News and Updates

News Release Archives - May 2002

Motorists Warned to Watch for Deer on Roads | Anglers Take Notice of Lakes with No Live Baitfish Restrictions | Deer Gun Applications Due June 5 | Don't Touch Baby Wild Animals | Free Fishing Days June 1-2 | Paddlefish Snagging Season to be Closed After May 19 | White-tailed Deer Population Leads to Record Number of Licenses; Applications Available | First Fish! Program Debuts…Again | Biologists Complete Spring Sage Grouse Census | Department Summarizes 2001 Swan Season | Safe Boating Week May 18-24 | Game and Fish Reminds Youngsters of Boating Basics Course | 2001 Pronghorn Season Report | Private Lands Budget Enhancement to Accelerate Habitat Program | Reminder of Spring Game and Fish Meetings | Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Workshop Set Aug. 16-18 | North Dakota's 2002 Nonresident Any-deer Bow Tags Have All Been Issued

Motorists Warned to Watch for Deer on Roads (5/29/02)
Motorists are reminded to watch for deer along the roadways. June, October and November are the peak months for deer-vehicle accidents because young-of-the-year are dispersing from their home ranges.

"Drivers are reminded that vigilance is the best defense," said Bill Jensen, big game biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. "Most deer-vehicle accidents occur during the dawn and dusk hours when deer are most active."

Deer-vehicle accidents are at times unavoidable. However, a few precautions can minimize your chances of injury or property damage in a deer-vehicle crash.

• Always wear your seat belt.
• Don't swerve or take the ditch to avoid hitting a deer. Try to brake as much as possible and stay on the roadway.
• Don't lose control of your vehicle or slam into something else to miss the deer. You risk less injury by hitting the deer.
• When you see one deer cross the road, look for a second or third deer to follow.
• If you spot deer ahead, slow down immediately and honk your horn.
• Pay attention on roadways posted with Deer Crossing Area caution signs. They are there for good reason. No published research supports the effectiveness of deer whistles on vehicles. Deer can't hear ultrasonic frequencies.

Anglers Take Notice of Lakes with No Live Baitfish Restrictions (5/29/02)
Live baitfish are not legal bait in 22 North Dakota waters, and anglers are reminded which lakes have this restriction.

The following 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; Leland Dam, McKenzie County; McDowell Dam, Burleigh County; North Lemmon Dam, Adams County; Nygren Dam, Morton County; Raleigh Reservoir, Grant County; Sather Dam, McKenzie County; Sheep Creek Dam, Grant County; Velva Sportsmen's Pond, Ward County.

The department has "no live baitfish" regulations in certain North Dakota lakes for two reasons, according to Terry Steinwand, fisheries chief for the State Game and Fish Department. "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, the population would be fished down even sooner."

"The use of dead minnows is not legal because they 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."

Anglers can refer to the 2002-2004 North Dakota Fishing Guide for more information.

Deer Gun Applications Due June 5 (5/29/02)
Applications for this fall's deer gun seasons must be in the mail and postmarked before midnight June 5, reminds Carrie Whitney, licensing supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

The deadline applies to muzzle-loader, regular gun, gratis and nonresident landowner, and youth antlered mule deer applications (specifically for antlered mule deer in units 3B1, 3B2, and 4A-4F). Deadline for regular statewide youth licenses is Sept. 1.

Individuals mailing applications to the department are advised to mail early because some post offices use the following day's postmark for mail received after regular hours. The department's online application feature at gf.nd.gov/ will be deactivated June 5 at midnight central standard time.

Don't Touch Baby Wild Animals (5/22/02)
After several North Dakota winter months indoors, outdoor enthusiasts look forward to spring and the opportunity to venture outside away from home. Similarly, young wildlife are found away from their mother or nests, often appearing abandoned. State Game and Fish Department personnel offer this simple suggestion to persons finding baby animals that appear to be abandoned: Don't touch them.

It is illegal to take wild animals home, and captive animals returned to the wild will struggle to survive because they do not possess learned survival skills.

