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News Releases

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

News Releases

2019 Waterfowl Season

North Dakota’s 2019 waterfowl season opens for North Dakota residents Sept. 21, while nonresidents may begin hunting waterfowl Sept. 28.

The season for swans opens Sept. 28 for both residents and nonresidents who have purchased a swan license.

Hunters may take six ducks per day with the following restrictions: five mallards of which two may be hens, three wood ducks, three scaup, two redheads, two canvasbacks and one pintail. Hunters can take an additional two blue-winged teal from Sept. 21 through Oct. 6. The daily limit of five mergansers may include no more than two hooded mergansers. For ducks and mergansers, the possession limit is three times the daily limit.

The hunting season for Canada geese will close Dec. 16 in the eastern zone, Dec. 21 in the western zone and Dec. 27 in the Missouri River zone. The season for whitefronts closes Dec. 1, while the season on light geese is open through Dec. 29.

Shooting hours for all geese are one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. each day through Nov. 2. Beginning Nov. 3, shooting hours are extended until 2 p.m. each day.

Extended shooting hours for all geese are permitted from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset on Saturdays and Wednesdays through Nov. 26, and on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays from Nov. 27 through the end of each season. 

The bag limit for Canada geese during the regular season is eight daily and 24 in possession, except in the Missouri River zone where the limit is five daily and 15 in possession.

The daily limit on whitefronts is three with nine in possession, and light goose is 50 daily, with no possession limit.

In accordance with state law, nonresidents are not allowed to hunt on North Dakota Game and Fish Department wildlife management areas or conservation PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) areas from Oct. 12-18.

Hunters who do not HIP certify when they buy a North Dakota license, can add it through the Game and Fish website at gf.nd.gov, or by calling 888-634-4798 and recording the HIP number on their printed license. Those who registered to hunt North Dakota’s spring light goose season or August Management Take/Early September Canada goose season do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required in each state only once per year.

Hunters should refer to the North Dakota 2019-20 Hunting and Trapping Guide for further details on the waterfowl season.

 

Trap League, Shooting Range Grant Deadline

The deadline for clubs or communities interested in submitting an application to receive a grant to help support a local high school trap team, or for firearm and shooting ranges, is Oct. 1.

North Dakota Game and Fish Department education section leader Marty Egeland said the grant to support North Dakota high school trap teams are for infrastructure to support youth shooting.

“For example, this grant is intended to be used for trap throwers, trap houses, sidewalks and voice pulls,” Egeland said.

Firearm and shooting range grants can be used on projects that provide free public access, storage buildings, or on such items as berms, benches, target hangers and throwers.

“This grant encompasses any type of shooting range, with priority given to certain projects that you can find on the application,” Egeland said.

Interested applicants can print out the grant application online at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.

For more information, contact Egeland at 328-6300, or email megeland@nd.gov.

Game and Fish Allocates Five Bighorn Sheep Licenses

The Game and Fish Department is allocating five bighorn sheep licenses for the 2019 hunting season, two more than last year.

Three licenses are issued in unit B1 and a portion of B3, and one license is valid for units B3 and B4. Also, one license, as authorized under North Dakota Century Code, was auctioned in March by the Midwest Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation, from which all proceeds are used to enhance bighorn sheep management in North Dakota.

The number of once-in-a-lifetime licenses allotted to hunters is based on data collected from the Game and Fish Department's summer population survey. Brett Wiedmann, big game management biologist in Dickinson, said results showed a 10 percent decline in ram numbers from 2018, with the population dominated by young rams.

"Our objective this hunting season is to reduce the number of rams in the southern badlands, to lessen the risk of transmitting disease to the northern population," Wiedmann said, while mentioning the concern is the ongoing effects of the bacterial pneumonia outbreak that was first detected in 2014, which resulted in a loss of 15-20% of the adult population. "Moving forward, our intention is to have the southern badlands wild sheep herd as a discussion item during our fall district advisory board meetings."

Wiedmann noted there are more than 300 bighorn sheep north of Interstate 94, but only 20 south of the interstate.

Game and Fish announced in February the status of the bighorn sheep hunting season would be determined after completion of the summer population survey. Now that the survey is complete, the bighorn lottery was held and successful applicants have been notified.

Prospective hunters were required to apply for a bighorn license earlier this year on the bighorn sheep, moose and elk application. A record 15,518 applicants applied for bighorn sheep.

 

Moose in Grand Forks Relocated West of City

A moose that found its way into Memorial Stadium on the campus of the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks was immobilized Sept. 3 by campus police and officials from the Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton. The adult cow was then moved to a rural area approximately 5.5 miles west of the city.

North Dakota Game and Fish Department wildlife chief Jeb Williams said immobilization and relocation efforts were not recommended by the department due to the possibility of consumption and associated health hazard to humans.

“Conversations are ongoing with all parties to prevent this situation from occurring in the future,” Williams said. “While the moose was safely relocated and released back into its natural environment, the anesthetic drug and antibiotics used in this situation present a hazard to anyone consuming this meat as the withdrawal time for both drugs goes well into the archery hunting season.”

