Game and Fish Radio Program to Air Statewide | YOUTH Hunting Access Program off to Successful Start | Fall Pheasant Outlook Promising; Season Opens Oct. 12 | Paddlefish Meeting Set for Sept. 25 in Williston | Hunters Asked to Report Banded Birds | Zone 2 Sandhill Crane Hunters Asked to Bring Birds to District Offices | Public Asked to Report Whooping Crane Sightings | Waterfowl Season Outlook Good in North Dakota | Youth Deer Hunting Season Opens Sept. 20 | Game and Fish Tree Planting Program to Expand | HIP Certification Required for All Migratory Game Bird Hunters | Remaining Deer License Applications Due Sept. 18 | Waterfowl Identification Booklet Available | Grouse and Partridge Seasons Open Sept. 14 | Game and Fish Eases Hunter Concerns About West Nile Virus | Youth Waterfowl Hunting Season Opens Soon; License Required | Another High Fall Duck Flight Forecast Expected | Paddlefish Meeting Slated for Fall in Williston | Game and Fish Video Crew Wins National Award
Nonresident Waterfowl License Status: 4,000 Remain (9/30/02)
Game and Fish Radio Program
to Air Statewide (9/25/02)
A weekly outdoors radio show, hosted by North Dakota
Game and Fish Department outreach biologist Doug Leier,
will air statewide beginning Oct. 5.
"Outdoors in Dakota" will debut on Clear Channel radio network stations in Dickinson, Minot and Grand Forks, while maintaining its weekly presence on KFGO in Fargo, according to KFGO Fargo program director Jack Sunday. The broadcast airs on Saturdays at 11 a.m. central, 10 a.m. mountain time.
"It's a great deal for the department and the citizens of North Dakota," said Chris Grondahl, game and fish outreach supervisor. "Doug’s radio program covers outdoor topics which are provided right from the experts in a question and answer format. It provides the listener with the most up-to-date information on hunting and fishing, as well as many other subjects relating to conservation and other outdoor recreation."
Leier, West Fargo, began hosting a one-hour Saturday program on KFGO about two years ago, in addition to a weekly 15-minute outdoors report on Wednesday afternoons.
"The Wednesday segment was well done and so well received we saw an opportunity for a one hour show each Saturday," Sunday said. "We are excited with this opportunity. Doug is a natural communicator and a very enthusiastic host. He understands the value of the show and is open to all outdoor issues on a statewide basis."
Leier usually lines up 3-4 guests per week, Sunday said, leading to a fast-paced show covering a variety of outdoors-related issues. "The show is worthwhile to everybody," he added. "You don't have to hunt or fish to care about it."
Stations slated to carry the program are: Fargo - KFGO-AM 790; Grand Forks - KKXL-AM 1440; Minot - KCJB-AM 910; Dickinson - KLTC-AM 1460.
YOUTH Hunting Access Program
off to Successful Start
(9/25/02)
More than 3,000 stickers have already been
distributed statewide to landowners participating in a
youth hunting access program, reports Jeb Williams, outreach
biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
Developed by the game and fish department and private landowners, Young Outdoorsmen Understanding The hunting Heritage is designed to allow young hunters land access once permission from the landowner is granted. Landowners who participate in the program place a YOUTH sticker on a "no hunting" sign. The sticker is not a guarantee that a landowner will allow access on a particular day, but they are positive encouragement for young hunters to ask.
"The Department has received numerous requests from landowners, sportsmen, sporting good stores and hunter education instructors to either participate in the program or help promote it," Williams said. "In fact, we had to order an additional 8,000 stickers."
One landowner from the Grand Forks area was so excited he called and thanked the department for saving him money, Williams mentioned. "This landowner was in the process of having no hunting and trespassing signs made that gave special consideration to young hunters. Needless to say, he was in favor of the program and eager to request stickers."
Based on the number of inquiries, Williams believes the youth program will continue to grow. "I have been very pleased with the response and willingness of numerous individuals to participate in the program," Williams said. "I am confident this program will assist young hunters and instill in our younger generation proper landowner/sportsmen relations."
