That a small herd of pronghorns was spotted hanging out near the Missouri River north of Bismarck on Thursday didn't surprise Bill Jensen, a big-game biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

"There are pronghorns east of the river," he said. "There are pronghorns up by Turtle Lake and the Washburn area and a little group south of Menoken. They are in a few small groups that move around."

Or the pronghorns may have crossed the ice that covers the Missouri River, Jensen added.

Although deer and many other animals don't like crossing ice because of the slippery footing, "if there is enough snow, and it's not too rough, they will try it," he explained.

Greg Wentz, of Bismarck, spotted the herd Wednesday and again Thursday morning, feeding in a corn field between Highway 1804 and the river near Burnt Creek Loop. He has lived in that area five winters, and it's the first time he has seen pronghorns hanging out. He counted about 20.

"They are never down this low or in cover. They usually are up where they are able to see their enemies far away," he said.

Jensen declined to speculate whether the 34-below-zero temperature reading as Bismarck's low influenced them.

If pronghorn find a place they like, they will stay, he added. Historically, the pronghorns' range extended to the Red River Valley.

"Their biggest problem is major highways and fences. If they can find a way around them, they can move a long ways," he said.

(Reach outdoor writer Richard Hinton at 250-8256 or richard.hinton@bismarcktribune.com.)