News Release Archives - November 2003

Gratis Licenses Can Only Be Used During Open Seasons With Legal Weapons | Game and Fish, Snowmobile North Dakota Caution Snowmobile Enthusiasts | North Dakota to Host Pronghorn Workshop | 2004 North Dakota OUTDOORS Calendar Available | Mule Deer Population Continues Positive Trend | Private Lands Program Shows Considerable Acreage Gain | Deer Hunters: Don't Throw Away Gratis, Second, Third and Fourth Season Licenses | Late-Season Upland Game Opportunities Available on Refuges | Game and Fish Reminds Public of Advisory Board Meetings | North Dakota's Darkhouse Spearfishing Season Opens Dec. 1 | Game and Fish Reports Bighorn Sheep, E3 and E4 Elk Harvests | New CWD Areas Identified in Wyoming | Deer Hunters Cautioned to be Aware of Ice Conditions | 2003 Fall Game and Fish Advisory Board Meetings Set

Gratis Licenses Can Only Be Used During Open Seasons with Legal Weapons 112603
Deer hunters who have a gratis license yet to fill are reminded they can still hunt during the muzzle-loader season with a muzzle-loader, and with a bow during the archery season. Centerfire rifles, however, are no longer an option since the deer gun season closed Nov. 23.

The same rule applies for holders of unfilled second, third and fourth season antlerless deer gun licenses. Once the regular deer gun season closed, these licenses can only be used 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. 28 at noon and continues through Dec. 14. The bow season is open through Jan. 4, 2004.

Game and Fish, Snowmobile North Dakota Caution Snowmobile Enthusiasts 112603
Snow arriving on North Dakota's prairie in November is something that snowmobile enthusiasts hope for every year. This year's snowfall filled that wish, allowing many snowmobilers to get out and enjoy the state's wide open landscape.

With snowmobilers already venturing across the prairie, officials from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and Snowmobile North Dakota alert riders to observe state laws that protect wildlife and its habitat.

Game wardens and field personnel urge snowmobilers to stay clear of wildlife with their machines. Thoughtless harassing or chasing of wildlife not only stresses animals, but is also illegal. With more snowfall to come, the game and fish department wants to address this potential problem before it gets started, says Randy Kreil, chief of the department's wildlife division.

"First, we want people to understand that pursuing and chasing wildlife with snowmobiles is harassment and it's illegal," Kreil said. "Secondly, we'd like snowmobilers to be aware and cognizant that while running their snowmobiles near, through, or around winter habitat such as thickets, cattails, and wooded areas, they may inadvertently scare wintering wildlife, causing them additional stress or injury. We just hope that snowmobilers take this into consideration, and give wildlife a little comfort space when out enjoying their sport."

Snowmobile North Dakota, a program with the state Parks and Recreation Department, also promotes safe and enjoyable riding, according to Keri Vammer, SND program manager. State parks, SND and local clubs maintain hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails across the state, and Vammer urges riders to enjoy the trails and avoid situations that could disturb wildlife.

While the game and fish department receives calls regarding wildlife harassment during most winters, Paul Freeman, district game warden supervisor, Devils Lake, anticipates more calls this year with the probability of more snow cover than the past few years. "Most of the problems involve snowmobilers chasing furbearers," Freeman said, "and every once in a while someone ends up chasing a deer.

"All we ask for from the snowmobiler is to use their machine for what it is intended, and to keep wildlife out of that mix," Freeman continued. "Our natural resources are a thing of beauty, and it is something North Dakotans are proud of. That is why we receive the calls, people are concerned about the outdoors, and they don't want to see wildlife being harassed."

Information on the North Dakota trail system is available at the Snowmobile North Dakota web site at www.snowmobilend.com.

North Dakota to Host Pronghorn Workshop 112603
The 21st Biennial Pronghorn Workshop is scheduled for Bismarck May 2-4, 2004, and participants are encouraged to sign up before Dec. 31, 2003. The workshop is hosted by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service.

