News and Updates

News Release Archives - March 2001

Spring Advisory Board Meetings Set | Bighorn Sheep Auction License Brings $39,000 | Snow Goose Cookbook Available at Game and Fish | New Furbearer License Needed April 1| New Fishing License Needed April 1 | Game and Fish Pays $358,000 in Property Taxes | Department Reports 2000 Moose, Elk and Bighorn Sheep Harvests | Bighorn Sheep, Elk and Moose Seasons Set; Applications Available | Sharp-tailed Grouse Observation Blinds to Open | Department Evaluates 2000 Deer Gun Season | North Dakota's 2001 Nonresident Any-deer Bow Tags Have All Been Issued

Spring Advisory Board Meetings Set (3/28/01)
Anglers, hunters, trappers, and landowners are invited to attend this spring's game and fish department advisory board meeting in their area. These public meetings, held twice each year, provide the public with the opportunity to discuss wildlife issues and ask questions of their district advisors and game and fish personnel.

There are eight game and fish department advisors, each representing a multi-county section of the state. The governor appoints them to four-year terms to serve as a liaison between the department and public.

District 1- Counties: Divide, McKenzie and Williams.
Date: May 1, 7 p.m.
Location: Watford City Hall.
Host: McKenzie Co. Pheasants Forever.
Contact: Mark Spravzoff, 842-4609.
Advisor: Kurt Hovet, Watford City, 842-2531.

District 2- Counties: Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville, Ward.
Date: May 2, 7 p.m.
Location: Burke Central School, Lignite.
Host: Burke Co. Sportsman Club.
Contact: Laurie Christ, 933-2524.
Advisor: Gary Melby, Bowbells, 377-2803.

District 3 - Counties: Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette, Towner.
Date: April 23, 7 p.m.
Location: FSA/Bremer Bank building basement,
Main St. and B. Ave. (so. entrance), Minnewaukan.
Host: Minnewaukan Community Club.
Contact: Cathy Nord, 473-5419.
Advisor: Barbara Ash, Devils Lake, 662-3989.

District 4 - Counties: Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina Walsh.
Date: April 24, 7 p.m.
Location: Grand Forks Herald Community Room,
375 2nd Ave. North.
Host: To be announced.
Contact/Advisor: Richard A. Price, Tolna, 262-4782.

District 5 - Counties: Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele, Traill.
Date: April 25, 7 p.m.
Location: Buffalo Community Center.
Host: Buffalo Wildlife Club.
Contact: Bud Beilke, 633-5330.
Advisor: Kenneth Toop, Casselton, 347-4960.

District 6 - Counties: Barnes, Dickey, Foster, Griggs, Logan, LaMoure, McIntosh, Stutsman, Wells.
Date: April 26, 7 p.m.
Location: Harvey Armory, Kiwanis Room.
Host: Sheyenne River Dev. Coalition.
Contact: Keith Olson, 324-2851.
Advisor: Rita Greer, Marion, 669-2315.

District 7 - Counties: Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan, Sioux.
Date: May 9, 7 p.m. MDT.
Location: Selfridge High School Cafeteria.
Host: To be announced.
Contact: Supt. Herb Kringin, 422-3354.
Advisor: Duane Schatz, Elgin, 584-2937.

District 8 - Counties: Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope, Stark.
Date: April 30, 7 p.m. MDT.
Location: Scranton Community Center.
Host: Bowman-Haley Anglers.
Contact: Greg Steiner, 275-8882.
Advisor: Jerry D. Jeffers, Rhame, 279-5885.

Any person who requires an auxiliary aid or service must notify the contact person at least five days prior to the scheduled meeting date.

Bighorn Sheep Auction License Brings $39,000 (3/21/01)
Lee Anderson of Minneapolis, Minnesota paid $39,000 for North Dakota's bighorn sheep auction license at the March 17 Minnesota-Wisconsin Chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep annual meeting in Minneapolis. In comparison, last year's license sold for $20,000.

The Minnesota-Wisconsin chapter is a strong supporter of management efforts with bighorn sheep in North Dakota, according to Bruce Stillings, bighorn sheep biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Dickinson. "Recently they helped fund a population ecology study that involved radio-collaring 28 bighorns in the badlands, and were instrumental in the south Bullion transplant," he added. "They are excited to see their dollars at work in North Dakota, and that enthusiasm was reflected during the auctioning of the license."

