News and Updates
News Release Archives - September 2003
Biologists Monitor White-tailed Deer Deaths in Southwestern ND | Lake Sakakawea Access and Water Levels a Concern | Public Asked to Report Whooping Crane Sightings | Hunters Asked to Report Banded Birds | New State Record Smallmouth Bass Caught | Waterfowl Season Outlook Good in North Dakota; HIP Registration Required | Fall Pheasant Forecast Promising | Hunters Be Aware of Dry Conditions | Fourth Deer Lottery Held; First Come, First Serve Applications Available Sept. 15 | Crane Season Opens Sept. 20; Zone 2 Hunters Asked to Bring Birds to District Offices | 2003 Conservation PLOTS Guides Available | Youth Deer Hunting Season Opens Sept. 19 | Youth Waterfowl Hunting Season Set for Sept. 20-21; License Required | Fall Turkey Licenses Still Available | Grouse and Partridge Seasons Open Sept. 13 | Hunters Inquiring About Game Birds and West Nile Virus
Biologists Monitor White-tailed
Deer Deaths in Southwestern ND 092403
Recent reports of white-tailed deer deaths in southwestern North
Dakota have wildlife biologists on the alert for a possible
reoccurrence of epizootic hemorrhagic disease or EHD. To date,
approximately 45 dead deer have been reported since the first of
September. Aerial flights conducted by the State Game and Fish
Department along the Little Missouri River and Cedar Creek yielded
an additional 12 dead white-tailed deer.
"It appears that EHD could be the culprit," said Jacquie Ermer, disease biologist at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's Riverdale office. "However, its presence has not yet been verified."
If it is EHD, occurrences appear to be on the edge of a more serious outbreak in northwestern South Dakota. So far, game and fish officials say losses are not significant enough to warrant suspension of antlerless licenses that are still available in affected units, or to justify refunding licenses already sold.
Only four reports yielded carcasses that were fresh enough for sampling, according to Bruce Stillings, big game biologist, Dickinson. Three of those samples were negative for the virus, with results of the fourth still pending.
EHD is a natural virus spread by a small biting fly - culicoides variipenis. Historically, EHD has been reported from more than 32 states and provinces across North America. It surfaces periodically in southwestern and western North Dakota, and primarily affects white-tailed deer. Sometimes the incidents are isolated and affect few animals. In other cases the disease is spread over a large geographic region with significant white-tailed deer mortality in localized areas.
Historically, EHD events are most noticeable in western North Dakota when high whitetail populations combine with a hot and humid late summer and early fall, which creates ideal breeding conditions for the culicoides fly. The last severe outbreak occurred in 2000, when the disease ranged through many counties south of Interstate 94 and west of the Missouri River.
White-tailed deer populations in the southwest are high again this year, Ermer said, and that part of the state has been hot and dry. "We are concerned and will continue to follow up on reports, and will keep the public informed if anything changes," Ermer said.
EHD causes dehydration and a high body temperature, causing deer to seek water prior to death. Some dead deer reported were found in or near water, Ermer confirmed, but said the carcasses were too badly decomposed for testing. To isolate the EHD virus, and many other disease agents, the animal cannot have been dead for more than 24 hours. "I would urge outdoor enthusiasts to report sick or dead deer to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department as soon as possible," Ermer emphasized.
Other clinical and behavior symptoms may include respiratory distress; swelling of head, neck, and tongue; lesions on tongue and roof of mouth; indifference to humans; and in later stages, hemorrhaging from body orifices.
Deer losses to the disease occur every year and are sometimes significant in localized areas, especially during dry years. Most deer that die from the disease are infected before the first hard frost, which kills the biting midges that spread the disease.
EHD is not a danger to humans. However, Ermer said, "Hunters should not shoot or consume a deer if it appears sick, rather contact the department."
Presently there is nothing that can be done to prevent EHD in deer populations, Ermer said. "Our best defense against EHD is to maintain deer populations below a level where disease becomes a major mortality factor," she added, "and the best proven method of doing that has been through a legal and regulated harvest."
