combined, the complaints against the individuals are anticipated to…

BROKEN RECORD?  We’re not talking walleyes or pike either. It seems like the southerly gusts have been with us forever, and they’re going to stick with us into the weekend, but things will stay mostly warm into the long holiday stretch.  We’ve got more on that, an update on hunters ed and changes to youth…

By Doug Leier, NDG&F Dept.   Looking for anything that qualifies as good news has become a new pastime for some. Given the daily continued pandemic news, it’s no wonder my phone, email and casual conversations have spiked from people asking about how the deer and pheasants fared this winter.   Well, hunters looking for…

GROWING GUSTS.  The wind continues with sustained gusts through tomorrow, but calmer days are ahead; in the meantime enjoy the warm temperatures that come with it.  We’ve got some deer updates from the NDG&F and QDMA along with a look at a modified season underway for the ND CTL as part of our Outdoors Roundup….

WOOSH!  We’re off and running with a warmer and windy start to the week! In addition to a look at the strong, sustained gusts we’ve got a reminder that new hunters can still get in on the deer lottery drawing with the NDG&F online hunter ed course and some great work by PF for prairie…

SETTING THE STAGE.  Today will kick off a great run of weather, warming things up into the mid-70s and low 80s right on into Memorial Day weekend!  To get you set we’ve got the tips on colors to use that trigger bites on any water and how to find your own confidence colors wherever you…

By John Bradley, NDWF Executive Director   Numerous vulnerabilities in our economic and healthcare systems have come to light the last few months during the COVID-19 pandemic. But the crisis has also highlighted just how much Americans love—and need—to connect with nature on our public lands. Across the country, people have been flocking to local,…

STATUS SATURDAY.  We’ll make it into the mid sixties with light east winds for your outdoor adventures today.  While you enjoy that, we check out where we sit in terms of ground moisture, our forested areas and what’s in store on the long-range climate predictor in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  Jacked Up.  A pair…

By Nick Simonson   In the era of catch-and-release a number of tools have come to the forefront in ensuring the successful turn back of big fish to be caught again: rubberized nets, mesh cradles, and elongated needle nose pliers help make short work of landing, caring for and releasing fish while limiting damage to…

CONSERVATION ROUNDUP.  Efforts around the state, country and continent are constantly working to preserve habitat, protect creatures and learn more about the magic of migratory animals.  We’ve got insights on all three in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  GREENING UP.  Spring takes on a new hue as vegetation greens up. Simonson Photo. WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):…

By Nick Simonson   Spring brings with it the first trips out into a greening countryside.  Whether sneaking off to a favorite shore fishing spot or hanging up some trail cameras to catch the first glimpses of a buck caught on a memory card, spring adventures often set anglers and hunters up against flora and…

GETTING THERE.  We’re still waiting on a real spring as conditions muddle around with winds and overcast skies – it better hurry, it’s almost Memorial Day and the unofficial start to summer!   We’ve got updates on traditions still rolling with some modifications, a survey season lost and what to expect for your weekend fishing trips…

By Doug Leier, NDG&F Dept.   You may have heard the term “R3” associated with the future of hunting and fishing, not just in North Dakota, but across the country.   It stands for “Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation,” and represents a conscious effort to bring new people into the fishing and hunting world, get past…

PUSHING THROUGH.  We’re making our way through mid-May with some unstable conditions and cooler temps, but many are still finding opportunities to get on a spring bite. While you do, we’ve got updates on a major poaching case and seismic shifts in Pheasants Forever’s leadership as part of today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  SPRING SIGHT. …

STAYING COOL.  Things remain below average for this time of year as we struggle out of the weekend’s chilly spell.  It’ll be a bit damp today and tomorrow, but we’ve got the news to help you make it to the weekend’s warm up including continued fishing events, massive recycling campaigns and a word about woodcocks…

NDG&F Dept. Release The North Dakota Game and Fish Department completed its annual spring mule deer survey in April, and results indicate western North Dakota’s mule deer population is up 7% from last year and 22% above the long-term average. Biologists counted 2,364 mule deer in 267.3 square miles during this year’s survey. Overall mule…

NICE, FOR MARCH.  Cool temperatures prevail today, though skies will remain mostly clear.  To help you make it through your Monday, we’ve got news and views from around the web on yellow perch, red line and hooks, and what to do if you find your brown buck, long after you put it down. Featured Photo: …

THE CLIMB.  Today begins our adventure out of yet another spring trough and tonight’s lows will likely be the chilliest of the week.  We cover that along with prepping yourself for some pesky spring flora and fauna in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo: LET IT BE. Keep an eye out for emerging stands of poison…

By Nick Simonson   The winter of 2019-20 was a split personality to say the least.  East of the Missouri River, the state was plagued with heavy snow, colder temperatures and a prolonged season.  West of the flow, it was a virtual banana belt with light snow events and minimal ground cover from December to…

TOUGH ONE.  Gusty conditions will dominate an overcast and sometimes damp Saturday, but we’ve got the news from agencies around the region to help you through it.  From a reminder that the deer lottery is open in ND (can you tell we’re excited?) to tips for young animals in MN, to the tale of the…

By Nick Simonson   Pheasants Forever (PF) and pet food producer Purina have partnered on an ambitious three-year, 30,000-acre incentive program directed at landowners in the prairie pothole region of southwestern Minnesota, north-central Iowa, and those parts of North Dakota and South Dakota located east of the Missouri River.   With the ultimate goal of adding…