North Dakota Outdoors Podcast

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 algal 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.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Elisha Mueller, Department conservation biologist and Cami Dixon, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wildlife biologist, about the underappreciated beauty of the prairie, challenges facing our native grasslands and today's hip lingo for describing things that are cool.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Darrell Oswald, district manager for Burleigh County Soil Conservation District, and Dave Bauer, rancher and North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition mentor, about the five soil health principles, the realities of keeping ranching profitable and the dire call to save our grasslands.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with two duck gurus, Mike Szymanski, Department migratory game bird management supervisor, and Rick Warhurst, wetland biologist with North Dakota Natural Resources Trust, about the incredible role wetlands play in supporting ducks and other wildlife and what we can all do to conserve these vital ecosystems.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Paul Bailey, the Department's south central district fisheries supervisor, about spring fisheries field work, a new Department walleye tagging study and the information these studies provide our fisheries managers.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Aaron Larsen, Department conservation biologist, and Emily Joynt, environmental scientist with North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, about the importance of wetlands for water quality, carbon sequestration, recreation and more in celebration of American Wetlands Month.

In this episode of NDO Podcast Casey and Cayla talk Badlands mule deer hunting, real and perceived social and biological pressures, a recent survey the Department contracted to investigate this more and some of the possible changes up for discussion.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with John Paulson, retired North Dakota USDA Wildlife Services director, about his love of turkey hunting, homemade wing bone calls, losing strikers, and other tricks of the trade just in time for spring turkey season.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Kristin Byram, North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department strategic communications chief, about North Dakota state parks, their diverse landscapes, activities and amenities (including mud baths), and the quest for the simultaneous s'mores cooking world record.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Kent Luttschwager, Department wildlife resource management section leader, and Levi Jacobson, Department wildlife resource management supervisor in Bismarck, about the purpose of our wildlife management areas, management practices, and grappling with the many desired uses of these lands.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Reice Haase, North Dakota Industrial Commission deputy director, and Brenna Jessen, North Dakota Industrial Commission grant programs specialist, about the Outdoor Heritage Fund, its history and directives and some of the familiar success stories spanning every county in the state.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Greg Link, Department conservation and communications chief, about key conservation mechanisms in North Dakota, historic paradigms in wildlife management and the importance of quality habitat through it all.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Scott Gangl, Department fisheries management section leader and Bill Haase, Department assistant wildlife chief, about the importance of seasonal employees, the many benefits of working as a seasonal and tips and tricks for landing one of these upcoming job openings.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Jim Job, Department outreach biologist and Cody Krause, wildlife specialist with USDA Wildlife Services, about coyote biology and behavior and the range of equipment and strategies for effectively hunting these furbearers.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Kelli Kuska, Pheasants Forever prescribed fire coordinator and Chris Gordon, North Dakota fire manager with The Nature Conservancy, about the benefits of prescribed fire and the education, training and support the North Dakota Prescribed Fire Cooperative can offer to private landowners interested in burning.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Mike Sedlacek and Gage Muench, Department district wardens, about the process of becoming a warden, the atypical, but rewarding work life it provides and the upcoming testing dates to join this team of elite conservationists.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Trace Armstrong, owner of Tall Tines Taxidermy, and lucky winner of the 2023 North American Game Warden Museum moose tag raffle, about his once-in-a-lifetime (maybe twice if his luck keeps up) hunt for a record-breaking velvet moose with his bow.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Paul Bailey, the Department's south central district fisheries supervisor, about North Dakota's state fish, the northern pike, results from a study the Department did on trophy pike utilization in the Missouri River System and some tips for targeting these toothy sportfish this ice fishing season.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Ron Wilson, North Dakota OUTDOORS editor, about the history of the Department's magazine and trends from the past and present. Plus, we wander down a few squirrel trails, too.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Scott Peterson, Department deputy director, about the upcoming fall advisory board meetings, this year's slate of topics and a few humorous tales from a long career of attending these meetings.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Kevin Kading, Department private land section leader, and Jens Johnson, Department private land biologist, about the Private Land Open to Sportsmen program, what it takes to go from a phone call to pounding a PLOTS sign into the ground and commonly asked questions about accessing these lands.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Dr. Morgan Dallman and Dr. Carolyn Woodruff, owners of Knife River Veterinary Clinic, about the many hazards our four-legged companions face in the field, hunting dog preventative care, first-aid and stories from their many years of vet care and hunting.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Congressman Kelly Armstrong, a Dickinson native, about his passion for the outdoors, some of the policy that impacts our beloved natural resources in the state and how Cayla forgot to hit record the first time around.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Dr. Charlie Bahnson, the Department's wildlife veterinarian, about the updated CWD proclamation and management plan, the importance of hunter participation in surveillance and the many thoughtful conversations that went into these decisions.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Scott Winkelman, Department chief game warden, and John Bradley, executive director of North Dakota Wildlife Federation, about the Report All Poachers program, the upcoming RAP auction and the diligent work of our wardens to protect the people's wildlife

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Brian Hosek, Department business operations manager, about the deer gun lottery, how it works, how to sign up for Casey alerts and the critical role habitat plays in all of this

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Emily Spolyar, Pheasants Forever North Dakota state coordinator about Pheasants Forever's mission and initiatives, their team and chapters in the state, how to get involved and the first pheasant brood sightings of the season.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Department advisory board landowner representatives, Cody Sand and Beau Wisness, about what the advisory board even is, what they've learned about the Department since starting their terms and Cody's impressive Snapchat streak.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Department conservation biologists, Elisha Mueller and Patrick Isakson about the State Wildlife Action Plan, how it's developed, its purpose and impact on North Dakota and the conservation section's infamous reputation for top notch treats.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Scott Gangl, Department fisheries management section leader, and Bob Frohlich, Department fisheries development supervisor, about what it takes to develop and maintain a fishery, the critical role local partnerships play and perhaps most importantly, how we name a lake.

In this episode of NDO Podcast we visit with Department big game biologists, Bruce Stillings and Jason Smith about using aerial surveys to manage big game populations in the state, how these surveys are conducted, and how grueling, and sometimes dangerous, this work can be.