News and Updates

News Release Archives - May 2000

Becoming An Outdoors-Woman Workshop Set Aug. 18-20 (5/26/00) | Boat Accidents Must Be Reported (5/26/00) | Free Fishing Days June 3-4 (5/26/00) | Deer Regulations Set; Applications Available (5/19/00) | Fishing Great Across the State (5/19/00) | Tours Available at Game and Fish OWLS (5/19/00) | "Outdoors" Video Program Goes Net (5/19/00) | Safe Boating Week May 20-26 (5/12/00) | Outdoor Science Workshops Available for Teachers (5/12/00) | Department Offers Boating Basics Course (5/5/00) | Spring Mule Deer Survey Complete (5/5/00)

Becoming An Outdoors-Woman Workshop Set Aug. 18-20 (5/26/00)
Applications are being accepted for the sixth annual Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Workshop Aug. 18-20 at Lake Metigoshe State Park Bottineau. The cost is $120 with a registration deadline Aug. 1.Enrollment is limited to 100 participants. The workshop is directed at women at least 18 years old who want to learn more about outdoor activities program director for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Last year we had a lot of participants who had never been fishing or hunting," Boldt added. "Later in the fall, several women reported taking their first hunting trip. The workshop offers 18 different seminars than three hours. Sessions contain 45 minutes of lecture with the remainder dedicated to hands-on instruction. Each session has room for 12 women," Boldt said, "so each person gets a lot of help and technical assistance. Participants are limited to four sessions. Classes offered include basic fishing and hunting skills plant identification game. Participants will stay in dorms and must provide their own bedding and towels. All camp facilities are handicap accessible. Equipment will be provided unless noted in course description. To receive an information brochure and enrollment form contact Nancy Boldt at 701-328-6312. Workshop sponsors include North Dakota Parks and Recreation Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Rifle Association.

Boat Accidents Must Be Reported (5/26/00)
Boating accidents must be reported if they involve injury or disappearance of a person according to Wilmer Pich North Dakota Game and Fish Department. An accident report involving injury person must be submitted to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department within 48 hours of the occurrence. A boat operator has five days to file a report in cases where damage to property exceeds $500. Failure to report is a noncriminal offense punishable by a fee of $50.

Free Fishing Days June 3-4 (5/26/00)
North Dakota residents may fish without a license June 3-4for paddlefish. Paddlefish may not be taken without the appropriate tag and license because the North Dakota Game and Fish Department uses the licensing process to monitor the harvest of this species.

Deer Regulations Set; Applications Available (5/19/00)
North Dakota's 2000 deer regulations are set, resulting in only a few changes from last year. Licenses available for this fall's regular deer gun season total 88,350, an increase of 1,875 from 1999.

Applications are available from game and fish offices, county auditors and license vendors, or can be downloaded from the department's web site at http://gf.nd.gov//. Persons can apply by calling Instant Licensing at 1-800-406-6409. A credit card is required.

Deadline for submitting applications for regular deer gun, muzzleloader, gratis and youth antlered mule deer licenses is Wednesday, June 7. Mailed applications must be postmarked before midnight. Hand-delivered applications are due at the department's Bismarck office by 5 p.m. Applications should be mailed early because some post offices use the following day's postmark if received after office hours. Deadline for regular youth season applications is Sept. 1, 2000.

One noteworthy change allows antlerless permits for Unit 3C to be valid for the entire season for the portion of the unit east of the Missouri River and south of the Hazelton boat ramp. The north boundary follows the main gravel road east from the boat ramp to the junction of Highway's 34 and 83 in Hazelton. Those with antlerless permits wishing to hunt other portions of the unit are restricted to the split season dates designated on their permit. This change, according to Bill Jensen, big game biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, is proposed to help achieve deer population management goals for the southern part of the unit. "Hunter success has been gradually declining the last five years," Jensen said, "yet depredation problems have remained a concern in the southeastern portion of the unit."

