ND Outdoors

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Jerry Weigel, Department fisheries production and development supervisor, about raising, stocking and transporting fish, how the demand for fish has changed over time and why his job is so rewarding.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Aaron Slominski and Paul Bailey, Department fisheries district supervisors, all about paddlefish. We talk evolutionary history, adaptations, current populations, management strategies and even how they taste.

In this episode of NDO Podcast Casey and Cayla take a historical walk through a Game and Fish Department timeline – from the agency’s inception to the price of the first fishing license, closed seasons and impactful legislation – to get a feel for where we’ve come from and maybe some insight into where we’re headed.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Sandra Johnson, Department conservation biologist, about bald eagles, their recovery from the endangered species list and how they’re faring today.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Patrick Isakson, Department conservation section supervisor, about the newly approved 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan and changes since the last iteration including more public-facing resources and involvement from citizens.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we’re hole hopping around Jamestown Reservoir in pursuit of crappies. Bruce Kreft, Department conservation and communications division chief, steps in as co-host to visit with BJ Kratz, southeast fisheries district supervisor, about this renowned crappie fishery.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Kevin Sedivec and Miranda Meehan, North Dakota State University researchers and professors in the School of Natural Resource Sciences, about using virtual fencing for grazing management. We discuss their economic and biological findings, challenges and promising future applications.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Joe Lucas, Department game warden supervisor, about the top hunting and fishing violations in 2025, the process to becoming a game warden, and some interesting stories from the field this fall, one of which involves an emu.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Logan Weyand, Department wildlife veterinarian, about his career path, experiences and initial thoughts, priorities and stories on the job here.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with one of our wardens, whose voice is disguised to remain anonymous, about a particularly complex poaching case involving social media, satellite imagery and trail camera time stamps to bust wannabe hunting influencer, Andy Elliott.

In this episode of NDO Podcast Casey and Cayla sing their way through the highlights of 2025 in an off-tune rendition of the “Twelve Days of Game and Fishmas.” 

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Kent Luttschwager, Department wildlife resource management section leader, about the diverse work a district biologist does, how WMA management has changed throughout his career and utilizing cattle grazing to accomplish our goals.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Marty Egeland, Department education section leader, about the importance of providing access to places to shoot, our shooting range grant program and recent range projects.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Kevin Kading, Department private land section leader, about steps taken since the 2024 Habitat and Hunting Access Summit including new tools, programs, partnerships and out-of-the-box solutions to ensuring our hunting heritage.

In this episode of NDO Podcast Casey and Cayla discuss the decisions you make about wild game meat before you even pull the trigger, best practices for packaging and processing, and tips for integrating wild game into busy work weeks.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Brian Hosek, Department administrative services division chief, and Randy Meissner, licensing services manager, about the history, complexities and innerworkings of the deer, elk, moose and pronghorn gratis licenses and lotteries.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Scott Gangl, Department fisheries management section leader, about the life cycle of lakes and reservoirs, how that relates to our fisheries management, and how he knows where the fish are biting.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Ben Matykiewicz, Department big game biologist, about the habitat needs of deer throughout their life cycle and what might be currently lacking on the North Dakota landscape.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Nathan and Lisa Neameyer, two dedicated National Archery in the Schools Program volunteers, about how they got into NASP, the impact it has on kids, schools and communities, and why Nathan is a jerk.

In this episode of NDO Podcast, we visit with Bill Haase, Department wildlife division chief, and John Palarski, Department migratory game bird biologist, to break down the new nonresident waterfowl regulations, how we arrived here and what the future might hold for waterfowl hunting in North Dakota.

In this episode of NDO Podcast, we visit with Bruce Stillings, Department big game management supervisor, and Jason Smith, Department big game management biologist, about the once-in-a-lifetime moose and elk hunts, the importance of hunter harvest information and some tips for being prepared for these coveted hunts.

In this episode of NDO Podcast, we visit with Dan Murray, dog trainer, breeder and boarder, about gun introduction, basic obedience, crate training and our own dog training struggles and successes.

In this episode of NDO Podcast, we visit with Jesse Kolar, Department upland game management supervisor, and RJ Gross, Department upland game management biologist, about this year’s high pheasant crowing counts, historical comparisons to the glory days and how deer don’t have wings.

In this episode of NDO Podcast, we visit with Department volunteers, John Paulson and Phil Mastrangelo, both happily retired from USDA Wildlife Services, about the upcoming fur harvester education course, the benefits of furbearer hunting and trapping and the sweet smell of skunk essence.

In this episode of NDO Podcast, we visit with Beth Hill, North Dakota Forest Service outreach and education manager, about all the NDFS programs, the 1994 family forest, and the importance of getting kids outside.