The archery season for moose opens Sept. 6 and runs through Sept. 29. The regular season begins Oct. 11 and continues through Nov. 3. A total of 20 any-moose licenses were issued in units M5 and M6, which are divided by U.S. Highway 2. The eastern boundary of M9, which includes 45 any and 75 antlerless licenses, is N.D. Highway 1, which is farther west of where the animal was relocated.

The anesthetic drug that was used is not labeled as FDA approved for human consumption, and research recommends a minimum 14-day withdrawal period. Williams said the antibiotic has a label recommendation of a 28-day withdrawal time before the meat should be consumed.

“We acknowledge that tranquilizing and relocating moose back to the wild is a popular choice with the public,” Williams said. “But in certain situations, it is not the most responsible solution. Our agency takes the use of drugs and the recommended withdrawal period very seriously, because we do not want to put hunters and others at risk due to our actions. This is simply a liability we are not willing to assume.”

Game and Fish deems it necessary to make the public aware of this concern, especially hunters and motorists. State law allows motorists who may experience a vehicle/moose collision to receive a permit to possess the animal.

“If a hunter or motorist encounters this type of a situation, we ask that you contact the department for more information and recommendations for consumption,” Williams said, while mentioning it is hard to determine whether the cow will stay in the area where it was relocated.

Youth, Military Waterfowl Weekend is Sept. 14-15

North Dakota’s two-day youth waterfowl and special veteran and active military personnel waterfowl weekend is Sept. 14-15.

Legally licensed resident and nonresident youth waterfowl hunters age 15 and younger, and veterans and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training), may hunt ducks, geese, coots and mergansers statewide.

The daily bag limit and species restrictions are the same as for regular duck and goose seasons. Exception: the additional two blue-winged teal allowed during the first 16 days of the regular season are not allowed during this weekend.

Resident and qualifying nonresident youth waterfowl hunters must possess a general game and habitat license. Nonresidents from states that do not provide a reciprocal licensing agreement for North Dakota residents must purchase the entire nonresident waterfowl license package.

Veterans and members of the Armed Forces must possess a resident hunting license, which includes a general game and habitat license, and a small game license. 

Hunters age 16 and older must also possess a federal waterfowl stamp.

In addition, all hunters must be Harvest Information Program certified, and youth ages 12 and older need to have passed a certified hunter education course.

Hunters who do not HIP certify when they buy a North Dakota license, can add it by visiting the state Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov, or by calling 888-634-4798 and recording the HIP number on their printed license.

Deer Season for Young Hunters Opens Sept. 13

Friday, Sept. 13 at noon Central Time signals the start of a nine-and-a-half-day deer hunting season for youth, and hunters are reminded that a 2019 general game and habitat license must be purchased before the state Game and Fish Department mails the youth deer license.

Hunters are encouraged to purchase the required license early, since it takes a couple of days to receive the deer license in the mail.

Licensed residents who turn age 11, 12 or 13 in 2019, are allowed to hunt statewide, but only for antlerless white-tailed deer.

Resident deer gun hunters who turn age 14 or 15 in 2019, with a “youth season” license, can hunt statewide for any deer, except a special license is required to hunt antlered mule deer in units 3B1, 3B2, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 4F (valid only in the unit printed on the license).

After opening day, hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Solid daylight fluorescent orange vests or coats, and hats, are required for all young hunters and their adult mentors.

Each youth deer hunter must be under direct supervision of an adult while in the field. The adult is prohibited from carrying a firearm or bow while accompanying the youth hunter during the youth season.

The youth deer season closes Sunday, Sept. 22.

Sandhill Crane Season Opens Sept. 14

North Dakota’s sandhill crane season opens Sept. 14 and runs through Nov. 10.

Limits are three daily and nine in possession in unit 1 (west of U.S. Highway 281), and two daily and six in possession in unit 2 (east of U.S. Highway 281). Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. each day through Nov. 2. Beginning Nov. 3, shooting hours are extended until 2 p.m. each day.

Hunters are urged to use caution and identify birds to prevent shooting at whooping cranes as they begin their fall migration.

In addition to other licenses required, resident hunters need a $10 crane permit, while nonresidents need a $30 permit. Hunters can buy a license online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.

Harvest Information Program certification is required. To get HIP certified, access the Department’s website, or call 888-634-4798.

 

Bowhunters in Williston Area Asked to Help with CWD Surveillance

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is asking bowhunters who harvest a deer in gun hunting units 3A1 and 3B1 to help the department’s chronic wasting disease surveillance efforts by submitting the head of their animal for testing.

Heads may be dropped off in freezers located at the Game and Fish district office in Williston, and at the Divide County sheriff’s office in Crosby (north side of building). Hunters wishing to keep the head may have it sampled at the Williston office during business hours. Taxidermists in Williston are also assisting in the effort by saving heads throughout the season.