Other changes for this fall's deer season are as follows:

• 3,650 mule deer licenses are available, an increase of 625 from 1999.
• Muzzleloader permits increased from 1,670 to 1,694. State law sets muzzleloader permits at two percent of total white-tailed deer permits.
• The designation recorded in the proclamation for the type of Youth Deer License has been changed to match the designations printed on the licenses. "H" tags are unlimited licenses valid statewide for any deer except antlered mule deer. "I" tags are limited in number and valid for any deer in units 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 3B1 and 3B2.
• Youth "I" licenses increased from 193 in 1999 to 215.
• Nonresident any-deer bow licenses dropped from 483 to 453. These licenses have all been issued for this year. State law limits these licenses to 15 percent of the previous year's total mule deer licenses.
• A special refuge permit will not be required to hunt deer on Audubon and Lostwood national wildlife refuges.

The regular deer gun season starts at noon Nov. 10 and runs through Nov. 26. The split season in units 2B and 3C are set as follows: early, Nov. 10 at noon through Nov. 16; and late, Nov. 17 at ½ hour before sunrise through Nov. 26. Muzzleloader season dates are noon Dec. 1 through Dec. 10. Youth deer season begins at noon Sept. 22 and continues through Oct. 1. Archery deer season begins noon Sept. 1 and continues through Dec. 31.

Fishing Great Across the State (5/19/00)
North Dakota is in the middle of a fantastic pike fishery. If you've ever wanted to do battle with the state fish, don't wait.

"Reports of a fish per cast have been coming in all spring," proclaimed Gene Van Eeckhout, fisheries biologist, Jamestown. "If you ever dreamed of catching fish until your arms ached, now is the time."

And pike aren't the only fish treating anglers right this season. The general consensus among North Dakota Game and Fish Department fisheries biologists is the 2000 North Dakota fishing season should provide anglers with some of the best opportunities the state has had, or possibly will have.

Mother Nature has provided North Dakota with exceptional water conditions for several years, and most fish species have responded accordingly. Good walleye opportunities can be found statewide. Yellow perch and especially northern pike populations are peaking.

Pike are most vulnerable to angling until mid-June. Many anglers catch-and-release pike because they don't like to handle or clean them. "If you haven't eaten pike for a while, give them a try," Van Eeckhout added. "Look past the mucous and the y-bones and take advantage of the fine eating quality of this species." Game and Fish provides a brochure on y-bone removal. Contact the Bismarck office for information.

The following information is provided by fisheries biologists, with season forecasts provided for each district. The North Dakota OUTDOORS April-May 2000 issue offers fishing prospects for 2000, broken down by region with lake-species information provided. Contact the department's Bismarck office for ordering information. This issue is also available on the department web site at http://gf.nd.gov//.

