AND THEN THERE WAS 1.5.  We’re a mere day and a half out from the firearms deer opener and things will start to FEEL like November as cold conditions settle in behind the end of yesterday’s Low moving east.  Temps for opening hour at mid-day tomorrow will be in the low teens for much of…

COOL OUT. Post frontal spits of snow and lessening winds will highlight today’s chilly temps, making things start to feel like winter and kick the rut into high gear.  Tonight will be a good one to sit for your last ditch bow buck, and speaking of deer, we stay on that topic to keep you…

SLIVERS & SHIVERS.  As we approach tomorrow’s new moon, strong winds and spitting snow flurries will be the tale of the day as gusts up to 35 mph will keep would-be hunters indoors.  Everyone needs a prep day anyhow with firearms deer opener just 3.5 days away!  With that, we find more good deer news…

STANKONIA.  Nah, we’re not talking the Outkast album that mainstreamed dirty south rap, but we are talking about how to eliminate your scent and keep from offending the deer in your hunting area in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: Piled Up.  Ahead of this week’s deer opener, a camo coat and blaze orange vest…

By Nick Simonson Antlers.  Those that are big enough reduce even the best hunter to a shaking pile of human-shaped jello on stand. Beyond their power in the field, however, there is a huge market – however sometimes dubious or even illegal – for antlers in one form or another.  From curing ailments to bringing…

IN MOTION.  Deer activity is ticking up as we tick the days off our calendars toward this Friday’s opener. We look ahead to that and more in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: A young muley buck works his way along a fenceline near Mandan. Simonson Photo.   WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast): Today: Sun 11/4 – Steady…

By Nick Simonson I predominantly hunt alone these days, and when I am in the field with others, it is usually with one or two trusted friends who have proven to be good, respectful hunters, but more importantly, safe with their guns.  Those muzzles that have absent-mindedly strayed across me in the past and been…

WESTERN WHITE. Light snow accumulations from last night and this morning don’t make it much farther east than Kidder County. We assess what’s to come for next weekend’s deer opener and how harvest conditions will affect the deer moving in your unit in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: Pheasants mill about next to some…

FREAKY FRIDAY! Get out there and enjoy it, as calm and cool conditions will help in the field today before tomorrow’s storm makes a mess of your hunting (and western travel?) plans.  We look ahead to that and more in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo:  A spike buck pauses for a look back along…

By Nick Simonson For a pheasant hunter, or any upland hunter for that matter, areas of marginal land are spaces that must be explored. Small pocket sloughs in the middle of a cut field, grassy ridges that rise out of row crops, or brushy draws and hollows that are tough to access all hold birds. …

DAMP DAY.  Mist and light rain will hold off until this afternoon, so morning is your best bet to be in the field or on the water with light southerly winds. Snow is on tap for Friday night into Saturday, so plan accordingly.  We go around the horn today with the latest outdoor news to…

BOO! (YAY!)  Halloween will be spooky nice with light winds and highs touching 50 – a perfect day for the field before you head in to hand out candy!  If you’re looking for other treats to hand out besides tooth-rotting sugar (and we’re not talking apples or pennies) we’ve got some suggestions in today’s Three…

MOVING FORWARD. Winds kick up a bit today, blowing us toward deer season next weekend.  In preparation for the “grandaddy of ’em all” we get ready with some G&F Q&A, some cleaning tips and a reminder to get orange, even if bowhunting once the gun season starts in today’s Three Things   Featured Photo: Camera…

GET AFTER IT! The front half of the week may be a bit breezy, but warm temps will keep you in the field.  We go around the horn with the weekly forecast, a trap wrap and some sky watching in today’s Three Things. Featured Photo: Cottonwoods in bright yellow run along the Little Missouri River….

