News and Updates

News Release Archives - December 2002

Game and Fish Lists Tentative 2003 Season Opening Dates | Nonresident Any-Deer Bow Licenses Available March 1 | Winter Fishing Season Questions, Answers | Late Season Hunting Still Available | Peterson Named G&F Employee of the Year | Witkowski Named Wildlife Officer of the Year | Game and Fish Recognizes Employee Efforts | North Dakota NAWCA Grants Approved Due to Historic Signing | Anglers Can Expect a Good Ice Fishing Season | Game and Fish Provides Ice Safety and Rescue Tips | Discarded Christmas Trees Should Not Be Placed on Lakes | Anglers Reminded of Devils Lake Yellow Perch Whopper Weight | Game and Fish Recaps North Dakota's 2002 Spring Light Goose Season | Creel Surveys Conducted This Winter on Select Lakes | Public Reminded of Remaining Advisory Board Meetings

Game and Fish Lists Tentative 2003 Season Opening Dates (12/31/02)
To help North Dakota hunters prepare for the 2003 hunting seasons, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department annually provides its best estimate for opening dates for the coming year.

Dates become official when approved by governor’s proclamation. Tentative opening dates for 2003 include (*depending upon final federal framework):

2003 Season Dates

Season	Opening Date
Spring Light Goose	February 22
Spring Crow	March 15
Fishing	April 1
Spring Turkey	April 12
Paddlefish Snagging	May 1
Fall Crow	August 16
Deer & Pronghorn Archery	August 29
Mourning Dove	September 1
Early Canada Goose	September 1
Sharptail, Hun, Ruffed Grouse & Squirrel	September 13
Sage Grouse	September 15
Youth Deer	September 19
Sandhill Crane	September 20
Youth Waterfowl*	September 20 or September 27
Ducks & Geese*	September 27 or October 4
Pronghorn Gun	October 3
Fall Turkey	October 11
Pheasant	October 11
Mink, Muskrat, & Weasel Trapping	October 25
Deer Gun	November 7
Muzzleloader Deer	November 28

Nonresident Any-Deer Bow Licenses Available March 1 (12/31/02)
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will have 731 any-deer bow licenses available to nonresidents in 2003, down from 772 issued in 2002.

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 4,875 mule deer licenses in the 2002 deer gun lottery.

The department will begin issuing any-deer bow licenses March 1. All applications received on or before March 1, 2003, will be treated equally. If more applications are received than there are licenses, each application will be assigned a number. Numbers will be drawn to issue the licenses. Applicants who request to apply together as a party will receive one number. Additional numbers will be drawn to establish a waiting list. If returned licenses become available, these applicants will be offered the licenses.

If licenses remain after March 1, these will be issued daily on a first come, first serve basis.

Winter Fishing Season Questions, Answers (12/31/02)
Each winter the North Dakota Game and Fish Department receives numerous questions from anglers wanting to clarify ice fishing regulations. Some of the more common questions are listed below. If the answer to your question is not here, call the department at 701-328-6300.

Q: Does the game and fish department have a fishing or ice thickness hotline?
A: No. The department does not issue official fishing reports. Ice thickness can vary considerably within a lake and can not be predicted. A local bait shop might be the best source for information on ice thickness and fishing opportunities on a favorite lake.

Q: When is ice considered safe?
A: Ice is never completely safe, and caution is always advised when venturing on ice. However, a general rule of thumb is four inches will support a group of people walking single file; five and one-half inches for a snowmobile or ATV; eight to 12 inches for an automobile; and 12-15 inches for a pickup truck.

Q: How many poles can I use while ice fishing?
A: While fishing through the ice a maximum of four poles can be used in all waters where ice fishing is open.

Q: Can I use dead minnows on “no-live-baitfish” lakes?
A: Yes, but they must be preserved by freezing, salting or otherwise treated to inactivate sexual products. You cannot possess live bait fish on lakes where it is prohibited.