Private landowners interested in finding out more about the program, or to receive YOUTH stickers, should contact a local game and fish office, or the main office in Bismarck at 701-328-6300.
Pheasant Outlook Promising;
Season Opens Oct. 12 (9/18/02)
An unusually mild winter is the main reason why North
Dakota's pre-hunt pheasant population is higher than the
past few years, according to Lowell Tripp, upland game
bird biologist for the State Game and Fish Department,
Oakes.
Based upon roadside pheasant brood count information gathered during August, the 2002 pre-hunt pheasant population is up 37 percent from 2001. "Last year's mild winter resulted in a 10 percent increase in our spring breeding population," Tripp said, "which correlates to a nice increase in our reproduction."
Brood observations statewide were up 34 percent from last year, and the number of juveniles observed increased 38 percent. Average brood size, based upon survey observations in August, was 7.1, slightly higher than last year's 6.9, but still below the long-term average of 7.4. "This is a result of late spring rains coming shortly after the chicks were out of the eggs, causing some loss of young birds," Tripp said.
Dry conditions this summer did not seem to have much of an effect on pheasants, Tripp noted, other than to make them more difficult to observe as they stayed in the shade and would not come out to dry dew from their feathers.
Hunters will find the best hunting south of Interstate 94, Tripp mentioned, statewide from Minnesota to Montana. "Overall, we should have an excellent pheasant hunting season this year," he said.
Last year, hunters harvested 421,000 rooster pheasants, the most since 1963. The highest percentage of pheasants were taken in Hettinger, Stark, Burleigh, Morton, McLean, Grant and Emmons counties.
The average annual harvest in the 1990s was 248,000, with a high of 315,000 birds in 1992, and a low of 136,000 in 1997.
The 2002 season opens Oct. 12 and continues through Jan. 5, 2003. Limits are three roosters daily and 12 in possession. Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset each day. Hunters should refer to the North Dakota 2002-2003 Small Game and Furbearer Guide for regulations.
Paddlefish Meeting Set
for Sept. 25 in Williston (9/18/02)
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will host a
paddlefish meeting Wednesday, Sept. 25 at the Montana
Dakota Utilities building in Williston. The meeting will
start at 7 p.m. and the public is invited to attend.
The purpose of the meeting is to explain the need for a reduced paddlefish harvest cap, and discuss regulatory options to implement a more conservative paddlefish snagging season.
The department will take written comments regarding the proposed harvest cap reduction and regulation change options until Oct. 18th.
Persons unable to attend the meeting who want to submit comments should write Greg Power, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck ND 58501-5095.
Hunters Asked to Report
Banded Birds (9/18/02)
North Dakota hunters are asked to report banded waterfowl
taken during the upcoming season.
Hunters can report a duck or goose band by calling 1-800-327-BAND, or online at the U.S. Geological Survey’s web site www.pwrc.usgs.gov (click on Bird Banding Laboratory). Required information includes how, when, and where the bird was recovered, type of species, and the band number.
In addition, the Canadian Wildlife Service designed a web site to encourage public inquiry on collared lesser snow geese and Ross’ geese. The web page is part of an international project aimed at conservation of Arctic geese and their habitat.
Combined with birds collared in previous years, the Mid-continent Population probably has more than 30,000 snow and Ross’ geese wearing neck bands.
Zone 2 Sandhill Crane Hunters
Asked to Bring Birds to District Offices (9/18/02)
Hunters harvesting sandhill cranes east of U.S. Highway
281 are asked to bring their cranes to North Dakota Game
and Fish Department district offices in Jamestown or Devils
Lake for weighing, measuring and cleaning. U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service personnel at the Devils Lake Wetland
Management Office and Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge
are also equipped to measure cranes.
Offices are open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed weekends. However, biologists and game wardens will be checking hunters and cranes in the field on weekends.