The license sale proceeds, along with an additional grant of $25,000, will be used to enhance management of North Dakota's bighorn sheep. The grant and license auction are part of a five-year agreement, signed in 1999, between the department and Minnesota-Wisconsin conservation group.

In addition to the license the chapter auctioned a three-day bighorn viewing trip for $1,200. The proceeds were also donated to sheep projects in North Dakota.

Snow Goose Cookbook Available at Game and Fish (3/21/01)
A snow goose cookbook, with recipes ranging from oven casseroles to stuffed snow goose breasts on the grill, is available from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department for $5.

Dedicated only to snow geese, but applicable to other waterfowl as well, "The Snow Goose Cookbook," published by the Arctic Goose Joint Venture, is a comprehensive source for good-eating goose.

With the arrival of the spring light goose season, North Dakota hunters might find snow geese taste different in the spring than they do in the fall. "These birds should be in as good of shape as we ever see them in North Dakota," said Mike Johnson, waterfowl biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. "They are going to be putting on fat, perhaps a pound or two during spring migration as they feed almost exclusively on waste grain."

To order send $5 per book to Snow Goose Cookbook, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND, 58501-5095.

New Furbearer License Needed April 1 (3/21/01)
A new furbearer license is required for North Dakota hunters and trappers beginning April 1, according to Carrie Whitney, licensing supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

The 2001-2002 furbearer license is effective April 1 to March 31, 2002. The dates for the furbearer license, Whitney noted, coincide with fishing season.

New Fishing License Needed April 1 (3/14/01)
A new fishing license is required for North Dakota anglers beginning April 1, according to Carrie Whitney, licensing supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

The 2001-2002 fishing license is effective April 1 to March 31, 2002. Anglers should refer to the 2000-2002 North Dakota Fishing Guide for regulations.

Game and Fish Pays $358,000 in Property Taxes 1 (3/14/01)
Each year the North Dakota Game and Fish Department pays taxes to 50 counties in which the department owns or leases land. More than $358,000 was paid in February for last year's taxes, according to Doug Howie, assistant private lands coordinator for the department.

Game and fish owns or manages more than 183,000 acres statewide. These wildlife management areas are managed for wildlife habitat and public hunting. For example, Sheridan County will receive a tax payment of $50,298.12 for 26,658 acres, of which 25,730 is the Lonetree Wildlife Management Area.

The payments, called "in-lieu-of-tax payments," are the same as property taxes paid by private landowners. The game and fish department has paid taxes on its lands since 1965, Howie said.

The department does not own or manage any land in Billings, Traill or Renville counties. Following is a list of counties and the tax payments they received.

Adams, 136.22; Barnes, 4,400.01; Benson, 2,661.46; Bottineau, 4,586.92; Bowman, 1,209.08; Burke, 733.12; Burleigh, 23,086.05; Cass, 5,757.13; Cavalier, 16,195.47; Dickey, 8,449.42; Divide, 2,769.34; Dunn, 6,336.78; Eddy, 3,073.62; Emmons, 1,341.42; Foster, 2,403.36; Golden Valley, 224.20; Grand Forks, 7,574.85; Grant, 348.00; Griggs, 349.11; Hettinger, 2,353.33; Kidder, 9,554.57; LaMoure, 4,899.89; Logan, 1,176.91; McHenry, 545.35; McIntosh, 4,088.04; McKenzie, 16,572.69; McLean, 38,331.86; Mercer, 9,910.33; Morton, 15,419.07; Mountrail, 10,217.25; Nelson, 2,325.25; Oliver, 1,414.21; Pembina, 5,562.24; Pierce, 934.58; Ramsey, 1,385.12; Ransom, 3,331.79; Richland, 12,641.49; Rolette, 16,552.07; Sargent, 9,865.08; Sheridan, 50,298.12; Sioux, 410.54; Slope, 1,538.78; Stark, 244.30; Steele, 7,519.59; Stutsman, 4,906.67; Towner, 1,728.82; Walsh, 972.40; Ward, 93.78; Wells, 25,745.82; Williams, 6,029.38.