The 2004 workshop provides an opportunity for biologists from Canada, Mexico, and the United States to exchange and discuss information regarding pronghorn research, and practical solutions to management challenges. Other workshop goals and objectives include formulating recommendations for the perpetuation of sustainable pronghorn populations, and promoting communication and cooperation between agencies, organizations and individuals.

The workshop will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Bismarck. Registration is $100 prior to Dec. 31.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting Bill Jensen, Co-Chair, 21st Biennial Pronghorn Workshop, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501; phone (701) 328-6637.

2004 North Dakota OUTDOORS Calendar Available 112603
The 2004 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 Bismarck, Fargo, Minot and Grand Forks.

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.

Mule Deer Population Continues Positive Trend 112603
Biologists continue to be encouraged with North Dakota's mule deer population, based on observations conducted by the State Game and Fish Department during the recent fall reproduction survey.

Observers who accompanied pilots in fixed-wing planes counted 2,091 mule deer during the October survey, which encompassed 23 study areas and 285 square miles in western North Dakota, according to Bruce Stillings, big game biologist, Dickinson.

The fawn-to-doe ratio was 0.92 fawns per doe, slightly below the long-term average, Stillings said. The buck-to-doe ratio was 0.37 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.

"The bottom line," Stillings continued, "is that the mule deer population is healthy in the badlands."

Private Lands Program Shows Considerable Acreage Gain 111903
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department's Private Lands Initiative program has made significant strides over the last two years in making private land available for public access, according to John W. Schulz, private land section leader for the department.

As of Oct. 31, 2003, Private Land Open To Sportsmen acreage has increased nearly threefold since 2001, from 148,000 acres to 414,000 acres now. "The rapid expansion of the program has its basis in increased funding, additional staff, revised and new private lands programs, and several well-organized and timely promotional campaigns," Schulz said, "and there is so much more that can be done."

Access acres provided in the 2003 PLOTS program are CRP cost-share, 225,808 acres; habitat plots, 143,029; CREP/CoverLocks, 14,879; native forest plots, 13,545; CRP cost-share replacement, 5,000; food plots, 4,626; WPR incentive, 2,754; tree planting cost-share, 2,471; and beginning farmer plots, 1,600.

More than half of the 414,000 acres is enrolled in CRP cost-share, a program that pays landowners for up to half the cost of grass seed, and additional compensation for no haying or grazing for land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, in exchange for hunting access on these acres. "Formerly this program only paid landowners for up to half the cost of grass seed in exchange for hunting access," Schulz said. "The new two-tiered approach should be attractive to producers who opt to manage hay and graze on an annual basis, or those producers who have no intention of haying or grazing their CRP tract.

"Our programs will continue to be viable considerations for producers," Schulz continued, "as we change the programs, add new ones, or as producer situations change."

The Private Land Initiative has several short-term and long-term programs that offer a variety of choices, depending on a landowner's needs and interests. "We offer a number of options, all with a goal of putting habitat on the landscape through habitat-based access programs," Schulz said.

The department has programs that might interest landowners statewide. For more information, landowners can call the game and fish Bismarck office, or district offices in Williston, Riverdale, Dickinson, Devils Lake, Jamestown, Harvey and Oakes.

Deer Hunters: Don't Throw Away Gratis, Second, Third and Fourth Season Licenses 111903
Deer hunters who have a gratis license yet to fill are reminded they can still hunt during the muzzle-loader season with a muzzle-loader, and with a bow during the archery season. Centerfire rifles, however, are no longer an option since the deer gun season closed Nov. 23.

The same rule applies for holders of unfilled second, third and fourth season antlerless deer gun licenses. Once the regular deer gun season closed, these licenses can only be used 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. 28 at noon and continues through Dec. 14. The bow season is open through Jan. 4, 2004.

Late-Season Upland Game Opportunities Available on Refuges 111903
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. 24.

