Breaking News

Outdoors

Tentative 2026 season opening dates

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department annually provides its best estimate for opening dates to help hunters prepare for hunting seasons. Hunters should note the opening date for the regular waterfowl season is still under discussion. Dates become official when approved by the governor’s proclamation. Tentative opening dates for 2026 include: – Spring turkey: April 11. – Dove: Sept. 1. – Deer and pronghorn bow, mountain lion: Sept. 4. – Sharptail, hun, ruffed grouse, squirrel: Sept. 12. – Youth deer: Sept. 18. – Youth waterfowl: Sept. 19. – Early ...

Contest entry deadline nears

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual Earth Day Patch Contest is an effort to heighten awareness about the environment. Students who participate will develop a patch design using five colors incorporating an aspect of Earth Day, such as environmental awareness, respect Earth, water quality, wildlife or habitat conservation in North Dakota. The contest is open to students in grades K-12. Winners are chosen from four grade categories (K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12). Each winner will receive an outdoor kit, which includes a pair of binoculars and field guides. The grand prize ...

Lake Sakakawea campground reservations open

RIVERDALE – Campground reservations for Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota are now being accepted for the upcoming 2026 season. All U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds at Garrison Dam and Lake Sakakawea will be open this year. This includes the Downstream Campground (loops 1-4), the East Totten Trail Campground’s Walleye Loop (electric sites) and Pike Loop (primitive sites), and the Wolf Creek Campground’s east end sites 1-50 and west end sites 51-67. No group camping is permitted at Wolf Creek, and all campgrounds will be open May 15-Sept. 15. Reservations must be made at ...

North Dakota Outdoors: Hope abounds for ND’s wildlife, wild places

If you’re an optimist, it’s worth looking ahead to 2026. If you’re a pessimist, you may figure there’s worse news coming as we turn the calendar. I’ve never thought much about whether hunters or anglers tend to be more glass half full or empty. I’d argue the value in both ...

District warden earns award

Shawn Sperling, North Dakota Game and Fish Department district warden in Minot, was named the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Wildlife Officer of the Year for 2025. “Warden Sperling’s district contains portions of Ward, Renville and McHenry counties. This area of the state historically boasts a strong population of wild turkeys. Shawn has a passion for turkeys both professionally and personally, as he is an avid turkey hunter himself. Shawn diligently patrols for turkey hunting activity and addresses violations accordingly,” Turkey Federation officials said. “He is also a ...

Fisheries biological technician honored

Brian Frohlich, fisheries biological technician, Riverdale, recently was among several North Dakota Game and Fish employees honored by Jeb Williams, North Dakota Game and Fish Department director, with performance-based awards. The awards were presented during the department’s staff meeting in December. Frohlich was recognized for stepping in when the Riverdale office was understaffed to oversee all fall sampling for the fisheries district. Frohlich not only met but exceeded expectations by ensuring that sampling was conducted on every district lake that required survey work.