
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.

2025 #NDGF Swan Hunt Applications
Hunters applying for a 2025 swan license can submit an online application through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's website, gf.nd.gov. North Dakota residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply. The resident swan license is $10, while the nonresident fee is $50. The application deadline is Aug. 20. The st...
4h ago

2025 Waterfowl Fall Flight Forecast Similar to Last Year
Duck brood numbers were up 28% from 2024, but State Game and Fish Department migratory game bird biologists expect a fall flight of ducks similar to last year. The fall flight forecast is based on data from the May breeding duck survey and the July duck brood survey, both conducted annually by Game and Fish biologists....
6h ago

Minnesota #DNR Conservation Officer Reports-July 28, 2025
District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2025-07-28 CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week monitoring ATV traffic, checking area anglers, and following up on various complaints. Anglers are reporting having success on Lake of the Woods using spinners. CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) spent the week focusing on publi...
6h ago

Pronghorn Hunting Season Set, Apply Online
The 2025 pronghorn hunting season is set with 1,310 licenses available in 18 units, an increase of 45 licenses from last year. Licenses are available for all traditional units. Additionally, a new unit,17A, which includes Emmons County and portions of Logan and McIntosh counties west of ND Highway 3, will be open. Each...
Jul 23, 2025

2025 Outdoors Legislation
By Doug Leier Many hunters and anglers understand the work of the Game and Fish Department. From game wardens checking hunting and fishing licenses and keeping everyone outdoors safe, to fisheries biologists stocking and surveying lakes, to wildlife biologists and land managers maintaining and enhancing habitat, assess...
Jul 22, 2025

Ruffed grouse counts lower this year after a strong peak last year
DNR releases survey reports for ruffed grouse and sharp-tailed grouse The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' latest ruffed grouse counts found Minnesota's spring 2025 population is lower statewide than last year. Ruffed grouse drums per stop were 1.8 statewide, down from 2.3 drums per stop last year, an expecte...
Jul 21, 2025

Bear hunters: Remember to buy license, check regulations
Bear hunters: Remember to buy license, check regulations Bear hunters who entered the lottery for bear hunting licenses should watch their mail to see if they were selected for a license. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources mailed postcards to lottery winners during the first week of June. Hunters can also lo...
Jul 21, 2025

Remaining Deer Gun Licenses Available Aug. 13
More than 1,100 deer licenses are available in four units for North Dakota's 2025 deer gun season, and will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Aug. 13 at 8 a.m. Central time. Residents and nonresidents who have not already received a lottery or landowner license are eligible to apply online by visi...
Jul 21, 2025

Minnesota DNR Conservation Officer Reports-July 21, 2025
Weekly CO report District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2025-07-21 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked anglers on Lake of the Woods and recreational vehicle activity in Beltrami Island State Forest. Violations encountered included anglers fishing without a license, using extra lines, possessing too many walleyes, underage...
Jul 21, 2025

Haase Named Wildlife Division Chief
Jeb Williams, Game and Fish Department director, announced the apportionment of Bill Haase to the agency's wildlife division chief. "Bill's work ethic, experience and passion for the work that we do will suit him quite well for this position," Williams said. Haase replaces Casey Anderson who was appointed dep...
Jul 21, 2025

DNR seeking your input on natural resource fees
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wants to hear your thoughts on the use of fees to support natural resources and outdoor recreation opportunities in Minnesota! As part of the 4 The Outdoors Initiative, DNR has created a short questionnaire to better understand Minnesotans' values and preferences on f...
Jul 19, 2025

The Work Of A Game Warden
By Doug Leier For many, a career as a game warden might sound like a dream job. A life spent outdoors, checking fishing licenses and keeping hunters safe and catching poachers. For most the job goes far beyond the glamour of a uniform or the thrill of patrolling the open landscapes of the state. It's a combination of p...
Jul 15, 2025

Zebra mussels confirmed in Ethel Lake in Otter Tail County
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Ethel Lake, near the town of Ottertail in Otter Tail County. A DNR staff person found zebra mussels attached to native mussels while visiting Ethel Lake. Whether or not a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law requires pe...
Jul 14, 2025

Apply for special Minnesota youth deer hunts through Aug. 15
Once again in 2025, young people will be able to hunt deer with an adult in a number of state parks during several application-only special youth deer hunts. These hunts offer more individualized experiences in unique places, and often on different dates than the statewide youth deer season. "The special youth dee...
Jul 14, 2025

Minnesota #DNR Conservation Officer Reports-July 14, 2025
Weekly CO report District 1 - Baudette area Last updated: 2025-07-14 CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked anglers on Lake of the Woods and the Roseau River. Northern pike, walleyes, and channel catfish are being reported on the Roseau River. The bite remains slow on Lake of the Woods with the mayfly hatch, but fish are still...
Jul 14, 2025

#NDGF Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest
Photographers interested in sending photos for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest must follow guidelines for submitting their work. Photographers should go to the Game and Fish Department's website at gf.nd.gov/wildlife/watchable-photo-contest. Then it is a matter of providing ...
Jul 09, 2025

Minnesota DNR invites people to share pheasant and turkey observations
Minnesotans are encouraged to report observations of ring-necked pheasants and wild turkeys in a citizen science effort by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. People can report any pheasant and turkeys they see in the wild now through Sunday, Aug. 31. Information from the reports will help the DNR monitor ph...
Jul 09, 2025

#NDGF Game and Fish at State Fair
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will host thousands of visitors to its free Conservation and Outdoors Skills Park July 18-26 at the State Fair in Minot. Visitors will be treated to an array of activities, exhibits and useful information as the park is open from 1-7 p.m. daily. Pathways to Hunting, Fishing, Tr...
Jul 08, 2025

Embrace Summer Before It Slips Away
By Doug Leier Summer in North Dakota sneaks up slowly but when it finally arrives, it comes in wide open skies, the smell of fresh-cut alfalfa, and the echo of boat motors humming across prairie lakes. It's slow to arrive and too quick to exit. Summer in North Dakota means fishing first and foremost. It's part traditio...
Jul 08, 2025

#NDGF Report Boat Accidents
Boat accidents involving injury, death or disappearance of a person must be reported to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department within 48 hours of the occurrence. If property damage exceeds $2,000, but no deaths or injuries occur, a boat operator has five days to file a report. These reporting requirements are mandat...
Jul 07, 2025