Hunters are asked to not clean the birds before measurement to ensure accurate weight and sex. This information will help game and fish monitor harvest of sandhill crane subspecies east of Highway 281.
Subspecies determination can only be made with the bird in hand using a variety of internal and external measurements. Several subspecies of cranes migrate through North Dakota each year. Numbers are closely monitored each spring through aerial surveys in Nebraska.
This is the second year of a three-year experimental crane hunting season east of Highway 281.
Public Asked to Report Whooping
Crane Sightings (9/18/02)
As many as 190 whooping cranes, one of North America’s
most endangered birds, are beginning their fall migration
and will likely make their way through North Dakota over
the next few weeks. Anyone seeing these rare birds as
they head through the state is asked to report sightings
so the birds can be tracked, according to Stan Kohn, migratory
bird biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
Whoopers stand about five feet tall and have a wingspan of about seven feet from tip to tip. They are white with black wing tips, which are visible only when the wings are outspread. In flight they extend their long necks straight forward, while their long, slender legs extend out behind the tail. Whooping cranes typically migrate singly, or in groups of 2-3 birds, and may be associated with sandhill cranes.
Whooping crane sightings should be reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office at 701-250-4418, the state game and fish department's main office in Bismarck at 701-328-6300, or to local game wardens around the state. Reports help biologists locate important whooping crane habitat areas, monitor marked birds, determine survival and population numbers, and identify times and migration routes.
Anyone sighting whoopers should record the date, time, location, and the birds' activity, but not disturb them. Kohn also requests that observers look closely for colored leg bands and record those colors and on which leg they occur. Young whooping cranes were marked during 1975-1988 with colored leg bands to help determine their identity.
Waterfowl Season Outlook
Good in North Dakota (9/11/02)
If the weather cooperates and provides pleasant fall outdoor
conditions, North Dakota waterfowl hunters can expect
a good season, according to Mike Johnson, waterfowl biologist
for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
Prospects for the continental fall duck flight are fair to good, Johnson said, and North Dakota's contribution to the fall flight should be above average. "Duck production in North Dakota was again excellent with high numbers of breeding ducks this spring and a record high production index," Johnson added.
Almost one-third of the duck production is blue-winged teal, which are early migrants, Johnson noted. "While there are always some blue-winged teal around at the start of the season, approximately 80-90 percent migrate out of the state by Oct. 1," he said.
While duck production in prairie Canada is poor due to dry conditions, duck production in other portions of Canada and Alaska is reported to have been average. "All of this should translate into a good duck hunting season for North Dakota waterfowlers," Johnson said.
Number of snow geese and Canada geese remain high and large numbers will migrate through the state this fall, Johnson noted. Small Canada geese in the Tall Grass Prairie population, and Mid-Continent snow geese both had an average year on their arctic nesting grounds. "This year, snow and cold weather conditions caused poor reproduction in the southern portion of their breeding range, but conditions were more normal farther north," Johnson added. "Therefore, hunters should see an average number of young birds in the fall flight."
Late season Canada goose hunters along the Missouri River can expect a large fall flight of Great Plains giant Canada geese and Western Prairie Canada geese. "While habitat conditions were dry in much of their breeding range in Canada, North Dakota production was above average and total numbers remain high," Johnson said.
Canada goose hunters are reminded that bag limits for the regular season, starting Sept. 21, return to three daily and six in possession. The September Canada goose season, which ends Friday, Sept. 20, had a more liberal bag limit of five daily and 10 in possession, in an effort to reduce the number of resident giant Canada geese.
Hunters should refer to the 2002 North Dakota Waterfowl Hunting Guide for season regulations including dates, hunting units and bag limits.
Youth Deer Hunting Season
Opens Sept. 20 (9/11/02)
Deer numbers are high throughout much of North
Dakota, and that's good news for first time hunters participating
in the state's youth-only deer hunting season, which starts
Friday, Sept. 20.
"Based on current available information, youth hunters who put forth the effort should find plenty of opportunities," according to Bill Jensen, big game biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. "We anticipate a good deer hunting season."