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 2003-2004 North Dakota Small Game and Furbearer Guide, apply. Seasons for pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian partridge, ruffed grouse and turkey close statewide on Jan. 4, 2004.

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.

Game and Fish Reminds Public of Advisory Board Meetings 111903
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is issuing a reminder for the upcoming fall advisory board meetings. Hunters, anglers, trappers, and landowners are invited to attend these public forums to discuss wildlife issues in their area.

The main issue to be addressed at this fall's meetings is a review of deer population objectives by unit. Other topics on the agenda include:

* Unit 2B: Allow unsuccessful "early" season doe hunters to hunt either the entire "late" season or the last weekend of the late season.

* Move sage grouse season to the middle of October in 2004. This is under consideration to reduce harvest on hens and allow males to mature another month.

* Establish a prairie grouse season in current closed areas in eastern North Dakota that would allow limited harvest of prairie chickens in the Grand Forks and Sheyenne National Grassland areas.

* Proposed changes to fishing proclamation.

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.

Meeting dates and locations are as follows:

District 1 - Counties: Divide, McKenzie and Williams.
Date: November 24 - 7 p.m.
Location: Courthouse, Crosby.
Host: NW Sportsman's Club.
Contact: David Reistad, 834-2434.
Advisory board member: Merle Jost, Grassy Butte.

District 8 - Counties: Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope and Stark.
Date: November 25 - 7 p.m. MT.
Location: Great Plains National Bank, Belfield.
Host: Belfield Sportsman Club.
Contact: Pat Lothspeich, 575-8855.
Advisory board member: Jerry D. Jeffers, Rhame.

District 5 - Counties: Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele and Traill.
Date: December 1 - 7 p.m.
Location: Casselton City Hall.
Host: Cass Co. Wildlife Club.
Contact: Gary Knotts, 235-5347.
Advisory board member: Kenneth Toop, Casselton.

District 4 - Counties: Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina and Walsh.
Date: December 2 - 7 p.m.
Location: Ramada Inn, Grand Forks.
Host: Grand Forks Co. Wildlife Association.
Contact: Marty Egeland, 795-3811.
Advisory board member: Dan Mikkelson, Grand Forks.

District 3 - Counties: Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner.
Date: December 3 - 7 p.m.
Location: Courthouse, Langdon.
Host: Cavalier Co. Gun Club.
Contact: Rod Howatt, 256-3302.
Advisory board member: Barbara Ash, Devils Lake.

District 7 - Counties: Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux.
Date: December 4 - 7 p.m.
Location: ND Game and Fish Department, Bismarck.
Host: Nishu Bowmen Club.
Contact: Phil Helfrich, 223-2811.
Advisory board member: Ray Gruby, Bismarck.

District 6 - Counties: Barnes, Dickey, Foster, Griggs, Logan, LaMoure, McIntosh, Stutsman and Wells.
Date: December 8 - 7 p.m.
Location: Community Hall, Wimbledon.
Host: Tri-County Trap and Wildlife Club.
Contact: Al Goehring, 269-2968.
Advisory board member: Rita Greer, Marion.

District 2 - Counties: Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville and Ward.
Date: December 9 - 7 p.m.
Location: International Inn, Minot.
Host: International Inn.
Advisory board member and contact: Gary Melby, Bowbells, 377-2803.

Any person who requires an auxiliary aid or service must notify the contact person at least five days prior to the scheduled meeting date.

North Dakota's Darkhouse Spearfishing Season Opens Dec. 1 111203
North Dakota's darkhouse spearfishing season is set and regulations are the same as last year.

The season begins Dec. 1 and continues through Feb. 28. Legal species are northern pike and nongame species.

All individuals who participate in darkhouse spearfishing will have to register with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Registration is available at the department's web site, gf.nd.gov/, or through any game and fish department office.

Darkhouse spearing is 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 darkhouse spearfishing can darkhouse spearfish in North Dakota with a valid fishing license. Of neighboring states, only Minnesota does not allow nonresident darkhouse spearfishing.

