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Survival 101: A compass is useless if left in the truck

For years, my father has given me compasses as gifts: pin on compasses, technical palm compasses, even a small, easy-to-carry neon blue compass with a built-in survival whistle. Other than...

outdoors Wed, Sep 21, 2011 - 12:00am

Shorebirds, consisting of a few different species near West Fargo recently, ably illustrate the flocking behavior of birds once past the breeding season. Keith Corliss / Forum Communications Co.

Flight Lines: Characteristics differ among fall bird tendencies

Consider the topic areas below simplistic. Species of different stripes tend to be scattered all over the chart when it comes to characteristics and shun sweeping generalizations. Still, at the...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Sep 14, 2011 - 12:00am

Remy, the author's German wirehaired pointer, wears a protective cone to keep him from licking an incision caused by a recent surgery to remove pieces of a tube sock from his stomach and intestine. Tyler Shoberg / West Fargo Pioneer

Some very inopportune dog owner heartbreak

Devastated, crushed, completely demoralized; pick an adjective to describe pure melancholy and it probably fits the bill. "He'll be laid up six weeks," the veterinarian said, "minimum." By my rudimentary...

outdoors Wed, Sep 07, 2011 - 12:00am

This cicada--likely one of the annual Tibicen species--was recently seen in Red Wing, Minn. Keith Corliss / Forum Communications Co.

Flight Lines: Noise maker lives most of life underground, emergence tied to warm summer days

The first time I remember hearing it was in 1983 while living in Columbus, Miss. By the time summer arrived, things were as hot and sticky as this North Dakota...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Aug 31, 2011 - 12:00am

Kelly Slough Chapter Chairman Matt Vanderpan uses a decoy to explain the characteristics of a hen wood duck. Submitted photo

Open Season: Delta Waterfowl event puts focus on youth

"It's going to be fun, you should come up," said Matt Vanderpan, Chairman of Delta Waterfowl's Kelly Slough Chapter in Grand Forks and an unabashed outdoors nut. I pondered the...

outdoors Wed, Aug 24, 2011 - 12:00am

Every organism requires certain conditions from its habitat, including this six-spotted tiger beetle (Cicindela sexguttata). Keith Corliss / Forum Communications Co.

Flight Lines: When it comes to the outdoors, it's all habitat

Years ago I tried looking for Baird's sparrow in Cass County. I knew this sought-after songbird was a grassland specialist and, well, there's grass in Cass County isn't there? Little...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Aug 17, 2011 - 12:00am

The author catches a surprise while fishing during a family vacation on Minnesota' Lake Vermilion. He's smiling here, but rest assured, the novelty of the occurance faded quickly. Forum Communications Co.

Open Season: Mystery menace more than mildly malicious

Apparently they're delicious. Boiling them in a big pot with some choice seasonings and spices can be darn near heavenly. Or so I've been told. I wasn't really thinking with...

outdoors Wed, Aug 10, 2011 - 12:00am

N.D. G&F Notebook: Third lottery deer application deadline today

Deer hunters interested in applying for a first, second, third or fourth license have to submit a third lottery application no later than today. Successful applicants in the first lottery...

outdoors Wed, Aug 10, 2011 - 12:00am

A grasshopper sparrow sings its primary song from an exposed perch near the landfill. This grassy area is getting more quiet as August advances. Keith Corliss / Forum Communications Co.

Songbird vocalizations unique to each species

Just last weekend I found myself in the cell phone parking lot at Fargo's Hector Airport waiting for family members to return from a brief trip. It was a pleasant...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Aug 03, 2011 - 12:00am

Andrew Thill of Fargo hoists one of several largemouth bass caught during an excursion to a secluded lake near Detroit Lakes, Minn., in early July. Tyler Shoberg / West Fargo Pioneer

Open Season: Bona fide bass bonanza

After we'd caught a dozen bass or so, the morning undoubtedly was a success. By the 24th, the day was a bit beyond successful. But when the 50th bass was...

outdoors Wed, Jul 27, 2011 - 12:00am

N.D. G&F Notebook: Eight-bird limit proposed for early goose hunting season

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is recommending a bag limit increase for the early Canada goose season. The annual small game proclamation, which includes early Canada goose regulations,...

outdoors Wed, Jul 27, 2011 - 12:00am

An American goldfinch takes a bath and reveals little evidence of what was once a broad white wingbar. Having molted its wings late last year, it's now worn very thin. Keith Corliss

An introduction to the complexities of molt

If you hang around the bird-watching hobby long enough there are a number of themes which you will find unavoidable. As much as you want to just sit there with...

outdoors Wed, Jul 20, 2011 - 8:43am

Cream cheese and jalapeno stuffed sharp-tailed grouse is a perfect summer dish to grill. Tyler Shoberg / West Fargo Pioneer

Open Season: Success of fall hunts best enjoyed on summer grills

It's hot out. I loathe hotness. The thermometer reads 89 degrees Fahrenheit, and the mercury is rising. Beads of sweat condense and drip off the dark brown glass of a...

outdoors Wed, Jul 13, 2011 - 12:00am

How is it possible to mistake this great egret for a small perching bird like a loggerhead shrike? It happens. Keith Corliss / Forum Communications Co.

Flight Lines: Pitfalls of perception and expectations

Reality can be an elusive thing, or at least our perception of it. I'm no psychologist but I am well aware that what we think we see or hear might...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Jul 06, 2011 - 12:00am

The author's father, Bret Shoberg, and dog, Remy, fish on Ottertail Lake in central Minnesota during an outing in early June. Tyler Shoberg / West Fargo Pioneer

Open Season: Summer is finally here; right time to hit the lakes

"I don't even remember what a bite feels like," I grumbled, as we trolled along one of Ottertail Lake's numerous drop-offs. "This is ridiculous." "Oh, shut up," my wife, Erin,...

outdoors Wed, Jun 29, 2011 - 12:00am

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