Upcoming Fishing Tourney
Pheasants for the Future, dedicated to pheasant restoration in North Dakota, is holding the PFTF Lake Audubon Fishing Tourney and Calcutta on Saturday, May 17.

The tournament will be based off 100 two man teams.  Entry to the tournament requires $100.00 per team.  The tournament is scheduled for May 17 from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm with a makeup day set for Sunday (May 18) if needed.  Rules meeting and auction will be...
For more information call...

NDGF Announcement on 2008 Deer Season
North Dakota’s Deer Season Set
North Dakota’s 2008 deer season has been set with 149,400 licenses available to hunters this fall, an increase of 850 from last year.

Randy Kreil, wildlife chief for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, said mild winters and a corresponding increase in reproductive success have maintained white-tailed deer populations above management objectives in many units in northeastern, north central, and parts of southwestern North Dakota. “We will continue to be aggressive in units where deer numbers are...

Big Muddy Results
Anglers took to the Big Muddy combating more than just river current and moving fish...they took on some rather stiff North Dakota spring weather.

Cool temps and strong winds made for difficult fishing but many anglers were able to bring nine fish into the scale.  The tournament committee took steps to ensure public input was taken into consideration making anglers only able to weight three fish 20 inches or bigger.  Weights showed the restriction but on the other side, the weights also showed...

Ramp Status Report - May 08, 2008
Ramps available and elevations for ALL ramps have been updated to May 8, 2008.

Current elevation of Lake Sakakawea continue to show signs of severe drought.  Along with it, current access to the big lake isn't very promising but several entities are working on ramps to ensure they are opened by Memorial Day.  For early anglers, however, access is limited and they should take the time to review boat ramp reports or make the appropriate contacts because lake levels are causing problems at the ramps.  At 1807.40 (-.4 change) feet, the forecast for spring and early summer Sakakawea fishing remains good...

Click on for ramp listings...

U.S. Border Patrol Now Hiring

NDGF Update
The recent NDGF news touches on:

1) April is Prone to Wildfires 
2) Paddlefish Snagging Season Opens May 1  

Click onto the remainder of this news release or visit the ND Game & Fish Web-site for detail news releases.

8th Annual Walleye Classic
Make plans to join some of the finest anglers June 13th, 14th and 15th 2008 for the Spirit Lake Marina Walleye Classic Open held on the beautiful waters of Devils Lake.

The tournament's announcement comes a little earlier that usual because the tournaments historic date has been moved to take advantage of the fast and furious late spring fishing Devils Lake has to offer.  The move should make for great fishing and tight competition...

It's Party Time!
Minot Ducks Unlimited will be holding it's Waterfowl Hunters Party April 11th at the Grand International Inn.

The party's doors open at 6:00 pm.  The party will include the usual top notch prizes offered at other Ducks Unlimited venues including over 60 dozen Greenhead Gear decoys, Avery blinds and numerous shotguns.  Besides the prizes if you come to the party wearing a camo shirt or camo pants you'll be eligible to win...

Advisory Meetings Set

The recent NDGF news touches on:

1) Game and Fish Advisory Board Meetings Announced 
2) Department Receives $73,000 for Bighorn Sheep Management 
3) Open Fires Banned on Oahe WMA  

Click onto the remainder of this news release or visit the ND Game & Fish Web-site for detail news releases.

NDGF Update

The recent NDGF news touches on:

1) Spring Turkey Drawing Held, Licenses Remain 
2) Nonresident Any-Deer Bow Licenses Remain 
3) Time to Think Boating Basics 
4) Sharp-tailed Grouse Observation Blinds to Open 

Click onto the remainder of this news release or visit the ND Game & Fish Web-site for detail news releases.

NDGF Update

The recent NDGF news touches on:

1) Bighorn Sheep, Elk and Moose Seasons Proposed 
2) Game Warden Association to Give Scholarship 
3) Permanent Fish Houses Must be Removed by Midnight March 15 
4) Spring Crow Season Opens March 15 

Click onto the remainder of this news release or visit the ND Game & Fish Web-site for detail news releases.

24th Annual NDTA
The North Dakota Taxidermy Association (NDTA) will hold its 24th Annual Taxidermy Competition and Wildlife Art Show pm Friday, March 7th.