Most of the time, young animals found by themselves are not abandoned, reports Jeb Williams, outreach biologist. "Young wildlife are purposely placed into seclusion by their mothers to protect them from predators."

Handling wildlife is also a risky experience. When people try to take the word "wild" out of wildlife, Williams noted, trouble is usually not far away. Wild animals can transmit a variety of diseases to humans, and aggressive actions are typical of mothers protecting their offspring.

Game and fish personnel strongly recommend leaving young wildlife alone, and allowing nature to take its course. "While we understand and are sympathetic to one's feelings on this issue," Williams added, "the best advice we can offer is to let Mother Nature work."

Persons should approach a young songbird the same way they would any wild animal, by leaving it alone. "The only time a person should pick up a young songbird is if it is found at your doorstep," Williams said. "In that case, you should relocate it to an area nearby with good habitat conditions."

If you see a deer fawn that seems abandoned, leave it alone, cautions Bill Jensen, big game biologist. "Chances are the mother is close by waiting for you to leave," he said. A doe will visit and nurse her fawn several times a day. These short visits reduce the chances of a predator finding the youngster.

A fawn removed from the wild faces a bleak future and game and fish personnel have only two alternatives for dealing with it. They may try to put the animal back in the wild, but, if the doe is gone, the fawn will not survive long. The second choice is to take it to a zoo, where it is forever removed from the wild, Jensen said.

Free Fishing Days June 1-2 (5/22/02)
Looking for a great family outing that everyone can enjoy? Mark your calendar for June 1-2 and head to a North Dakota fishery and enjoy a weekend of free fishing.

North Dakota residents may fish without a license, except for paddlefish, during these two days. The paddlefish snagging season closed May 19.

Paddlefish Snagging Season to be Closed After May 19 (5/17/02)
(For more information contact Terry Steinwand, 328-6349)
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department announced today that the state's paddlefish snagging season will close effective 10 p.m. Central Time, May 19, to protect the population level of the fish. Low flows in the Yellowstone River have kept the fish in North Dakota and have made them extremely vulnerable to harvest.

Acting on the department's recommendation, Gov. John Hoeven signed an amendment to the state fishing proclamation that included the new closing date. The snagging season normally runs through May 31. This is the second year in a row that the season had to be closed early due to high harvest of paddlefish.

The management objective for paddlefish is not to exceed 1,500 snagged in North Dakota per year. That objective was exceeded in 2000, 2001 and likely again this year. The department had already reduced the length of the season, closed an area to snagging, and eliminated night-time snagging in light of recent harvest levels.

If the season had remained open through May 31, an estimated 2,500 – 3,000 fish could have been caught over a full season, putting additional pressure on the existing population. The number of fish has shown a decline since the 1970s.

Paddlefish snagging is a unique opportunity in North Dakota that has increased in popularity in recent years. Participants want to see it continue and most support the early closure in order to have future opportunity, said Terry Steinwand, chief of the game and fish department's fisheries division.

White-tailed Deer Population Leads to Record Number of Licenses; Applications Available (5/15/02)
For the second consecutive year the North Dakota Game and Fish Department will issue a record number of deer gun licenses. The department will make available 116,925 licenses for the fall 2002 season, up from 106,350 last year, according to Randy Kreil, game and fish wildlife division chief.

The 10 percent increase in licenses, according to Kreil, is intended to reduce deer numbers to unit management goals. "Several mild winters and the resulting increase in reproductive success have raised the state's white-tailed deer population above management objectives," he said.

Mule deer licenses are down slightly from 2001, Kreil said, reflecting a conservative approach to managing mule deer numbers. "Population and reproductive surveys conducted in the past nine months indicate a slight decline in overall mule deer numbers," he added, "therefore the department is decreasing available licenses."

During the annual spring mule deer survey in April, biologists counted 1,948 mule deer in 23 study areas surveyed, a decrease of 12 percent from 2,220 tallied last year. Density of mule deer per square mile was 6.8, down from 10.2 in 2001. The density of mule deer in 2002 was similar to the 12-year average of 6.1 mule deer per square mile.

