North Dakota Game and Fish outreach biologist Doug Leier gives the latest news from the great outdoors. Fishing, hunting, gun safety, photography and whatever you want outdoors.
The framework for the 2024 deer gun season in North Dakota has been set.
By Doug Leier Take it from a fan of the Minnesota Vikings, success is a subjective word. For many, success will only be found in a Super Bowl. Others feel making the playoffs is success and just beating the Green Bay Packers can be considered a success. Deer hunting in North Dakota isn't much different. Draw your first...
9h ago
Leave Baby Animals Alone, Watch for Deer
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department offers a simple message to the well-intentioned who want to rescue what appear to be orphaned baby animals this time of year: don't touch them. Whether it is a young fawn, duckling, cottontail rabbit or a songbird, it is better to leave them alone. Often, young animals are not ...
14h ago
Be BearWise this summer while recreating outdoors
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds hikers, campers and others recreating outdoors to be aware of bears and learn how to prevent conflicts with bears. Minnesota is bear country, but people can peacefully share the outdoors with bears by paying attention to where and when they are most likely to encoun...
May 20, 2024
DNR cautions lake and river property owners about improper use of hydraulic jets
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources frequently receives questions about devices that generate water current to blast muck and aquatic plants away. They have various trade names, but the DNR refers to these devices generically as hydraulic jets. Even though they can be purchased in Minnesota, they cannot be us...
May 20, 2024
Minnesota #DNR Conservation Officer Reports-May 20, 2024
Featured Update CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) spent the week patrolling Lake of the Woods, assisting with Police Week-related details, and assisting other agencies. Fontes assisted the Law Enforcement Memorial Association at the Peace Officer Memorial in St. Paul for two days of standing guard, and then laid a rose at...
May 20, 2024
June 4 Maplewood State Park Fishing Clinic
Friends of Maplewood State Park kicks off our summer event calendar with a clinic by professional fishing guide Ross Hagemeister on Tuesday, June 4, at 6:30. The clinic will be held at the Josh Hanson Veterans Memorial Picnic Shelter in Maplewood State Park. Hagemeister has been a full-time professional fishing guide...
May 19, 2024
Fish Challenge Open 2024 #NDGF
North Dakota is home to a wide variety of fish species and the state Game and Fish Department fisheries division works hard to stock waters across the state for angler enjoyment. To encourage exploration of the state's fisheries, anglers fishing in North Dakota are invited to complete the third annual Fish Challenge. N...
May 14, 2024
2024 #NDGF Mule Deer Survey Completed
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department completed its annual mule deer survey, and results indicate western North Dakota's mule deer population is 1% higher than last year but 4% below the long-term average. Biologists counted 2,047 mule deer in 286.3 square miles. The overall mule deer density in the badlands was 7....
May 13, 2024
Minnesota DNR recognizes state record shovelnose sturgeon
Minnesota DNR recognizes state record shovelnose sturgeon Anglers recently caught two shovelnose sturgeon that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recognized in quick succession as state records in the catch-and-release category based on length of the fish. Tyler Young of Lakeville caught and released a 34 1/...
May 13, 2024
Opportunities available to hunt elk in Minnesota
Elk license applications now open Hunters have through Saturday, June 15, to apply for one of the 10 elk licenses offered this year by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Licenses offered this year include two landowner permits, two 10-year history permits, and six general lottery permits. Hunters can apply ...
May 13, 2024
Minnesota spring turkey hunting season continues through May 31
Spring turkey hunting season continues through May 31 Firearms turkey hunters who have an unused tag from an earlier hunt period can participate in the final hunt period from Wednesday, May 22, through Friday, May 31. Hunters can also purchase a license for this time period. Archery-only and youth ages 17 and younger a...
May 13, 2024
MN #DNR Conservation Officer Reports-May 13, 2024
District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2024-05-13 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked anglers on the opening weekend of fishing on Lake of the Woods. Fishing success was quite good in places, slower in others. Violations included angling without a license, angling with an extra line, and other minor equipment and license ...
May 13, 2024
#NDGF 2023 Upland Game Seasons Summarized
2023 Upland Game Seasons Summarized North Dakota's 2023 pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse and gray partridge harvests were up from 2022, according to the state Game and Fish Department. Upland game biologist RJ Gross said the overall harvest was likely a result of more hunters, more trips and more birds in the population. ...
May 13, 2024
Paddlefish Snagging Season to Close to Additional Harvest
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department announced today that the state's 2024 paddlefish snagging season will close May 15 to any additional harvest to provide long-term protection of the paddlefish population. An additional snag-and-release extended season will begin May 16 and run through May 21. Paddlefish snagger...
May 13, 2024
During fishing opener weekend and always: clean, drain, dispose to help protect Minnesota waters
The approaching walleye fishing season comes with a reminder from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to always follow state laws to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. It's important for anglers to take a few minutes for invasive species prevention every time a boat comes out of the water. DNR In...
May 10, 2024
Open water means checking for aquatic nuisance species
By Doug Leier Unfortunately, my old hometown of LaMoure stakes the claim to being home to the first documented bighead carp identified in the James River about five years ago and also a couple of the only zebra mussel infested lakes - Twin Lake and Lake LaMoure. When I visit LaMoure I still drive past the old house, th...
May 07, 2024
Minnesota #DNR Conservation Officer Reports-May 6, 2024
District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2024-05-06 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) monitored area ATV, turkey hunting, angling, beaver-trapping, and minnow-trapping activities throughout the area. An investigation was conducted regarding big-game license issues, and citations were also issued for turkey hunting license infract...
May 06, 2024
Deer Season Set, Apply Online
North Dakota's 2024 deer season is set, with 50,100 licenses available to hunters, down 3,300 from last year. In addition, muzzleloader licenses decreased by 66 and restricted youth antlered mule deer licenses remained the same. Casey Anderson, North Dakota Game and Fish Department wildlife division chief, said populat...
May 06, 2024
South Dakota GFP Holds May Commission Meeting
GFP Holds May Commission Meeting The South Dakota Game, Fish and Park (GFP) Commission held their May meeting May 2-3 at the Event Barn in Custer State Park. Wildlife Proposals Landowner Own Land Prairie Antlerless Elk Hunting License During the 2024 South Dakota Legislative session, the Legislature passed Senate Bill ...
May 06, 2024
DNR urges people to leave deer fawns alone
DNR urges people to leave deer fawns alone The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources asks that people avoid disturbing or touching deer fawns, which are born around this time of year. Most fawns are born in mid-May to mid-June, and fawns do not attempt to evade predators during their first few weeks of life. Instea...
May 06, 2024