BRAD DOKKEN

Getting lost takes all of the fun out of being outdoors — so don’t

The incident serves as a reminder to all of us who spend time in wilderness country, whether it’s thick Minnesota forest or the rugged Badlands country of western North Dakota, to take precautions against getting lost.

By Brad Dokken , October 09, 2011

BRAD DOKKEN: There's something to be said about unplanned excursion

The Minnesota Vikings were well on their way to blowing a 20-0 lead against the Detroit Lions when a friend sent me a text message. A window of opportunity had opened, and would I be interested in a couple of hours on the water?

By Brad Dokken , October 02, 2011

BRAD DOKKEN COLUMN: Garrison Dam continues to claim smelt, other fish species

Fish by the hundreds — smelt and ciscoes, mainly, but also species such as salmon and paddlefish — have died after being washed through the Garrison Dam in the high water.

By Brad Dokken , September 04, 2011

BRAD DOKKEN COLUMN: Manitoba catfish trip offers chance to fish extremely high river in a drought

After widespread flooding across much of the region this year, it’s hard to imagine drought conditions so close by. I first heard reports about the lack of rainfall in southeastern Manitoba a month ago, and from what I saw last weekend, it’s every bit as extreme as I’d heard. The Red River, though, is absolutely screaming.

By Brad Dokken , August 21, 2011

BRAD DOKKEN: Youth hunting season deadlines offer signs of approaching fall

Young hunters planning to participate in one of Minnesota's 12 youth deer hunts, many of them at state parks, must submit applications by Friday.

By Brad Dokken , August 14, 2011

BRAD DOKKEN: Grand Forks wildlife club, Delta Waterfowl chapter to partner for youth field day

The youth field day, set for Aug. 13, still is in the planning stages but will follow Delta Waterfowl’s “First Hunt” program, an outdoor curriculum for first-time hunters and their mentors.

By Brad Dokken , April 24, 2011

BRAD DOKKEN: Minnesota bill unfairly targets quality pike fishing opportunities

On the House side, the provision calls for capping the number of lakes with special pike regulations at 60 — an arbitrary number that seems to be pulled out of thin air — while the Senate version calls for a maximum of 90 lakes with special regulations.

By Brad Dokken , April 17, 2011

BRAD DOKKEN: Whew! Unattached deer tick tests positive for Lyme disease

Few things have given me that “Whew! That was a close one!” reaction like the news I received this week: A deer tick I found crawling on me last spring tested positive for Lyme disease.

By Brad Dokken , February 13, 2011

Winter will take its toll on wildlife if tough conditions persist

At this point, conditions aren’t real bad, based on Minnesota's Winter Severity Index, at least. But they’re getting worse fast, and there’s lots of winter left. The next two months will be critical to the fate of deer, pheasants, grouse and other wildlife.

By Brad Dokken , February 06, 2011

The outdoors in 2010

The North Dakota Legislature didn’t meet in 2010, but there still was plenty that happened during the year on the outdoors front. In North Dakota, perhaps most significant development was the defeat of Measure 2, which would have banned the practice of shooting big game such as elk and deer inside fenced enclosures. Voters defeated Measure 2 during the November election.

By Brad Dokken , December 31, 2010

Coon hunter copes with losing prize hound to wolves

The night had gotten off to a great start, and the two hounds had treed coons within minutes at each of the first two drops. That’s when the evening took a serious turn for the worse.

By Brad Dokken , October 03, 2010

November 'bonus days' offer memorable times outdoors

There’ve been several bonus days so far in November. Aside from a couple of rainy days, the weather during this year’s firearms deer seasons in Minnesota and North Dakota was nearly perfect, perhaps even too nice for some.

By Brad Dokken , November 22, 2009

Morning in the woods offers close encounter of the lost kind

I was hunting alone. No one knew I was here. And my cell phone didn’t have any reception. Fortunately, my GPS did.

By Brad Dokken , November 08, 2009

Signs of approaching fall abound on this final August weekend

Some odds and ends and assorted tidbits to consider on this last weekend in August:

By Brad Dokken , August 30, 2009

OUTDOORS REPORT: Fishing, skiing conditions

Lake of the Woods Bigger walleyes have started hitting in Lighthouse Gap, a sign that fish are beginning to stage for their spring migration up the Rainy River. There seems to be spurts of action during midday hours and again in the early evening. Other reports for walleyes indicate a decent bite during the morning hours around Garden Island in 22 to 34 feet. Look to the bays for northern pike in 12 to 16 feet. The Rainy River is busting loose and continues to open each day. As of Tuesday morning, there was open water at Mile Marker 169, which is just upstream of Manitou Rapids and 13 miles east of Birchdale, Minn. It’s anyone’s guess, of course, but open water at Birchdale is a possibility sometime next week.

By Brad Dokken , March 19, 2009