News and Updates

News Release Archives - November 2002

Waterfowl Hunters Reminded of Season Dates | Second and Third Season Deer Licenses Can Be Used After Gun Season | Late-Season Upland Game Opportunities Available on Refuges | 2003 North Dakota OUTDOORS  Calendar Available | New Location for District 3 Advisory Board Meeting in Leeds | 2002 Fall Game and Fish Advisory Board Meetings Set | Mule Deer Trend Remains Positive | Hunters, Anglers Cautioned to Stay Off Ice | North Dakota's Dark-house Spearfishing Season Opens Dec. 1

Waterfowl Hunters Reminded of Season Dates (11/27/02)
North Dakota waterfowl hunters are reminded the statewide duck season and High Plains Canada goose season close Sunday, Dec. 1, but reopen Saturday, Dec. 7 in the High Plains unit, according to Mike Johnson, waterfowl biologist for the State Game and Fish Department.

The framework provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allowed North Dakota 95 hunting days for Canada geese, along with the option to start the season a week earlier for all geese. “We chose to use seven of those days as part of the early resident Canada goose season,” Johnson said, “allowing that season to last three weeks instead of two. With 95 days available, and factoring in the early season, the Sept. 21 opener, and the 107 day limit allowed by the Migratory Bird Treaty the Canada goose season would end Dec. 15, one week earlier than last year.”

Thus, High Plains and Low Plains goose units were established to allow for different season lengths in different parts of the state, Johnson said. “Canada goose hunting opportunities in western North Dakota, particularly along the Missouri River, extend well into December,” he added. “Adding the five days the season is closed in the High Plains Unit to the end of that season provides maximum late-season hunting opportunities.”

The High Plains Canada goose season closes Dec. 21, while the Low Plains season closes Dec. 15. “Goose hunting opportunities in the Low Plains unit are usually over with by then, anyway,” Johnson said.

The federal framework allows for a 74-day regular duck season, with 23 additional days in the High Plains duck unit beginning no earlier than the Saturday nearest Dec. 10. Duck hunting in the High Plains unit ends Dec. 29.

The High Plains unit is the portion of North Dakota that, starting at the South Dakota border, is west and south of a line beginning with U.S. Highway 83 and Interstate 94 to Wilton, then following N. D. Highway 41 to N. D. Highway 53, then west on 53 back to U.S. Highway 83, then north to U.S. Highway 2, then west to the Williams County line, then north and west along the Williams and Divide county lines to the Canadian border.

Refer to the 2002 North Dakota Waterfowl Hunting Guide for more information.

Second and Third Season Deer Licenses Can Be Used After Gun Season (11/20/02)
North Dakota deer hunters holding second and third season licenses can still fill those tags after the regular deer gun season closes Nov. 24.

Second and third season licenses can be used during the muzzle-loader and bow seasons with the appropriate legal weapon - a muzzle-loader during the muzzle-loader season, and a bow during the bow season. Unit, sex and species requirements printed on the license must be followed.

The muzzle-loader season opens Nov. 29 at noon and continues through Dec. 15. The bow season is open through Jan. 5, 2003.

Late-Season Upland Game Opportunities Available on Refuges (11/20/02)
Several national wildlife refuges in North Dakota will soon open to late-season upland game bird hunting.

Arrowwood, Audubon, Des Lacs, J. Clark Salyer, Long Lake, Lostwood, Tewaukon (pheasants only), and Upper Souris NWRs open Nov. 25.

Hunters are reminded that use of non-toxic shot is required on all U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands. State regulations, found in the 2002-2003 North Dakota Small Game and Furbearer Guide, apply. Seasons for pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian partridge, ruffed grouse and turkey close statewide on Jan. 5, 2003.

National wildlife refuges are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Portions of each refuge are closed to hunting. Contact refuge headquarters for map leaflets designating closed areas and other restrictions: Arrowwood (701) 285-3341; Audubon (701) 442-5474; Des Lacs (701) 385-4046; J. Clark Salyer (701) 768-2548; Long Lake (701) 387-4397; Lostwood (701) 848-2722; Tewaukon (701) 724-3598; and Upper Souris (701) 468-5467.

2003 North Dakota OUTDOORS Calendar Available (11/20/02)
The 2003 North Dakota OUTDOORS calendar is printed and available for $3 at the Game and Fish Department’s Bismarck office, select newsstands across the state, and Scheels AllSports in Fargo and Minot.

