Minnesota Outdoor News Radio

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.

The post Episode 543 – Capitol rundown, muskie tactics, ranger-and-dog reunion, public lands whack-a-mole appeared first on Outdoor News.

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.

The post Episode 542 – New Minnesota WMA, pheasant chicks, Joel Pedersen from TRCP, public lands victory appeared first on Outdoor News.

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.

The post Episode 541 – New DNR aircraft, nature talk with Stan Tekiela, Lake Superior agates, bass opener appeared first on Outdoor News.

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.

The post Episode 540 – Fishing opener recap, turkey talk with Tony Peterson, new Bass Pro store in Duluth appeared first on Outdoor News.

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.

The post Episode 538 – Turkey season, Ron Schara turkey tips, Tony Roach on fishing opener, hen mallard cam appeared first on Outdoor News.

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.

The post Episode 537 – Turkey update, ODN Man of the Year, crappie, muskie study, remembering Scott Bestul appeared first on Outdoor News.

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.

The post Episode 536 – Remembering Jeff Broberg, dire wolf drama, coaster brookies, spring wild turkey opener appeared first on Outdoor News.

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.

The post Episode 535 – Coaster brookies spawning, remembering Jim Brandenburg, trout, turkeys, dire wolf appeared first on Outdoor News.

In the midst of additional tariffs drama, Canada announced last week that it will not be charging Americans with a tariff tax at the border this year. Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman break it down. Then Wisconsin Outdoor News Editor Dean Bortz jumps into the show to preview the Conservation Congress spring hearings in the Badger State, plus likely changes coming to the state’s deer management units. New Minnesota Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Chair Chance Adams of Bemidji then introduces himself to listeners during a full segment. Tim Lesmeister helps wrap up the show with discussion on fishing issues that came up at the recent MN-FISH Summit, plus some federal public lands controversies.

The post Episode 534 – Canada tariffs update, Wisconsin spring hearings, new Minn BHA chair, MN-FISH Summit appeared first on Outdoor News.