CAUGHT…AND RELEASED.  That’s right, if you aren’t starting your weekend early, you’re thinking about it…and we caught you! But don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone.  Heck, we’ll cover for you!  Get out there today and tomorrow, as above average temps and calm winds will make this a weekend to remember on the ice!  We’ve got…

ANYTHING BUT CRAPPY.  The warm up is underway, and light winds will make today and tomorrow perfect days to call in sick with cabin fever and hit the ice!  When you do, you know there’s an opportunity for crappies nearby.  We talk about three of our favorite tiny flutterspoons for serious slab angling in today’s…

TURKEY TROT IN A TEE?  Okay, maybe your outdoors run would require some sleeves with this afternoon’s wind, but by tomorrow it could be a reality! The five-day forecast shows a welcome warm-up for the region helping wildlife (and people) shake off the doldrums of mid-winter.  If you’re looking for something to do, we’ve got…

MR CTL Press Release Registration for Bismarck, Century, Legacy and Mandan High Schools’ Clay Target League Teams competing in the 2018 Spring North Dakota State High School Clay Target League (ND CTL) will begin on Jan. 22 and run through Mar. 1. The spring season consists of eight weeks; two practice weeks, a reserve week,…

TOMORROW’S GOLDEN.  Make it through today’s single temps, which will feel nice compared to yesterday (it’s all relative) and you’ll be in the midst of a real January thaw!  While you wait out the cold we’re talking trout in today’s Three Things, because time at the vise just isn’t enough! (Featured Photo: GOLDIE. Golden trout…

ROLLERCOASTER.  It’ll be a 60-degree swing from today to Thursday, as a quick arctic swipe is followed by a bubble of warmth. Start thinking about your weekend activities now and planning your on-ice attack for when things get above freezing. We get you ready for that and more in today’s Three Things. (Featured Photo: VEXED….

By Nick Simonson Through the offering of two hunter’s education courses open only to women on Feb. 12 in Bismarck and Feb. 13 in Beulah, the North Dakota Game & Fish Department (NDG&F) is looking to a growing demographic of new participants to help carry on the state’s rich hunting traditions. A Growing Share “Fifteen…

OUT OF THE FREEZER. Temps will rise today and through the night as light south winds and cloud cover help things stabilize.  We may even see 20 degrees tomorrow! (and 35 by Thursday?!?)  It’s a newsworthy weekend with information from around the state and country on hunting, habitat helping a unique creature and more in…

BULLY!  While you might not feel like roughing it in the badlands today with the chill that has settled in, we’ve got some of our favorite Teddy Roosevelt quotes to stoke your fire for action in today’s Three Things. (Featured Photo: a young bull moose loafs near a small slough outside of Sibley, ND. Simonson…

By Nick Simonson The dust from an autumn’s worth of traveled gravel roads coated the inside of the bed of my F-150, despite the topper with the loose passenger-side screen providing ample coverage for the mix of dog gear, field kits, gallon jugs of water and an assortment of bungee cords and ratchet straps.  As…

GOING DOWN.  The blast of snow and wind tapers today, as anywhere from two to five inches fell across the western part of the state.  Things settle down giving you a chance to dig out, but dress warm as our daytime highs fall below zero again.  Even your “unfreezable” bobber might face some challenges today…

GILLY GILLY!  Those fun and easy panfish of summertime can make for finicky targets beneath the ice subject to the whims of a water, the conditions of the day and sometimes the colors offered up to them.  We talk more about on-ice panfish pursuits in today’s Three Things while keeping an eye on the squall…

NDG&F Press Release The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has scheduled an examination to select candidates for the position of a full-time temporary district game warden in Bismarck. The test is at 10 a.m., Feb. 23, at the department’s main office in Bismarck. Applicants must register to take the exam no later than Feb….

NDG&F Press Release North Dakota citizens with an interest in supporting wildlife conservation programs are reminded to look for the Watchable Wildlife checkoff on the state tax form. The state income tax form gives wildlife enthusiasts an opportunity to support nongame wildlife like songbirds and birds of prey, while at the same time contributing to…

NIGHT & DAY.  We hope you’ve enjoyed this reprieve from January’s usual bone-chilling temps, because inside conditions will be sweeping through the area shortly, making for a difference you can feel.  Today is your best bet for a hot bite as the front approaches this evening, so get on the ice if you can and…

HOOKED.  It was a solid weekend of ice fishing for many as conditions aligned for great trips on the hardwater.  Those temps and light winds will stick around for another couple of days before a front sweeps over the region, plunging us into the deep freeze at least for a spell.  Snow models for the…

NICE ON ICE. With the settling in of more temperate weather, many have turned their attention to the ice and trucks loaded with augers, buckets, rods and houses were a common sight on many roads yesterday and will be today as well as anglers make their way to the region’s hardwater.  We talk more about…

By Doug Leier, NDG&F Dept. As a student of biology in high school and through college, and into my professional career as a biologist, I’ve always appreciated the complexities of nature, such as each individual fish and wildlife species and their connection to the food, water, space and shelter, or habitat, that they call home….

PERFECT TIMING.  We return you to your regularly scheduled awesome weekend!  The weather aligns to make the weekend the best part of the week, much like the pre-holiday stretch we experienced in November and December.  Take advantage of this upturn and get out after some fish or the final shot in the field. We talk…

By Nick Simonson “The greatest teacher, failure is.” In the newest installment of Star Wars (sorry…spoiler alert, skip this paragraph if you haven’t seen it yet) the wisdom of Yoda shines through once again as he counsels a conflicted Luke Skywalker struggling to overcome the self-imposed exile from society and the force, which resulted from…

JANUARY (ALMOST) THAW.  A warm up is coming this weekend to help you get outdoors to close out the hunting season or get back on the ice. Make it through today, and you’re golden.  We talk past, present and future in today’s Three Things and some safety for the hardwater season and final hunts for…

PARTY TIME!  Late winter and spring are banquet time around the region.  Check out the great national and local sportsmen’s and conservation groups near you, become a member and contribute to habitat efforts to keep hunting and angling options wide and varied in ND.  We talk about that in today’s Three Things. (Featured Photo: A…

SURPRISE!  Gusty winds hampered true enjoyment of the outdoors yesterday afternoon, despite temps in the 20s.  Lower highs, but calmer winds the next two days should facilitate that ice trip you’re looking to take. Play hooky with some hungry fish through this weekend! In the meantime, we find the oddest things in Wal-Mart, and this…

NDG&F Press Release Individuals interested in darkhouse spearfishing can sign up for a workshop offered Feb. 3 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge office northwest of Minot. Sponsored by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, participants will learn about ice safety,…

SUPER START!  The full moon and warming conditions will improve opportunities to get outdoors whether finishing off the last week of upland hunting (ends 1/7), or getting out on the ice in earnest after some challenging cold conditions.  The power of the waning supermoon should spur some solid strikes, so take advantage of temps in…