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 #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....
40m ago
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/...
49m ago
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 ...
56m ago
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...
1h ago
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 ...
1h ago
#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. ...
5h ago
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...
5h ago
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
2024 #ANS Awareness Week
May 5-11 is Aquatic Nuisance Species Awareness Week in North Dakota in an effort to raise the public's understanding of the preventative steps recreationists need to follow to stop the introduction and spread of ANS in the state's waterways. ANS are nonnative plants, animals or pathogens that can affect the ecology of ...
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
Minnesota moms: Join the Mother's Day weekend fishing challenge
Minnesota moms: Join the Mother's Day weekend fishing challenge Moms who live in Minnesota are invited to join a free virtual fishing challenge Saturday, May 11, through Sunday, May 12, during Take a Mom Fishing Weekend, when all Minnesota moms can fish without purchasing a fishing license. The Minnesota Department of ...
May 06, 2024
Mille Lacs walleye catch-and-release reminder
Mille Lacs walleye catch-and-release reminder Mille Lacs Lake walleye fishing will be catch-and-release during the spring and summer with the opportunity to harvest a walleye starting on Friday, Aug. 16. During the open water harvest opportunity beginning on Aug. 16, anglers will be able to keep one walleye that is 21-...
May 06, 2024
Minnesota moms: Join the Mother's Day weekend fishing challenge
Moms who live in Minnesota are invited to join a free virtual fishing challenge Saturday, May 11, through Sunday, May 12, during Take a Mom Fishing Weekend, when all Minnesota moms can fish without purchasing a fishing license. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is partnering with the Student Angler Organiza...
Apr 30, 2024
Minnesota #bear hunt applications due Friday, May 3
Prospective bear hunters have until Friday, May 3 to apply for a bear hunting license from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Applications for the 2024 season can be submitted online, at any license agent or by telephone at 888-665-4236. A total of 4,030 licenses are available in 15 quota areas where licens...
Apr 30, 2024
A Fishing License From The Tap Of An App? Yes
By Doug Leier When it comes to phone apps, I'll be the first to admit I'm not the next generation. I'm at best the past generation and hopefully not the lost generation. While I admit I do enjoy having access to all the Game and Fish Department information on my mobile device, I'm much more comfortable on my desktop an...
Apr 30, 2024
Minnesota #DNR Conservation Officer Reports- April 29, 2024
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 29, 2024