Family-Outdoors

 With dove season opening  Sept. 1 , sportsmen have a lot of reasons to start preparing to go afield.              Reports from across the state are all pointing to the same thing, according to Josh Richardson, migratory game bird biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.              "It's been a good year for doves in Oklahoma," he said. "People are seeing large groups of birds forming up, and with the summer-like weather forecast for the next seven days, those groups should continue to grow."             The previous two years had been especially hot and dry, which may have affected many hunters' approach to dove hunting.              "Concentrating on water holes the last couple of dry years has been a good strategy, but for much of the state this year, water is far from being a limited resource," Richards...

Logo of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) More than 200 blockages in the nation’s major natural resource “arteries” were removed last year thanks to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Fish Passage Program. Working with numerous partners, the program improves fish passage, local economies and public safety by ridding the nation’s rivers of derelict dams that no longer serve a purpose. “Free-flowing, healthy rivers and streams are vital to our nation. Many species of fish, wildlife and plants depend on the natural ebb and flow of rivers at critical stages of their lives,” said Service Director Dan Ashe. “I’m pleased to report last year the Service and its partners reconnected more than 2,500 miles of streams and 36,000 associated wetland acres, providing opportunities for aquatic populations to increase and become more resilient in the face of greater environmental pressures.” Estimates show there are approximately 74,000 derelict dams...

 The Canada goose hunting season will open on  Sunday, Sept. 1 , in many parts of South Dakota, and the mourning dove hunting season will open statewide. The Canada goose season is open from  Sept. 1-30  in Unit 1, which includes most of the state. The daily limit through  Sept. 30  is 15, with a possession limit of three times the daily limit. From  Sept. 1-30  nonresidents may not hunt in the counties of Beadle, Brookings, Hanson, Kingsbury, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Miner, Moody, Sanborn, Turner, Union and Minnehaha. Hunters may donate Canada geese to help feed the needy through the Sportsmen Against Hunger’s goose donation program. Geese taken from  September 1 - 20 may  be donated to participating processors at no charge. For more information on goose seasons, visit the Game, Fish and Parks Department website at www.gfp.sd.gov/hunting/ waterfowl/goose .  For information on how to donate geese and participating process...

Regional Director Tom Melius presented the Silver Eagle Award to Joe Duggan, Pheasants Forever, and recognized staff involved in that partnership that have brought the success of the President and CEO of Pheasants Forever, Howard Vincent, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region Refuge Supervisor , Jim Leach, Joe Duggan, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Regional Director, Tom Melius. Photo by USFWS. Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Grant and its resulting Waterfowl Production Area acquisitions. “Partnerships are the bread and butter of successful organizations, and ours with Pheasants Forever is an outstanding example of that,” said Melius.  “Pheasants Forever is a long-standing partner with the Service in our Midwest Region. Their willingness to act as our ‘realty agent’ using Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage dollars to acquire lands that will become Waterfowl Production Areas, has landed over $24 million in Minnesota, since 2009.” Pheasants Forever President/CE...

North Dakota’s dove season opens statewide  Sept. 1 , and hunters are reminded to register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting. The daily limit is 15 and possession limit is 45. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. The season is open through  Oct. 30 . All dove hunters must possess a fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate and a general game and habitat license, regardless of age. In addition, hunters ages 16 and older need a small game license. Hunters who purchase a hunting license through the State Game and Fish Department’s electronic licensing system ( gf.nd.gov ) or instant licensing telephone number at  (800) 406-6409  can easily get HIP certified. Otherwise, hunters can access the Department’s website, or call  (888) 634-4798  and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. Those who registered to hunt the spring light goose season in North Dakota do not ...

PIERRE, S.D. – Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of the summer, and South Dakota State Parks invite you to come out and enjoy special weekend events. Fiesta Friday ,  Chief White Crane Recreation Area  near Yankton,  Aug. 30, 7 p.m. CDT . Help us kick-off Labor Day weekend with a party! Make a craft inspired by the Spanish culture and learn how to do the Mexican Hat Dance. All ages welcome! For more information, call  605-668-2985 . Labor Day Patriotic Campsite Decorating Display ,  Oakwood Lakes State Park  near Volga and  Lake Poinsett Recreation Area  near Arlington,  Aug. 30 – Sept. 2 . Campers, bring supplies to decorate your campsites! Judging takes place  on Saturday . Prizes for all! For more information, call  605-627-5441 . Southern Hills Triathlon ,  Angostura Recreation Area  near Hot Springs,  Aug. 31 , at  7 a.m. MDT . Athletes can participate in a kids’ triathlon, sprint triathlon,...