• Northwest "Fishing in the northwest this spring has generally been quite good," said Fred Ryckman, fisheries biologist, Williston, "and anglers are taking advantage of it."
  Pike fishing remains good, with upper Sakakawea and the Missouri backwaters near Williston containing many pike ranging from 12-20 pounds. Many lakes contain excellent pike opportunities, but have little fishing pressure. "Some lakes could stand more harvest and use," Ryckman said.
  uality walleye fishing can be found in many smaller lakes, with catch-and-release strongly encouraged in order to main a quality fishery.
  Panfish opportunities are also plentiful, Ryckman said. "There was no winterkill of fish anywhere in the northwest this past year," he added. "Overall, it looks to be a very good year."
• Northeast Fishing opportunities appear to be good, with high water levels still holding for most lakes, reports Lynn Schlueter, eastern fisheries supervisor, Devils Lake.
  Populations of northern pike and yellow perch at Devils Lake are good, as well as a high walleye population, with lots of small to mid-sized fish. "Devils Lake has been an excellent fishery," Schlueter added, "and the future looks just as promising."
  Some lakes, Schlueter noted, are nice to picnic at as well as fish. "In particular, families might want to spend a day at Brewer Lake, Larimore Dam, Turtle River, Belmount Park, Turtle Mountains and Lake Metigoshe." These lakes, according to Schlueter, have the compliment of pike and walleye.
• Southeast Fishing should be good to excellent in most lakes, according to Van Eeckhout.
  Northern pike are so abundant in some places that increased harvest is encouraged. Pike numbers are at record highs, not only in traditional district lakes, but in new water bodies as well, Van Eeckhout noted. "Don't be afraid to do a little prospecting," he added. "You might be surprised at the quantity and quality of the northern pike you catch from some unnamed lake."
  Walleye populations are also in very good shape around the district. Many years walleye haven't recovered from their spawning efforts in time to provide quality fishing early in the season. But this year is different, Van Eeckhout said, because of the early spring ice-out and warm weather in April and May. "The district office has received reports of walleye starting to bite," he added. "By Memorial Day, they should be fully recuperated and back on feed."
  Anglers should not overlook the panfish, Van Eeckhout suggested, as many lakes currently contain excellent populations of bluegill, crappie and yellow perch.
• Southwest Lakes in the southwest tend to be smaller on average and support excellent populations of bass, panfish and trout, reports Emil Berard, western district fisheries supervisor, Dickinson.
  "The larger, shallow lakes hold good fisheries for pike and panfish, while mid-sized reservoirs like Patterson, Bowman-Haley, and Heart Butte should provide excellent opportunities for walleye, pike and panfish," Berard said.
  Anglers are also reporting fair catfish, pike and walleye angling in the larger pools of major river systems, Berard noted. "Water levels are generally low which may impair shore angling due to early aquatic vegetation growth."
• Central There are many good pike lakes scattered throughout the central part of the state, mentioned Greg Power, central district fisheries supervisor, Bismarck. Among the lakes Power suggests include Buffalo Lodge, Long/Crooked, Cottonwood Lake in McHenry County and Rice Lake in Emmons County.
  Most anglers fishing the Missouri River/Lake Oahe section target walleye, and even though Oahe's fishing is still suffering from the lack of a rainbow smelt forage base, the size of walleye has improved somewhat and 2000 should provide a respectable year of fishing, according to Jeff Hendrickson, fisheries biologist, Riverdale. Northern pike fishing is good, especially this time of year.
  Trout and chinook salmon fishing in the Garrison Dam Tailrace should continue to be good through 2000, Hendrickson said.
  Lake Sakakawea is likely holding pike at record numbers. "We expect good fishing for northern pike," Hendrickson noted, "and the walleye population continues to be excellent."

Tours Available at Game and Fish OWLS (5/19/00)
Schools or groups seeking outdoor adventure need to look no further than the Outdoor Wildlife Learning Site located adjacent to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's Bismarck office.

"Kids really have a wonderful opportunity at the OWLS to learn the value of conserving wildlife habitat," said Jeb Williams, department outreach biologist. "Educating our youth is an important aspect of what we do."

The department's 80-acre OWLS site offers tremendous diversity. Habitats developed within the site range from the badlands of western North Dakota to the Prairie Pothole Region in central North Dakota. A stocked fishing pond is also a major feature. Other areas include native grass and wildflower displays, riparian corridors, nesting structures, beaver dam, animal track display, birding opportunities and block plantings of deciduous and conifer trees.

The overall goal of the OWLS program is to teach the youth of North Dakota about wildlife, the importance of habitat, and the connection between the two. Teachers and students may also take the idea of an outdoor classroom back to their school and build a site on school property. Game and Fish provides grants of $1,500 to schools that are approved for an OWLS.

The department has hired Paul Goicoechea, a student at the University of Mary, to coordinate and give summer tours on the OWLS for children 7 years of age or older. Tours are available Monday through Friday in the morning and early afternoon. If interested in scheduling a tour call Goicoechea at 328-6382.

The OWLS site is open to public use every day during daylight hours.

"Outdoors" Video Program Goes Net (5/19/00)
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is one of the first state conservation agencies to make its video productions available nationally - and internationally - over the internet.

"North Dakota Outdoors," the department's weekly two-minute television news feature, is now available via "video-streaming" directly into home, office, or school computers. Television stories on hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation, and wild animals appear in full-color and full-motion on any computer with an internet. "It's a great new way to access wild images and stories of North Dakota's natural resources," says Lex Hames, the show's producer and director. "The Game and Fish Department especially urges teachers and schools to use this opportunity to bring outdoor video programs into the classroom, to assist in teaching children about conservation and North Dakota's wildlife."