Q: Is there a size restriction for a fish hole in the ice while fishing with hook and line?
A: Yes, a hole in the ice can be no larger than 12 inches in diameter.

Q: Why is the water in some lakes cloudy while other lakes are clear?
A: Reasons include naturally stained water due to the chemical composition, blooms of very small algae called diatoms, and/or suspended solids in the water due to strong winds when the lake froze up. During the course of the winter, the water in many lakes will clear up.

Q: Is there a size restriction for a hole while spearfishing from a dark house?
A: There are no size restrictions for the hole in the ice while spearfishing from a dark house.

Q: What are the season dates for dark house spearfishing?
A: Dark house spearfishing is legal from December 1 through February 28 of each fishing year.

Q: While spearfishing from a dark house, does my spear count as one of my four poles?
A: Yes.

Q: Are all fish species legal for dark house spearfishing?
A: No, the only legal species are northern pike and nongame species, such as bullhead, buffalo and carp.

Q: While I am spearfishing from a dark house, can I fish with hook-and-line in the same hole?
A: No, in order to use hook and line the hole must be smaller than 12 inches in diameter.

Q: Do the fish I catch while spearfishing from a dark house count toward my daily limit with fish caught by hook and line, or are the limits separate?
A: The daily limit combines fish you spear with fish caught by hook and line.

Q: Do I have to register before going dark house spearfishing?
A: Yes, the department is going to develop an address base for a survey to determine use and harvest.

Q: Where do I register for dark house spearfishing?
A: Registration is available at the game and fish web site, gf.nd.gov/, or any North Dakota game and fish department office.

Q: Does my child under 16 still have to register for dark house spearfishing?
A: Yes, all persons, regardless of age, must register.

Q: Where should I write the registration number for my child who is under 16 years old?
A: Write your child’s registration number on your fishing license.

Q: I am making my own spear for spearfishing. Is there a size restriction for a spear?
A: No.

Q: Does a fish house need to be licensed?
A: No, fish houses no longer need to be licensed in North Dakota.

Q: Does my fish house need to have identification?
A: Occupied structures do not require identification. However, any unoccupied fish house must have displayed on its outside in readily distinguishable characters at least three inches high, the owner’s name and address or telephone number.

Q: Can I use an old camper as a fish house?
A: No, fish houses must be constructed of floatable materials.

Q: Are there size restrictions on a fish house?
A: Yes, fish houses shall not cover an area of more than 144 square feet.

Q: How close can my fish house be to another one?
A: Fish houses may be placed no closer than 50 feet in any direction to each other.

Q: When does my fish house have to be removed from the ice?
A: Fish houses shall be removed from all waters by midnight, March 15, of each year.

Q: Can portable fish houses be used after March 15?
A: Yes, they can be used if they are removed daily.

Late Season Hunting Still Available (12/24/02)
Late season hunters still have time to get out in the field and enjoy North Dakota’s upland game, small game, and furbearer opportunities.

Sharp-tailed and ruffed grouse, partridge, pheasant and tree squirrel hunting seasons continue through Jan. 5, 2003.

Bobcat, mink and weasel hunting and trapping seasons, as well as muskrat trapping, are open through March 16, 2003. Muskrat hunting season closes May 11, 2003.

Fox, coyote, raccoon, badger and beaver hunting and trapping are open year around.

Peterson Named G&F Employee of the Year (12/18/02)
Scott Peterson, wildlife resources management supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, received the Director's Award for 2002 during the department's annual meeting Dec. 12 in Bismarck. Peterson, a native of Montpelier, is stationed at the Lonetree Wildlife Management area near Harvey.

Dean Hildebrand, department director, said Peterson's hard work and involvement in the natural resource community are invaluable to the department. "Scott is an exemplary ambassador of the game and fish department," Hildebrand said. "He is conscientious, organized, and always available for whatever task is at hand.

