Doug Leier, Author at Outdoor News

Is this fish safe to eat? When to err on the side of caution

Fishing, Minnesota, National Fishing / Doug Leier

Fish can get viruses and can become stricken with diseases in a similar way to humans and wildlife. Fish can have appearances on the outside and internally, which give pause when cleaning, making you wonder: “Is it safe to eat?”
While I understand the desire to keep, clean, and eat your catch, I’ll always suggest erring on the side of caution. If it doesn’t look or smell right, is it worth the risk?

Is this fish safe to eat? When to err on the side of caution Read More »

North Dakota’s tagged fish have a story to tell

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

If you’ve ever caught a tagged walleye, you might have wondered what story that fish could tell.
Where has it been? Where was it tagged? How long did it live? You’re not alone. The interest and curiosity are shared by anglers and biologists alike. It’s fascinating to think of the life cycle, biology and fisheries behavior going on beneath the water. For fisheries biologists, those little tags are of huge importance.

North Dakota’s tagged fish have a story to tell Read More »

North Dakota’s 2026 deer season details are set; here’s what to know

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

One of the biggest days of the year for prospective deer hunters in North Dakota occurred Friday afternoon May 8. It’s when the Game and Fish Department released the framework for the 2026 deer hunting season.
This year’s deer gun season will open Nov. 6 at noon and runs through Nov. 22, as wildlife managers continue a cautious approach aimed at rebuilding the state’s deer herd. The statewide population is still recovering from the lingering impacts of the severe 2022-23 winter, outbreaks of epizootic hemorrhagic disease and a landscape where quality habitat continues to shrink.

North Dakota’s 2026 deer season details are set; here’s what to know Read More »

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 »

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Doug Leier

Is this fish safe to eat? When to err on the side of caution

North Dakota’s tagged fish have a story to tell

North Dakota’s 2026 deer season details are set; here’s what to know

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

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