Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Staff Writer Natalie Ryder begin the program with her recapping the special session and how issues like the shotgun zone and continuous bass season wrapped up. Then Captain Adam Block from DNR Enforcement explains how the new boating operator’s permit will unfold for Minnesotans beginning July 1. Lake Detective Steve McComas jumps in to share insight into what’s happening on state lakes this spring/early summer. As usual, Tim Lesmeister and Drieslein wrap up the show with multiple topics including U.S. Senate language affecting the Boundary Waters watershed, state elk tags, and the questionable idea of stocking sturgeon in Lake Minnetonka.

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Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman begin the program talking about the successful 2025 turkey hunting season in Minnesota plus the multitude of outdoors policy changes likely emerging from the State Capitol this year. Then Steve Heiting joins the program to offer some early season muskie fishing tactics. Sharon “Birdchick” Stiteler calls in to share a fun story about her recent adoption of a sled dog from Denali National Park in Alaska. Tim Lesmeister helps Rob wrap up the program with talk on the likely addition of a continuous bass season in Minnesota, plus recurring “whack-a-mole” threats to public lands in the U.S. Congress.

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Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman begin the program with chatter on the status of pheasant nesting season, plus buckthorn rants and another recent black bear encounter for Tim. Then Stan Tekiela visits for the second straight week to offer some nongame nature talk. Joel Pedersen, the CEO and president from Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, visits to discuss the recent decision in the U.S. House to drop language that would have sold off a half million acres of federal public lands. Tim Lesmeister and Rob talk Alaska fishing plus a new wildlife management area in northwestern Minnesota, and the power sportsmen and women wield in the U.S.

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Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman start by discussing the Minnesota DNR’s new multi-million-dollar airplane and camera system, then Backyard and Beyond columnist Stan Tekiela jumps into the broadcast to talk about spring warbler migration and his photography trip to Arizona. Craig Prudhomme then jumps into the show to talk about rock hunting for Minnesota’s state gemstone, the Lake Superior agate. Tim Lesmeister helps wrap up the show with Memorial Day Weekend tips for catching largemouth and smallmouth on the catch-and-keep bass opener.

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Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman recap the 2025 Minnesota fishing opener plus talk fire danger in north country. Tony Peterson then joins Rob for a robust discussion on late-season wild turkey hunting tactics. General Manager from Bass Pro’s new store in Duluth, Joe Thompson, previews the store’s big “Evening of Conservation” grand opener for next Wednesday, May 21. Then Tim Lesmeister and Drieslein recap last week’s public lands rally at the State Capitol and talk about the big black bear story in Florida.

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Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman start the show with a Minnesota walleye opener preview, plus a breakdown (already!) on how waterfowl seasons will unfold this year. Then Sharon Stiteler, the Birdchick, drops in to talk spring migration. Linda Bylander joins the show to talk about her retirement as the Minnesota Becoming an Outdoors Woman coordinator, then Tim Lesmeister helps wrap up the show with discussions on the new NRA President Bill Bachenberg, and overblown worries about black bears in northeast Iowa.

The post Episode 539 – Fishing opener, birdwatching, outdoors women programs, Iowa bears, new NRA president appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman start the show with an update on the Minnesota turkey season, plus a legislative update. Then Ron Schara offers some mid-season turkey hunting tips and makes a pitch for MN-Fish and its spring auction. Rapala pro Tony Roach then drops in with tips and tactics for the May 10 Minnesota inland waters walleye opener. Tim Lesmeister and Drieslein wrap up the show talking opener tips and the hen mallard cam formerly known as the Eagle Cam.

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Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman talk spring wild turkey hunting 2025, then unveil the recipient of the 2025 Minnesota Outdoor News Person of the Year Award. Then Brian “Bro” Brosdahl joins the conversation to talk spring crappie fishing locations and tactics. Andre Hafs, a professor at Bemidji State University, stops by to outline his plans for the big muskie research study kicking off soon on Leech Lake. Tim Lesmeister helps Drieslein wrap up the show with chatter on sea lampreys, and they remember outdoors writer Scott Bestul who died on April 19.

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Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman begin the broadcast remembering water conservation and trout advocate Jeff Broberg, who passed on Saturday, April 12. Then university professor and frequent contributor Bob Zink jumps into the program to offer his opinion on whether a Texas-based business actually cloned dire wolves. Cory Goldsworthy from Minnesota DNR Fisheries then offers some precise insight on the recent discovery of coaster brook trout spawning on the lake bed of Lake Superior along Minnesota’s North Shore. Tim Lesmeister and Rob wrap up the show with chatter on the turkey opener and Mississippi River spring walleye and sauger fishing.

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Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman talk about the recent find of spawning coaster brook trout in Lake Superior, plus they remember famed Minnesota wildlife photographer Jim Brandenburg. Then John Lenczewski from Minnesota Trout Unlimited joins the program to offer some tips for the Saturday, April 12 trout opener. Longtime friend of Outdoor News Mark Strand then visits to preview the April 16th opener of the first 2025 spring Minnesota wild turkey season. Tim Lesmeister helps Rob wrap up the show with some talk of the big, dire wolf, so-called de-extinction story that hit this week.

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