Department Reports 2000 Moose, Elk and Bighorn Sheep Harvests 1 (3/14/01)
North Dakota's moose, elk and bighorn sheep hunters had a successful 2000 season. Harvest statistics released by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department show overall hunter success was 89 percent for moose, 49 percent for elk and 100 percent for bighorn sheep.

The department issued 132 moose licenses last year. Of that total, 117 hunters were successful, taking 69 bulls, 44 cows and four calves. Unit, licenses issued, and harvest for each: M1C, 15, 6 bulls, 4 cows; M4, 41, 20 bulls, 15 cows, 3 calves; M5, 8, 4 bulls, 3 cows; M6, 15, 13 bulls, 1 cow; M7, 7, 1 bull, 3 cows; M8, 20, 12 bulls, 8 cows; M9, 20, 10 bulls, 8 cows; M10, 6, 3 bulls, 2 cows, 1 calf.

Of 201 elk licenses issued last year, 98 hunters harvested 55 bulls, 31 cows and 12 calves. Unit, licenses issued, and harvest for each: E1, 41, 10 bulls, 11 cows, 2 calves; E2, 89, 20 bulls, 13 cows, 8 calves; E3, 14, 11 bulls; E4, 57, 14 bulls, 7 cows, 2 calves.

One bighorn sheep unit was open in 2000. Four licenses were issued in Unit B4 and all hunters tagged adult rams.

Bighorn Sheep, Elk and Moose Seasons Set; Applications Available (3/7/01)
Regulations have been established and applications are available for this year's bighorn sheep, elk and moose seasons, according to Randy Kreil, wildlife chief for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Deadline for submitting applications is March 21, 2001.

The bighorn sheep regular season dates are Sept. 21 - Oct. 21. Bow season runs from Sept. 14 - Oct. 21. Four licenses are available for 2001. Three licenses are issued by lottery and one license is auctioned through the Minnesota-Wisconsin Chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep. Unit B4, north of Interstate 94, is the only open bighorn sheep hunting unit. The department is continuing its efforts in investigating and monitoring the decline of bighorn sheep in the badlands south of Interstate 94. Bighorn sheep from the northern badlands have been translocated to areas south of Interstate 94 and are being closely monitored.

A total of 195 elk licenses are available in 2001, up 10 from last year. Bow season dates for units E1 and E2 are Aug. 31 - Sept. 30. Regular season dates are as follows: Unit E3, Aug. 10-26; Unit E4, Aug. 10-16 early, Aug. 17-26 late; Unit E1, Oct. 5-28; and Unit E2, Oct. 5 - Nov. 4, and Nov. 16 - Dec. 16.

One noteworthy change involves unit E4. Ten antlerless-elk-only licenses are available in addition to 40 any-elk licenses. The antlerless-elk-only license holders in Unit E4 may hunt the entire season. Other changes from last year's elk season include: adding T146N, R98W and the east one-half of T148N, R98W to the qualifying area for landowner preference licenses in Unit E2; adding sections 31, 33 and 34, T143N, R100W to the land area eligible for landowner preference in Unit E3; and adding section 24, T141N, R101W to the qualifying area for landowner preference in Unit E4.

The moose season will have 135 licenses available, an increase of three licenses from last year. Bow season dates for all moose units are Aug. 31 - Sept. 30. Regular season dates for units M1C, M4, M8, M9 and M10 are Oct. 5-28. Regular season dates for units M5, M6 and M7 are Nov. 23 - Dec. 16.

Applications for the seasons will be available about March 9 from game and fish offices, county auditors and license vendors. Persons can also apply at the game and fish internet website. Access the department's website at http://gf.nd.gov/ to submit an application online. Regular application fees apply and no service charge is added.

Mailed applications must be postmarked no later than midnight March 21, 2001. Applicants are urged to mail early because some post offices use the following day's postmark if mailed after regular hours.

Bighorn sheep, moose, and elk lottery permits are issued on a once-in-a-lifetime basis. Persons who are drawn may never apply again in the lottery for that species.