White-tailed deer numbers are particularly high in the northern and eastern parts of the state, Jensen said. "The only area where whitetail numbers have declined is along the Little Missouri River," he said.
The youth deer season opens at noon central daylight time Sept. 20 and continues through Sunday, Sept. 29. The season is statewide, except for restricted licenses and units in western North Dakota. Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset except on opening day. Orange clothing is required for all youth deer season hunters and their adult mentors.
Each youth deer hunter must be accompanied by an adult while in the field. "This one-on-one approach to teaching the skills and tradition of hunting is a well proven method," Jensen said.
Game and Fish Tree Planting
Program to Expand (9/11/02)
In an effort to encourage tree and shrub planting
statewide, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department is
expanding its tree planting cost-share, according to John
Schulz, department private lands section leader.
A new feature of the department's tree planting program is an access or no-access option. Landowners would receive up to 50 percent cost-share on trees and shrubs, a $100-per-planted-acre incentive payment, and a 25 percent cost-share on weed barrier if public access to the tree planting and associated or detached legal subdivisions is allowed for a 10-year period. The no access option provides for a 10 percent cost-share on trees and shrubs.
"We feel this decision to expand our program statewide will improve cost-sharing assistance and funding opportunities to our current program partners and private landowners," Schulz said. "We are putting priority on the public access option, but at the same time we want to work with anyone with an interest in planting trees."
Landowners can obtain more information on the new tree planting cost-share program from county Soil Conservation District offices or the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
HIP Certification Required
for All Migratory Game Bird Hunters (9/11/02)
All migratory game bird hunters are reminded to register
with the National Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program
prior to hunting this fall.
HIP certification is required for all migratory bird hunters, regardless of age, before hunting ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, coots, cranes, snipe, doves or woodcock.
Hunters who purchase a license through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's Bismarck office, web site (gf.nd.gov/), or instant licensing telephone number (1-800-406-6409) are automatically HIP certified.
Hunters must record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. Register with HIP:
Those hunters who participated in the 2002 spring snow goose conservation hunt have already received a HIP number.
HIP is a survey method developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in order to obtain more reliable estimates of the number of all migratory birds harvested throughout the country. These estimates give biologists the information they need to make sound decisions concerning hunting seasons, bag limits, and population management.
Remaining Deer License Applications
Due Sept. 18 (9/11/02)
Applications for remaining deer gun licenses must
be postmarked and in the mail by Sept. 18, reminds Carrie
Whitney, licensing supervisor for the North Dakota Game
and Fish Department.
More than 33,000 licenses for antlerless deer are still available in 35 units. These licenses are available to hunters who do not already have a license, or as second and third licenses.
Hunters with second and third doe licenses can use them during the archery season with a bow; the deer gun season with a bow, rifle, or muzzle-loader; or during the muzzle-loader season with a muzzle-loader. These licenses must be used for antlerless deer only, and hunters must stay in the unit to which the license is assigned.
Interested hunters can print out an application, or submit a lottery application online at the game and fish internet website, gf.nd.gov/. The online application feature will be deactivated Sept. 18 at midnight central standard time.
Applications are also available from North Dakota Game and Fish offices, county auditors and license vendors.
Residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply. The regular deer gun season starts at noon Nov. 8 and runs through Nov. 24.
The third lottery drawing for persons who have not yet received a 2002 deer gun license will take place prior to the lottery for hunters seeking additional licenses.
Waterfowl Identification
Booklet Available (9/11/02)
A waterfowl booklet designed to enhance species
identification in hand and in flight is available to hunters
from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
Waterfowl Identification in the Central Flyway, published by the Central Flyway Waterfowl Council, has colored photographs of ducks, geese, swans, cranes and other migratory birds. Ducks painted in various stages of plumage, along with wing photos and descriptions of distinguishing characteristics, are also included.
The booklet is free and available from the department's main office in Bismarck at 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095; or by calling 701-328-6300.