It will be in the Heritage Ballroom at the Doublewood Inn in Bismarck, ND.

This is a great event for the entire family.

On display will be a great variety of mounted animals from around the world...

Delta Waterfowl
Friday February 22, 2008 - Live and Silent Auctions, raffles, games and...

50 DOZEN FREE DECOYS!!!

Bring the family, the first 100 kids will receive 6 free duck decoys!!!

Last years banquet was a great time and this years event promises to be even better!!

MDF Banquet this Weekend
The Northern Badlands Chapter (NBC) of the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) will hold its Annual Banquet and Auction at the Bismarck AMVETS on Saturday, February 23.
 
The Mule Deer Foundation is a nonprofit wildlife habitat conservation organization dedicated to ensuring the future of mule and blacktail deer and their habitats. With 10,000 active members and more than 80 chapters nationwide, including 4 in North Dakota, the MDF has conserved thousands of acres since its inception in 1988. 

Local chapters conduct annual banquets that feature a social hour and dinner followed by...

25th Annual Extravaganza
The 25th Annual Bis-Man Reel & Rec Ice Fishing Extravaganza is upon us!

On February 16th all ages will take to the frozen water of Lake Audubon in pursuit for cash prizes, several drawings and much more.

Anglers interested will need nothing more than a five dollar bill to compete.  For more information click HERE, visit the Bis-Man Reel and Rec website or contact Richard Fink by email at rtfink@bis.midco.net

Skunk Bay Ice Tournament - Results
It's Fishing Buddy's pleasure to announce the 2nd Annual Rooster Run Ice Tournament will be held this February 16th and 17th at the Rooster Bar located in Skunk Bay.  The fate of the tournament was on hold due to unforeseen circumstances but the fine folks at Skunk Bay are ready to entertain some of the areas finest ice anglers for a weekend packed with food, prizes, awards and conversation for all.

The 1st Annual Rooster Run was limited to only a few teams but this year the teams allowed has been extended to 20.  Currently, fifteen teams are signed up and the five remaining openings are reserved by first come first serve basis.  Teams are based off 4-Man teams and MUST...

Tow All Your Toys
For 90 years, Chevy has worked to anticipate our needs and surpass our expectations. Today, not only do our trucks need to work hard in all conditions, they also need to be efficient and safe enough for loved ones. With the 2008 Silverado, Chevy has delivered in spades.

Performance has always been a focus of Silverado. With the available 367-hp Vortec MAX V8 and MAX Trailering Pack, this heavyweight can tow up to 10,500 pounds of just about whatever toy you want1. Whether you are taking your aluminum boat to your favorite fishing hole or your 27 ft offshore to this summer’s poker run, this half-ton crew cab can...

Lake Sakakawea 2008 Agenda
This is the report on how the congressional appropriation of $935,000 will be spent in 2008 for Lake Sakakawea access and improvements. 

Four of the Friends' board members were at the table when the distribution decisions were made. Whereas much of the spending in previous years has been shared with park boards,
Game & Fish and resorts, this year's funding comes as 100 percent federal dollars...

Spring Light Goose Season Opens Feb. 16
North Dakota’s spring light goose season opens Feb. 16, and hunters are reminded to register with the Harvest Information Program before venturing out into the field.

Residents can hunt during the spring season by having last fall’s 2007-08 bird licenses. Otherwise, hunters will need to purchase either a 2008-09 combination license; or a small game, and general game and habitat license. Licenses are available only from...

Brag Night
Brag Night, a trophy contest geared for whitetail and mule deer hunters will be held this Saturday (February 2nd) at the Grand International Inn located in Minot, ND.

The doors will open to the public at approximately 5:30 pm.  Those interested in entering their animals, would like their animals officially scored or simply wish to display their trophy for fellow hunters and spectators must have their antlers submitted by 5:00 pm.

Brag Night is more than an opportunity to view some of the state's trophies and share stories with fellow hunters but a night reserved for fun including several raffles, a chance at winning one of...

Kenmare Coyote Contest Results
The Kenmare Fire Department’s annual Coyote Tournament is fast becoming one of the premier events in the state, thanks to the generosity of area businesses and the hunters who support the tournament. "The bar was set pretty high, but we met and/or exceeded last year," said Nate Condit, one of the tournament’s organizers.