The number of licenses available for the 2002 season includes 4,875 mule deer, a decrease of 275 from last year; 2,240 muzzle-loader, up 216 from last year; and 261 restricted youth antlered mule deer, an decrease of 11 from last year.

Other noteworthy changes from last year include a modification of the unit boundary dividing 3C and 3F2, and clarifying the area north of Bismarck-Mandan that is closed to the use of centerfire rifles to include islands and sandbars. The west boundary of the closure area is the west bank of the Missouri River.

Lottery and gratis applications are available from game and fish offices, county auditors and license vendors.

Persons can also apply at the game and fish internet web site, or by calling 1-800-406-6409. Access the department's webster at gf.nd.gov/ to submit a lottery application online, or to print out an application for mailing. Regular license fees apply and no service charge is added. A service fee is added for license applications made over the phone.

Deadline for submitting applications for regular deer gun, muzzleloader, gratis and youth antlered mule deer licenses in units 4A-4F, 3B1 and 3B2 is Wednesday, June 5. 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 for mail received after office hours. Deadline for regular youth season applications is Sept. 1, 2002.

The regular deer gun season starts at noon Nov. 8 and runs through Nov. 24. The split season in units 2B and 3C are set as follows: early, Nov. 8 at noon through Nov. 14; and late, Nov. 15 at ½ hour before sunrise through Nov. 24. Muzzle-loader season dates are noon Nov. 29 through Dec. 15. Youth deer season begins at noon Sept. 20 and continues through Sept. 29. Archery deer season begins noon Aug. 30 and continues through Jan. 5, 2003.

First Fish! Program Debuts...Again (5/15/02)
The first fish is an exciting occasion for any angler young or old. To help kids, parents and grandparents remember that once-in-a-lifetime catch, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department is revitalizing an old program.

Called First Fish!, the program is a spin-off of the department's Catch and Release and Whopper Club programs, except the First Fish! Club has no qualifying weights or measurements. All that's required is the successful landing of a first North Dakota fish, be it a pike, walleye, perch or bullhead.

To highlight the First Fish! memory, game and fish has developed a special certificate that recognizes this angling achievement. Suitable for framing, the certificate has ample room for all the pertinent information, as well as a photo space big enough to contain the smile of the happiest little angler.

First Fish! certificates are available to all who request them; it's not important whether the first fish is caught this summer, or has been preserved in a photo album for years.

For new membership in the First Fish! fraternity, simply send in the angler's name, address, age and the body of water from which the fish was taken, to: First Fish!, ND Game and Fish, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND, 58501.

Biologists Complete Spring Sage Grouse Census
North Dakota Game and Fish Department biologists recently completed the 2002 sage grouse survey. Census data shows a 28 percent decrease in the number of strutting male sage grouse observed compared to last year. However, the 2002 count compares favorably with the previous eight-year average.

Biologists counted 167 males this spring, compared to 226 last year. Prior to 2001, the previous eight-year average was 175 males per year.

The survey was conducted on 17 active strutting grounds, compared to 16 last year. One of the highlights, according to Jerry Kobriger, game and fish upland game management supervisor, Dickinson, was renewed activity on three grounds. "One ground was inactive since 1976, and for the first time in 26 years five males were back," Kobriger added. "Two other grounds were active again after being abandoned for three and nine years."

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

Department Summarizes 2001 Swan Season (5/17/02)
Swan hunters during the 2001 season bagged 625 birds, down from 750 in 2000, according to Stan Kohn, waterfowl biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Last year's total is below the average annual swan harvest of 740. Since the first season in 1988, swan hunters have taken an estimated 10,400 birds in North Dakota.

While the game and fish department issued 2,000 permits last year, an estimated 1,553 persons actually hunted – 867 were residents and 686 were from out of state. The average hunter spent 4.1 days afield. Hunter success was 40 percent.

Swan permits are issued by a lottery drawing. Last year, 2,420 persons applied.

