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Nick Simonson

Double down for pheasants during opener in Minnesota

This year's pheasant opener was unique in a number of ways. It was the first time I had opened the season somewhere other than North Dakota, with kickoff usually held...

outdoors / outdoors Thu, Oct 22, 2009 - 12:00am

Reid Brandborg, Evansville, Minn., with a ringneck pheasant from southeastern North Dakota in 2005. Just a few years ago, populations on the fringes of the ringneck's range were the highest they've been in decades. Now, weather and other factors have resulted in lower populations across the region. Nick Simonson

Low pheasant numbers raise questions as to why counts are down

All signs point to a tougher pheasant season this year. Crowing counts and roadside observations show a general down trend in pheasant numbers throughout their range in the upper Midwest,...

outdoors Thu, Oct 08, 2009 - 10:46am

Journey to bow hunting, the shot that cannot be practiced

I had saved every check from writing these columns and all the money I had received from my birthday and holiday gifts in one of my favorite outdoor books. By...

outdoors Thu, Sep 24, 2009 - 12:00am

Aquatic Nuisance Species spreading causing problems

It's been a rough summer; I could be complaining about the weather, but that matter is trivial in comparison to the recent reports showing that aquatic invaders, commonly grouped under...

outdoors Thu, Sep 10, 2009 - 12:00am

The author's brother, Ben Simonson, with a 51-inch muskellunge from Big Detroit Lake, Minn., The fish was caught on a #12-bladed, 12-inch flashabou spinner. Burning big baits is a popular technique as muskies turn on in late summer. Upsize your offerings and crank up the speed to trigger fish this time of year. Submitted photo

August time for bulkier bats, aggressive tactics

Everything gets bigger in August - particularly the servings of food we encounter - 16-ounce T-bones are on sale and perfect for the grill. The block party barbeque is loaded...

outdoors Thu, Aug 13, 2009 - 12:00am

No kidding, it's time to prep for hunting

An annual joke between my wife and I begins round about Sunday on Memorial Day weekend, when I start telling her "summer is just about over." A quick glare or...

outdoors Thu, Jul 30, 2009 - 9:40am

The author's brother, Ben Simonson, targeted the multi-structure dock complex in the background for this nice largemouth on Big Detroit Lake, Minn. Submitted photo

Rock the docks with thrill of bass fishing

A great summer pastime for many people is the attendance of open air concerts, from a battle of the bands contest at the county fair, to the raucous campsite echo...

outdoors / outdoors Thu, Jul 16, 2009 - 12:00am