Other regulations include:

* A spear is counted as a pole (line) while darkhouse spearfishing.

* Pneumatic or rubber band powered spear guns are not allowed.

* 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.

* No size limit on ice hole in lakes where darkhouse spearing is allowed. However, hook and line fishing is legal only in holes no larger than 12 inches in diameter.

* Legal live baitfish, with the exception of white sucker, and artificial lures can be used as decoys.

* Daily/possession limits are the same as for hook and line fishing.

* Darkhouse spearing is allowed only in the following areas: Devils Lake, Benson/Ramsey counties; Silver Lake, Benson County; Powers Lake, Burke County; Rice Lake, Emmons County; Juanita Lake, Foster County; Lake Etta/Alkaline Lake 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, 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.

Last winter, more than 1,600 people registered to darkhouse spearfish. Participants took nearly 5,200 pike. The top three lakes in 2002-03, in terms of pike harvested and spearing days, were Grass Lake, West Lake and Lake Sakakawea.

Game and Fish Reports Bighorn Sheep, E3 and E4 Elk Harvests 111203
All four North Dakota bighorn sheep hunters filled their tags this year, and elk hunters in units E3 and E4 had the same success rate - 65 percent in E3 and 29 percent in E4 - as hunters in 2002, according to statistics compiled by the State Game and Fish Department.

One bighorn sheep unit was open in 2003. Four licenses were issued in Unit B4 and all hunters tagged adult rams. Unit B4 is portions of Billings, Dunn, Golden Valley, McKenzie and Stark counties.

Thirteen out of 20 elk hunters in Unit E3 were successful this year, the same as in 2002. Three landowners received tags and one was successful, harvesting a bull. Lottery licenses were issued to 17 hunters, with 11 bulls and one cow harvested. Unit E3 is Billings and Golden Valley counties, except that portion of land known as Unit E4 and Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

A total of 65 licenses were issued in Unit E4, and 19 hunters were successful. Five out of 15 landowners, and 14 out of 50 lottery license holders harvested elk. Six bulls and two cows were taken in the early season, and three bulls and three cows during the late season. Landowners took three bulls and two cows. Unit E4 is a small portion of Billings and Golden Valley counties north of Interstate 94 (excluding all of Theodore Roosevelt National Park) that is within Unit E3.

Statistics for 2003 moose, and E1 and E2 elk seasons will be available in January.

New CWD Areas Identified in Wyoming 111203
Wyoming Deer Hunt Areas 70, 74, 81 and 164 have been identified as areas with chronic wasting disease, so North Dakotans hunting in these areas must follow the same transportation and importation regulations as in other out-of-state places where CWD is present.

Hunters can no longer transport into North Dakota the whole carcass, or carcass parts of white-tailed deer, mule deer or elk from areas within states or provinces with documented occurrences of CWD in wild populations and private game farms.

North Dakota's 2003 deer and elk carcass importation proclamation establishes these guidelines as a precaution against the possible spread of chronic wasting disease into the state. To date, CWD has not been diagnosed in wild or farmed deer or elk in North Dakota.

A complete list of states and units with CWD can be found on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website gf.nd.gov/.

Deer Hunters Cautioned to be Aware of Ice Conditions 110503
State Game and Fish Department officials are urging deer hunters to be on the safe side when determining ice conditions during this year's deer gun season.

Approximately 80,000 hunters are expected to take part in North Dakota's most anticipated hunting season, which opens Friday, Nov. 7 at noon and continues through Nov. 23. While most hunters have already formulated season-opening plans and readied equipment, Mother Nature has decided to add another element to consider - ice awareness.

Recent cold weather has iced-over most smaller and mid-sized waters in the state. Jackie Lundstrom, district game warden, Bismarck, said hunters should be cautious of walking on frozen stock ponds, sloughs, creeks and rivers. "It is not safe to walk across those areas at this time of the year," Lundstrom said. "Hunters get the idea that if they see deer tracks going across a creek or stock pond, then it is safe enough to cross. That is not the case."

