Doug Leier, Author at Outdoor News

North Dakota warden recalls strange bear investigation that ends with a laugh

National Hunting, Nature Page & Night Sky / Doug Leier

The beginning of my career as a game warden provided many stories. Good. Bad. Funny. And sometimes sad.
Among the lessons learned was “never say never.” And I’m guessing from his story for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Behind the Badge, Shawn Sperling, North Dakota Game and Fish Department district game warden, can relate. Here’s his story.

North Dakota warden recalls strange bear investigation that ends with a laugh Read More »

March and even into April the true test of winter survival for deer, pheasants

Hunting, Minnesota, National Hunting / Doug Leier

Early March often creates the impression that winter is nearly over.
Day length is increasing, snow begins to settle, and we can see the finish line of our annual winter marathon. However, it’s too early to assume pheasants and deer are going to win the race. Winter lingering on can impact wildlife survival – March and April can be the most demanding and deadly part of winter.

March and even into April the true test of winter survival for deer, pheasants Read More »

Collaboration between private landowners, state game agency benefits North Dakota wildlife

Hunting, Minnesota, National Hunting, National News, Nature Page & Night Sky, News / Doug Leier

In North Dakota, more than 93% of the landscape is privately owned, making private land essential to the future of wildlife, habitat and public hunting access.
Recognizing this reality, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department Private Land Initiative continues with a framework for collaborating with landowners to conserve habitat and provide outdoor opportunities.

Collaboration between private landowners, state game agency benefits North Dakota wildlife Read More »

North Dakota Game and Fish director highlights five goals, focal points related to state’s outdoors

Hunting, Minnesota, National Hunting, National News, News / Doug Leier

Jeb Williams, North Dakota Game and Fish Department director, has highlighted a recent list of goals and explains some of the background, steps, challenges and opportunities the department and state are focused on.

North Dakota Game and Fish director highlights five goals, focal points related to state’s outdoors Read More »

North Dakota winter fishing rules anglers need to know

Fishing, Minnesota, National Fishing, National News, News / Doug Leier

One of the long-standing goals of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department is to keep hunting and fishing regulations as simple and straightforward as possible, all while ensuring the protection of the resource for future generations.
That balance isn’t always easy. But behind the scenes, every proposed change is closely reviewed, with a key question in mind. Will this make things unnecessarily frustrating for hunters or anglers?

North Dakota winter fishing rules anglers need to know Read More »

Wild game care 101: Here’s what to do to get the best meat possible

Features, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, National Hunting, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin / Doug Leier

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably found yourself standing over a tailgate in November with cold fingers, a pocketknife that could use sharpening, and a few regrets.
Whether it’s a whitetail buck from the Sheyenne River breaks, a Badlands muley or prairie fawn, how we handle wild game after the shot matters just as much as the shot itself.

Wild game care 101: Here’s what to do to get the best meat possible Read More »

Doug Leier: Poaching is theft; here’s how to help stop it in North Dakota

National Fishing, National Hunting / Doug Leier

Even if you’ve never been a hunter, you’re likely familiar with the term poaching. Poaching is theft, plain and simple. It’s the illegal taking or killing of fish and wildlife.
It’s stealing from legal hunters and trampling on the public trust. It might be shooting before legal hours, fishing without a license or shooting an extra deer, duck or pheasant. The first few issues of poaching I witnessed in my time as a game warden are etched in memory.

Doug Leier: Poaching is theft; here’s how to help stop it in North Dakota Read More »

Recapping what North Dakota’s 2025 legislative session meant for the outdoors

Fishing, Hunting, Minnesota, National Fishing, National Hunting, National News, News / Doug Leier

One often overlooked area in North Dakota’s outdoors is the recently completed legislative session. Game and Fish Department Director Jeb Williams, deputy Director Scott Peterson, along with division chiefs and expert staff worked diligently for the sportsmen and women throughout the legislative session.
As a biologist in the field, it’s interesting to see Department leaders confidently testify on issues of significance, such as the social impacts of distributing deer tags or addressing hunter congestion and competition for high interest areas such as badlands mule deer hunting.

Recapping what North Dakota’s 2025 legislative session meant for the outdoors Read More »

Work of a North Dakota game warden about more than just enforcing the law

National Fishing, National Hunting, Nature Page & Night Sky / 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 passion, responsibility and dedication.
Being a game warden is about more than just enforcing the law.

Work of a North Dakota game warden about more than just enforcing the law Read More »

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Doug Leier

North Dakota warden recalls strange bear investigation that ends with a laugh

March and even into April the true test of winter survival for deer, pheasants

Collaboration between private landowners, state game agency benefits North Dakota wildlife

North Dakota Game and Fish director highlights five goals, focal points related to state’s outdoors

North Dakota winter fishing rules anglers need to know

Wild game care 101: Here’s what to do to get the best meat possible

Doug Leier: Poaching is theft; here’s how to help stop it in North Dakota

Recapping what North Dakota’s 2025 legislative session meant for the outdoors

Work of a North Dakota game warden about more than just enforcing the law

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