Grouse and Partridge Seasons
Open Sept. 14 (9/4/02)
North Dakota's sharp-tailed grouse and Hungarian partridge
hunters should see a few more birds in the field this
fall compared to last year, while sage grouse and ruffed
grouse hunters can expect fewer birds, reports Jerry Kobriger,
upland game management supervisor for the North Dakota
Game and Fish Department, Dickinson.
The season opens for sharptails, partridge, and ruffed grouse Sept. 14, while sage grouse hunters will have to wait until Sept. 16.
Spring counts and brood observations for sharptails were up from last year. Most of the brood surveys are in, Kobriger said, with some routes still being run. "Brood survey data looks very encouraging with more birds being sighted this year compared to 2001," he added. "Average brood size is up almost a bird and a half.
"The western area of the state appears to have a good grouse population, with the national grasslands holding more birds than last year," Kobriger said. "Experienced grouse hunters in the central part of the state should also have better luck this year."
Hunters working the Missouri Coteau area might find birds difficult to come by, Kobriger noted. "The Coteau is the only area that seems to be down, so hunters may have to work a little harder in that area," he said.
This year's buffaloberry crop, which generally produces
good sharptail habitat, is a complete bust, Kobriger said.
"Hunters won't be able to rely on buffaloberry patches,"
he said. "There are few, if any, berries present.
However, on hot days grouse will seek out buffaloberry
patches for shade."
North Dakota's partridge population continues to climb,
Kobriger mentioned, but agonizingly slow. "The brood
surveys indicate a few more birds than last year,"
he added, "but, numbers are still very low and hunters
will have to work hard to get their birds. The southwest
still looks to be the best, but I'm using that term pretty
loosely. No area appears to be good."
North Dakota's spring ruffed grouse population indicated a significant decline compared to 2001. "Ruffed grouse populations are perhaps at or near the bottom of the current 10-year population cycle," Kobriger said. "It is going to be a challenge for hunters this fall."
Sage grouse numbers were down this spring, Kobriger said. No brood surveys are conducted, but since the sharptail brood survey appears to be good, perhaps sage grouse numbers will be as well. "Hunters will probably have a harder time finding sage grouse this year than last year," he added, "although recent rains and grass green-up usually helps sage grouse hunters."
Upland game hunters are encouraged to use their wing envelopes and return their hunter survey card included with their wing packet. Sage grouse hunters are asked to use the wing barrels located in the sage grouse area open for hunting.
For further information and regulations on the 2002 grouse and partridge seasons, hunters should consult the North Dakota 2002-2003 Small Game and Furbearer Guide.
Game and Fish Eases Hunter
Concerns About West Nile Virus (9/4/02)
With the spread of West Nile virus into North Dakota,
many hunters have contacted the North Dakota Game and
Fish Department with questions concerning the safety of
handling and consuming wild game birds.
West Nile virus can cause encephalitis or meningitis.
The virus is spread to humans, birds and other animals
through the bite of an infected mosquito. A mosquito becomes
infected by biting a bird that is carrying the virus.
Jacquie Gerads, department wildlife disease biologist, lists the following information pertaining to hunting and West Nile virus.
For more information about West Nile virus, contact the North Dakota Health Department at 1-800-472-2180; or visit their web site at health.state.nd.us/disease/arbovirus/wnv/; or call the North Dakota Game and Fish Department at 701-328-6300.
Youth Waterfowl Hunting
Season Opens Soon; License Required (9/4/02)
Youth waterfowl hunters can look forward to high duck
and resident Canada goose populations during the upcoming
youth hunting season, according to Mike Johnson, waterfowl
biologist from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
The two-day youth waterfowl season is Sept. 14-15. Legally licensed resident and nonresident youth waterfowl hunters age 15 and younger may hunt ducks, coots, mergansers and geese statewide. "We expect to have a high number of birds in the state," Johnson said. "Duck numbers are once again at near-record levels."
The only exception to this, according to Johnson, may be
in the southwest and south central portions of the state.
"Conditions have been dry in those areas all summer,"
he said.