"Scott played a vital part in the development of Lonetree Wildlife Management Area," Hildebrand continued, "coordinating and planning with the Bureau of Reclamation on every aspect. Every part of the 30,000 acre management area and field office complex has a Peterson fingerprint on it."

Peterson was also cited for his role in the local community, as well as his work in coordinating prescribed burns, federal aid and risk management.

Other career accomplishments for Peterson include the North Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society's representative to the Natural Resources Trust board, the Chapter's past president in 1998, and the Wildlife Society's committee chairman during the 2002 national conference held in Bismarck.

Witkowski Named Wildlife Officer of the Year (12/18/02)
Rick Witkowski, North Dakota Game and Fish Department district game warden at Elgin, is the state's 2002 Wildlife Officer of the Year. Witkowski was honored recently by the Shikar-Safari Club International, a private conservation organization that annually recognizes outstanding wildlife officers in each state.

In a nomination letter sent to Shikar-Safari, chief warden Ray Goetz noted Witkowski's involvement in the community, and a district that encompasses six counties in southwestern North Dakota that is considered the heart of pheasant country. "Warden Witkowski always maintains a high regard for public relations," Goetz added. "He conducts hunter education classes, judges science fairs, and is very interactive with the public and other law enforcement agencies throughout his district."

Witkowski's greatest challenges of his years as a game warden are hunter-landowner relations, Goetz noted, due to abundant pheasants throughout the district. "Rick works hard at trying to strike a balance that both hunters and landowners can live with," Goetz added. "Over the last few years Warden Witkowski has had to deal with the dramatic increase in fee hunting and guiding. He has been instrumental in providing for the exchange of information and ideas between the landowners, hunters, and the department."

Each of North Dakota's four game warden supervisors annually nominates a warden for the Shikar-Safari award. Supervisors, the chief game warden, and the game and fish director make the final selection.

Game and Fish Recognizes Employee Efforts (12/17/02)
North Dakota Game and Fish Department director Dean Hildebrand recently honored a number of employees with performance-based awards. Hildebrand presented the following awards at the department's annual staff meeting Dec. 12:

· Stan Kohn, migratory game bird biologist, Bismarck, received the Special Projects award for his work on sandhill crane management. According to Hildebrand, Kohn has worked diligently over the past decade to develop additional sandhill crane hunting opportunities in North Dakota. "This work has involved countless meetings, letters, and flyway recommendations involving our department, the Central Flyway Council, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and many others," Hildebrand added. "All of this hard work paid off in 2001 when the Service granted North Dakota a three-year experimental sandhill crane hunting season east of Highway 281. The new season was granted in part because of Stan's diligence and persistence in tracking the issue and negotiating a favorable agreement with the Service." The Special Projects award is given to a staff member for completing a new project which is on its way to being highly successful.

· Jeb Williams, outreach biologist, Bismarck, was presented with the Innovations award, recognizing staff for implementing a process to improve department goals and objectives. Williams received the award for his efforts in developing the YOUTH program – Young Outdoorsmen Understanding The Hunting heritage. Williams recognized a problem, Hildebrand said, and did something about it. "Amid statewide debate on hunting access issues, and based on personal observations, Jeb felt that young hunters in North Dakota might be discouraged to the point of quitting because of increased posting of land and fee hunting operations that were reducing access opportunities in the state," Hildebrand added. "He also knew that many landowners were hunters themselves, and while they may post their land for a variety of reasons, they were interested in preserving the hunting heritage for the next generation. Jeb's idea was to provide a way for interested landowners to let young hunters know they could feel comfortable in asking for permission to hunt."

· Michelle Pich and Gail Mosset, licensing clerks, Bismarck, received the Solid Foundation award, presented for exemplary work in the administrative, technical, or support field. Pich and Mosset are long-time licensing staff who have proved themselves year after year, Hildebrand said. "Each year our licensing division is engulfed in a high volume of walk-in costumers, telephone calls and mail," Hildebrand said. "The deer application process leads to a high action, high stress environment. Michelle and Gail handle these challenges very well and are key factors to the licensing section and the department."

