FIRE IT UP. Today will be ideal to ignite those late season hunting plans or get the auger roaring as calm winds and warm temps settle in for one last stay before tomorrow’s breezes roar in, tomorrow might be best to warm up to some inside projects.  In that theme, we talk about the effects…

FUN WITH THE FARM BILL!  Wow!  Congress can still get something done – and something good for hunters and conservation! At 27 million acres, the CRP cap under the 2018 Farm Bill is up 3 million acres from 2014 where it sat at a recent low of just 24 million acres.  We look at this…

WHAT’S THAT WSI? We kick off our 2018-19 Winter Severity Index, tracking the conditions that impact the wildlife populations in North Dakota with our first of eight reports!  We get into the numbers behind the process, what it means for next year’s hunting, and just how easy the start of this season has been! Featured…

CALL THE COPS!  Someone stole December and we’re looking at the big FIVE-O today!  That’s right, a rare 50 degrees (almost twice our average high) is on tap for today’s outdoor adventuring, even as the sun nears its weakest point and shortest amount of daylight (we start gaining on sunset tomorrow night, though!).  We keep…

By Nick Simonson The multi-colored blades hanging on the tackleshop wall lit up my eyes like Christmas lights as I prepared for what has become a holiday and wintertime tradition of tying up walleye spinners for friends, family and the non-profit outdoor groups’ silent auctions I contribute to this time of year.  I know that…

MERCURY RISING. There’s no end to the warm-up in sight, as high temperatures soar into the 40s for an extended stretch.  Take this into account as you size up the ice on your area lakes and make plans for the holiday season!  We talk about both of those topics and other options in this unseasonable…

By Nick Simonson Every year about this time there are stories in the headlines that have most people shaking their heads.  A truck goes through the ice, a towable shack house sinks during an untimely warm-up, or an angler unfamiliar with the elements of a body of water finds himself in trouble.  While most of…

WARM SURGE.  Today and tomorrow continue the region’s warming trend and set the stage for great weekend hunting conditions with moderate winds and above-average temps.  We talk about that and more in today’s Three Things. Featured Photo:  Short Range.  The snow recedes on an area of rangeland along the Heart River Valley south of Judson….

THIS IS IT! We’re closing out some seasons, opening up new ones and even looking ahead to those that will come in 2019.  We talk about these items and more in today’s Three Things. Featured Photo:  The setting sun highlights the orange breast feathers of a rooster pheasant. Simonson Photo.   WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast): Today: Tue…

SCHOOL’S IN!  As we get closer to holiday break, it’s tough to think about finishing out the semester, when “school” will take on another meaning as kids hit the ice with family and friends (maybe you’re taking a few?) When targeting schooling fish through the ice, we have some lessons to get the bigger ones…

By Nick Simonson If you’re looking to give the gift that keeps on giving to your favorite angler, or maybe just trying to find a way to burn up these dark winter nights in your den, a fly tying kit is the end of both holiday shopping quests and the beginning of a great pastime. …

LOOKING OUT.  The week looks fine for ice fishing or hunting, and we tap into some new resources made available by the G&F as part of today’s Three Things. Featured Photo:  Three eyes. Know how big the walleye population is getting in your water with help from Sampling Data.  Simonson Photo   WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):…

WINTER WONDER!  This weekend is setting up to be quite good for sportsmen getting on the ice.  With high temps in the 20s and low winds, expect to see many in the general population making their first moves to hardwater.  We continue to share our tips for this time of year in today’s Three Things….

GILLY, GILLY! With first ice established, one of our favorite early pursuits is panfish. In today’s Three Things we share tips for finding bull bluegills and consistent action. Featured Photo:  A nice bluegill caught and released on a small ND lake. Simonson Photo.   WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast): Today: Thu 12/6 – Calm & Cold. Hi 17,…

ONE DAY WIND.  Gusts return today, but after they subside, you’ve got a great four-day stretch to get going on your favorite winter activities.  We talk about that and more and how to beat the bluster in today’s Three Things. Featured Photo:  Tap That. A set of ice anchors will help hold houses in place…

ON TOP OF THINGS.  Today’s weather is ideal ahead of Wednesday’s quick-hitter of a front with fast winds and spits of snow.  While you’re thinking what to do with tomorrow’s “inside day” (and enjoying today outdoors) we’ve got some ways to keep your flies on the surface.   Featured Photo:  Closed cell foam patterns are…

CHILL OUT.  Freezing fog, ground frost and ice have made things slippery in the region, but sun is on the way after today to help clean things up.  We check out the relatively calm week ahead and some ways to stay cool in the field  in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo:  A hunter makes…

By Nick Simonson Ho ho ho!  That giddy Christmas morning feeling comes early for those of us looking forward to some hardwater fishing as we flip to the last page in the calendar. So, as the air chills and the water freezes and the anticipation builds (or maybe you’re already out there), let the tradition…

STEADY.  Steady temperatures on an east wind will be the highlight today, as yesterday’s foggy and frosty conditions subside.  Ice on area lakes is thickening as recent temps have struggled to get above freezing, but be aware of safety this time of year.  While we cautiously wait (and go hunting) we talk about big ice…

SMOKIN’  Today kicks off the last of the deer seasons, as muzzleloader hunting opens at noon.  We talk about that and more in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: Full fluff.  A coyote gets caught on trail camera in the cold of night. Simonson Photo.   WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast): Today: Fri 11/30 – Frosty Start –…

COLOR IT UP.  While the skies may be gray and the ground a little white, you can break free of the monochromatic by adding a little color to your tacklebox and lure creation.  We talk about that option and more in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: Looking Sunny.  Bright orange jigs are tied up…

By Nick Simonson Welcome to the final stretch of hunting season.  By this time, boot leather should be well worn, blaze orange faded to a dull peach, and that reliable camouflage coat covered in mud, spilled coffee and other stains that evidence a successful go of things thus far.  So it is at this time…

A GOOD MIX.  There’s hunting to be done, spring efforts to plan for and a calendar full of events in the meantime during this shift to winter.  Keep an eye on the roads and both hands on the wheel if you’re headed out today, or better yet, stay inside and get set for ice fishing…

SLIP SLIDING TO WINTER.  A slippery mix is headed our way as we hit the final few days of November and look forward to yet another deer season on the horizon. We talk about those newsworthy items and some slicing suggestions for synthetics on your jigs in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: Iced.  Plan…

THAT’S A WRAP.  By the time you read this, the firearms deer season will be gone.  Here’s hoping you bagged your buck or doe and are looking forward to a season of snacking on jerky, waking up to sausage, and closing out the day with a meal of steaks on the grill.  While these more…

By Nick Simonson The Klinkhammer was originally tied by Dutch angler Hans van Klinken in order to imitate the emerging insects that grayling were rising on in his local stream.  Since that time, a number of variants of the popular parachute fly have been tied, and it’s no surprise that a pheasant tail version has…

NINE TOES.  It’s an even nine hours of daylight today, starting with sunrise at 8 am on your final day of the firearms deer season.  Cooler temps and light snow will highlight relatively cooperative conditions for you to close it all out. We talk about that and more in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: …

STAY FOCUSED.  The deer you want is still out there as we enter “Desperation Weekend” and the final two days of the firearms season.  Conditions are setting up nicely for the last 20 hours or so for those big bucks so pick out your hot spots and get ready for the last stretch.  Speaking of…