By Nick Simonson   I can recall the sun rising over the eastern waters of Devils Lake as I headed to the hotel to meet my parents for a weekend of early spring fishing on the just-opened channels of the north end of the sprawling lake.  The rays shimmered on the lightly rippled bay and…

NDG&F Release Elk, moose and bighorn sheep applications are available online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov. The deadline to apply is March 25. A total of 523 elk licenses are available to hunters this fall, an increase of 45 from last year. A total of 474 moose licenses are available, a decrease of…

THE TURN.  The fourth day of your work week will bring windy conditions, and while the outlying gusts may still top 50 mph, winds will likely be steady in the 30-40 mph range.  While you tighten your hat straps, we’ve got news and tips from around the state in our Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:   HOLE…

By Doug Leier, NDG&F Dept.   As a biologist, when I hear, see and read information on chronic wasting disease, I try to focus on the facts and the details known at the present time. That’s an important point to understand in dealing with wildlife diseases. While in North Dakota the number of cases is…

READY, SET, GO!  The wheels are spinning fast on spring and it looks like we’re making a hard charge toward the season a bit early this year as conditions warm up throughout the week, guessing the first robin will arrive soon. We’ve got updates on what the weather may have in store for March, a…

CUTTING INTO IT. Things continue to beige up on the landscape as snow melts away in what is starting out as a mild March.  We’ve got an update on snow cover, new boating regs to the west and how to add some color to your creations in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:   COLORATION.  A selection…

WINDY WEEK.  Gusts will continue throughout much of the week as a springlike pattern settles in over the region aiding in melting and drying.  Early meteogram runs are showing midweek gusts on Thursday near 70 mph (SEVENTY?!?) which would be downright amazing.  We’re thinking spring with boating and fishing tips in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured…

By Nick Simonson   If it’s fly tying season and you’re thinking spring is coming outdoors, you’ve got to be thinking summer when it comes to finishing off your patterns.  The later stretches of the cold weather season often reflect the planning for the latter stages in the warm water season, and tying projects often…

LAMBISH?  March arrives on stiff northwest winds, but no snow and temps above freezing keep things positive to start the final month of winter. We’ve got updates on severity along with news and notes from around ND to get you geared up for this great time of transition! Featured Photo:   HONEYCOMB.  Late season ice begins…

By Nick Simonson   While winter and spring aren’t often associated with hunting in the upper Midwest, the months of January through May are an important time in the lives of young hunters as the bulk of hunter education courses are offered to those looking to get licensed in time for next fall’s seasons.  With…

WEEKEND SPLIT.  Saturday will make the melt happen as temps jump into the mid-forties and conditions remain calm for all of your outdoor adventures, providing a great end to February.  Sunday’s gusts will be notable as winds roar out of the northwest cooling us down some on the first of march.  We’ve got some reminders…

WONDERFUL WEEKEND.  Melting temperatures, low winds and great conditions will combine for an excellent weekend on the ice.  We’ve got a review from the NDG&F as the season starts to wane along with some antler breaks and campfire styles for everyone in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:   ON FIRE.  We talk campfire tactics today in…

By Nick Simonson   The rating on a box of shotgun shells reads 1180, 1205 or more than 1300 feet per second, the speed at which the pellets are disbursed in pursuit of a thrown clay or an incoming goose.  The bent coil at the base of a tip-up flag is precariously held in place…

BACK UP!  We climb the temperature scale once again as things warm toward a fantastic-looking weekend.  We’ve got more on the conditions and what’s happening locally, nationally and hopper-ly (not a word) in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:   Hopper patterns are a favorite fly to tie as the winter season winds down. Simonson Photo WEATHER…

By Doug Leier, NDG&F Dept.   I didn’t need to look at the rainfall data last fall to confirm how abnormally wet much of the state was. And this winter, just looking out my window without knowing the exact numbers, it’s evident we’ve had plenty of snow in the eastern part of the state.  …