"This was so well received by all the hunters," added Chuck Leet, another member of the tournament committee. "We had a lot of compliments."

Thirty-one teams, with hunters from Mohall, Minot, Noonan, Williston, Mandan and Beulah as well as Kenmare and the surrounding communities, participated in the event which began Friday night with a...

New Ice Tourney Circuit
Ice angling continues to increase in popularity.  With it, competitive individuals thirst for areas to test their skills against the nation's finest anglers.  The platform for such tournaments was once the Ice Team Trap Attacks but throughout the years the tournaments dwindled.  The competitive anglers, however, remained and a group of individuals found the time and resources to bring forth the North American Ice Fishing Series.

The series cover various lakes throughout the Midwest with placing anglers qualifying for the Championship to be held in December of 2008.  The tournaments are based off two person teams with $12,000 payout (field of 150 teams).  Each team can enter the tournaments for $120.

The North American Ice Fishing Championship (NAIFC) will kick off at Chisago Lake located near Chisago City, MN known for its crappie and bluegill fishing.  For more information please click on the NAIFC Tourney Flyer. 

Bismarck Sports Show
Seemingly, sport shows fuel a transition from our favorite fall endevours into our curiosity of what the spring and summer season may bring.  On January 25 - 27th thousands will begin looking into the newest boat, campers, gear and seminars in preperation for such seasons.  This weekend, Bismarck will host its 39th annual sport show at the Civic Center.

The show's doors open at 3 pm Friday with a full lineup of exhibitors, seminars, food and games for all ages.  Check out www.bismarcksportshow.com for great information about the 2008 Bismarck Tribune Sport Show. Get booth information, pricing, seminar schedule, contact information, and a downloadable contract. Plus, see fantastic photos from last year’s show! 

Kenmare Coyote Contest
The Kenmare Fire Department will be hosting a one day coyote hunt January 19th, 2008 in Kenmare, ND as a fund raiser for a new fire hall.

The coyote hunt will be headquartered at the Memorial Hall in Kenmare.

There will be seminars on coyote hunting, several door prizes and meals for contestants in the hunt.

There is an $80 entry fee per 2 man team ($30 to KFD- $50 to payback).  Continue on for remainder of news release...

Corp Announces Ice Access Areas
Corp of Engineers - Licensed, Motorized Vehicles must use existing authorized public roads for entering and leaving ice fishing access areas. If conditions do not allow immediate access onto the ice from the road or ramp, vehicles are permitted to travel along the frozen shoreline within 100 feet of the edge of the ice for a distance not to exceed ¼ mile either direction of the access point. Some public roads often drift closed with snow and will not be plowed open. In these instances, operating a motor vehicle off-road to obtain access is not allowed.

Access areas include:

Tentative Dates Set
To help North Dakota hunters prepare for hunting seasons in 2008, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department annually provides its best estimate for opening dates for the coming year.

Dates become official when approved by governor’s proclamation. Tentative opening dates for 2008 include:

Upcoming Banquet
The seasons have opened up many new opportunities including an influx of ice fishermen hitting the ice in pursuit of their favorite species of fish.  Another season changing effect is the birth of numerous outdoor associated banquets.  Outdoorsmen will have the opportunity to attend several upcoming banquets to share their passions, stories of this year's outings and a chance to give back and/or improve the resources they've come to enjoy.

Such a banquet will be taking place in Wilton, ND over January 19th as the Wilton Delta Waterfowlers put on their annual banquet at the Wilton City Hall.  The banquet will consist of an auction and...

Corp News
OMAHA – The final 2008 Annual Operating Plan for the Missouri River will be released later this month. Though storage in the reservoirs is 2.8 million feet higher than a year ago, the plan continues to emphasize conservations efforts. 

“2007 was the eighth consecutive year of drought for the Missouri River basin,” said Larry Cieslik, Chief of the Water Management office here. “While there has been some improvement in storage, the drought does not appear to be over, so we will continue to restrict releases from the reservoirs in 2008.” 

The AOP for next year anticipates releasing only enough water to provide minimum navigation flows for the...

