Submitted Photo The spring snow goose migration is a sign that spring is on the way. Photo by Ashley Peterson, NDGF.

There’s something about spring in North Dakota that’s different. The way it stretches out like an old neighbor coming over to visit after a long, harsh winter. As much as we love our winters (and yes, some of us do), there’s no denying the anticipation we feel as the days grow longer and the air warms. Spring may not announce itself with loud fanfare here, but its arrival is no less significant. It’s a slow and steady process, a dance of nature unfolding over weeks, if not months.

For many of us who spend time outdoors, whether it’s hunting, fishing, or simply walking the land, the true meaning of spring isn’t just about the temperature rising. It’s a delicate combination of all the sights, sounds, and smells that have been dormant all winter. In North Dakota, it’s a full sensory experience.

The first signs are subtle. Perhaps it’s the trickle of a creek that’s just begun to thaw, or the soft rustling of trees, still mostly bare, but beginning to whisper with the wind. A few weeks ago, I was looking over a field near my home, still frozen in its winter coat, when I spotted the first sign of green – a small patch of grass emerging from the thawing earth. I couldn’t help but smile; it’s always amazing to witness life returning from what seemed like an endless sleep. It reminds us that even the harshest winters cannot keep nature down for long.

Of course, the calendar doesn’t always align with what we experience in the field. March may officially mark the beginning of spring, but it’s not always an immediate shift. I’ve seen snowstorms in April and even May. But that’s part of the elusiveness of spring in North Dakota, the unpredictability. The days may be sunny and warm one moment, and then the wind shifts and the temperatures plummet and snow is on the ground – again. But we’re used to it. We roll with the punches.

Even as the temperatures fluctuate, there are moments that signal to us that winter’s hold is loosening. The longer days are the first unmistakable sign of change. Daylight stretches into the evening, and suddenly there’s more time to enjoy the outdoors, even if you’re bundled up a little bit longer than you’d like. And while we wait for the final melt of the snow, we begin to hear the birds returning. Robins, red-winged blackbirds, and Canada geese and snow geese are among the first to arrive. These birds are a herald of things to come – warmer weather, longer nights, and the promise of summer.

For those of us who are sportsmen, spring is especially exciting. With the thaw comes the reopening of rivers and lakes to fishing. There’s something almost sacred about the first fishing trip of the year. The sound of your line cutting through the air, the anticipation of that first bite, and the quiet solitude of being out on the water. It’s an opportunity to reconnect, not just with nature, but with our own sense of peace that sometimes gets covered during the frozen months.

Spring is also a time for reflection. After months of snow, ice and cold winds, it’s easy to forget just how beautiful the prairie landscape can be when it comes alive again. The sight of the sun glinting off newly thawed ponds, the scent of earth as the snow melts away, the soft buzz of insects returning. It all serves as a reminder of the resilience of life.

Even as we welcome these signs of spring, we know that in North Dakota we are never fully safe from one last snowstorm, one last cold snap. But that’s the beauty of it, isn’t it? Spring here isn’t a simple arrival, it’s a journey, and one that teaches patience and perseverance. It’s not about the calendar date, but about paying attention to the subtle, beautiful changes all around us.

As we venture into spring, let’s remember that this season isn’t just about the end of winter. It’s about the beginning of something new. Here, spring isn’t just a season, it’s a reminder of the quiet power of nature, and how it always finds a way to bloom, even after the harshest winters.

So, let’s take a deep breath, enjoy the melting snow, and keep an eye on the horizon. Because in North Dakota, spring may take its time, but when it finally arrives, it’s worth every second of the wait.