NEWS YOU CAN USE.  Things will settle down after the threat of snow sputtered out and the cold temps stayed north earlier in the week.  Meanwhile, we’ve got the updates from  around the region and some recognition right here at home in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:   GOOD LOOKING.  A doe pops her head up…

COOLING OUT.  We’ll feel the chill today following Monday’s system but things warm up quickly for your end-of-week adventures.  We’ve got a good look at what’s to come weather wise along with cooking tips and just where we get the term “riding shotgun.” Featured Photo:   Right On.  Spring is a good time to think about…

TIP TOP.  Monday’s looking snowy as a small disturbance takes most of Monday to clear central North Dakota. While you get ready for some light shoveling we’ve got the tip-up tips for the business end of your pike offerings as late ice – and faster fishing – approaches. Featured Photo:   FLAG!  Admit it, you love…

SHIFTING.  We’ll see a change in the wind leading to some accumulating snow tomorrow.  We take a look at where we’re at with the white stuff and how runoff may (or may not) affect your spring fishing and a CRP deadline drawing near in our Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:   Good Grass.  The nationwide CRP Signup…

By Nick Simonson   With the issuance of its 2020 Whitetail Report, the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) noted among its findings that more deer hunters than at any other time in the group’s surveys are passing on harvesting yearling bucks in favor of mature bucks that are 3.5 years old or older.  In 1989,…

SWINGIN’ SATURDAY!  Things are looking warm and melty for today as temperatures spike to 40 degrees with light winds.  We’ve got the rundown on what’s happening out there in today’s Outdoors Roundup, talking light geese, big bucks for shooting sports and a reminder to get ahead of your tackle duties. Featured Photo:  Roosters make their…

By John Bradley I grew up in Minnesota, and like North Dakota and much of the upper Midwest, the walleye is king. Many people believe it’s the all-around greatest fish that has ever been. From its head shakes after you set the hook to the ease of fileting their mild white flaky meat, the walleye…

NDG&F Release The 2020 spring wild turkey lottery has been held and individual results are available on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. The Game and Fish Department will mail the spring turkey licenses to successful applicants after they purchase a valid 2020-21 hunting license. All spring turkey hunters regardless of age…

WELCOME BACK WARMTH.   A stellar weekend is setting up with warm temps, moderate winds and good conditions for ice fishing and other outdoor activities.  We’ve got the stats on that and updates on ice and what’s on air in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:   The waning crescent rises ahead of the sun over Bismarck. Simonson…

By Nick Simonson Like most of my minor honey-dos from the end of year, going through old clothing to donate to the local thrift store ended up getting done two months into the following tax calendar; mostly due to deer hunting and some late season pheasant tromps that took up the last seven weekends before…

THE CLIMB.  Temperatures will warm today and a pre-spring feel is in the air as we stay warmish into the weekend.  We check out stats, sign-up and spring training in today’s Outdoors Roundup. Featured Photo:  REEL DEAL.  Clean your fly lines and maybe take a few practice casts on the snowy front lawn this weekend…

By Doug Leier, NDG&F Dept.   My job as an outreach biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department is varied. One aspect I enjoy is helping out with other Game and Fish functions such as checking on fishing access areas or possible fish kills, or conducting upland or small game surveys.   One…

BOTTOMING.  Winds will fade into a calm Wednesday and the cold won’t feel so strong.  We climb back out tomorrow as things stabilize for the weekend.  In the meantime, we’re thinking spring and getting you prepared for the season’s first run of fish which may happen in just a few short weeks. Featured Photo:  Ready?…

ANOTHER DIP.  Things cool off today and tomorrow before recovering in the back half of the week.  In the meantime we’ve got updates from the G&F on 2019 violations dropping, including trespass to a recent low of 35; great photos from the US FWS and a preview of your weekend conditions in today’s Outdoors Roundup….

By Nick Simonson     With North Dakota’s legislature meeting every other year, the winter of 2020 would seem like many to be a quiet one for the state’s lawmakers, but for Senator Larry Robinson of District 24, serving Barnes, southwestern Cass and northwestern Ransom Counties since 1989, his three decades of experience dictate otherwise….