The Army Corps of Engineers has released a draft for the 2008-09 Annual Operating Plan for the Missouri River. Bismarck will host one of six scheduled public meetings in October. That meeting is set at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Ramkota.

Something happened on the way to another long, dry season for the Missouri River System: Mother Nature smiled in her own quirky way, flooding the southern basin, spewing localized rainstorms and teasing us with mountain snowfall. As a result, moisture flowed into the river system.

Most hunters are aware of bird bands. Those most familiar are the metallic leg bands on ducks and geese. The band will typically include instructions for reporting identifying numbers or letters related to the organization doing the research.

The Bismarck-Mandan Rifle & Pistol Association will hold a Last Chance Deer Rifle Sight-In Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 3 to make up for the rainy, cold weather on its original weekend.

DICKINSON, N.D. _ We hadn't even hit the water, and already, this was turning into a memorable fishing trip _ in the very best sense of the word.