About 50 of the nearly 300 "North Dakota Outdoors" programs produced since 1995, featuring loons, Canada geese, duck hunters, sage grouse dancing, children fishing for the first time, and more, are posted on giant web servers that are a part of the Outdoor Broadcasting Inc. (OBC-TV) web site in Phoenix, Arizona. Eventually, all "North Dakota Outdoors" programs will be available over the internet.

To reach a "North Dakota Outdoors" program, tap into the North Dakota Game and Fish web site at gf.nd.gov//. Click on the words "TV News Program" under the banner that says "North Dakota Outdoors." You'll arrive at a list of programs. Pick the one you wish to view, and you're transported "off to the wild."

NOTE: Some viewers may be required to download the Windows media player. The programs are best viewed through Netscape 4.7 or Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher.

Viewers who have a broadband internet connection (300K or more) can view shows full-screen on their computer monitor. Viewers with a normal internet connection (100K or less) will choose the option that produces a three-inch by three-inch picture in the monitor screen.

"That still provides great viewing with full action and excellent sound," Hames noted. "By moving to the cutting edge of the internet and modern media, we can do an even better job of delivering a conservation message to North Dakotans. And with this new internet connection, we hope to promote an appreciation of North Dakota's 'wilds' across the country, and the world."

For more information on the video-streaming of "North Dakota Outdoors" programs, contact Lex Hames at 701-328-6618, or Mike Anderson at 701-328-6337.

Safe Boating Week May 20-26 (5/12/00)
"Boat Smart from the Start...Wear Your Life Jacket" is the theme for Safe Boating Week May 20-26, according to Wilmer Pich, boat and water safety coordinator for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Safe Boating Week is an annual week-long event emphasizing the need to wear a personal flotation device, more commonly called life jackets. Failure to wear a PFD, Pich noted, is the main reason people lose their lives in boating accidents. "A proper sized PFD, when worn correctly, is without a doubt the one thing that can make for a happy end to the day," Pich said.

Formerly known as National Safe Boating week, this year's campaign brings an international flavor as Canadian boating safety organizations join the efforts of the National Safe Boating Council, the National Association of Boating Law Administrators, U.S. Coast Guard and the National Water Safety Congress. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is also participating with a poster on hypothermia, the condition where your body loses heat faster than it produces.

Nationwide, Pich stated, boating fatalities in 1999 reached a near record low. "The bad news is that 734 people did lose their lives while going out for what should have been a pleasant day in a boat," he added. "Worse yet is the fact that almost 600 of those could be here today if they would have worn a PFD."

North Dakota law requires PFD's in the following circumstances:

• On watercraft less than 16 feet in length, one wearable PFD must be on board for each person.
• Anyone being towed on water skis, surfboard, or a similar device.
• No person may operate or permit the operation of a personal watercraft without each person on board wearing a PFD.
• On watercraft 16 feet or longer, there must be one wearable PFD for each person on board, and one throwable flotation device.
• It is unlawful for any person to operate or to be a passenger on any vessel less than 27 feet in length unless all persons 10 years of age or younger present on the vessel wear an appropriately sized and properly fastened Coast Guard approved PFD.

Boaters are reminded to test life jackets for serviceability and fit. All straps and buckles must be intact and there should be no rips or tears in the fabric. Test life jackets by wearing them in the water. A proper fitted life jacket should keep the wearer's face and mouth out of the water and enable him or her to float without effort.

North Dakota Game and Fish Department has partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the North Dakota Safety Council for several years presenting boat and water safety classes and other events such as "Kids In Boats" programs, displays, media spots, public service announcements, seminars, and classroom sessions to one-on-one discussion of safety topics.

To find out if a safety event is coming to your area or to get additional information on safe boating week contact the N.D. Game and Fish Department, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or the N.D. Safety Council.

Outdoor Science Workshops Available for Teachers (5/12/00)
Teachers who want to learn more about Outdoor Wildlife Learning Sites have two options for workshops this summer. Both workshops offer graduate credits, and provide activities for working with students in outdoor settings.

Turtle River State Park in Larimore is hosting one workshop June 5-8. Registration is $50. Two graduate credits for continuing education are available through the University of North Dakota for an additional $40.

