Game & Fish Advisory Meetings Coming Up, Your Chance to Share Thoughts

Several decades ago, the state legislature created an advisory board for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. One of the results of that is that each fall and spring, advisory board members host public meetings in their district. These public meetings provide citizens with an opportunity to discuss fish and wildlife issues and ask

Read & Share  

Close of Deer Season an Opportunity to Chase Other Game

When North Dakota’s regular deer gun season closes – this year on Sunday, Nov. 20 – it’s kind of a bittersweet end to the traditional hunting calendar for a lot of folks. But for some avid upland bird hunters, the end of deer gun season is a new beginning of sorts, as most of the

Read & Share  

North Dakota Lakes Enter Spring with Healthy Oxygen Levels

It doesn’t take a biology or chemistry degree to understand fish need water, and it’s no secret the expanded wet cycle since 1993 was the key ingredient in creating a modern version of the good old days in terms of fishing in North Dakota. But reduced snowpack and consequently less fresh spring run-off the last

Read & Share  

Recovery of Whooping Crane Population Slow but Visible

A few weeks ago my column explained the transition of documenting bald eagle “sightings” from when they were an endangered species, until now when they are no longer endangered. While bald eagles are of course still protected as a national symbol, they are common enough now that individual sightings no longer warrant a special report,

Read & Share  

Fishing Regulations Set to Change April 1st

The early arrival of spring and ice out on lakes this year is providing some additional days for open-water fishing in North Dakota this year. Along with a new license that is needed starting April 1, a new two-year fishing proclamation also kicks in April 1, with a few noteworthy changes from the last two

Read & Share  

Want a Daily Dose of Minot News & Commentary? Sign Up For Daily Updates!

Follow Us Here!

Keep an Eye Out: Spring Time is Eagle Nesting Season!

The first robin sighting of the year is one sign queuing up the exit of winter. And while it’s true that you might spot a robin in North Dakota at any time of year, they are a welcome sign that spring is approaching and winter is on the way out. In recent years we’ve started

Read & Share  

Game & Fish: We May See a Bighorn Sheep Season, So Apply Now

It’s time again for what is affectionately called the “Big Three” application period, and this year has good news on all fronts. The State Game and Fish Department is bumping up the number of elk and moose licenses over last year, and bighorn sheep are back in the mix after a year with no season.

Read & Share  

Meetings to Discuss Mountain Lion Management

If you’re interested in the state’s population of mountain lions, there are meetings in Fargo, Bismarck, and Killdeer coming up that may be of interest. The full news release from North Dakota Game and Fish follows below. — Official News Release, ND Game & Fish — North Dakota Game and Fish Department officials will host

Read & Share  

Game & Fish Observing Nature in Flux

Last week I covered some highlights from the 2015 outdoors scene with a look at pheasant and sharp-tailed grouse populations, plus record fishing license sales. While these were some of the many positive outdoor stories from the past year, there’s seldom a year of “perfect” conditions when most or all species are trending higher across

Read & Share  

Doug Leier: Looking Back on 2015, Forward to 2016

I’ve always enjoyed my final column of the year and first column of the next year, as a kind of closing one door and then looking ahead to what may or may not be coming for the next year.  This year, instead of one review and one preview, I’ll cover the past and future for

Read & Share  

Know the Law: Transporting Big Game

It was a hot August Saturday and I was at the pool with the kids. It was even too hot to fish? Ironically the conversation turned from water and fish to big game during the dog days of summer. My friend was looking at a possible trip to Wyoming or Montana, and even planning years

Read & Share  

Want a Daily Dose of Minot News & Commentary? Sign Up For Daily Updates!

Follow Us Here!

Fishing Season: Learn How to Handle Your Catch

How do you handle and release a fish so you don’t hurt it? Chances are you could use a refresher on techniques that ensure healthy, reproductive fisheries. Check out the tips from ND Game & Fish’s latest edition of Outdoors Online.

Read & Share  

Boaters: The State Will be Reminding You to Be Aware of Invasive Species

To the delight of many anglers, spring fishing this year got an early start, and few seasoned residents of North Dakota will ever lament a shorter winter. From the Red River and Devils Lake to the Yellowstone, there was no shortage of open water. And, with lower fuel and transportation costs than in years past,

Read & Share  

Game & Fish: Sage Grouse Counts Remain Low

— Official News Release, ND Game & Fish — Results from North Dakota’s spring sage grouse survey indicate the number of strutting males observed remains well below management objectives. Therefore, the sage grouse hunting season will remain closed in 2015. Aaron Robinson, North Dakota Game and Fish Department upland game bird biologist, said biologists counted

Read & Share  

Paddle Fishing Season: The Details & History on a True North Dakota Experience

The art of paddlefishing is found in few places around the country, and for a few days each spring North Dakotans get the chance to try their luck at snagging the giant river fish. Get the details on the annual occasion from Doug Leier.

Read & Share  

Whooping Cranes Recovering Slowly, but Still Endangered With Numbers of Just 350

The spring snow goose season opened in mid-February and honestly leading up to it the open winter and unseasonably warm weather had hunters and biologist alike thinking, “..this just might be the year birds are here before March…” As luck and meteorologists would have it a more typical weather cycle settled in and colder temperatures

Read & Share