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.
2024 North Dakota Paddlefish Preview
By Doug Leier A highlight of my early years with the Game and Fish Department as a district game warden was the variety of field-training opportunities. New wardens learn different required skills from seasoned wardens at stations literally in every corner of North Dakota. My primary training warden was Kurt Aufforth, ...
Apr 25, 2024
Minnesota #DNR Conservation Officer Reports
District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2024-04-22 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked sturgeon anglers on the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods. Turkey hunting activity was checked in Roseau and Marshall counties, and enforcement action was taken regarding two different parties for hunting turkeys without a license, with ...
Apr 25, 2024
Report fish die-offs to help DNR, others respond as needed
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages Minnesotans to contact the state duty officer if they see evidence of a fish die-off in a lake or stream. Fish die-offs can result from a variety of natural and human causes. To report fish die-offs, people should call the Minnesota duty officer at 651‐649‐54...
Apr 25, 2024
Collaborative Conservation Efforts Keep Lake Sturgeon Off the Endangered Species List
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - After conducting a thorough species status assessment using the best available science, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined lake sturgeon do not require listing under the Endangered Species Act. The Service's 12-month finding shows ongoing management efforts, such as fish stocking, have c...
Apr 25, 2024
#NDGF Tagging Studies Offer Insight into Fisheries
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will be conducting numerous tagging studies on walleye populations across the state over the next several years to gain a better understanding of how anglers are utilizing these fisheries. This year, walleye tagging efforts will occur at Coal, Twin, Coe and West Napoleon lakes....
Apr 17, 2024
Paddlefish Snagging Season Opens May 1
Paddlefish Snagging Season Opens May 1 North Dakota's paddlefish season opens May 1, and is scheduled to continue through May 21. However, depending on the overall harvest, an early in-season closure may occur with a 24-hour notice issued by the state Game and Fish Department. Paddlefish tags are available for purchase...
Apr 16, 2024
Explaining the deer lottery
by Doug Leier There's just something to be said for consistency. Not just because I'm an old man and don't like change, either. Changing fishing regulations year to year and lake to lake can maximize management at the expense of confusion leading to angler frustration. Same with hunting. Case in point: In my years with...
Apr 16, 2024
Peregrine falcon eggs visible on DNR FalconCam
Falcon pair prepared nest for brood Peregrine falcon chicks from a previous season in the St. Paul nest. Photo credit: Minnesota DNR The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said a pair of peregrine falcons has an active nest and is tending eggs on the popular DNR FalconCam (mndnr.gov). This spring, the webcam has...
Apr 15, 2024
2024 North Dakota Earth Day Patch Contest Winners
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department announced the winners of the 2024 Earth Day Patch Contest. Over 2,000 students from 100 schools entered this year's contest. Winners in three age categories are Ella Haagenson, Leeds (K-4); Isla Anderson, St. Johns Academy, Jamestown (5-8); and Deegan Kierschemann, Barnes Count...
Apr 15, 2024
Minnesota #DNR Conservation Officer Reports-April 15, 2024
District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2024-04-15 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) patrolled area wildlife management areas and took a local ATV-related complaint. Preparations were made for the upcoming turkey season, and assistance was given to local law enforcement at a couple local calls for service. CO Tony Hams (Warroad ...
Apr 15, 2024
Taking A Closer Look At The Work Of North Dakota Game Wardens
By Doug Leier The work of North Dakota game wardens is so much more than checking hunting and fishing licenses. The men and women wearing a badge and working the frontlines of game and fish law enforcement are the first called when a hunter has a question or a landowner is dealing with deer depredation. They're the ind...
Apr 09, 2024
2024 #NDGF Paddlefish Tags Online
North Dakota's paddlefish snagging season opens May 1, and snaggers should be aware of the sale and distribution of paddlefish tags. Paddlefish tags are available for purchase online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's website, gf.nd.gov, at license vendors, and during business hours at Game and Fish Departm...
Apr 09, 2024
Spring turkey hunting begins April 17
Minnesota turkey hunting begins this month, with opportunities available from Wednesday, April 17, through Friday, May 31. The season is divided into six hunt periods, A-F. Wild turkey hunting is popular in Minnesota and turkey hunting - including setting decoys, listening for gobbles and calling to birds - can make fo...
Apr 08, 2024
Stream trout fishing opens in streams statewide April 13
Stream trout fishing opens in streams statewide April 13 Minnesota's popular stream trout season opens Saturday, April 13, with quality fishing opportunities in every region of the state. Brook trout and splake fishing also open April 13 on Lake Superior and its tributary streams. Trout anglers can find information on ...
Apr 08, 2024
Game and Fish Pays $762,000 in Property Taxes
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department recently paid more than $762,000 in taxes to counties in which the department owns or leases land. The 2023 in-lieu-of-tax payments are the same as property taxes paid by private landowners. The Game and Fish Department manages more than 200,000 acres for wildlife habitat and p...
Apr 08, 2024
Minnesota #DNR Conservation Officer Reports-April 8, 2024
District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2024-04-08 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked northern pike and walleye anglers on Lake of the Woods. Last-ice walleye fishing was good most days. Enforcement action was taken for an overlimit of walleyes and sauger. CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week monitoring ATV traffic...
Apr 08, 2024
Fourth Consecutive Record Count of Bighorn Sheep
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department's 2023 bighorn sheep survey, completed by recounting lambs in March, revealed a record 364 bighorn sheep in the grasslands of western North Dakota, up 5% from 2022 and 16% above the five-year average. The count surpassed the previous record of 347 bighorns in 2022. Altogether, ...
Apr 08, 2024
Full South Dakota Game Fish & Parks April Update
GFP Holds April Commission Meeting The South Dakota Game, Fish and Park (GFP) Commission held their April meeting in Pierre, April 4-5 at the Matthews Training Center in Pierre. Wildlife Proposals East River Firearm, Archery, and Muzzleloader Deer Harvest data and observation reports from GFP staff, landowners, and hun...
Apr 06, 2024
Report Bald Eagle Nest Sightings
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is asking for help locating active bald eagle nests. Conservation biologist Sandra Johnson said the department is looking for locations of nests with eagles present, not individual eagle sightings. Eagles lay eggs in early to mid-March, which hatch about a month later. Johnson ...
Apr 01, 2024
Deer Gratis Application Online
Landowners interested in a 2024 deer gratis license must apply online by visiting the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. The deadline for applying is June 5. General deer and muzzleloader lottery applications will be available online in early May, also with a deadline of June 5. Gratis applicants...
Apr 01, 2024