Game and fish personnel also took fresh samples for chronic wasting disease testing. Signs of CWD - which so far has not been detected in North Dakota - can appear similar to EHD, however, the diseases are very different. Both diseases may cause the deer to become weak, depressed, or lose their appetite, but EHD kills a deer much quicker and is spread through a biting fly. CWD works slowly and is likely spread through close contact with other deer. CWD is most likely caused by an infectious protein called a prion that may be spread through feces, urine, or saliva. Deer are able to develop immunity to EHD, but not CWD.
Observations of sick or dead deer could increase in the coming weeks as hunting seasons continue to open and more hunters are in the field. Persons finding dead or sick deer should contact the game and fish department immediately, Stillings said, due to time constraints in obtaining fresh samples for testing. "Reports from the public will also assist the department in determining the distribution and severity of the outbreak," he said.
Lake Sakakawea Access and Water
Levels a Concern 092403
Fall walleye fishing on Lake Sakakawea has traditionally been
good, and this fall should be no exception. However, due to low and
declining lake levels, North Dakota Game and Fish Department
fisheries biologists are concerned with boating access.
A number of boat ramps have become marginal or unusable during the past month, thus anglers are urged to reference the department's website at gf.nd.gov/ to determine the status of particular ramps before venturing to Lake Sakakawea.
"We have been losing at least a couple ramps per week due to declining water levels," said Bob Frohlich, fisheries development coordinator. "So anglers need to be aware of this by checking our website for weekly updates."
Another concern is lack of water depth in the upper portion of Lake Sakakawea. The low water level and sedimentation have combined to make a 20-mile reach of the reservoir now nearly impossible to boat or fish.
According to district fisheries biologist Fred Ryckman, Williston, virtually all of the area from about five miles upstream of Tobacco Garden Bay to just downstream of Williston varies in depth from only a few inches to a few feet. "It's an area that boaters should avoid," Ryckman said. "Otherwise, they'll likely end up stranded in the shallow water."
Downstream of the Tobacco Garden Bay/Lunds Landing area, Ryckman noted, is where anglers should generally find adequate water depths and good fishing for the remainder of the fall.
Public Asked to Report Whooping
Crane Sightings 092403
As many as 210 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 at the Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge office at 701-387-4397, Crosby Wetland Management District office at 701-965-6488, 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 which may occur on one or both legs. Young whooping cranes were marked during 1975-1988 with colored leg bands to help determine their identity.
Hunters Asked to Report Banded
Birds 092403
North Dakota hunters are asked to report banded waterfowl taken
during the 2003 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.
New State Record Smallmouth Bass
Caught 092403
Roger Haugen's catch on Sept. 13 is the fourth entry added to the
list of North Dakota state record fish in 2003. The Jamestown
angler reeled in a 5-pound, 15-ounce smallmouth bass from
Spiritwood Lake.
The 20 3/4-inch fish broke the old record of 5 pounds, 9 ounces taken by Andrew Mark of Enderlin in 1999 at Lake Sakakawea.
Other entries added to the state record list from this year are Bill Wald, Washburn, 46-pound pure muskie; Austin Lober, Thompson, 31-pound carp; and Chris Vernon, Bismarck, 10-pound, 1-ounce cutthroat trout.
Waterfowl Season Outlook Good in North
Dakota; HIP Registration Required 091703
North Dakota waterfowl hunters will likely find good hunting this
season, despite dry conditions in parts of the state, according to
Mike Johnson, waterfowl biologist for the North Dakota Game and
Fish Department.
"We anticipate a large number of birds in the state this fall," Johnson said. "But due to many temporary and seasonal wetlands drying up in localized areas, birds may be concentrated on larger bodies of water."
Prospects for the continental fall duck flight are good, Johnson said, and North Dakota's contribution to the fall flight should again be well above average. "Duck production in North Dakota was excellent, with high numbers of breeding ducks this spring and a record high production index," Johnson added.
Almost one-third of North Dakota's 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 by the end of September," he said. "Field reports have indicated that many teal have already left with the recent cool weather."
Duck production in prairie Canada is reported to be good this year due to improved water conditions. "All of this should translate into a good duck hunting season for North Dakota waterfowlers," Johnson said.
Snow geese and Canada geese populations 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 average to above-average years on their arctic nesting grounds. "Therefore, hunters should see good numbers of young birds in the fall flight," Johnson said.
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. "Improved habitat conditions were found in much of their breeding range in Canada, and production was good in North Dakota and total numbers remain high," Johnson said.