Zone 1 Season Closed
Fifth Cat Taken - North Dakota’s mountain lion season in Zone 1 is closed immediately, following the harvest of a lion on Saturday, Nov. 10 in McKenzie County. This was the fifth cat taken in Zone 1, filling the zone’s predetermined quota of five.

Zone 1 includes the portion of North Dakota west of ND Highway 8 from the South Dakota border to the south shore of Lake Sakakawea, and south and west of ND Highway 1804 from the Montana border to a point where ND Highway 1804 lies directly across Lake Sakakawea from ND Highway 8...

Advisory Meetings Set - Update 12-04-07
NDGF - Outdoor enthusiasts are invited to attend a North Dakota Game and Fish Department advisory board meeting in their area.

These public meetings, held each spring and fall, provide citizens with an opportunity to discuss fish and wildlife issues and ask questions of their district advisors and agency personnel.

The governor appoints eight Game and Fish Department advisors, each representing a multi-county section of the state, to serve as a liaison between the department and public...

Upcoming Ladies Banquet
DU Banquet - Ladies throughout North Dakota currently involved in the outdoors or would like to be involved in the outdoor have a perfect opportunity to meet fellow female hunters and conservationists November 15th, 2007 in Bismarck.  The Central Dakota Ladies DU Banquet is holding the "Ladies" at Seven Seas in Mandan. Social starts at 5:30 and dinner at 7:00.  It is a "Ladies" banquet but gentlemen are able to attend as well.

Theresa Essler among others have been working hard this year to try and make this event appeal to ladies interested or currently utilizing...

Political Empowerment For The People
BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota Political Coverage and Government Web Site Officially Launches (DakotaPolitics.com).  Reiten Television and Midkota Solutions in a joint partnership officially launch this week a new and one-of-a-kind web site in North Dakota focused on North Dakota Politics and Government. The new website, part of the KXNet.com group of web sites, features an unprecedented volume of information on elected officials (down to the county and city levels), upcoming races, legislative bills, roll call votes, campaign finance data, news, opinion and blogs. (see below for example links)

DakotaPolitics.com has been featured on the Joel Heitkamp Show and is providing full coverage of every North Dakota race in 2008...

Important News
The Omaha District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), invites you to participate in the preliminary final Master Plan comment period for the update of the Garrison Dam/Lake Sakakawea Master Plan (Master Plan). The Garrison Project is currently operating under a May 1978 version of the Master Plan, and an update of this plan is necessary to manage and plan for changes in recreation trends and/or needs as well as changes in land use.

A Master Plan is a planning document that provides a land management vision for the entire Project. A quality Master Plan must take into account a broad spectrum of varying insights and perspectives. We must consider points of view from the

Classifieds are Here!!
We are excited to finally announce that we have officially launched the new customized Outdoor Classifieds for the Total Outdoor Network.

The new classifieds sites are branded TonsOfClass.com and we have created 5 distinct sites for each geographic region that the Total Outdoor Network currently covers.

We are also excited to continue our partnership with the BismanOnline group and TonsOfClass works off the same system and has a familiar usage and feel.

The 5 new sites are as follows...

Lake Sakakawea Fall Fish Count
NEW TOWN (AP) - Below the calm surface of the water floated three nets in Reunion Bay of Lake Sakakawea.

It is just one bay of more than 60 nets in the greater Lake Sakakawea water system, where supervisor Dave Fryda and other North Dakota Game and Fish Department employees pluck fish to count how many are surviving below.

Fryda said the fish in Lake Sakakawea are at an all-time low due to the low water levels.

In Reunion Bay, Fryda picks out fish and counts them with Missouri River biologist Russ Kinzler and fisheries...

Elk Reduction Plan Offered
If the state's position is followed, hunters who have met a variety of state and federal requirements would be eligible to receive a permit to remove elk from Theodore Roosevelt National Park between November and February.

"We think it's a reasonable option to be looked at and evaluated. That's all we've ever wanted since the process started three years ago," North Dakota Game and Fish Department director Terry Steinwand said Monday.

Steinwand outlined how certified volunteers would be used to reduce elk population within the national park in western North Dakota in a Sept. 12 letter that Steinwand sent...

Three Cats Already Taken
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- Officials say three mountain lions have been killed in western North Dakota, in an area that has a quota of five before the season closes.