Instructions and information are posted at the drop-off sites. Test results will be provided to hunters within 2-3 weeks. Additional drop-off sites will be available throughout the region during the deer gun season in November.

CWD is a fatal disease of deer, moose and elk that can cause long-term population declines if left unchecked. Annual surveillance for CWD is critical for determining the spread of the disease and if management actions have been effective.

More information on CWD, including information about testing, is available at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.

 

Grouse and Partridge Seasons Open Sept. 14

North Dakota’s popular hunting seasons for grouse and partridge will open Saturday, Sept. 14.

Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Sharptails, ruffed grouse and Huns each have a daily limit of three and a possession limit of 12.

All hunters, regardless of age, must have a general game and habitat license. In addition, hunters age 16 and older need a small game license.

Hunters are urged to keep up with the daily rural fire danger index, issued by the National Weather Service, to alert the public to conditions that may be conducive to accidental starting or spread of fires. County governments also have the authority to adopt penalties for violations of county restrictions related to burning bans. These restrictions apply regardless of the daily fire danger index, and remain in place until each county’s commission rescinds the ban. Information on current fire danger indexes is available through ndresponse.gov, or from a county sheriff’s office.

For further season information and regulations, hunters should consult the North Dakota 2019-20 Hunting and Trapping Guide. 

 

Hunters Reminded of Big Game Transport Rules

Big game hunters are reminded of requirements for transporting deer, elk and moose carcasses and carcass parts into and within North Dakota, as a precaution against the possible spread of chronic wasting disease.

Hunters are prohibited from transporting into or within North Dakota the whole carcass of deer, elk, moose or other members of the cervid family from states and provinces with documented occurrences of CWD in wild populations, or in captive cervids. 

In addition, hunters harvesting a white-tailed deer or mule deer from deer hunting units 3A1, 3B1 and 3F2, a moose from moose hunting unit M10, or an elk from elk hunting unit E6, cannot transport the whole carcass, including the head and spinal column, outside of the unit. However, hunters can transport the whole deer carcass between units 3A1 and 3B1 during any open deer season. 

The following lower-risk portions of the carcass can be transported:

  • Meat that has been boned out.
  • Quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached.
  • Meat that is cut and wrapped either commercially or privately.
  • Hides with no heads attached.
  • Skull plates with antlers attached having no hide or brain tissue present.
  • Intact skulls with the hide, eyes, lower jaw and associated soft tissue removed, and no visible brain or spinal cord tissue present
  • Antlers with no meat or tissue attached.
  • Upper canine teeth, also known as buglers, whistlers or ivories.
  • Finished taxidermy heads.

Hunters should also note that hunting big game over bait, or placing bait to attract big game for the purpose of hunting, is prohibited in deer units 3A1, 3A2, 3A3 north of U.S. Highway 2, 3B1, 3C west of the Missouri River, 3E1, 3E2, 3F1 and 3F2.

Dove Season Opens Sept. 1

North Dakota’s dove season opens statewide Sept. 1, and hunters are reminded to register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting.

The daily limit is 15 and possession limit is 45. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. The season is open through Nov. 29.

All dove hunters, regardless of age, must possess a general game and habitat license. In addition, hunters ages 16 and older need a small game license.

Hunters can HIP certify when purchasing a license - or by clicking the HIP Registration link - at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. In addition, hunters can call 888-634-4798 and record the HIP number on their printed license.

Those who registered to hunt the spring light goose or August Management Take/Early September Canada goose seasons in North Dakota do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required only once per year. However, hunters must HIP register in each state for which they are licensed before hunting migratory game birds.

 

New Waterfowl Book Available

Outdoor enthusiasts interested in North Dakota’s waterfowl will want to get their hands on the state Game and Fish Department’s new book, “The Duck Factory – A History of Waterfowl in North Dakota.”

Authored by Mike Jacobs and Erik Fritzell, the 213-page, soft-cover publication in full color traces the history of waterfowl species and their habitats in North Dakota.

Migratory game bird program leader Mike Szymanski said there is a lot of interesting information about the interactions with people and waterfowl in North Dakota.

“We wanted to make the book appealing to both waterfowl hunters and people interested in history, and I believe we did that,” Szymanski said. “The book is user-friendly and contains a ton of really cool, old photos of hunting scenes and historical figures.”

Szymanski and his predecessor, longtime Game and Fish waterfowl program leader Mike Johnson, worked with the authors and others to see the book to publication. 

“The Duck Factory” is an important story because of North Dakota’s longtime and continuing contribution to the world of migratory birds, Szymanski said. “North Dakota is the most important state for breeding ducks,” he added. “The contribution of ducks from North Dakota into the fall flight is unmatched by any other state, and its importance to duck hunters cannot be understated. Describing the history of waterfowl in North Dakota was a story that we felt was certainly worth telling.”

The book is sold only online for $24.99, including shipping, on the Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov, by clicking on Buy and Apply, and then Shop.