ONE DAY WINDS. Gusts will kick up to 40 mph, right around kickoff, so make this morning your outdoor time.  Things settle down for tomorrow, with near ideal conditions for whatever you want to do outdoors.  We look at some lesser-known lands open to the public in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo:  Unicorn.  A…

By Nick Simonson To the east and the rising sun, the two-wheel tracks were etched in the hardened dirt of the minimum maintenance road, which just the week before were sloppy moldings of opening day misadventures of other hunters along the muddy trail. My discretion then told me the trek wasn’t worth the hassle of…

FRIDAY FUN!  Weather will once again be great for a Friday hunt.  Bail early from work and hit the field, stand or water for a great start to the weekend.  While you’re at it – block tomorrow morning off as still conditions will last until about mid-day before winds and a chance of rain roll…

By Nick Simonson In just a couple of weeks, hunters’ visions will shift from flushing or cupped wings to antlers bobbing up and down through the trees.  The fast-approaching firearms deer season never fails to ambush a few who push their bird hunting or late season fishing right up to the start of the most…

TAKE TWO!  The last two days of the week will mirror the first two, with highs near 60 and a northwest pheasant breeze that’s not too strong and perfect for staying cool and right on scent.  We get the latest on outdoor news from near and far in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: Clear…

LUCKY! So you didn’t win the big one last night – big deal! (You still have Powerball tonight, right?)  After today, you’ll feel like a winner as conditions set up for late week hunts and fall fishing trips.  We look ahead to the weekend, address the Farm Bill and find some good news in today’s…

BUILDING UP.  With the nearly full moon in effect and good conditions weather-wise, you’re in for a treat this week.  We go around the horn with news and notes to help you get the most out of the upcoming days in this installment of Three Things.   Featured Photo: Mixed Doubles. Ole the lab with…

MARVELOUS MONDAY.  Temperate autumn conditions continue into today as light north breezes under sunny skies will set up a great day to play sick and hit the field.  Not that we condone that (we do). While you’re considering it, here are some tips for a great hunt in today’s Three Things!   Featured Photo: Pack…

FUNDAY! Finish off a great (four-day?) weekend on an awesome Sunday with light winds, clear skies and plenty of flushing birds or biting fish.  We look ahead at the week to come and prep for the granddaddy of all hunting seasons – deer firearms – in today’s Three Things.   Featured Photo: Friend of the…

LINE UP.  Today’s YOUR DAY!  Perfect conditions for just about any outdoor activity will have hunters and anglers out in droves.  Get on your favorite parcel or water and get after whatever it is that gets you going outside.  We go around the horn to get your weekend geared up in today’s Three Things. Featured…

By Nick Simonson Generally, I’m a catch-and-release guy when it comes to trout fishing, even on put-and-take waters.  However, in fall or winter when waters are clear and cold, and the fish are biting and of good size after being fattened from a summer of feeding, I’ve been known to save one or two for…

SWITCH!  Winds return as gusty north breezes sweep over the region and we keep tabs on deer tags, tying supplies and the last of the summer fruit in today’s Three Things. Featured Photo: All Fluff.  Seeds explode from a cattail head in a slough near Driscoll.  Simonson Photo.   WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast): Today: Fri 10/19 –…

By Nick Simonson A great target shooter is a great field shooter. The ability to hit a clay streaking away at 43 miles per hour correlates closely with the same form, pivot, focus and follow through necessary to hit a rooster flushing into the sky, a ruffed grouse rushing down a forest path or a…

WARM WARNING! Wow!  It’s been awhile since we’ve seen 70, but we may very well reach that peak today before things taper off into the weekend to more seasonable norms. We go around the horn in today’s Three Things with tips, weather and lacin’ ’em up for the weekend in today’s Three Things.   Featured…

AAANNND…PERFECT! Today’s temps in the high 50s and light winds will bring with them the onset of buck fever, or pheasant flu, or some other outdoors ailment.  Luckily, the cause is the cure as well, and you’ll be able to get out for your fix on this perfect fall day.  We talk about that and…

RISING. Temperatures are on the upswing starting today, and the early morning will provide a great pre-work (or late-to-work) opportunity for some hunting and fishing before winds pick up in the afternoon.  We go around the horn with the daily news and notes to get you set for your Monday in today’s Three Things.  …