Along with outstanding color photographs of North Dakota wildlife and scenery, the calendar includes season opening and application dates, sunrise-sunset times and moon phases.

To order by mail, send $3 plus $1 postage for each calendar, to: Calendar, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095.

New Location for District 3 Advisory Board Meeting in Leeds (11/20/02)
The location of the Game and Fish Department's District 3 advisory board meeting Dec. 9 in Leeds will be held at the school gymnasium, and not the Community Center as previously announced.

District 3 Counties: Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner.
Date: December 9 - 7 p.m.
Location: Leeds school gymnasium.
Host: Leeds/York Wildlife Club.
Contact: Rick Darling, 662-8681.
Advisory board member: Barbara Ash, Devils Lake, 662-3989.

2002 Fall Game and Fish Advisory Board Meetings Set (11/13/02)
Anglers, hunters, trappers, and landowners are invited to attend this fall’s North Dakota Game and Fish Department advisory board meeting in their area. These public meetings, held twice each year, provide citizens with an 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: November 25 - 7 p.m.
Location: American Legion, Tioga.
Host: Tioga Sportsmen Club.
Contact: Hilmer Backhaus, 664-3528.
Advisory board member: Merle Jost, Grassy Butte, 863-6727.

District 2 - Counties: Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville and Ward.
Date: December 10 - 7 p.m.
Location: Dakota Bank, Bowbells.
Host: Dakota Bank.
Advisory board member and contact: Gary Melby, Bowbells, 377-2803.

District 3 - Counties: Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner.
Date: December 9 - 7 p.m.
Location: Leeds school gymnasium (updated on 11/20).
Host: Leeds/York Wildlife Club.
Contact: Rick Darling, 662-8681.
Advisory board member: Barbara Ash, Devils Lake, 662-3989.

District 4 - Counties: Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina and Walsh.
Date: December 5 - 7 p.m.
Location: Pekin Community Building.
Host: Pekin Rod & Gun Club.
Contact: Jerald Enstad, 322-5656.
Advisory board member: Dan Mikkelson, Grand Forks, 775-4338.

District 5 - Counties: Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele and Traill.
Date: December 3 - 7 p.m.
Location: Kindred City Hall.
Host: Kindred Wildlife Club.
Contact: Craig Roe, 428-3157.
Advisory board member: Kenneth Toop, Casselton; home 347-4960; work 347-4045.

District 6 - Counties: Barnes, Dickey, Foster, Griggs, Logan, LaMoure, McIntosh, Stutsman and Wells.
Date: December 2 - 7 p.m.
Location: Jamestown Eagles Club.
Host: Dakota Anglers.
Contact: Ken Widmer, 251-1412.
Advisory board member: Rita Greer, Marion, 669-2315.

District 7 - Counties: Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux.
Date: December 11 - 7 p.m.
Location: Lone Steer Restaurant & Lounge, Steele.
Host: To be announced.
Contact: To be announced.
Advisory Board member: Ray Gruby, Bismarck, 258-2635.

District 8 - Counties: Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope and Stark.
Date: November 26 - 7 p.m. MT.
Location: City Hall, Bowman.
Host: Bowman-Haley Anglers.
Contact: Neil Hoffland, 523-5849.
Advisory board member: 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.

Mule Deer Trend Remains Positive (11/13/02)
The positive population trend for North Dakota’s mule deer continues, based on observations by biologists for the State Game and Fish Department during the recent fall reproduction survey. Two primary indicators – ratio of fawns per doe, and total number of deer observed – both increased from last year, according to Bruce Stillings, department big game biologist, Dickinson.

Observers who accompanied pilots in fixed-wing planes counted 1,496 mule deer during the October 2002 survey, which encompassed 17 study areas and 235 square miles in western North Dakota.

The fawn-to-doe ratio was 0.93 fawns per doe, good news after last year’s below average reproduction, Stillings said. The buck-to-doe ratio was 0.39 bucks per doe, and remains stable throughout the badlands’ mule deer range.

“Over the last few years our surveys indicated an increasing population with stable recruitment,” Stillings said. “We will evaluate the number of deer on the landscape in April, when we fly these same study areas, to obtain an index to the mule deer population.

“With a series of relatively mild winters and conservative harvest strategies,” Stillings continued, “we are observing positive trends in our mule deer population.”