All migratory bird hunters are reminded to register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting. Hunters who purchase a license through the game and fish website (gf.nd.gov/) or instant licensing telephone number (800-406-6409) can easily get HIP certified.
Otherwise, hunters must call 888-634-4798 and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. Those who registered to hunt the spring light goose season do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required only once per year.
Hunters should refer to the 2003 North Dakota Waterfowl Hunting Guide for season regulations including dates, hunting units and bag limits.
Fall Pheasant Forecast Promising
091703
Another 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 on roadside pheasant brood count information gathered during late July and August, the 2003 pre-hunt pheasant population is up 56 percent from 2002. "This can be attributed to relatively mild winters the past two years," Tripp said, while noting a 15 percent increase in the spring statewide breeding population from last year.
Brood observations statewide were up 67 percent from last year, and the number of juvenile pheasants observed increased 58 percent. Average brood size was 7.6, slightly higher than last year's 7.1.
Dry conditions this summer did not seem to have much of an effect on young birds, Tripp mentioned. "Things started drying up later in the summer after the birds had a good start on survival," he said.
Once again hunters will find the best hunting south of Interstate 94, Tripp noted, statewide from Minnesota to Montana. "This entire area is showing the best population it has experienced in recent years," he added. "Hunters in southeastern North Dakota are going to be pleasantly surprised as this area returns to being a prime pheasant hunting territory."
Last year, hunters in North Dakota harvested 518,000 rooster pheasants. Counties with the highest percentage of pheasants taken were Hettinger, Stark, Burleigh, McLean, Mercer, Sargent and Emmons.
The average annual harvest in the last decade was 294,000, with last year's figure reaching the 10-year high, up from a low of 136,000 in 1997.
The 2003 season opens Oct. 11 and continues through Jan. 4, 2004. 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 2003-2004 Small Game and Furbearer Guide for regulations.
Hunters are reminded that Private Land Open To Sportsmen acreage and state wildlife management areas are open to hunting by only resident hunters from Oct. 11-17. Nonresidents, however, can still hunt those days on other state owned and federal lands, or private land.
Hunters Be Aware of Dry Conditions
091003
In recognition of extreme dry conditions in North Dakota's
countryside, State Game and Fish Department officials are urging
hunters to use caution while in the field this fall.
Hunters are especially encouraged to be aware of the statewide Fire Danger Index, which can restrict hunter activities. "Hunters have a proven track record of safe behavior during dry times," said Dean Hildebrand, game and fish director. "In fact, hunters in the field can help discover, report and suppress fires started by others."
Hunters should consider carrying in their vehicles shovels, fire extinguishers, extra water and heavy fabric for putting out fires, Hildebrand added. "Cell phones are most helpful. Be prepared and know where to call to report an emergency."
The Fire Danger Index is issued by the National Weather Service to alert the public to conditions that may be conducive to accidental starting or spread of fires. The Index can change from day to day depending on temperature, wind and precipitation forecasts.
It is important for outdoor enthusiasts, and rural landowners as well, to follow the Fire Danger Index guidelines listed below.
If the Fire Danger Index reaches the VERY HIGH category, the following guidelines apply:
- Open Burning: Attendance and fire tools are required, and activity is restricted to early morning and late evening hours with low wind conditions.
- Off-Road Motorized Travel: Fire extinguishers and fire tools are recommended, and caution is urged due to the fire hazard posed from exhaust and catalytic converters.
- Smoking: Smokers are asked to restrict smoking to areas free of combustible materials and to use an ashtray or other proper disposal containers.
- Fireworks: Fire extinguishers and fire tools are recommended. The public is asked to restrict the use of fireworks to late afternoon and evening hours with low wind conditions, or according to restrictions issued by local authorities.
- Equipment Operations: Fire extinguishers and fire tools are recommended. Farmers and ranchers are asked to conduct frequent inspections of farm machinery to reduce debris accumulation. The petroleum industry should conduct proper inspection and maintenance of equipment and confine blasting for seismic exploration by 10 feet or more of soil. Spark arresters and a 10-foot radius cleared of combustible materials are recommended for welding activities. Railroads should conduct weekly inspections of exhaust arrester systems and brakes.
If the Fire Danger Index reaches the EXTREME category, the following measures apply:
- Open Burning: Open burning is prohibited.