The area west of state Highway 8 and south of state Highway 1804 has a quota of five cougars. The rest of the state has no quota before the season ends March 9.

"Each year, we go through these seasons just like we manage elk or geese or deer or moose, and we learn more," said state wildlife division chief Randy Kreil said.

Updated Waterfowl Report - Last For The Season
November 21, 2007 - Diehard waterfowl hunters can still find some good hunting opportunities in North Dakota. According to the final weekly report of the season from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, hunters able to find open water could encounter good numbers of ducks or geese. However, even those birds could quickly disappear.

More than 100,000 snow geese remained at Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge near Kenmare early this week. Manager Dan Severson says the refuge was also holding 5,000 Canada geese and fewer than 5,000 ducks.

Most of the 200,000 snow geese that stopped in the Crosby and Noonan areas last weekend have...

More Public Land Available
North Dakota Outdoors - Hunters will find more land open to the public this fall, the Game and Fish Department's Private Lands Project recently met it's goal of a million acres.

Tom Jensen tells us more in this week's segment of North Dakota outdoors...

" One of the only complaints the Game and Fish Department ever received about the Private Lands Open to Sportsmen program was...

Waterfowlers Take Notice
USFWS News Release - With the early Canada goose hunting season opening, and other seasons set to open in the next month, migratory bird hunters are being encouraged to familiarize themselves with waterfowl baiting regulations.

The regulations, which have remained relatively unchanged for many years, state that a field is considered baited if it has been manipulated prior to being harvested. Manipulation of agricultural crops may come in the form of rolling, burning, discing, flattening, mowing, brush-hogging or other similar actions, explained Rich Grosz, special agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Bismarck, ND...

July's Photo Vote Getters

July gave way to the Total Outdoor Network's third photo contest.  The contest boasted over 6,600 votes among 290 different photos.  The voting was very close among the participating members competing for July's prize.

In the end, it came down to three photos.  The winner Jason Mitzel took the top prize with 300 votes for his photo titled "White Lined Sphinx".  In at second place was "First Northen" taken by Dave Mielke which captured 298 votes.  For third, Mark Donarski made the list again with his photo titled...

Upcoming Public Meetings
OMAHA – Evidence of the extended drought in the Missouri River basin was still apparent during July. The large upper three reservoirs each dropped just over a foot.

“We saw extremely low inflows into Fort Peck and Garrison reservoirs,” said Larry Cieslik, Chief of the Water Management office here. “Inflows were only 30 percent of normal. This was due to below normal mountain snowpack, early melt of that snowpack, and the lack of rainfall in the upper basin. But lower basin tributary inflow remained higher than average, allowing us to continue to conserve water with relatively low release rates.” Gavins Point releases averaged just above 21,000 cfs, the long-term average to support minimum service downstream targets...

2007 Fall Walleye Classic
It's time for the 2007 Fall Walleye Classic held out of Garrison, ND.

The state's best anglers take the water in search of baskets capable of winning them $15,000 dollars for the tournament's top prize.  The remaining anglers will find themselves competing for thousands more including big fish prizes of $1,000 each day.

The fishing on Sakakawea has proven difficult in past Classic tournaments but that hasn't stopped anglers from testing their...

ND Governor's Cup In The Books
July 20th and 21st gave way to the 32nd Annual North Dakota Governor's Cup held on Lake Sakakawea by way of Garrison, ND.  The tournament list fell fourteen teams short of the tournaments normal 252 team limit.  Despite having less anglers to compete against the Sakakawea decline and North Dakota weather made this years tournament one of the toughest in recent years.

Tournament weights were down considerably after the top five weights but this year's top five were still able to find a tourney weight of old.  In the end, Nathan Anderson and Scott Strilcov both of Minot, ND brought in 30.25 pounds.  In second, Jason and Jim Wright of Bismarck found 28.80 pounds of fish.  Following in close in third came...

June's Photo Vote Getters
June gave way to the Total Outdoor Network's second photo contest.  The contest boasted over 6,600 votes among 290 different photos.  The voting was very close among the participating members competing for June's prize consisting of a Bushnell 20 x 50 Spotting Scope.