In this episode of NDO Podcast, we visit with Jeb Williams, director, and Scott Peterson, soon-to-be-retired deputy director, about the 2025 legislative session, upcoming changes for sportsmen and women, and the third thing you shouldn’t talk about at Thanksgiving.

In this episode of NDO Podcast, we visit with Jackie Lundstrom, enforcement operations supervisor, and Jonathan Peterson, Devils Lake district game warden, about safe boating laws and best practices, incident reporting requirements and some cautionary tales from the water.

In this episode of NDO Podcast, recorded in the new Jamestown aquatic nuisance species lab, we visit with Ben Holen, Department ANS coordinator, and Mason Hammer, ANS biologist, about ANS in North Dakota, the impacts to our lakes and rivers, and the Department’s extensive prevention measures.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Bob Frohlich, Department fisheries development supervisor, and Wesley Erdle, fisheries development project manager, about identifying and prioritizing facility projects, how a boat ramp actually gets constructed and what new projects are slated for 2025.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Jackie Ressler, Department marketing specialist, about her experience as a new hunter, Cayla and Jackie’s turkey escapades from last spring, and why mentoring a new hunter is so important and rewarding.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Brett Wiedmann, Department big game biologist, about the history of bighorn sheep in North Dakota, current status of the state’s population, stories from a career spent in sheep country and his favorite day of the year.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Levi Jacobson, Department wildlife resource management supervisor, and Jens Johnson, Department private land biologist, about preparing, planting and managing food plots and grass plantings, programs available to assist landowners and the benefits to wildlife.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Amber Kologi, Valley City State University fisheries and wildlife undergraduate student, and Alec Christensen, North Dakota State University conservation sciences graduate research assistant, about their career paths so far, what inspired them and what advice they have for other young conservationists.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Jennifer Kross, Ducks Unlimited outreach biologist, and Seth Owens, Pheasants Forever education and outreach coordinator, about the importance of conservation education, the unique events both organizations have upcoming, and how you can get involved.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Scott Gangl, Department fisheries management section leader, and Paul Bailey, Department south central district fisheries supervisor, about some of the unique characteristics of North Dakota fish species, why that is and how this information can be useful to anglers.

In this episode of NDO Podcast Casey and Cayla talk about the main takeaways from the Habitat and Hunting Access Summit and possible pathways forward.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Rep. Todd Porter, district 34, about the North Dakota legislative process and how and why sportsmen can get involved.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we celebrate the season by visiting with Scott Peterson, deputy director, and Greg Link, conservation and communications division chief, about Christmas traditions growing up in smalltown North Dakota, holiday meals, and a few gift ideas for the outdoorsy people in your life.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Kevin Kading, Department private land section leader, about the upcoming Habitat and Hunting Access Summit and the challenges facing the future of our hunting heritage in North Dakota.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Stephanie Tucker, Department game management section leader and furbearer biologist, about bounties, fur market, fisher pregnancies, the wildlife health laboratory, trapping regulations, and the time Steph came face to face with a mama mountain lion.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Ryan Melin, fire management officer with the North Dakota Forest Service and Hunter Noor, NDFS wildland fire operations assistant fire management officer, about the historic wildfires in western North Dakota and the coordination, on-the-ground efforts and support involved in wildland firefighting.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Russ Kinzler, Department Missouri River System fisheries management supervisor, about the history of North Dakota’s salmon stocking program, the spawning process and some tips for anglers hoping to pursue salmon.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Michael Szymanski, Department migratory game bird management supervisor, about the process of developing waterfowl regulations; from monitoring efforts, to state and national collaboration, to federal approval and what it all means for hunters.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Matt Olson, forest stewardship manager for North Dakota Forest Service, and Brian Prince, Department wildlife resource management supervisor, about managing North Dakota’s rare, but unique, native forests to meet the needs of the wildlife and people who inhabit them.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Jesse Kolar, Department upland game management supervisor, about the state of our four grouse species, an additional sharp-tailed grouse hunting opportunity open this year and our favorite upland game bird recipes.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Rhett Hall and Jason Babinchak, founders of the North Dakota Tracking Dog Group, about the process of legalizing the use of dogs in the recovery of big game, what it takes to train these dogs and, of course, some good tracking stories.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Josh Wert, watershed management program manager for North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, and Emilee Novak, DEQ nonpoint source pollution management program coordinator, about harmful agal blooms, mitigation efforts and what to be on the lookout for when recreating this summer and fall.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Greg Gullickson, Department outreach biologist, live from the Conservation and Outdoor Skills Park at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot. We also snag a few fairgoers and a volunteer to talk fishing, fair food and their favorite things to do.

In this episode of NDO Podcast Casey and Cayla talk R3, hunter and angler recruitment, retention and reactivation plus national and state trends, all while Cayla struggles to accurately recall expressions.