We’ve got what’s big and bold for this new week from a seriously sketchy wildlife violator to a huge drop in temperatures to the first big kayak bass tournament in the nation.  All of that is covered in today’s installment of the Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  A pair of largemouths lounge. Simonson Photo. WEATHER (Bismarck…

AROUND THE REGION.  Things will be relatively quiet on the weather front today, with the usual moderate winds, but still giving you a chance to get outdoors and enjoy yet another nice weekend in North Dakota.  While your focus is on an ice hole, we’ve got the news from outstate sources to keep you updated…

THE SITCH.  We take a look at current situations with water, warmth and winter in today’s Outdoors Roundup and how all of those factors and more will influence your ice fishing now, openwater angling this summer and hunting next fall. Featured Photo:  SPRING RUN.  We take a look at what flowing water levels may be…

SHOOTING OUT THERE.  Great conditions will get you into the outdoors this afternoon and into tomorrow as things warm back up.  While there’s a chance of light snow on Saturday, we’re not seeing anything serious in the forecast.  We’ve got a shooting theme in today’s Outdoors Roundup, so check it out! Featured Photo:  Target Loads….

By Nick Simonson   I can recall rolling down the gravel driveway of the shooting range to attend my first high school trap team meeting after moving to town in 2017, overwhelmed by the excitement and possibilities the 13 trap houses presented.  Through a connection on Facebook I got the time and the date from…

STILL.  Two great ice days are setting up as winds lessen and temperatures stay moderate. Local concerns and big picture items dominate the conservation and shooting sports news scene as we take a trip through our Outdoors Roundup for today. Featured Photo:  Mourning doves, having migrated out of the area, have not been affected by…

By Doug Leier, NDG&F Dept.   From Christmas through the back side of January, I felt like I was on some kind of winter nightmare “loop of life.”   Real or perceived, it was work, blow snow, work, blow snow, sleep, blow snow, work, etc. My neighbor confirmed over coffee on a Sunday afternoon it…

NOTEWORTHY.  Things will warm on southwest winds today as temperatures climb a bit above average, making for a good day on the ice.  We’ve got news from around the region including CRP sign-up info from the NDG&F, discussion on the SD predator bounty and hope for unlocking public lands in Montana. Featured Photo:  NESTLED.  A…

GET LEGS.  A calm chill will settle in today, but still no significant snow gives us a good run of weather coming up.  Speaking of running, from staying fit to the perfect fit for your on-vise creations, we’ve got a leg-centered edition of today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo: MARKS THE SPOT. A Madame X fly with…

SCHOOL’S IN.  Learning about fish behavior often provides insight in how to catch them. Fish relate to one another in many ways, including aggregation, shoaling and schooling.  While the general term of “school” is applied to a group of fish, the relationships can be much more in-depth than that and we provide some insight into…

TOOLING AROUND.  We’re enjoying the warmth and checking in on our tackle, gear and of course tools at mid-ice.  We’ve got a best of the shack list for you and your on-ice adventures today as part of our Outdoors Roundup to make sure you have the gear you need on ice – and much of…

By Nick Simonson The Gotcha is another simple shrimp imitator for saltwater species that has become a secret weapon for slab crappies up north.  With its shimmering krystal flash tail, gummy ribbing and flowy wing of fur and flash, the Gotcha can claim a top spot in any panfish box when spring arrives and to…

STEELY.  With the turn of the calendar to February, we’re thinking spring and planning a trip for one of our favorite trout species that is not only challenging to hook but also to land – the steelhead.  We’ve got some info on this species to fill the front half of your weekend and set your…

By Nick Simonson   As January fades into memory and anglers eye up a faster bite as the back half of winter settles in, a number of conditions are at play which will help angling improve through the ice and provide a portent for what can be expected for spring and summer populations when waters…

HEATING UP.  A warm weekend is headed our way as we say goodbye to January and hello to the start of February.  We’ve got the scoop on a pair of melting days, the power of wetlands and some CRP info from the NDG&F in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  Wetland Wonders.  Sloughs and other wetland…