In the end, it came down to three photos.  The winner Trent Thomas took the top prize with over 500 votes for his photo titled "Two of a Kind and Both The First Time".  In at second place was "Moon Bar Fish" taken by Mark Donarski which captured 262 votes.  For third, Scott Meschke and his son Matthew received 202 votes for their photo titled "Matthew's Tagged Walleye" depicting a beautiful Van Hook walleye caught by Matthew.  Following the top three vote getters the voting was fierce and very close...

Upcoming Tourney
KMOT TV and the Four Bears Casino & Lodge will be holding their annual Walleye Cup on Lake Sakakawea August 4th and 5th at the Four Bears Marina.

Anglers will be competing for a 100 percent payout equaling thousands of dollars with the winning team taking home $5,000 dollars.  Teams will consist of two anglers responsible for a $200 dollar entry fee.  Starting point will be the Four Bears Casino & Lodge marina with the boundaries extending from the Four Bears Bridge to the south boundary of the mouth of Pouch Point to Independence Island.

Rules meeting will begin at 7:00 pm Friday, August 3rd.  Tournament fishing will be...

Important News
Public Workshops for Lake Sakakawea Master Plan and Environmental Assessment to be held Aug. 13-16

OMAHA, Neb.—The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with a steering committee made up of stakeholders including non-governmental organizations and tribal, state and federal agencies, continues to revise and update the Lake Sakakawea Master Plan.

Five open house style workshops will be held to encourage public comment on the Draft Lake Sakakawea Master Plan and Environmental Assessment...

NDGF Update
The recent NDGF news touches on:

1) Game and Fish Honored with National Conservation Award
2) Pronghorn Season Set, Online Applications Available
3) Fall Turkey Licenses Remain, Online Apps Available July 25
4) Fishing Statistics Positive in 2006
 
Click onto the remainder of this news release or visit the ND Game & Fish Web-site for detail news releases.

NDGF Update
The recent NDGF news touches on:

1) Pheasant Crowing Counts Down from Last Year
2) Spring Sharp-tailed Grouse Census Tallied
3) Biologists Complete Spring Sage Grouse Census
 
Click onto the remainder of this news release or visit the ND Game & Fish Web-site for detail news releases.

NDGF Update
More Elk Hunting Opportunities Possible in Southwestern North Dakota 

The state Game and Fish Department is calling for changes to the 2007 elk hunting season in southwestern North Dakota.

Changes include issuing additional licenses and expanding hunting time periods in elk hunting units adjacent to Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s South Unit. The amendment to the 2007 season has been signed by Governor Hoeven...

May Photo Contest Winner

As many of you know, the Total Outdoor Network (TON) held its first ever photo contest.  The contest boasted over 3,370 votes among 156 different photos.  The voting was very close among the participating members competing for May's prize consisting of a Bushnell 20 x 50 Spotting Scope.

In the end, it came down to three photos.  The winner Ryan Genre took the top prize with 164 votes for his photo titled "Devils Lake Eagles".  Tied for second was Brad McClean photographing his son Easton in "Easton's Perch" and Charles Sorenson's photo titled "Yah Baby" showing his son Nevada after a successful spring turkey hunt in North Dakota.  Following the top three vote getters the voting was fierce and very close.  Everyone capturing their outdoor moments...

Up and Coming - Mitchell Rods
Devils Lake, ND - Jason Mitchell Rods is proud to introduce a new line of fishing rods tailored to the specific needs of diehard walleye anglers. Serious walleye anglers consider Jason Mitchell Rods the highest quality walleye rods on the market today for the money. One example is the new JMSS66MF Elite Series Rod.

This lightweight powerhouse was designed for walleye anglers looking for a an extremely light and sensitive rod with an extremely fast action for many jig fishing applications. The rod is 6 feet, 6 inches. The rod is made from an extremely light and sensitive HYPER high modulus graphite blank with an extremely fast tip decked out with Fuji guides and a comfortable, high-grade cork handle...

Mountain Lion Shot in ND
Mountain Lion Killed Wednesday (May 30, 2007) in Northwestern North Dakota

A male mountain lion was shot and killed on a farm near Fortuna in Divide County in northwestern North Dakota early Wednesday afternoon, according to Daryl Kleyer, state Game and Fish Department warden supervisor, Williston.

