Malea Bates

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - Pheasant crowing counts are up in North Dakota. The number of roosters heard during the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s spring pheasant crowing county survey is up 9% statewide from last year. “Overwinter survival of adult pheasants has been outstanding. Typically, we lose up to 75% of our pheasant population each winter, but that has not been the case as of late,” said RJ Gross, upland game management biologist with Game and Fish.

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - After 42 seasons in 43 years, Papa’s Pumpkin Patch is passing the baton. Family ownership is working with Grandpa Al’s Hayrides as a new steward to continue offering the Bismarck-Mandan area a community pumpkin patch and fall harvest festival. Papa’s began a relationship with Grandpa’s Al’s Hayrides over 30 years ago. Papa’s Pumpkin Patch is scheduled for this season from Sept. 12 through Oct. 25 at its new location, 4205 Burnt Creek Loop, Bismarck.

SMISHEK LAKE, N.D. (KFYR) - The North Dakota Game and Fish Department plans to head to Smishek Lake to eradicate the remaining zebra mussel population. The department will do three treatment applications starting mid-May and continuing into June. The lake will remain open for public recreation, but the ramp will be closed. More information will be on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s ANS webpage.