Early Winter Sends Birds Flying

The early arrival of winter likely had many North Dakota snowbirds questioning if they should have left before Thanksgiving. The following wave of snow and cold through Christmas and New Year’s may have sealed the deal for some of not returning until well after Easter.  As much as a cold, snowy and dark season can frustrate me, I still don’t see myself heading south for winter and I’m

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Hunter harvest surveys are an important tool for Game and Fish 

Do you feel like everywhere you turn there’s something trying to get your attention? Spam phone calls, robo calls, junk text messages. The other day I noted advertisements in the bathroom. It got me to stop and think. So, it worked. When it comes to email, my inbox gets filled up. Just like yours. At

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Q & A With ND Game & Fish Director Jeb Williams

 As Jeb Williams, North Dakota Game and Fish Department director, works into his second calendar year leading the agency, he takes a look in the rearview mirror and also offers insight on challenges and important topics for North Dakota’s outdoors.  How important was the spring precipitation of 2022?  Jeb: So, it was really positive for our local lakes and wildlife habitat conditions around the state. We’d been in tough

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Hunter Education Is Key to Enduring Hunting Heritage, Become An Instructor Today!

If you’ve ever wondered why a hunter education class isn’t offered in your town or why the dates and times weren’t to your preference, the answer and fix are straightforward. First, all hunter education classes in North Dakota are taught by volunteer instructors. These volunteers likely spend their time during the spring and summer fishing,

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The Game Outdoor Enthusiasts Should Be Watching in January are the Legislators

Late January is sometimes considered a time when not much is going on in North Dakota’s outdoors. But this year with new boat registrations coming in and the state legislature in session, it’s a busy time at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Here’s a recap of a few news items from recent weeks

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Ice Fishing Impacts Creates Evolving Target for Fisheries Management

We’ve seen it before. A few ice shelters can turn into a city literally overnight. Winter anglers travel from every corner of the state – some from a few states away – at the report of a hot walleye, perch, or crappie bite. Anglers wonder if the fishery can withstand the pressure? I remind myself

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A big picture look at North Dakota winter fishing

When the first storm iced some parts of North Dakota, then followed with snow from inches to feet, a collective sigh could be heard from Williston to Wahpeton. After the snow was moved, those with a glass half-full attitude smiled with thoughts of ice fishing. There was more snow, more cold, but the hardy souls

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Clay target shooting competition growing in popularity with students

This spring, nearly 1,700 students from 63 North Dakota high school teams are participating in the clay target league, with more than 1,300 students from 50 high school teams are expected to participate in the season-ending state meet. In 2016, the total was more than 400 student athletes representing 23 high schools, with about 360

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Lake Sakakawea remains one of the best walleye waters

You often hear veteran anglers and biologists refer to the current status of North Dakota’s fisheries as “the good old days.” Of course, that’s a general reference and each individual water is unique. Some are doing better than others and at the moment one of those “better” waters is Lake Sakakawea. North Dakota Game and

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Eagle nests observed throughout North Dakota

The historical plight of bald eagles is told often. At its lowest point, surveys estimated the bald eagle breeding population was once as low as 500 nesting pairs in the lower 48 states. Unregulated taking by humans, loss of habitat and environmental contaminants were main factors in the eagle’s population decline. Bald eagles were not

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Details on Deer Season

While North Dakota’s 2018 deer gun season continues through Nov. 25, it still generates a fair amount of questions and conversation preseason, midseason and postseason. First off, this year’s deer hunting season did open later than what a lot of people think is normal. The traditional deer opener for more than three decades has been

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Ice fishing season arrival makes a good time to review regulations

It’s a reminder that it doesn’t hurt to review the rules and regulations for whatever season is coming up or in progress. Here’s a short review of some of the rules that guide fishing through the ice.

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If you release fish, here are some tips on how to do it well!

I’ve always preferred simple tackle for fishing – bobbers, jigs, spoons and hooks – though I’m not categorically against using the latest legal tools and technology. I call it low impact angling. Some call it bobbers and worms. Whatever you declare, it’s more about enjoying fish and less about trophy angling, no matter the cost.

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Crowded Waters Require Courteous Boaters

No matter where in North Dakota you call home, finding a place to wet a line or relax on a boating excursion is not too far away. It’s kind of an interesting thought, as the state has more waters than ever to use for all recreation, and we also have more people registering watercraft than

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Deer Gun License Application Deadline Approaching

With North Dakota’s deer gun season license application deadline fast approaching, it’s a good time for a reminder to prospective hunters that the fastest and easiest way through the process is online via the state Game and Fish Department’s website. This is especially true for people who are eligible for gratis licenses, as once you

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Spring Light Goose Season Open, Snow Geese on the Move

On the morning of Thursday, Feb. 9, Bismarck recorded a low temperature of 15 below zero, the third day in a row of sub-zero readings. At that time, I don’t think anyone could have predicted North Dakota would have snow geese within its borders just over a week later when the spring light goose conservation

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