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Outdoors

Public advised to know, avoid, report bue-green algae

BISMARCK – The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality reminds residents that hot weather and accumulated nutrients can lead to blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms in water bodies across the state. Blue-green algae can cause blooms that produce toxins in the water called cyanotoxins. NDDEQ responds to reported blooms across the state and tests water for toxins. If toxins are at an unsafe level, the agency issues public advisories and warnings. People who swallow or come into contact with water containing cyanotoxins can become sick with diarrhea and vomiting or ...

White Shield area wildlife

WHITE SHIELD – As wildfires rage in western Canada, recently Karen LoneFight, a contributor to The Minot Daily News from White Shield, looked for wildlife in a 5-mile radius of White Shield. This is what she found.

Boat ND course available

North Dakota state law requires youth ages 12-15 who want to operate a boat or personal watercraft by themselves with at least a 10-horsepower motor to pass the state’s boating basics course. The course is available for home-study by contacting the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Two commercial providers also offer the course online, and links to those sites are on the boat and water safety education page on the Game and Fish website. While the home-study course is free, there is a fee to take it online. The online provider charges for the course, not the Game and Fish ...

North Dakota Outdoors: Survey shows status of bighorn sheep

Without fail, when I think about bighorn sheep in North Dakota, big game biologist Brett Weidmann pops into my head. For good reason. Brett is the Game and Fish Department’s bighorn guru and has forgotten more about bighorn sheep than I’ll ever know. Brett is one of those guys I like to say is “living and working,” actually doing what many young kids dream of. While he spends his share of time behind the screen and in the office, his work puts him into the old-fashioned role of a biologist. Monitoring, studying, researching and learning about one of North Dakota’s smallest ...

Corps waives day use fees June 16

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has announced it will waive day use fees at its more than 2,600 USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide in observance of the USACE’s founding day, June 16, and Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19. The waiver covers fees for boat launch ramps and swimming beaches. The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services or fees for specialized facilities (group picnic shelters) and events. Other agencies or vendors that manage recreation areas on USACE lands are encouraged, but not required, to offer the waiver in the areas ...

North Dakota Outdoors: What are aquatic nuisance species?

You’ve heard for years about aquatic nuisance species but what are they? The zebra mussel is likely the most famous. Or infamous. Let’s get back to the basics and review some of the most important information on ANS and zebra mussels What are aquatic nuisance species? Aquatic nuisance ...