- Off-Road Motorized Travel: Off-road motorized travel is prohibited except for persons engaged in a trade, business or occupation where it is required. They are required to keep a fire extinguisher and fire tools. (The off-trail restrictions would include waterfowl hunting, big-game retrieval and furbearer hunting and trapping.)
- Smoking: Smoking is restricted to the inside of vehicles, places of habitation and areas cleared to mineral soil. Use of ashtrays or other proper containers are required.
- Fireworks: Use of fireworks by individuals is prohibited.
- Equipment Operations: Farmers are required to have fire extinguishers and fire tools and to frequently inspect farm equipment to reduce debris. They should stay on site one-half hour after operations are completed to ensure no fires develop. Petroleum workers must conduct proper inspection and maintenance of equipment and monitor burning of byproducts. Blasting for seismic exploration should be confined by 10 feet or more of soil. Petroleum workers should remain at the work site for one-half hour after operations are completed. Spark arresters and a 10-foot radius cleared of combustible materials are required for welding activities. Water tankers with 100 gallons and 100 feet of hose are also required. Railroads should conduct weekly inspections of exhaust arrester systems and breaks.
Information on current Fire Danger Indexes is available through the NWS internet site at www.crh.noaa.gov/bis, the game and fish web site at gf.nd.gov/, or your county sheriff's office.
4th Deer Lottery Held; 1st Come, 1st Served
App's Available Sept. 15 091003
All four antlerless deer gun lotteries have been held and
licenses were mailed to successful recipients Sept. 3, a month
earlier than last year, according to Jerry Gulke, data processing
coordinator for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
Hunters receiving second, third or fourth deer gun licenses can use them with a bow immediately, Gulke said. "Hunters with those leftover doe licenses can use them during the archery season, as long as hunters stay in the unit to which the license is assigned," he said.
In addition, those licenses can be used during the deer gun season with a bow, rifle, or muzzle-loader; or during the muzzle-loader season with a muzzle-loader. Again, these licenses must be used for antlerless deer only, and hunters must stay in the unit to which the license is assigned.
"We wanted to move the entire deer lottery process up so we could get these licenses out to hunters early," Gulke said, "specifically to bow hunters so they could use them early in the bow season.
"We weren't real sure how well it would work, and we did have some problems," Gulke continued. "But our licensing staff did an excellent job keying all the applications and we are pleased with the end result. This is one of those situations where everyone wins."
More than 10,200 deer gun licenses are still available. First come, first serve applications will be available for these licenses Sept. 15, and the department will begin processing applications that week. Residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply.
Twenty units have antlerless licenses available as first, second, third or fourth licenses.
Interested hunters may apply online, or print out an application for mailing, at the department's internet web site, gf.nd.gov/. Applications will also be available at all county auditor offices, license vendors and game and fish offices. Hand delivered applications will not be processed at the department while the applicant waits.
The regular deer gun season begins at noon Nov. 7 and continues through Nov. 23.
Licenses Available (B = Any Antlerless; D = Antlerless Whitetail)
Crane Opens Sept. 20; Zone 2
Hunters Asked to Bring Birds to G&F 091003
North Dakota's sandhill crane season opens Sept. 20, with
most season details similar to previous years.
The season is open through Nov. 16 in zone 1 (west of U.S. Highway 281), and through Oct. 26 in zone 2 (east of U.S. Highway 281). Limits are three daily and six in possession in zone 1, and two daily and four in possession in zone 2. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. each day through Oct. 25. Beginning Oct. 26, shooting hours are extended until 2 p.m. each day.
As in past years, prospective hunters need a special crane permit. The permit costs $5 and is available through the State Game and Fish Department's Bismarck office. Hunters can send the permit fee, along with personal information, including height, weight, sex, social security number, date of birth, color of hair and eyes, and hunter education number and state issued, to Crane Permit, NDGF, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501. Resident and nonresident applications can be printed from the department web site at gf.nd.gov/. Hunters can also purchase their crane permit over the web site In previous years, hunters only needed to provide their name and address.
Hunters harvesting cranes east of U.S. Highway 281 are asked to bring their cranes to game and fish 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.
Game and fish district offices are open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On weekends, biologists and game wardens will be checking hunters and cranes in the field.
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 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 final year of the three-year experimental crane hunting season east of Highway 281.