According to Kleyer, the farmer received a call from his mother regarding a commotion involving their dogs. She went to investigate and saw a mountain lion bound away just beyond the dogs. The farmer immediately returned from the field and went into the grove of trees with a rifle. He found the lion crouched down in the grass at about 15 feet. The lion was then shot...

So, You’re Buying a New Pickup?

Local Taxidermist Takes National Honor
Jamie Risovi of New Rockford recently traveled to Reno, Nevada to compete in the World Taxidermy Championships. Jamie entered a whitetail deer he harvested last September with his bow. This mount took one of the top awards at the show by placing 1st in the Master’s Division.

The World Taxidermy Championships is held every other year and literally draws taxidermists from all over the world. Countries such as Russia, China, United Kingdom, Australia, Sweden, Denmark, and dozens of others were represented at the show.

This is the toughest show in the taxidermy industry...

Upcoming Tourney - For The Kid
The Bis-Man Reel and Rec will hold it’s 26th Annual “Take a Kid Fishing Day” on Saturday, June 9th, 2007 at Sweetbriar Dam located approximately 20 miles west of Bismarck along Interstate 94. Please fill out the form on the back and send it to the address listed below. This event is preferably for children under the age of 16 with the exception of physically or mentally challenged individuals. 

There will be a medical volunteer such as a nurse or doctor to provide any medical attention that may be needed. Please fill out the medical information waiver and special information section on the attached application and send any special instructions on its administration. 

Please have your child dress appropriately for the weather keeping...

2007 North Dakota Fishing Tournaments
Complete listing of upcoming North Dakota fishing and hunting tournaments, results for past North Dakota fishing and hunting tournaments, and other information for North Dakota fishing and hunting past and present tourneys.

Take note some tournaments will be private and not for the general public.  Such as the Bobkat, Medcenter One, and other related touranments.  Others might only be for Wildlife Groups, Park and Rec Groups, or Professional Groups.  Regardless, they are on the list in case these entities would like to share their results.  Also, contact information was left to a name only because permission was not sought to disclose other contact information.

If you know of other tournaments, have information pertaining to a tournament below, or would like to send in...

Lake Sakakawea Articles of Interest
Issues from the number of deer tags to be issued next fall to dropping water levels on Lake Sakakawea to the future of mountain lions in North Dakota were among the topics discussed at a North Dakota Game and Fish Department advisory board meeting held in Minot Thursday night.

Fishing access on Lake Sakakawea should be very similar to last year, despite continued low water levels. That was one of the messages conveyed by Greg Power, fisheries chief, to interested sportsmen in attendance. Power also expressed his continued concerns over the fate of Lake Sakakawea as a fishery, saying that at least...

Photo Contest Now Running
These rules are very simple. You, or someone you know, take a picture of anything outdoors related. Each month members will post pictures, and the following month we will all get to vote for our favorite. The picture receiving the most votes for the month will receive a prize. The best picture for the year will win a Grand Prize. Pictures can be anything from camping, fishing, bird watching, hunting, vacations, sporting events, military, etc. It does not matter as long as it has an outdoor theme.

You can enter the contest as many times as you like. Any previous submission becomes ineligible. 

Decisions of TON judges are final. Photos will not be returned and become the property of TON . Contest entrants grant TON the right to...

NDGF Update
The recent NDGF news touches on:

1) New State Record Smallmouth Bass Caught
2) Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Workshop Set Aug. 10-12  

 
Click onto the remainder of this news release or visit the ND Game & Fish Web-site for detail news releases.

NDGF Update

The recent NDGF news touches on:

1) CWD Test Results All Negative
2) Paddlefish Snagging Season Opens May 1, Regulations Adjusted
 
Click onto the remainder of this news release or visit the ND Game & Fish Web-site for detail news releases.

Morning Star Campground
Riverdale, ND - Checked the price of gas lately? Wondering how many fishing trips to the big lake your budget can afford? Tired of loading and unloading the trailer every weekend? Tired of having to leave the lake on Sunday afternoon just when you finally found the fish just so you can get home at a decent time and put everything away for another week? Wish you could fish the big lake after work; but by the time you get the boat ready and everything else, half the night is gone only to drive home in the dark, hoping your trailer lights will...