Safe Boating Week May 18-24 (5/8/02)
"Boat Smart from the Start...Wear Your Life Jacket" is the theme for Safe Boating Week May 18-24.

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.

The latest nationwide statistics provided by the U.S. Coast Guard indicate 645 boating fatalities were reported in 2001, an improvement from 700 deaths reported in 2000. No fatalities were reported in North Dakota last year.

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 must wear a PFD.
• No person may operate or permit the operation of a personal watercraft without each person on board wearing a PFD.
• Watercraft 16 feet or longer must have one wearable PFD for each person on board, and one throwable flotation device.
• On any vessel less than 27 feet in length, all persons 10 years of age or younger must 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 properly 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 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the North Dakota Safety Council for several years to present 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.

This year's Safe Boating Week campaign is sponsored by the National Safe Boating Council, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Power Squadrons. 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 is produced.

Game and Fish Reminds Youngsters of Boating Basics Course (5/8/02)
Youngsters ages 12-15 wanting to operate a boat or personal watercraft with at least a 10 horsepower motor must first pass the state's Boating Basics Course. The course is free and available for home-study from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's Bismarck office, or in a classroom setting held periodically around the state, according to Nancy Boldt, game and fish boat and water safety coordinator.

A North Dakota boating graduate card is recognized in other states as well. However, some states have different age criteria. For example, Minnesota law covers ages 13-17, according to Boldt, while South Dakota has a minimum age of 12 for conventional boats and 14 years of age for personal watercraft operation.

The Boating Basics Course isn't just for kids. Major insurance companies give adult boat owners who pass the course a boat insurance premium discount.

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.

"The course will really make a person a better boater," Boldt said, "but common sense and common courtesy are still the most important attributes any boater can have."

For more information on Boating Basics write to Nancy Boldt, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095; or call 701-328-6300.

2001 Pronghorn Season Report (5/8/02)
North Dakota's 2001 rifle season for pronghorns was similar to 2000, according to data compiled by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Last fall, 1,030 hunters harvested 652 bucks and 228 does, a total of 880 compared to 1,029 pronghorns taken by 1,194 hunters in 2000. Eighty-five percent of hunters filled their tags in 2001, while 86 percent were successful in 2000.

Pronghorn hunters spent an average of 2.1 days in the field last fall. Fourteen gun hunting units were open, the same as in 2000.

Archery hunters tagged 124 pronghorns. A total of 797 archery hunters averaged 4.8 days in the field and 16 percent were successful.

Private Lands Budget Enhancement to Accelerate Habitat Program (5/1/02)
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will use a $1.5 million budget enhancement from its emergency reserve fund to increase public access and hunting opportunities on private land in the state.

The department will use the enhancement toward an accelerated hunter access effort that adds to land enrolled in the Private Lands Open To Sportsmen program. This new money allows for three new positions and is expected to double the land acreage enrolled in PLOTS by 2005, and triple PLOTS participation within the next seven years.

The PLOTS program currently has 165,000 acres enrolled in various voluntary land programs. Game and fish hopes to increase that to 190,000 acres by this fall and to 225,000 acres by fall 2003. After 2003, the goal is to add 50,000 acres per year, according to John Schulz, game and fish private lands section leader. This would create a long-term habitat-based access program of approximately 500,000 acres, Schulz said.

By adding $1.5 million to the departmen's Private Lands Initiative base budget, and $2.5 million per biennium starting in 2003, Schulz says the department will be better equipped to focus and deliver private land habitat access programs in areas of the state with high pheasant and waterfowl populations. "We feel this opportunity will enhance relationships between landowners and sportsmen," Schulz added, "and will create new opportunities which will complement the department's successful menu of habitat and access development programs."

While game and fish has not yet worked out all the details for adding to its PLI efforts, Schulz said it is likely the popular CRP cost-sharing program will be expanded to include counties in northeastern North Dakota in an effort to increase waterfowl hunting access and to develop habitat. Many current PLOTS acres are enrolled in this program, under which game and fish reimburses landowners up to half the cost of grass seed for newly established Conservation Reserve Program acres. In return, landowners allow walking hunting access to the area for the term of the CRP contract.