2003 Conservation PLOTS Guide
Available 091003
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has worked with
landowners to improve wildlife habitat and provide hunting access
to more than 360,000 acres of private land this fall, according to
Kevin Kading, private lands biologist for the agency. These tracts,
called Private Lands Open to Sportsmen - PLOTS - are featured in
the new 2003 Conservation PLOTS Guide, now available throughout the
state.
The PLOTS guide contains maps that highlight areas developed through several game and fish private land programs, including CRP cost-share, habitat plots, CoverLocks for Conservation, native forest habitat and others. In the field, these areas are identified by triangular yellow signs. In the PLOTS guide, they are identified as yellow blocks, with CoverLocks areas outlined in green.
The 2003 guide also includes public land in North Dakota, information about private lands and other game and fish programs, an upland game bird identification guide, and other useful materials.
PLOTS guides are free, and available by walk-in at the game and fish department's Bismarck office, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501; 701-328-6300; at district offices in Riverdale, Williston, Dickinson, Jamestown, Devils Lake, Lonetree and Oakes; at county auditor offices; and license vendors. Interested hunters can also view the guide through the department's web site, gf.nd.gov/.
Youth Deer Hunting Season Opens
Sept. 19 091003
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.
19.
"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 are modest is along the Little Missouri River," he said.
The youth deer season opens at noon central daylight time Sept. 19 and continues through Sunday, Sept. 28. 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. Solid daylight fluorescent orange vests or coats, and hats are 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.
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Season
Set for Sept. 20-21; License Required 091003
Youth waterfowl hunters can look forward to high duck and
resident Canada goose populations during the upcoming youth hunting
season, according to Stan Kohn, waterfowl biologist from the North
Dakota Game and Fish Department.
The two-day youth waterfowl season is Sept. 20-21. Legally licensed resident and nonresident youth waterfowl hunters age 15 and younger may hunt ducks, coots, mergansers and geese statewide.
The July brood survey found duck numbers are once again at near-record levels, Kohn said. "We expect to have a high number of birds in the state," Kohn added. "However, the birds may be congregated on larger bodies of water due to many temporary and seasonal wetlands drying up."
Before a youth waterfowler takes to the field, Kohn suggests hunters and mentors scout potential hunting areas before the season; make contact with landowners to access hunting sites; sharpen shooting skills by practicing with clay pigeons; and experienced hunters should spend time with a young hunter going over the regulations.
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 resident youth hunter into the field, and a licensed adult is required to accompany a nonresident youth hunter. The two-day weekend hunt does not count against the nonresident adult hunter's 14-day regular season waterfowl dates.
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.
Fall Turkey Licenses Still
Available 091003
There is still time to get a North Dakota fall wild turkey
license, as 650 licenses remain in six units. These licenses are
issued on a first come, first serve basis and are available as a
first or second license, reports Carrie Whitney, licensing
supervisor for the State Game and Fish Department.
Licenses remain in Unit 04, portions of Billings and Golden Valley counties south of Interstate 94; Unit 13, Dunn County; Unit 17, portions of Billings and Golden Valley counties north of Interstate 94; Unit 19, Grant and Sioux counties and a portion of Morton County; Unit 31, Mountrail County; and Unit 44, Slope County.
Applications are available from the department's Bismarck office, county auditors, and can also be printed from the department's web page at gf.nd.gov/. Only North Dakota residents are eligible to apply.
North Dakota's fall turkey season opens Oct. 11 and continues through Jan. 17, 2004.
Grouse and Partridge Seasons Open
Sept. 13 090303
Sharp-tailed grouse and partridge hunters can anticipate a
few more birds in the field this fall compared to last year,
according to Jerry Kobriger, upland game management supervisor for
the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Dickinson.
The season opens Sept. 13 for sharptails, partridge, and ruffed grouse, while sage grouse hunters will have to wait until Sept. 15.
Hunters can expect a good sharptail season, Kobriger said. "We had a statewide increase in the spring breeding population of 30 percent, and that was on the heels of a statewide increase of more than 20 percent last year," Kobriger added. "Thus, we entered the reproductive season on a good note."
Surveys this summer indicated more broods than last year, a reflection of the higher breeding population. On average, brood size is down one young per brood this year. "The drop is more pronounced in the area southwest of the Missouri River, where it is down 1.5 young per brood," Kobriger said. "However, the increased number of broods will probably offset the drop in average brood size."