Nonresidents are eligible to apply for one bighorn sheep license in the lottery. They compete with residents for tags with no guarantee a license will be issued to a nonresident. A nonresident was drawn for the first time in last year's lottery. Nonresidents must submit a nonrefundable $100 application fee when sending in bighorn applications. If a nonresident is drawn, the license fee is $500.

Sharp-tailed Grouse Observation Blinds to Open (3/7/01)
Several national wildlife refuges and a state wildlife management area will offer sharp-tailed grouse observation blinds for public use this spring. The blinds are popular with wildlife photographers and others interested in watching the spring courtship rituals of sharp-tailed grouse.

Grouse blinds have received widespread interest in previous years and are available by reservation only. Those locations offering blinds usually start taking reservations for late March or early April, weather permitting. Peak grouse dancing activity usually occurs from mid-to-late April or early May.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is providing an observation blind at the Lonetree Wildlife Management Area southwest of Harvey. Reservations can be made by calling (701) 324-2211. One blind will be available.

Contact the following national wildlife refuges for information on blind reservations:

• Lostwood NWR, 8315 Highway 8, Kenmare, ND 58746; phone (701) 848-2722. One blind capable of holding three adults. Reservations can be made any time, but the blind will not be accessible until the end of March or early April.
• Long Lake NWR, 12000 353rd St. SE, Moffit, ND 58560; phone (701) 387-4397. Blind availability is contingent on locating dancing grouse. Call to find out if a blind will be available this spring.
• Upper Souris NWR, 17705 212 Ave. NW, Berthold, ND 58718; phone (701) 468-5467. Refuge personnel will begin taking reservations April 1. Three blinds will be available.
• Arrowwood NWR, 7745 11th St. SE, Pingree, ND 58476; phone (701) 285-3341. Refuge personnel will begin taking reservations April 1. Blind availability will be open as long as roads are driveable.
• Des Lacs NWR, Box 578, Kenmare, ND 58746; phone (701) 385-4046. Call any time for reservations and availability.

Department Evaluates 2000 Deer Gun Season (3/7/01)
An abundance of snow had a positive effect on the 2000 deer gun season, as overall harvest success was up seven percent from 1999, according to Roger Johnson, big game biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Devils Lake.

The overall success rate for the regular deer gun season was 76 percent, compared to 69 percent in 1999. "Despite the concerns from some hunters about the amount of snow during the season, last year's success rate was higher than a typical year," Johnson said.

Whitetail success increased compared to1999, Johnson noted, while mule deer success remained the same. "The whitetail harvest was higher because the weather conditions dictated hunters being able to see deer," Johnson added. "The warm temperatures during the 1999 season made it difficult to find them."

The following statistics were provided from the 2000 deer harvest survey:

• The department issued 88,647 licenses with the average hunter spending 3.5 days afield.
• Overall hunter success for whitetail bucks was 73 percent, up from 62 percent in 1999.
• Anterless whitetail success was 74 percent, up from 1999's 64 percent.
• Mule deer buck success was down one percent, from 83 percent in 1999 to 82 percent last year.
• Mule deer doe success increased one percent, from 88 percent in 1999 to 89 percent last year.
• Muzzleloader season success rate was 47 percent, up from 34 percent in 1999.
• Youth deer season hunters had a success rate of 65 percent, down from 78 percent in 1999.

North Dakota's 2001 Nonresident Any-deer Bow Tags Have All Been Issued (3/7/01)
Nonresidents interested in bowhunting North Dakota may still purchase a white-tailed deer bow tag. However, this fall's any-deer bow tags, good for either whitetail or mule deer, have all been issued, according to Carrie Whitney, licensing supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

A total of 547 any-deer bow tags were available for nonresidents this fall. The department began issuing them March 1, and, according to Whitney, were sold out within a few hours. "We had more applications on file than tags available," she added. "Last year it took a month before we issued all of them."

The number of nonresident any-deer bow licenses available is 15 percent of the previous year's mule deer gun license allocation. Game and fish issued 3,650 mule deer licenses in the 2000 deer gun lottery.

Nonresidents may purchase whitetail bow licenses from the game and fish department's main office in Bismarck, or by calling 1-800-406-6409. County auditors and license vendors will have them available this summer.

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