The PLI program, according to Schulz, has three primary goals: conserve and enhance habitats for fish and wildlife populations; provide landowners interested in wildlife conservation with assistance for developing and protecting wildlife habitat; and to provide the public with opportunities to access fish and wildlife resources on private land, with the primary focus being hunting access. These goals are accomplished by providing financial and technical assistance through cost-sharing programs, rental programs, long-term agreements and partnership agreements with other state, federal and non-government organizations, as well as education and awareness activities focused on wildlife habitat needs and natural resource stewardship.

Reminder of Spring Game and Fish Meetings (5/1/02)
North Dakota Game and Fish Department Advisory Board members will hold a series of eight open house meetings starting in mid-May. The meetings will help the agency gather public input on a variety of options and alternatives that relate to waterfowl hunting in North Dakota in 2002 and beyond.

Game and fish waterfowl managers are currently working on a variety of options and proposals for public consideration. Those proposals will be completed on May 13 and distributed to interested individuals, and also posted on the agency's web site at //gf.nd.gov/. Game and fish will consider comments submitted through the web site, as well those offered at the meetings.

Input gathered at all meetings around the state will allow game and fish to formulate recommendations for the 2002 waterfowl proclamation, after receiving final framework packages from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

While waterfowl hunting is the primary theme for this spring's advisory meetings, citizens who want to discuss or learn about other game and fish programs are also invited to attend. The completed list of meeting locations and dates are listed below.

• Monday, May 13. Devils Lake, Memorial Building, 5-9 p.m. District 3 Advisory Board member: Barb Ash, Devils Lake, 701-662-3989.
• Tuesday, May 14. Minot, Holiday Inn, 6-9 p.m. District 2 Advisory Board member: Gary Melby, Bowbells, 701-377-2803.
• Wednesday, May 15. Grafton, Market Place, 43 8th St. East, 6-9 p.m. District 4 Advisory Board member: Richard Price, Tolna, 701-262-4782.
• Thursday, May 16. Bismarck, Game and Fish Auditorium, 4-8 p.m. District 7 Advisory Board member: Duane Schatz, Elgin, 701-584-2937.
• Monday, May 20. Fargo, O'Kelly's Inn, 5-9 p.m. District 5 Advisory Board member: Ken Toop, Casselton, 701-347-4960.
• Tuesday, May 21. Medina, American Legion Hall, 4-8 p.m. Distict 6 Advisory Board member: Rita Greer, Marion, 701-669-2315.
• Wednesday, May 22. Mott, Armory, 5-9 p.m. MT. District 8 Advisory Board member: Jerry Jeffers, Rhame, 701-279-5885.
• Thursday, May 23. Williston, MDU, 4-8 p.m. District 1 Advisory Board member: Merle Jost, Grassy Butte, 701-863-6727.

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Workshop Set Aug. 16-18 (5/1/02)
Applications are being accepted for the eighth annual Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Workshop Aug. 16-18 at Lake Metigoshe State Park, Bottineau. The cost is $120 with an Aug. 1 registration deadline. 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, according to Nancy Boldt, BOW 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, each of which lasts more 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 new to the workshop are predator calling and digital photography. Other classes include basic fishing and hunting skills, bird identification, photography, plant identification, canoeing, backpacking, handling and cooking game, and boat maintenance and trailering.

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, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095 or call 701-328-6312.

Workshop sponsors include North Dakota Parks and Recreation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the National Rifle Association.

North Dakota's 2002 Nonresident Any-deer Bow Tags Have All Been Issued (5/1/02)
Nonresidents interested in bowhunting North Dakota may still purchase a white-tailed deer bow tag. However, this fall's any-deer archery 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 772 any-deer bow tags were available for nonresidents this fall. The department began issuing them March 1.

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 5,150 mule deer licenses in the 2001 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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