Rabbit and squirrel hunting seasons begin  August 31 , and outlook for hunting both species is positive based on population surveys and availability of food sources. Cottontail Rabbits Based on the DNR’s recently completed August roadside survey of upland game, southern Iowa has the best rabbit densities heading into fall, but hunters statewide should see better cottontail numbers compared to last year.  The survey showed numbers increased significantly with the south central, southeast, and east central regions reporting the best densities. The most effective techniques for pursuing rabbits are stomping brush piles, walking slowly through abandoned farmsteads or along brushy fencerows, or wooded draws with one or more beagles. Beagles and other trailing dogs can increase hunter success and improve the quality of the hunt. The cottontail season remains open until  February 28 , the daily bag limit is 10, and the possession limit is 20.  Shooting ho...

CENTRAL Arcadia : August 28. Elevation normal, water 83 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on Check out the new Lake Record spotted bass caught at Broken Bow Lake in May. It weighed in at 4.5 lbs.  and was 21.5 inches long.  For more information go to  wildlifedepartment.com crankbaits, minnows, worms and topwater lures at 8-12 ft. around vegetation in the north cove early and late. White bass, striped bass and striped bass hybrids fair on worms, shad, lipless baits and silver spoons at 6-12 ft. along shorelines and the dam. Channel and blue catfish fair on cut bait, stinkbait, dough bait and shad at 8-15 ft. along windy shorelines and points early and late. Flathead catfish fair on live bait and cut bait. Crappie fair on minnows, jigs, worms and silver spoons at 8-10 ft. around docks, structure and riprap early and late. Sunfish fair on jigs and worms shallow along shorelines and riprap. Carp fair on dough bait. Report submitted by Sheila Hutton, gate attenda...

English: Scene along the George S. Mickelson Trail, a 108-mile rail trail in the Black Hills, South Dakota, USA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) LEAD, S.D. – Openings still exist for riders to take part in the 16th Annual Mickelson Trail Trek on Friday, Sept. 20 through Sunday, Sept. 22, say park officials. The deadline for registration is Sept. 1. Registration can be completed online by visiting www.mickelsontrail.com and following the "Trail Trek" link. Registration is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The ride is open to all bicyclists 14 years of age or older. Riders will cover 109 miles of the trail over three days. The Trail Trek highlights the George S. Mickelson Trail as it winds through the heart of the Black Hills from Edgemont to Lead-Deadwood. The registration fee includes the trail pass, shuttle service, commemorative souvenirs, refreshments and some meals. Riders are responsible for accommodations and mechanical support. The ride began as a cel...

The Game, Fish & Parks Department is reminding campers that the end of the summer doesn’t mean the end of camping at South Dakota state parks as the parks will continue taking camping reservations throughout the winter months. “We now take reservations for stays year-round,” said state park director Doug Hofer. “In the past, camping was on a first-come, first-served basis after Labor Day.”   Campsites and cabins at Custer State Park can be reserved up to one year in advance, and up to 90 days prior to arrival at all other campsites and cabins. Group campsites located at Custer State Park and Lewis and Clark Recreation Area can also be booked one year in advance. Group lodges that can be reserved one year ahead of time include: •    Lake Thompson Recreation Area near Lake Preston •    Mina Lake Recreation Area near Aberdeen •    Newton Hills State Park near Canton •    Oahe Downstream Recreation Area near Fort Pierre...

Sandhill Cranes flying at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, USA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) To really explore a national wildlife refuge, of course, you’ll want to get out of your car. But occasionally time is short, or you want to get the lay of the land before you set out on foot. No problem. For all you let’s-check-it-out-first types, here’s a sampling of some super refuge drives to whet your appetite for the next step. Prefer to choose your own favorites, by wildlife, region or scenery? See refuge trails and byways:  http://1.usa.gov/19MalqX Check refuge websites for details. Refuge tour routes are general open sunrise to sunset. Some refuges charge a nominal entrance fee, usually $5. *Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge*< http://www.fws.gov/ southwest/refuges/newmex/ bosque/ > *, New Mexico* An hour from Albuquerque, a 12-mile auto loop along refuge impoundments offers great views of the Chupadera and San Pascual Mountains. From late Octob...