News and Updates

News Release Archives - May 2001

Spring Mule Deer Survey Complete | Biologists Complete Spring Sage Grouse Census | Deer Licensing Questions Answered | Safe Boating Week May 19-25 | North Dakota Summer OWLS Program Pays Teachers | Department Summarizes 2000 Swan Season

Spring Mule Deer Survey Complete (5/9/01)
Western North Dakota's mule deer population continues to increase, based on observations during the annual spring mule deer survey in April.

Biologists counted 2,220 mule deer in 16 units surveyed, an increase of 38 percent from 1,607 tallied in the same units last year, said Mike Oehler, North Dakota Game and Fish Department big game biologist, Dickinson. Density of mule deer per square mile was 10.2, up from 7.4 in 2000. The average density of mule deer for all units flown each year over the past 11 years is 5.5 deer per square mile.

Biologists surveyed 218 square miles of survey units during the spring count. "I believe we owe this abundance of mule deer to our recent mild winters," Oehler said, "and also a conservative, yet responsible harvest strategy."

Department Reports 2000 Pronghorn Harvest (4/25/00)
Pronghorn hunters during the 2000 rifle season harvested 1,029 pronghorns, an increase of 386 from 1999, according to data compiled by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

A total of 1,194 hunters harvested 806 bucks and 223 does. Hunters spent an average of 2.1 days in the field and had a success rate of 86 percent. In 1999, 85 percent of 756 hunters were successful, harvesting 643 pronghorns.

Fourteen gun hunting units were open, up from seven open units in 1999. "The majority of our prime pronghorn range was open for gun hunting," said Mike Oehler, big game biologist, "and this was reflected by the increased number of licenses issued and pronghorns harvested."

Biologists Complete Spring Sage Grouse Census (5/9/01)
North Dakota Game and Fish Department biologists recently completed the 2001 sage grouse survey. Census data shows a 20 percent decrease in the number of strutting male sage grouse observed compared to last year. However, the 2001 count is still 36 percent above the previous seven-year average.

Biologists counted 226 males this spring, compared to 283 last year. Prior to 2000, the previous six-year average was 147 males per year.

The survey was conducted on 15 strutting grounds, compared to 17 last year. One of the highlights, according to Jerry Kobriger, game and fish upland game management supervisor, Dickinson, was the continued growth of one of the grounds the past six years. "There were no males observed on this strutting ground from 1995-1997, then one was seen in 1998 and 36 this year," Kobriger noted.

Sage grouse are North Dakota's largest native upland game bird. They are found in extreme southwestern North Dakota, in Bowman and Slope counties.

Deer Licensing Questions Answered (5/9/01)
As deer hunters will soon fill out applications for fall seasons, they often call the North Dakota Game and Fish Department to clarify details. The following questions and answers are provided to help resolve some of those uncertainties.

General Questions
Q: When and where will the deer applications be available?
A: Applications will be available May 14 at game and fish offices, county auditors and license vendors; or by calling 1-800-406-6409. Persons can also print out an application, or apply online via the department's web site at http://gf.nd.gov/.

Q: How many deer gun licenses are available for 2001?
A: There are 106,350 firearm deer licenses available. This includes 5,150 mule deer, 2,024 muzzleloader and 272 youth antlered mule deer licenses. Not included are additional licenses for gratis.

Q: What are season dates?
A: Archery season: Aug. 31 (noon) - Jan. 6, 2002. Youth deer season: Sept. 21 (noon) - Sept. 30. Regular deer gun season: Nov. 9 (noon) - Nov. 25. Muzzleloader season: Nov. 30 (noon) - Dec. 16.

Q: What are the deadlines for license applications?
A: June 6 for regular deer gun and muzzleloader. Youth season deadlines are June 6 for antlered mule deer licenses in units 4A-4F, 3B1, and 3B2; and Sept. 1 for regular youth deer licenses.

Q: Will the department offer second deer licenses in some units?
A: Probably, depending on how many licenses remain after the second drawing.

Q: How many drawings will be held this year?
A: At least three. Most licenses are issued in the first drawing and only those applicants unsuccessful in the first lottery are eligible for the second. The third drawing will be open to anyone who has not received a license, including nonresidents, and to assign second-season licenses, if available.

Q: How do bonus points accrue in the weighted lottery?
A: An applicant unsuccessful in drawing their first choice license in the first lottery this year receives a bonus point for next year's lottery. A point is accrued each year you are unsuccessful with your first choice in the first lottery. In year four and subsequent years bonus points are squared to increase the applicant's chances of drawing a license.