Hunters walking the edge of a cattail slough will not find the same ice thickness in the middle. "The edges firm up faster than the center," Lundstrom said. "Don't think you can make it across the middle of a slough or a stock pond just because the edge seems pretty solid."

One final piece of advice Lundstrom offers is for hunters to know where all members of a hunting group are at, and to know the route each one will take while in the field. "Always formulate a plan before the hunt begins," she added. "It is always beneficial when each person in a hunting party is at least in sight of another. That way, there are no sudden surprises."

2003 Fall Game and Fish Advisory Board Meetings Set 110503
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.

The main issue to be addressed at this fall's meetings is a review of deer population objectives by unit. Other topics on the agenda include:

• Unit 2B: Allow unsuccessful "early" season doe hunters to hunt either the entire "late" season or the last weekend of the late season.
• Move sage grouse season to the middle of October for the 2004 season. This is under consideration to reduce harvest on hens and allow males to mature another month.
• Establish a prairie grouse season in current closed areas in eastern North Dakota that would allow limited harvest of prairie chickens in the Grand Forks and Sheyenne National Grassland areas.
• Summary of proposed changes to fishing proclamation.

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.

Meeting dates and locations are as follows:

• District 1 - Counties: Divide, McKenzie and Williams.
  Date: November 24 - 7 p.m.
  Location: Courthouse, Crosby
  Host: NW Sportsman's Club
  Contact: David Reistad, 834-2434
  Advisory board member: Merle Jost, Grassy Butte.
  
  
• District 8 - Counties: Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope and Stark.
  Date: November 25 - 7 p.m. MT.
  Location: Great Plains National Bank, Belfield.
  Host: Belfield Sportsman Club.
  Contact: Pat Lothspeich, 575-8855.
  Advisory board member: Jerry D. Jeffers, Rhame.
  
  
• District 5 - Counties: Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele and Traill.
  Date: December 1 - 7 p.m.
  Location: Casselton City Hall.
  Host: Cass Co. Wildlife Club.
  Contact: Gary Knotts, 235-5347.
  Advisory board member: Kenneth Toop, Casselton.
  
  
• District 4 - Counties: Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina and Walsh.
  Date: December 2 - 7 p.m.
  Location: Ramada Inn, Grand Forks.
  Host: Grand Forks Co. Wildlife Association.
  Contact: Marty Egeland, 795-3811.
  Advisory board member: Dan Mikkelson, Grand Forks.
  
  
• District 3 - Counties: Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner.
  Date: December 3 - 7 p.m.
  Location: Courthouse, Langdon.
  Host: Cavalier Co. Gun Club.
  Contact: Rod Howatt, 256-3302.
  Advisory board member: Barbara Ash, Devils Lake.
  
  
• District 7 - Counties: Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux.
  Date: December 4 - 7 p.m.
  Location: ND Game and Fish Department, Bismarck.
  Host: Nishu Bowmen Club.
  Contact: Phil Helfrich, 223-2811.
  Advisory Board member: Ray Gruby, Bismarck.
  
  
• District 6 - Counties: Barnes, Dickey, Foster, Griggs, Logan, LaMoure, McIntosh, Stutsman and Wells.
  Date: December 8 - 7 p.m.
  Location: Community Hall, Wimbledon.
  Host: Tri-County Trap and Wildlife Club.
  Contact: Al Goehring, 269-2968.
  Advisory board member: Rita Greer, Marion.
  
  
• District 2 - Counties: Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville and Ward.
  Date: December 9 - 7 p.m.
  Location: International Inn, Minot.
  Host: International Inn.
  Advisory board member and contact: Gary Melby, Bowbells, 377-2803.

Any person who requires an auxiliary aid or service must notify the contact person at least five days prior to the scheduled meeting date.

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