Hunters, Anglers Cautioned to Stay Off Ice (11/06/02)
Approximately 80,000 hunters are expected to take part in North Dakota's deer gun season beginning Nov. 8 at noon. Nancy Boldt, boat and water safety coordinator for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, extends this important warning to those trying to bag an elusive whitetail or mule deer: Stay off the ice!

"Fall hunting seasons are supposed to lead to a lifetime of cherished memories," Boldt said. "You wouldn't want an outing to end in a tragedy when it could be avoided."

Unseasonably cold October weather froze most small and mid-sized lakes, leading to reports of people already walking out on the ice. "It is way to early to be on the ice," Boldt said. "In no way is it safe enough to be on."

Recent weather in the mid 40s probably opened some water bodies, Boldt said, adding to the notion that early ice is never safe. "This is a certain indication that early ice should be avoided."

Waterfowl hunters finding open water and using a duck boat should exercise caution, Boldt advised, because duck boats are easy to capsize. "It's extremely easy to swamp these boats by shifting the weight distribution within the boat," she said, "and this time of the year hypothermia and cold shock are major threats."

Water removes heat from a body 25 times faster than cold air. When the head and chest are exposed to cold water the result is often a sudden increase in heart rate and blood pressure, which could lead to cardiac arrest or loss of consciousness, Boldt said. "If you find yourself in cold water after a boat has capsized try to get back in immediately," she added, "and if you can't, don't leave the boat because an overturned boat is easier to spot than a single person in the water."

Treat a hypothermia victim by removing wet clothing and replacing it with dry clothing. An effective treatment is to place the victim in a sleeping bag, if available, with another person. Immediately transport the victim to a hospital.

"Hunting, boating and other outdoor sports are best enjoyed when you return home safe," Boldt said. "Education is part of any sport, and many outdoor sports require more preparation and education than other more traditional sports."

North Dakota's Dark-house Spearfishing Season Opens Dec. 1 (11/06/02)
Ice is quickly forming on North Dakota's lakes and it won't be long until dark-house spearfishing is allowed on many of the state's water bodies.

North Dakota's dark-house spearing season begins Dec. 1 and continues through Feb. 28. Legal species are northern pike and nongame species.

The only significant change to last year's inaugural season involves marking a hole left in the ice. When a dark house is moved or a hole larger than 12 inches in diameter is left in the ice, the hole must be adequately marked with a natural object (such as a tree branch or tumbleweed) visible from a minimum of 150 feet.

All individuals who participate in dark-house spearfishing will have to register with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Last year, 1,255 individuals registered.

Other regulations include:

• Allowed for all residents with a valid fishing license, and those under the age of 16.
• Nonresidents whose state allows North Dakota residents to participate in dark-house spearfishing can dark-house spearfish in North Dakota with a valid fishing license. Of the neighboring states only Minnesota does not allow nonresident dark-house spearfishing.
• A spear is counted as a pole (line) while dark-house spearfishing.
• Pneumatic or rubber band powered spear guns are not allowed.
• No size limit on ice hole in lakes where dark-house spearing is allowed. However, hook and line fishing is legal only in holes no larger than 12 inches in diameter.
• Legal live baitfish, except white sucker, and artificial lures can be used as decoys.
• Daily/possession limits are the same as for hook and line fishing.
• Dark-house spearing is allowed only in the following areas: Silver Lake, Benson County; Powers Lake, Burke County; Rice Lake, Emmons County; Juanita Lake, Foster County; Lake Etta/Alkaline complex, Horsehead Lake, and Round Lake, Kidder County; Flood Lake, LaMoure County; Beaver Lake and West Napoleon Lake, Logan County; Buffalo Lodge Lake, McHenry County; Coldwater Lake and Dry/Goose Lake, McIntosh County; Cavanaugh Lake, Devils Lake, Morrison Lake, and Sweetwater Lake, Ramsey County; Carpenter Lake and School Section Lake, Rolette County; Buffalo Lake, Sargent County; Grass Lake, Sargent/Richland counties; Coal Mine Lake, Sheridan County; Mallard Marsh and Spiritwood Lake, Stutsman County; Lake Laretta, Nelson County; Cottonwood Lake, Williams County; Lake Sakakawea from Garrison Dam to Highway 85 bridge at Williston; and Lake Oahe from South Dakota border to McLean Bottoms boat ramp.

Results of last year's first-ever dark-house spearfishing season are in the North Dakota OUTDOORS magazine's November issue. To order a copy of the magazine, send $2 to North Dakota OUTDOORS, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095.

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