NDGF Advisory Meetings Set
All eight North Dakota Game and Fish Department district advisory board meetings for this spring have been set and outdoor enthusiasts are invited to attend these public forums to discuss fish and wildlife issues in their area.

Game and Fish Department advisors host public meetings twice each year in their districts. Advisors serve as a liaison between the department and the public in their areas.
Any person who requires an auxiliary aid or service must notify the...

Badlands Bass Bandits
Fishing Buddy Outdoors contributing writer Paul Reinbold has shared articles spanning from ice fishing to open water fishing and through his writing it’s safe to say his love rests with catching big large mouth and small mouth bass

Many of you probably noticed the Badlands Bass Bandits' tournament results throughout the summer last year.  Well, another season is fast approaching and Paul is back at it rounding up the troops for another fun and exciting year of North Dakota Bass Fishing.   Paul has taken the initiative in getting a premier bass club up and running. Rightly named, the Badlands Bass Bandits will offer the opportunity for fishermen hooked on bass fishing, fishermen not prone to bass fishing and those who haven’t fished for any species the chance to enjoy the sport more, fish with other bass fanatics, and/or expand their knowledge of bass fishing within the borders of North Dakota...

Development Plans Needed
The Friends of Lake Sakakawea board will meet April 25 to hear about long-range plans for areas around the lake. The board is interested to hear if there are developments that are envisioned for the lake's shoreline over the next 10-15 years. Developments could include walking trails, marinas, camping and picnic areas, moorings or new ramps. The information will become part of the Master Plan, a guiding document for the Corps of Engineers, our lawmakers and the public, for future land use. We need to hear from anyone with plans in the following way: 1) join us at the meeting at...

Logo Contest
Nebraska Outdoors Logo Contest Sponsored by Cabela's

Here is your chance to design the official logo for Nebraska-Outdoors!

We are looking for a new logo for www.nebraska-outdoors.com and we would like you to help! The logo should depict our site as an outdoor website. Anything that shows the outdoors in Nebraska should be included, along with the words “Nebraska-Outdoors.”  The logo should have...

Advisory Meetings Set
The recent NDGF news touches on:

1) Open Fires Banned on Oahe WMA
2) Record Number of Deer Taken During 2006 Deer Gun Season
3) WMA Users Reminded of Public Use Regulations  
4) Game and Fish Advisory Board Meetings Announced
 
Click onto the remainder of this news release or visit the ND Game & Fish Web-site for detail news releases.

ND & SD Taxidermy Shows in the Books
The 2007 North Dakota and South Dakota shows are officially in the book.

On March 10-11th, over 110 taxidermists put their showcases compromised of hours upon hours of hard detailed work against a mix of the areas finest taxidermists.  The following weekend just over a hundred taxidermists again competed against their counterparts in South Dakota.  The workmanship from both shows was astounding proving the quality of taxidermy is becoming mystical.  A pat on the back to all who took the time to present their work of art.

On a similar note, I'd like to congratulate Jamie Risovi of Risovi Taxidermy located in New Rockford, ND for taking 1st in the Master's Division...

13th Annual Smoker
Mandan, ND - No longer is spring "around the corner" but one of North Dakota's largest get-togethers is indeed, just around the corner...

On April 14th, North Dakota Sportfishing Congress will hold its 13th Annual Sportsmen's Smoker & Raffle.  The event will kick off at the Mandan Eagles Club with the social and raffle at 6 pm.  There are so many prizes to be won its impossible to list them.  Included among the endless prizes, the smoker will be giving cash door prizes of $500 for first, $100 for second, $50 for the third and fourth cash prize...

Releases Will Subside For Now...
OMAHA – Moderating temperatures in mid-February greatly reduced the amount of ice on the Missouri River. This, coupled with heavy snowfall on March 1 over much of the eastern Dakotas, Nebraska and western Iowa, allowed for significant reductions in releases from the system of reservoirs.

“Releases from Gavins Point Dam were gradually cut to only 9,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) as the river ice melted,” said Larry Cieslik, Chief of the Water Management office here. “In addition, the blizzard that swept across the region last week brought as much as 2 feet of snow to eastern South Dakota. This snow, along with what fell in Nebraska and Iowa, will allow us to maintain very low releases for quite some time.”