· Jacquie Gerads, furbearer/disease biologist, Bismarck, received the Public Outreach award, presented to an employee or group of individuals for showing a significant effort, ability, or accomplishment in interacting with the public while promoting the department's programs. Over this past year, Hildebrand said, wildlife diseases became a focal point of much public interest and concern in the country and in our state. "As new cases of chronic wasting disease and West Nile virus were reported across the country, citizens of our state became increasingly alarmed about the modes of transmission, risk to humans, symptoms, and methods of prevention for these diseases," Hildebrand added. "Jacquie initiated an extensive communication and outreach effort to address public concern and provide awareness about these diseases. Her efforts included developing the department's CWD brochure and the CWD prevention and contingency plan, and was responsible for serving as the department's liaison to several multi-state and federal work groups and task forces."

North Dakota NAWCA Grants Approved Due to Historic Signing (12/18/02)
President Bush's Dec. 2 signing of a bill to reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, one of the most important conservation programs ever, has paid immediate dividends in North Dakota, according to Ken Sambor, North American Waterfowl Management Plan coordinator for the State Game and Fish Department.

All three North Dakota NAWCA grants were approved at the federal level – Northern Coteau IV for $618,000; Devils Lake Basin III for $942,000; and Mouse River IV for $360,000.

"NAWCA, a primary funding source for the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, is a major program for North Dakota," Sambor said. "The funding assists with a variety of waterfowl and wetland conservation programs, such as public land improvements and private lands projects."

Upon signing the Act, President Bush said: "Today, we're taking important action to conserve North America's wetlands, which will help keep our water clean and help provide habitat for hundreds of species of wildlife. Through this legislation, the federal government will continue its partnership with landowners, conservation groups, and states to save and improve millions of acres of wetlands. The North American Wetlands Conservation Act shows our concern for the environment and our respect for future generations of Americans."

NAWCA is a federal program that provides matching grants to organizations and individuals who have developed partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation projects in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Since its inception in 1989, NAWCA has provided North Dakota with 32 grants, resulting in habitat improvement on more than 600,000 acres. NAWCA has contributed $17,397,893, while non-federal partners have contributed $19,075,553 and federal partners more than $10 million.

Anglers Can Expect A Good Ice Fishing Season (12/18/02)
Early indications suggest ice fishing for northern pike is off to a good start in North Dakota, but yellow perch haven't cooperated as much as anglers would like.

Is this the start of a pattern for the entire winter? Predicting a fishing season is like trying to predict the weather, according to Terry Steinwand, fisheries chief for the State Game and Fish Department. "About all we can say is we'll have weather but don't know what kind, and we'll have fishing but don't know how much they'll cooperate," Steinwand said.

Water levels in many lakes are down from last year, Steinwand mentioned, especially in the western half of the state. "Lower water levels won't necessarily hurt ice fishing, especially early," he added. "But when oxygen levels drop, as they can do in shallower lakes, the fish become stressed and don't bite. We also run the increased risk of winterkill as lakes become shallower."

However, pike and perch populations are good across the state, Steinwand noted, with perch the primary choice of anglers during winter. "Perch populations are still very good," he said, "but are not cooperating at the current time. It will pick up."

Until then, anglers might want to take a look at the department's North Dakota OUTDOORS magazine's November issue, Steinwand said. The magazine contains an article on winter perch fishing, which lists 68 perch lakes in the state, with details on location, size, and stocking information.

When referring to stocking reports, Steinwand suggests looking at records from two or three years ago. "The majority of perch stocked in the spring of 2002 were only about one to one and a half inches long and certainly won't be of catchable size for another two years," Steinwand said. "Records from two years ago will give a better indication of what perch fishing might be like in a particular lake."

