Articles

Leier: A look at recent outdoors-related laws

Fargo - The 2013 North Dakota legislature dealt with a number of bills related to outdoor recreation and conservation.

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Leier: It's never too early to think ahead

Fargo - While it feels like spring should soon begin taking hold across North Dakota, the fact of the matter is you’d be really depressed if you counted how many days it is until Fourth of July, or even the start of school in August, and we’re not even into April yet. It’s a testament to how slowly time arrives and how quickly it fades into the rear-view mirror. The point is it’s never too soon to think ahead, whether it’s summer fishing or fall hunting.

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Leier: Make the most of 'big three' hunting opportunities

Fargo - The deadline to submit an application for the 2013 North Dakota moose, elk and bighorn sheep license lottery is March 27.

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Leier: Bald eagle population down from a year ago

Fargo - Penning an outdoors column each week may seem daunting to some, but even with 52 opportunities in a given calendar year to generate topics and information to pass along, at times I actually wish I had more time and room.

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Leier: Examining the bills that impact outdoors

Fargo - The legislative process in North Dakota only takes place every two years. With that in mind, all hunters, anglers, trappers and anyone else who spends time outdoors has an opportunity to engage in the process now, rather than later this year after bills become law and changes in how you spend time outdoors are already implemented.

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Leier: Keep animals in mind when enjoying outdoors

Fargo - Many animals have adaptations that help them get through winter, but in some years even those natural defenses are not a sure hedge against death.

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Leier: Some prefer later-season pheasant hunting

Fargo - For those of us who like to spend as much time as possible on the outside of the window, October is a sort of early Christmas present.

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Leier: Pheasant prospects in fall look promising

Fargo - In North Dakota, deer hunting is arguably the favorite hunting season based on the number of individuals who apply for a license each year. And while North Dakota produces more ducks than pheasants, I would guess if you asked every hunter their favorite quarry, ducks might finish behind deer and pheasants, though a lot of people are avid participants in all three seasons.

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Leier: North Dakota enjoys array of natural resources

I have written extensively on the rich diversity of natural resources that make North Dakota a great place to live if you like the outdoors, or even if you don’t.

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Leier: Hunters should prepare physically as well as mentally

Fargo With the close of summer, you will notice a swing from fishing rods to shotguns. For the next two months, every day is one day closer to the next hunting season.

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Columns

Leier: If it's big fish you want, there are a few facts to consider

West Fargo - I spend the bulk of my fishing hours each year at the same mom-and-pop pond. The family and I enjoy fishing in our own way, just like you do.

• Doug Leier

Leier: Anglers need to be vigilant to stop the spread of nuisance species

Fargo - Even if May just finally feels like spring for many of us, in most years by the time the month rolls around, many anglers have already enjoyed a few outings wetting a line.

Leier: No two deer hunting seasons are exactly alike

Fargo - The minute the regular deer gun season closed last fall, hunters were already assessing their season and looking forward to 2013.

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Leier: Interest in bighorn sheep remains high

Fargo - It’s a pretty consistent fact of life where the more we have, the less we appreciate and conversely what we’re lacking, we tend to hold in a little higher regard. The whooping crane population is a pretty good example with a number of a few hundred. But it’s not just an endangered species, the phenomena crosses over.

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Leier: ND economic survey reveals a big impact

Fargo - Few in the Midwest will question the roles of hunting, fishing and trapping when it comes to quality of life.

• Doug Leier

Leier: Even with long winter, it's time to start thinking about fishing

Fargo - For most corners of North Dakota, the 2013 winter has extended well beyond the calendar declaration of spring.

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Leier: Purple martins draw some local interest

Fargo - Many people who don’t hunt or fish are still familiar with national conservation organizations like Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Pheasants Forever.

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Leier: Some things to keep in mind about spring goose season

Fargo - In the spring of 1999, I was working as a game warden in the Cass County area when the first-ever spring light goose conservation season arrived.

Leier: There's still plenty of time for ice fishing

As February begins you’ve noticed the days, both in front and in back, are adding sunlight and the balance of winter begins to shift toward spring.

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Leier: It is never a bad time to join a club geared to outdoors

FARGO - If I tried to list all the organizations and clubs just in North Dakota that are working to advance the cause of fishing, hunting, trapping, conservation, education and training, I’d likely fill most of this column.

• Doug Leier