Before a youth waterfowler takes to the field, Johnson
suggests the following guidelines to make the hunt more
enjoyable:
A waterfowl identification book is available from the department's Bismarck office. Shooting hours for the youth waterfowl season are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. An adult at least 18 years of age must accompany the youth hunter into the field.
The daily bag limit, including species restrictions, and all other regulations that apply to the regular duck and goose hunting seasons apply, including: all youth waterfowl hunters must be HIP certified by calling 1-888-634-4798; youth ages 12 and older need to have passed a certified hunter education course; and a general game and habitat license is required. Persons 15 years of age and younger do not need a federal duck stamp.
Another High Fall Duck Flight
Forecast Expected (9/4/02)
North Dakota's 2002 fall duck flight is expected to be
high and equal to that of the past 4-5 years, reports
Mike Johnson, waterfowl biologist for the North Dakota
Game and Fish Department.
The brood index during the department's annual mid-July survey was the highest on record, up seven percent from last year, and 242 percent above the 1955-2001 average. Average brood size was 6.8 ducklings, down only 0.1 ducklings per brood from 2001. The long term average is 7.2 ducklings per brood. The water index observed during the survey was down 13 percent from last year, but was still 39 percent above the 1955 2001 average.
The average age of broods was much younger than last year and the youngest since 1991. Brood survey results, Johnson expects, may be higher than normal because reduced water conditions concentrated broods, and many ponds lacked flooded vegetation in which broods hide from observers.
The index does not count every water body or duckling in the state. Instead, representative transects across the state are sampled each year. Over time, survey results provide biologists with trend information that allows annual comparisons of waterfowl production in the state.
Paddlefish Meeting Slated
for Fall in Williston (9/4/02)
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department plans to host
an open house/meeting later this fall in Williston to
explain the need for a reduced paddlefish harvest cap,
and regulatory options to implement a more conservative
paddlefish snagging season, according to Greg Power, fisheries
biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
For the past 10 years North Dakota and Montana have worked together to manage the Yellowstone-Sakakawea stock of paddlefish. Ongoing research on the paddlefish population has revealed some concerning trends, Power said, including: a substantial decrease in the overall paddlefish population over the past four decades; insufficient recruitment of paddlefish into the population to offset the annual harvest of this species; and, a significant increase in the annual harvest rate of paddlefish.
"Due to these concerns and the intent to stabilize the paddlefish population at its current level, both states intend to propose a reduction in the harvest cap from 1,500 to 1,000 fish per state per year beginning in 2003," Power said.
Following the open house, the department will take written comments regarding the proposed harvest cap reduction and regulation change options.
The date and location of the open house will be announced at a later date.
Game and Fish Video Crew
Wins National Award (9/4/02)
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department's video crew
has been honored with a national award.
Tom Jensen, video news director, and Mike Anderson, videographer, earned first place in the annual Izaak Walton League "Outdoor Ethics Communication Award" for one of their segments of the weekly television series "North Dakota Outdoors."
"The Gold Watch" featured Lorne Sterner, a Casselton resident and long-time volunteer hunter education instructor. Sterner will be the first instructor to receive a lifetime hunting and fishing license for dedicating 30 years of service to the hunter education program.
The competition is open to natural resource communicators from state and federal wildlife agencies and private conservation groups from across the country.
"North Dakota Outdoors" is broadcast on 11 television stations in North Dakota. Stations and airtime are as follows:
Bismarck KFYR Tuesday 10 p.m.
Bismarck KXMB Sunday 10 p.m.
Bismarck CATV Thursday 5:30 p.m.
Dickinson KQCD Tuesday 9 p.m. MT
Dickinson KXMA Sunday 9 p.m. MT
Fargo KVRR Sunday 9 p.m.
Grand Forks WDAZ Wednesday 5 p.m.
Minot KMOT Tuesday 10 p.m.
Minot KXMC Monday Noon
Williston KUMV Tuesday 10 p.m.
Williston KXMD Monday Noon