Stocking records can be accessed by logging onto the department's website at gf.nd.gov/. Click on the fishing tab and scroll down to "fish stocking lists" in the left column.

To order a copy of the November issue, send $2 to North Dakota OUTDOORS, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095.

Game and Fish Provides Ice Safety and Rescue Tips (12/11/02)
Outdoor recreationists venturing out on frozen lakes and rivers are advised to exercise caution, urges Nancy Boldt, boat and water safety coordinator for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

"As the weather changes and the lakes begin to freeze, people need to be aware of the potential dangers of ice," Boldt said. "We want to make sure a person knows what to look for, and what to do in case an emergency does arise."

Look for clear blue ice, Boldt advises, which is strongest because it is created by a sustained freeze. Unsafe ice is black, gray, or honeycombed because of repeated freezing and thawing. Discolored or dark spots suggest open water, thin ice, or possibly a spring, all of which are dangerous.

Snow insulates ice, inhibiting solid ice formation, and makes it difficult to check thickness. Structures such as fish houses, bridges, and fishing piers absorb heat from the sun and increase melting. Vegetation absorbs heat from the sun and rotting vegetation creates its own heat. Fish, muskrats, and other animals swimming under ice can weaken it, especially in shallow lakes and rivers. Moving water weakens ice about 15 percent and wind creates a pumping action that forces water through breaks in the ice, enlarging any opening in a short time.

When crossing ice on foot, slide your feet instead of stepping, Boldt suggests. This helps distribute your weight. Carry an ice chisel to check thicknesses. Large nails or a screwdriver worn on a long cord around the neck can be used to pull yourself back on the ice, should you break through. Once back on the ice, roll away from the hole instead of standing up immediately.

Boldt recommends the following minimums as safe for clear-blue lake ice formed under ideal conditions. However, early in the winter she advises doubling these figures to be safe:

• Two inches or less---STAY OFF.
• Four inches will support a group of people walking single file.
• Five and one-half to six inches are necessary for a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle.
• Eight to 12 inches will support an automobile.
• 12-15 inches will support a pickup/truck.

When rescuing a person who has fallen through the ice, remember this simple rule: REACH, THROW, GO.

• First, REACH the victim with a long pole, board, rope, blanket, or snowmobile suit.
• Second, THROW the victim a life jacket, empty water jug, or other buoyant object.
• Third, GO to the victim as the last resort. Should this be necessary, a human chain, in which rescuers lie on the ice with each person grasping the feet of the person in front, is an effective technique.

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.

"Even when the temperature is 40-below zero, ice is unsafe," Boldt said. While there may be up to a foot of ice in one spot, she said, it could be very thin within just a few inches. "Avoid pressure ridges and areas where there is a current," she added, "and warn your children about the dangers of thin ice."

Discarded Christmas Trees Should Not Be Placed on Lakes (12/11/02)
Each year at this time the North Dakota Game and Fish Department receives inquiries from citizens wanting to know if the department will accept discarded Christmas trees once the holiday season is over. The simple answer is no.

"We usually receive phone calls from people asking if we will be taking leftover Christmas trees for tree reef projects," said Greg Power, fisheries biologist, Bismarck. "For various reasons, new tree reef projects are limited in North Dakota."

In the past, the department has collected leftover Christmas trees and placed tree reefs in a few lakes throughout the state. Those lakes were selected because they lacked aquatic vegetation needed for fish spawning.

Game and fish advises against placing individual Christmas trees in lakes, Power said. "Fishing lakes should not be considered a dumping ground for trees," he added. "Legally, permits are required for this type of action, otherwise dumping a Christmas tree on the ice is considered littering."

Anglers Reminded of Devils Lake Yellow Perch Whopper Weight (12/11/02)
North Dakota anglers are reminded that yellow perch from Devils Lake no longer need to reach two pounds to qualify for the State Game and Fish Department's Whopper Club.
Effective April 1 of this year, Game and Fish standardized the perch Whopper weight at 1.75 pounds on waters statewide. The benchmark for Devils Lake perch had been two pounds since 1982.

