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Doug Leier

What’s good for the meadowlark is good for North Dakota’s deer

Featured, Hunting, Minnesota, National Hunting, National News, Nature Page & Night Sky, News, North Dakota /

The Western meadowlark is North Dakota’s state bird but did you know one of it’s closest relatives is the less embraced common blackbird?
Yes, meadowlarks are members of the blackbird family, which also includes orioles and bobolinks. A couple of other interesting facts: one nestling meadowlark consumes one-third pound of insects during its 12 days in the nest.
If you’re not as impressed with its diet then maybe you’ll find yourself more interested to know meadowlarks and deer need and share a similar grassland home.

What’s good for the meadowlark is good for North Dakota’s deer Read More »

Pheasant crowing counts up in North Dakota, conditions not as beneficial for ducks this spring

Hunting, Minnesota, National Hunting, National News, News /

The lack of snow this winter and late arrival of spring rain was not as helpful for ducks in North Dakota but provided some better conditions for pheasants. Let’s take a closer look.
The number of rooster’s heard crowing during the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 2024 spring pheasant crowing count survey was up 37% statewide from last year.
“This is really good news but expected, considering we had such great production last year and the mild winter we had certainly wasn’t hard on birds,” said RJ Gross, Department upland game management biologist.

Pheasant crowing counts up in North Dakota, conditions not as beneficial for ducks this spring Read More »

Doug Leier: A look at how fishing has changed in North Dakota

Fishing, Minnesota, National Fishing /

I took a little good-natured ribbing from fisheries chief Greg Power for a column a little while back referencing his connection to our North Dakota fisheries dating back to Jimmy Carter, bell bottoms and disco music.
While it’s all in jest, the truth is history is one of the best teachers we have.
Power recently gave another history lesson in the March-April issue of North Dakota OUTDOORS. With 75-plus prairie lakes created in the past 20 or so years, coupled with North Dakota’s traditional waters — Sakakawea, Oahe and Devils Lake — fishing in recent years has likely never been better.

Doug Leier: A look at how fishing has changed in North Dakota Read More »

Bighorn sheep population trending upward in North Dakota

National Hunting, National News, Nature Page & Night Sky /

The fish and wildlife variety in North Dakota is impressive.
From paddlefish and pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River, to trophy catfish and the recent repopulation of sturgeon in the Red River. North Dakota is home to mountain lions, moose and elk, and also unique furbearers including river otters, fishers, bobcats and American martens.
While few outside of the state would recognize the variety, North Dakotans take pride in sharing the water and land with these unique residents. One of the more notable is the bighorn sheep.

Bighorn sheep population trending upward in North Dakota Read More »

Commentary: Changing technology and a new frontier in the great outdoors

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Hunting, Minnesota, National Fishing, National Hunting, Opinion /

Twenty years ago, I wrote a column about technology. It was inspired by a walk through an early-spring hunting and fishing expo. What I wrote then and what I’m thinking about today with forward-facing sonar and even more evolution really hasn’t changed much at all, has it?
Think back to your last trip outdoors with friends. Chances are, somebody brought along a smartphone. Another friend may have packed hand-held radios. And it wouldn’t be surprising if someone had a GPS unit mounted on the pickup dash or stored in a tackle box or backpack.

Commentary: Changing technology and a new frontier in the great outdoors Read More »

Framework for the 2024 deer gun season in North Dakota now set

Home Page News, Hunting, Minnesota, National Hunting, National News, News /

The framework for the 2024 deer gun season in North Dakota has been set. The Game and Fish Department has made available 50,100 licenses 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.
Total deer licenses are determined by harvest rates, aerial surveys, depredation reports, hunter observations, input at advisory board meetings, and comments from the public, landowners and department field staff.

Framework for the 2024 deer gun season in North Dakota now set Read More »

Research out of North Dakota aims to learn more about the mystery of martens

National News, Nature Page & Night Sky /

My first game warden station was in Bottineau, N.D. Having spent time there in junior college, the uniqueness of the Turtle Mountain’s fish, wildlife and habitat was part of the outdoors DNA, which gave north central North Dakota its own unique identity.
One of the few areas with huntable populations of ruffed grouse and the international shared waters of Lake Metigoshe was a draw for hunters, anglers and anyone who appreciates the array of species and opportunities.

Research out of North Dakota aims to learn more about the mystery of martens Read More »

Will North Dakota fishing stay hot in 2024 after what was called a record-breaking 2023 open-water season?

Fishing, Home Page News, Minnesota, National Fishing /

The open water fishing in North Dakota in 2023 was record breaking according to Greg Power, fisheries division chief, and hard water anglers were eager to see if the winter fishing would stay hot. 
“It was incredible how many calls we got … a lot of positive things were said about the walleye fishing in North Dakota in 2023,” Power said. “And it wasn’t any one water.”

Will North Dakota fishing stay hot in 2024 after what was called a record-breaking 2023 open-water season? Read More »

Latest survey reveals record 347 North Dakota bighorn sheep in state’s western grasslands

Home Page News, National Hunting, National News, Nature Page & Night Sky /

Two of the most popular species with hunting seasons in North Dakota include harvest numbers you can count on your hands or hands and toes. I’m talking about mountain lions and bighorn sheep.
These two unique species capture the interest of hunters and non-hunters alike. While over 20,000 applications were received for the half dozen bighorn sheep tags, mountain lion hunting is open to individuals with a furbearer tag but limited to one per season.
The Game and Fish Department’s bighorn sheep survey, completed by recounting lambs, revealed a record 347 bighorn sheep in the grasslands of western North Dakota.

Latest survey reveals record 347 North Dakota bighorn sheep in state’s western grasslands Read More »

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