Q: Isn't the applicant guaranteed a license in year four or five?
A: No. There is no guarantee. The lottery is a random drawing. In some units where demand for antlered mule deer tags vastly exceeds supply, many applicants have the same number of bonus points. Last year in unit 4C the odds of drawing a mule deer buck license were one in seven.

Q: Can I lose my bonus points?
A: Yes, if you draw your first choice license or do not apply the following year.

Q: Why do deer applications ask for a social security number and do I have to give it?
A: Effective July 1, 1999 (state law - NDCC 20.1-03-35): The social security number of any applicant for any license or license must be recorded on the application. Additionally, your social security number serves as an identifying number in the weighted lottery.

Q: If I receive a license for my second deer choice do I lose my bonus points?
A: No, bonus points apply only to first deer choice in the first lottery.

Q: If I have bonus points and apply with a party, how does this affect me?
A: On party applications the person with fewest points sets the level for the entire application. Applicants with more bonus points than others in the party have a better chance applying separately.

Gratis/Nonresident Landowner License Questions
Licenses are available to residents and nonresidents owning, or residents leasing for agricultural purposes and actively farming or ranching, a minimum of 160 acres. When applying, the applicant must list the land description on the application. Nonresidents receiving a nonresident landowner license must pay a $170 license fee and may hunt only on land described on the application and subsequently the license.

Q: If I transfer my eligibility to a family member can I get another gratis license on some other land?
A: No. You may either receive a gratis license or transfer it to an immediate family member. You may not do both.

Q: Who is eligible for a gratis license on rented land, the renter or landowner?
A: The landowner has first claim. In no case is more than one gratis license issued for the same land. This detail should be worked out between the landowner and lessee.

Q: Can I get a gratis license for deer gun, muzzleloader and bowhunting seasons?
A: No. Because state law limits gratis licenses to one a year, you must choose for which season you wish to receive a gratis license.

Q: Can I get a gratis license and, later, buy a second deer license, if they are available?
A: Yes.

Q: Can a husband and wife jointly owning two quarters (320 acres) of land each receive a gratis license?
A: Each is eligible. If the quarters are in the same unit they can hunt each other's quarter. The key is that both applicants are listed as record title owners of the land.

Youth Season Questions
Q: What types of resident youth deer gun licenses are available?
A: There are two. The youth antlered mule deer license which allows taking any deer, including a mule deer buck, in one of these designated units: 4A-4F, 3B1, or 3B2. The other is a regular youth deer license good statewide except for antlered mule deer in units 4A-4F, 3B1, or 3B2.

Q: If I don't get a deer during the youth season, may I hunt during the regular deer gun season?
A: Yes, though you are subject to the restrictions listed on the license.

Q: Can a youth with a restricted youth antlered mule deer tag hunt other units?
A: No. The hunter is restricted to the unit specified on the license.

Q: If I receive a restricted youth antlered mule deer license in 4A-4F, 3B1, or 3B2, can I take a mule deer doe?
A: Yes. You may take any deer, including whitetail.

Q: If I have a regular youth license, can I hunt in units 4A-4F, 3B1, or 3B2?
A: Yes. But you may not take a mule deer buck. You may take a mule deer doe or a white-tailed deer.

Q: If I get a regular youth deer license, valid statewide for any deer except antlered mule deer in 4A-4F, 3B1, 3B2, can I take a mule deer buck other units?
A: Yes.

Q: If I apply unsuccessfully for a restricted antlered youth mule deer license, what happens?
A: You automatically receive a regular youth license.

Q: I turn 14 years old on Sept. 22, the day after the youth deer opener. Why must I wait until the Nov. 9-25 season to hunt?
A: North Dakota law specifies that you must be at least 14 years of age on the opening day of the season.

Anglers Take Notice of Lakes with No Live Baitfish Restrictions (4/1/01)
Live baitfish are not legal bait in 25 North Dakota waters, and anglers should be aware of which lakes have this restriction, suggests Terry Steinwand, chief of fisheries for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

The department has "no live baitfish" regulations in certain North Dakota lakes for two reasons, Steinwand said. "The first, and most important," Steinwand said, "is there are certain lakes where fish introductions such as white sucker would decimate a sport fishery in just a few years. If we could be assured that all bait were fathead minnows or other species that are harmless to the fishery, there wouldn't be a problem."

