By the time you’re a high school senior, you’ve probably heard it all if you’ve mentioned an interest in wildlife, fisheries, or the outdoors as a career. “That’d be a fun job … but you better have a backup plan.” I’ve worked in the natural resource field long enough to know ...

Volunteers recognized Minot and area residents were among volunteers for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department recently recognized for their service at the annual banquet in Bismarck. Those recognized included: 30 Years – Darris Olson, Bowbells; and Larry Viall, Epping. 25 Years – ...

By design, electronic posting continues to evolve. This program was the first ever in the nation and the Game and Fish Department continues to work with all stakeholders to adjust, improve, adapt and methodically roll out changes. New this year, landowners have the option to electronically ...

North Dakota has a year-round fishing season, and every spring conversations pop up at gas stations, watering holes, cafe’s and online. It often starts when anglers see photos of big, egg-laden walleyes or northern pike taken before spawning. That leads to questions: Should we have a ...

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 Behind the Badge, that Shawn Sperling, North Dakota Game and Fish Department district game warden, ...

Record count of bighorn sheep The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 2025 bighorn sheep survey, completed by recounting lambs in March, revealed a record 378 bighorn sheep in the Badlands of western North Dakota, up 8% from 2024 and 10% above the five-year average. The 2025 survey was ...