Hunters experienced in the central and northern sharptail range will probably find more broods, and brood size similar to or greater than last year.
The buffaloberry crop, usually another barometer of hunter success, is also excellent this year, Kobriger said. "There are a few pockets where berries are limited, but overall it is a very good crop, quite the opposite from last year," he added. "If the weather remains hot, grouse will be in the buffalo berries for both food and shade. If cool, windy, or wet, grouse scatter out in the grasslands and are much harder to locate."
All indicators point to a better gray partridge crop this year, Kobriger mentioned. Harvest in 2002 was up about 30 percent from the previous year, and the wing sample was up nearly 50 percent. Data from April, 2003 showed an increase of more than 20 percent in the spring breeding population. While these percentages seem large, Kobriger cautions that partridge numbers are still low, and small numerical increases can turn into sizeable percentage increases.
Brood surveys this summer showed the southwestern part of the state has the best populations, Kobriger mentioned, while the drift prairie had the best increase this summer. "While populations are still very low, there will be more coveys around this fall," he added. "Dyed-in-the-wool partridge hunters should have better success this year, but partridge will probably remain an incidental species taken by hunters actively pursuing other game birds."
A few more sage grouse were counted this spring than last year, but not enough to be significant, Kobriger said. "The outlook for sage grouse at best seems to point to an average season," he added. "Dedicated sage grouse hunters seem to be able to find flocks, while first or second time hunters have to spend much more time searching.
"We consider sage grouse a trophy species," Kobriger continued, "and hunters should be willing to spend some time to locate one of these birds."
North Dakota's spring ruffed grouse survey indicated a significant population increase compared to 2002, but that doesn't mean birds will be plentiful during the season, according to John W. Schulz, game and fish private land section leader. "Ruffed grouse populations are still at a relatively low level following the apparent cyclic low in 2002," Schulz said.
Sunrise counts taken on survey routes this spring showed increases in male grouse drumming activity in the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills, but a decrease in McHenry County (J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge).
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 2003 grouse and partridge seasons, hunters should consult the North Dakota 2003-2004 Small Game and Furbearer Guide.
Hunters Inquiring About Game
Birds and West Nile Virus 090303
As bird hunting seasons continue to open in North Dakota,
more hunters are expressing concern with the spread of West Nile
virus throughout the state, and safe handling and consumption of
wild game birds.
Jacquie Ermer, North Dakota Game and Fish Department wildlife disease biologist, says there is no major risk to the game bird population. "Game birds may contract the virus," Ermer said, "but the virus usually clears the bloodstream in a short time and is unable to replicate. Thus the bird is no longer infectious. However, some game birds may actually succumb to the virus."
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.
The only proven modes of transmission of the West Nile virus are by a mosquito vector (a mosquito with the virus in its salivary glands injects the virus into the host when it feeds), blood transfusions, organ transplants, trans-placental transmission, and via breast feeding.
There is no evidence that humans can contract the disease by touching or field dressing a bird, Ermer said. "As a precaution against other viral or bacterial pathogens," she added, "hunters should wear rubber gloves when handling or field dressing an animal, and wash hands and tools thoroughly with soapy water or antiseptic wipes after field dressing."
Likewise, Ermer mentions, there is no evidence that a dog can become infected by flushing or retrieving a bird, or that the virus is spread through consumption of meat, or that meat is even affected.
As with any wild game, Ermer cautions to always cook meat thoroughly. The meat of birds should be cooked thoroughly, heating to an internal temperature of 170 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. "Cooking to this temperature will kill the WNV virus, as well as other viruses and bacteria, eliminating any possible chance of infection," she said.
Hunters are at a greater risk of exposure to the virus via a bite by an infected mosquito than by consuming meat of a bird. Therefore, Ermer said hunters should take the personal protection measures of wearing protective clothes (long sleeve shirts and long pants) and by using mosquito repellents on their clothing and skin (follow label directions concerning application) in order to prevent mosquito bites.
For more information about West Nile virus, contact the North Dakota Health Department at 1-800-472-2180; or visit their web site at www.health.state.nd.us; or call the North Dakota Game and Fish Department at 701-328-6300.
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