The second reason, according to Steinwand, is that in some lakes, especially trout lakes, the use of live baitfish can dramatically increase the catch rate. Since this is a "put-grow-take" fishery in North Dakota, as many people as possible should get to enjoy the opportunity. "Take for example Fish Creek Dam in Morton County," Steinwand said. "Trout fishing is phenomenal at certain times of the year and it becomes a challenge to maintain a good trout population. If we allowed live bait, they would quickly be fished out and the average trout size would be close to the size at which they were stocked."

Steinwand also mentions the impact of an illegal baitfish introduction, such as what happened at a fishery in western North Dakota in the mid 1990s. "Camel Hump Dam was renovated to remove undesirable fish," he said. "However, in three short years carp once again appeared and the most likely source was bait trapped by an individual. Although legal to trap your own bait, this example shows how a seemingly innocuous action can have long-term negative impacts."

The department has received reports of people using dead minnows at some of these lakes, Steinwand said, which is not legal because dead minnows could still have viable eggs and sperm. However, baitfish preserved by freezing, salting or otherwise treated to inactivate sexual products are legal. Freezing ruptures cell membranes and salting dries them out.

The following North Dakota waters have a "no live baitfish" regulation: Baukol-Noonan Dam, Divide County; Baukol-Noonan East Mine Pond, Divide County; Baukol-Noonan Spillway Pond, Divide County; Belfield Dam, Stark; Blumhardt Dam, McIntosh County; Brewer Lake, Cass County; Buffalo Gap, Golden Valley County; Bylin Dam/Dougherty Dam, Walsh County; Clausen Springs, Barnes County; Custer Mine Pond, McLean County; Davis Dam, Slope County; Fish Creek, Morton County; Indian Creek, Hettinger County; Kettle Lake, Williams County; Langdon City Pond, Cavalier County; Leland Dam, McKenzie County; North Lemmon Dam, Adams County; McDowell Dam, Burleigh County; Nygren Dam, Morton County; Raleigh Reservoir, Grant County; Sather Dam, McKenzie County; Sheep Creek Dam, Grant County; Velva Sportsmen's Pond, Ward County.

Anglers can refer to the 2000-2002 North Dakota Fishing Guide for more information.

Safe Boating Week May 19-25 (05/02/01)
"Boat Smart from the Start...Wear Your Life Jacket" is the theme for Safe Boating Week May 19-25.

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 is the main reason people lose their lives in boating accidents.

Approximately 700 boating fatalities were reported nationwide last year, an improvement from the 724 deaths reported in 1999. Four fatalities were reported in North Dakota, with none of the victims wearing a life jacket.

North Dakota law requires PFDs 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.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has partnered with the US 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 ND Game and Fish Department, US Army Corps of Engineers, or the ND Safety Council.

This year's Safe Boating Week campaign is sponsored by the National Safe Boating Council, the National Association of Boating Law Administrators, US Coast Guard, National Water Safety Congress and Canadian boating safety organizations. The US Army Corps of Engineers is also participating with a poster on hypothermia, the condition where your body loses heat faster than it produces.

North Dakota Summer OWLS Program Pays Teachers (05/02/01)
Teachers and youth leaders teaching summer school or a summer education program might be interested in the North Dakota Summer Outdoor Wildlife Learning Site Program. The program is open to elementary and secondary teachers, and youth camp and eco-education camp leaders.

Program participants will visit an OWLS as part of a lesson and report the lesson to the Summer OWLS Program. All educators participating will receive a stipend of $50 per day, up to a maximum of $250. The stipend is for activities developed for and used at an OWLS. In addition, transportation costs will be reimbursed for teachers whose schools do not have an OWLS.

OWLS are outdoor classrooms located near schools where students can learn about habitat and wildlife conservation in a hands-on setting. Though science is the primary focus of an OWLS, other subjects can also be taught such as art, math and language arts.

For more information contact Sherry Niesar, Summer OWLS Program administrator, at 701-222-8940; or visit the OWLS web site at http://ndwild.psych.und.nodak.

Department Summarizes 2000 Swan Season (05/02/01)
Swan hunters during the 2000 season harvested 750 birds, down from the near-record 956 harvested in 1999, according to data compiled by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Last year's total is only slightly below the average annual swan harvest. Since the first season in 1988, an estimated 9,900 swans have been harvested in North Dakota, an average of 762 per year.

While the game and fish department issued 2,000 permits last year, an estimated 1,560 persons actually hunted. North Dakota residents accounted for 967 hunters, while 593 were from out-of-state. The average hunter spent 3.37 days afield. Hunter success was 48 percent.

Swan permits are issued by a lottery drawing. Last year, 2,586 persons applied.

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