A second workshop is July 17-18 at the West River Teacher Center in Dickinson. No registration fee is required. One graduate credit is available for $40 through Minot State University.

Participants will receive instruction on soils, water, range, trees and wildlife. "These workshops will provide teachers with hands-on learning opportunities available in an outdoor classroom," according to David Jensen, Project WILD coordinator, North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Teachers completing a workshop will receive the WILD and Aquatic manuals and have an opportunity to use training aids, including a 50-foot inflatable whale, and hands-on wildlife demonstration items, called a WILD box, containing various animal skins, skulls and wings.

Workshops are open to the first 50 registrants. To sign up or learn more about the workshops contact Jensen at 328-6322 or Faye Reile at 328-6302.

Workshop cooperators include the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Department Offers Boating Basics Course(5/5/00)
Youngsters between the ages of 12-15 are required to pass a Boating Basics course in order to operate a boat or personal watercraft by themselves, according to Wilmer J. Pich, boat and water safety coordinator for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

The course is free and available at the department's main office in Bismarck. Each year about this time, Pich said, the department receives many different questions about the boating course. Following are Pich's answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

Do I need to take the Boating Basics course? The course is required of youngsters 12-15 years of age who want to operate a motorboat by themselves propelled by a motor of more than 10 horsepower.

• How can I take the course? Most people take the course by the home-study method. Classroom courses are held periodically in various parts of the state, usually during the winter.
• Are the home-study and classroom courses the same? Yes, although the classroom has an instructor available to answer questions and uses training aids and videos. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to a class, so the home-study course is preferred. Many families take the course at home over the kitchen table. This allows for open discussions which hopefully make the entire family safe boaters.
• Is this course required by law? Yes, State Legislature passed the law requiring youngsters to take a boating safety course prior to operating motorboats in 1981. At that time personal watercraft were almost non-existent in North Dakota. Older boat operators such as anglers, sailboat owners and water-skiers were concerned about youngsters operating motorboats with 25-40 horsepower motors at that time. Now days it is hard to find motorboats in that category.
• Do I have to take the course if I want to operate a personal watercraft? Yes, personal watercrafts such as a Jetski, Wave Runner, Tiger Shark and Sea Doo are considered class A motorboats and have motors of more than 10 horsepower.
• My daughter is 11 years old. Does she have to take the course? All youngsters under 12 years of age must always be accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older if they wish to operate motorboats with motors of more than 10 horsepower.
• If a youngster passes the course can they operate a motorboat in another state? Yes, the course is approved by the Nation Association of Boating Law Administrators and recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard. However, some states have different age criteria. Thirty-nine states have minimum age requirements that range from 10-18 years of age. For example, Minnesota law covers ages 13-17 and South Dakota has a minimum age of 12 years for conventional boats and 14 years of age for personal watercraft operation. It is wise to contact the state regarding its laws prior to arrival.
• Can adults take the course? Yes, in fact, several years ago more adults took the course than youngsters. The major insurance companies give boat owners who pass the course a premium discount on their boat insurance.
• What can I expect to learn from the course? The course covers legal requirements, navigation rules, getting underway, accidents, and special topics. Each part has 2-5 chapters that elaborate on topics such as weather, rules of the road, laws, life saving and first aid.
• Will taking the course really make me a better boater? Yes, but common sense and common courtesy are still the most important attributes that any boater can have.
• How many people take the course? The Boating Basics course has more than 7,300 graduates. Not everyone passes the final examination, but those who put effort into studying the book do very well. Those who fail usually do so because they take the test without studying or do not attempt to look up the answers.

Spring Mule Deer Survey Complete (5/5/00)
North Dakota Game and Fish Department wildlife biologists completed the 2000 spring mule deer survey in April. The number of mule deer observed increased slightly compared to 1999, according to Mike Oehler, big game biologist.

Biologists observed 2,045 mule deer, an increase of 3.7 percent from last year. With one exception, Oehler noted, deer densities on management sub-units were not only greater compared to 1999, but also higher than the past 10-year average as well. "In general, our mule deer population is healthy and heading in the right direction," Oehler said.

Biologists surveyed 24 study areas totaling 291 square miles during the spring count. "Weather during this spring's survey was ideal," Oehler said.

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