The Whopper Club recognizes anglers who catch large fish of a variety of North Dakota species. All fish entered must have been legally caught in North Dakota waters.

Entries must be weighed on a scale used in trade. It is not necessary to have fish weighed at an official Whopper Club weigh station.

An application card must be filled out, giving weight and length of fish, date and where caught, tackle and bait used, signature of applicant, and signature of person weighing the fish.

Only one application may be made for each species in a lifetime. Anglers receive a patch for the first Whopper of a species, an "Expert" patch for a Whopper of another species, and a "Master" patch for a Whopper of a third species. Certificates are issued for Whoppers of additional species.

Game and Fish Recaps North Dakota's 2002 Spring Light Goose Season (12/04/02)
North Dakota's 2002 spring light goose season saw more hunters take more birds than last year, but the final bag still didn't add up to a significant harvest, according to Mike Johnson, waterfowl biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

An estimated 1,494 hunters harvested 6,424 light geese, up from 1,263 hunters and 3,547 geese taken during the 2001 spring season. A post-season survey indicated 948 residents and 546 nonresidents actively hunted during the statewide spring season, held March 1 - May 12. Hunters spent an average of 2.7 days each in the field with 62 percent of hunter-days occurring between April 5-18. At least 37 counties had hunter activity, with 55 percent of hunter-days reported in Dickey, Richland, LaMoure and Sargent counties. The average seasonal bag was 4.3 light geese per hunter, with the highest seasonal bag reported at 131 birds.

The biggest factor limiting the harvest seemed to be the timing and duration of the migration, Johnson said. "Extreme, cold temperatures kept the birds in South Dakota and Nebraska," he added. "Then when conditions were favorable in North Dakota, the majority of the birds quickly pushed through into Canada."

Basic regulations for the spring season were the same as a regular waterfowl hunting season except hunting was allowed until one-half hour after sunset; electronic calls could be used; shotguns capable of holding more than three shells were permitted; and there was no bag or possession limit.

Unplugged shotguns were used by 53 percent of the hunters, and 29 percent reported using electronic calls. Jump shooting and pass shooting accounted for the largest portion of the harvest, Johnson said, with more than 66 percent of the hunters agreeing these methods were effective for increasing the harvest.

A fifth Conservation Order season is scheduled for 2003, Johnson said. "The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that future seasons may proceed as they continue to process an Environmental Impact Statement on the light goose population issue," he added. "The success of future seasons will depend on the migratory behavior of light geese and participation by hunters."

Creel Surveys Conducted This Winter on Select Lakes (12/04/02)
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department and WATERS, a private contractor, will conduct creel surveys this winter at various lakes throughout the state.

Creel survey information is useful in assessing angler effort and harvest, as well as angler preferences and attitudes. Anglers are asked to cooperate with creel clerks, as interviews take only a few minutes.

Lakes that will have creel surveys this winter are: Fish Creek and Sweetbriar (Morton County), Smishek (Burke County), McGregor (Williams County), Darling (Renville County), Round (McHenry County), Muehler (Logan WMA; Logan County), Dollinger-Schnable (McIntosh County), Dead Colt (Ransom County), Brewer (Cass County), Jamestown Reservoir and Pipestem (Stutsman County), and Mount Carmel (Cavalier County).

Public Reminded of Remaining Advisory Board Meetings (12/04/02)
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is issuing a reminder for the remaining fall advisory board meetings. Hunters, anglers, trappers, and landowners are invited to attend these public forums to discuss wildlife issues in their area.

Game and fish advisors host meetings twice each year in their districts. Advisors serve as a liaison between the department and the public.

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 Community Center.
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 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.
Advisory Board member: Ray Gruby, Bismarck, 258-2635.

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