By Nick Simonson   The arrow barely hung from its tip stuck smack dab in the middle of the blue circle on the large black block ten yards out from the line on the floor which my now six-year-old son straddled in the open shoot section of the archery range. If I didn’t see it…

YOU DON’T SAY?  We check out some of our favorite field sayings in today’s Outdoors Roundup and note the importance of having a backup, a blade and a second thought when it comes to shooting as we enjoy yet another warm day headed into a nice weekend. Featured Photo:  Blade 2.  Having a spare knife,…

By Doug Leier, NDG&F Dept.   In the January edition of North Dakota Outdoors magazine, state Game and Fish Department Director Terry Steinwand took a look at the past year and addressed some continuing challenges that remain in the year ahead.   In a way, it’s sort of a “state of the state” when it…

BIG NEWS.  We cover some big game items today including possible elk impacts resulting from a wolf reintroduction, more bighorn opportunities in South Dakota and what’s being done about declining moose populations east of the Red River.  All that and more in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  A young bull moose rests in a small…

THAW CONTINUES.  Warmer temperatures and light winds are the talk of today, making things easy on the ice for your hardwater angling adventures.  We’ve got some spring thoughts with Earth Day contests, whitetail weekends and a sign that this winter isn’t so bad after all (at least for some of us) in today’s Outdoors Roundup….

PICTURE THIS.  Things are looking pretty steady to start your week. We’ve got wild trail cam photos, no serious snow in the forecast and a look at PF’s big event as part of your Monday Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  Big Bird.  A rooster walks about in frosty grass near Bismarck.  Simonson Photo. WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):…

By Nick Simonson   The expansion of the USA Clay Target League (USA CTL) has seemingly been as fast as the spread of a shotgun load catching the bright orange dome of a hurled clay target, and the organization’s success on many fronts has been just as smashing.  Now entering its twentieth spring season, the…

SLICK & GUSTY.  Today’s winds will rise and things may be a bit slick with frost, meltwater and some icy precip may affect travel to your favorite ice fishing destination.  We cover that, take a look ahead and talk fire in our Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  Handful of Candy.  Crappie-sized Crazy Charlie flies are ready…

NDG&F Release The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is offering 6,230 wild turkey licenses for the 2020 spring hunting season, 205 more than last year. Seven of the 22 hunting units have more spring licenses than in 2019, five have fewer and nine remain the same. Unit 21 (Hettinger and Adams counties) is again…

SOME SATURDAY!  A nice start to your weekend is setting up with light winds, mild temps and a shot at getting outdoors in earnest.  We take a look at today’s conditions with yesterday’s new moon helping the bite and go around the horn and nation for wildlife news and a look at conditions in our…

By Nick Simonson   While the cold might be forcing kids to bundle up on the way to school, many of those same students are finding the archery scene heating up throughout the region.  In January and February alone as part of the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) more than two dozen shoots in…

IN A GROUP.  You’ll want to have your gear ready for this weekend as conditions are setting up for a good one with a strong moon phase, light winds and no blizzards in sight!  We take a tour of some highlights from the nation’s conservation groups in today’s Outdoors Roundup and get ready for a…

STILL, NOT BAD.  Light winds will be notable today and tomorrow and temps in the mid-20s area ideal for ice fishing, so get out there and find those fish under thicker ice and pleasant conditions.  Take a second to enjoy this recent improvement and get on the ice or in the field as we take…

By Doug Leier, NDG&F Outreach Biologist While game bird and big game seasons are now closed, North Dakota hunters and trappers still have plenty of opportunities to pursue coyotes, fox and other furbearers throughout much of the winter. Stephanie Tucker, the State Game and Fish Department’s furbearer biologist, recently provided some status updates on the…

TWO IN A ROW!  Great conditions will again facilitate ice time today as light winds and melting temperatures favor the angler.  We go around the state with sights, stories and suggestions for the week, the winter and the tax year in our Outdoors Roundup! Featured Photo:  The sun sets over the snowy Missouri River valley….