News Release Archives- August 2004

Opening day for North Dakota residents is Sept. 25 for ducks, coots, mergansers and geese. Nonresidents may begin hunting waterfowl in North Dakota Oct. 2.

All waterfowl hunters must register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting. Hunters purchasing a license from the department's Bismarck office, website (gf.nd.gov/), or instant licensing telephone number (800-406-6409) can easily get a HIP number.

Otherwise, hunters must call 888-634-4798, or log on to the game and fish website, provide the registration information, and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. Those who HIP registered to hunt the spring light goose season do not have to register again, as it is required only once per year.

The boundaries of the three waterfowl hunting zones for nonresidents are the same as in 2003. There is no limit placed on the number of licenses available for each zone, nor is there a cap on the total number of nonresident waterfowl hunters for 2004. Nonresidents who designate zones 1 or 2 may hunt that zone for only one 7-day period during the season. Nonresident hunters who have chosen to hunt in zone 1 or 2 and wish to use the full 14 consecutive days allowed must use the other 7 days in zone 3. Nonresidents cannot hunt both zones 1 and 2 during the season. Hunters in zone 3 can hunt that zone the entire 14 days.

Nonresidents who only hunt waterfowl in North Dakota for one week, and want to maximize hunting opportunities in the state, can choose to run their two 7-day periods at the same time. To do this, hunters must choose either zones 1 or 2 for one 7-day period, and select zone 3 for the same 7-day period. By designating both of these options for the same week, the 14-day total is met.

The daily bag limit for ducks is six per day, with the same species and sex restrictions as in 2003. Pintails and canvasbacks will be limited to 39 days, and can be taken only from Sept. 25 through Nov. 2.

The hunting season for Canada geese and light geese will close Dec. 23, and the season for whitefronts closes Dec. 19. Shooting hours for all geese shall be one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. each day through Oct. 30. Beginning Oct. 31, shooting hours are extended until 2 p.m. each day.

Extended shooting hours for Canada geese and white-fronted geese are permitted on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with shooting hours on those days from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

The daily bag limit for Canada geese during the regular season is three, with six in possession. White-fronted goose daily limit is two, with four in possession, and light goose limit is 20 daily, with no possession limit.

The special youth waterfowl hunting season is Sept. 18-19. Legally licensed residents and nonresidents 15 years of age or younger can hunt ducks, coots, mergansers and geese statewide. A licensed adult at least 18 years of age must accompany the youth hunter into the field. The daily bag limit and species restrictions are the same as for regular duck and goose seasons. Youth hunters may take one pintail and one canvasback daily during this special season.

Nonresidents are prohibited from hunting all species of game on game and fish department wildlife management areas or Private Land Open To Sportsmen acreage statewide from Oct. 9-15.

Refer to the 2004 North Dakota Waterfowl Hunting Guide, available in early September, for further details on the waterfowl season.

The 2004 proclamation, signed by Governor John Hoeven, provides transportation and importation guidelines for white-tailed deer, mule deer and elk. "The state legislature passed a bill in 2003 giving the governor authority, by proclamation, to implement carcass importation restrictions as a precaution against the possible spread of chronic wasting disease into the state," Link said. "Hunters are no longer allowed to transport into North Dakota the whole carcass, or certain carcass parts, of deer or elk from areas within states or provinces with documented occurrences of CWD in wild populations and private game farms."

CWD affects the nervous system of white-tailed deer, mule deer and elk and is always fatal. To date, CWD has not been diagnosed in wild or farmed deer or elk in North Dakota, but has been found in a growing number of locations across North America in recent years.

Scientists have found no evidence that CWD can be transmitted naturally to humans or livestock.

Hunters are allowed to transport the following portions of the carcass:

• Meat that is cut and wrapped either commercially or privately.
• Quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached.
• Meat that has been boned out.
• Hides with no heads attached.
• Clean (no meat or tissue attached) skull plates with antlers attached.
• Antlers with no meat or tissue attached.
• Upper canine teeth, also known as buglers, whistlers or ivories.
• Finished taxidermy heads.

The following game management units, equivalent wildlife management units, or counties have had deer or elk diagnosed with CWD, and only the carcass parts listed above from harvested elk, white-tailed and mule deer in these units will be allowed into North Dakota.

• Colorado - game management units 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 36, 37, 38, 51, 59, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 161, 171, 181, 191, 211, 231, 301, 391, 421, 441, 461, 521, 951;
• Illinois - Counties of Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, DeKalb;
• Nebraska - Upper Platte, Plains, and Pine Ridge Units, which include the counties of Cheyenne, Kimball, Sioux, Scotts Bluff, Morrill, Sheridan, Box Butte, Dawes, Banner;
• New Mexico - White Sands Missile Base (GMU 19);
• Saskatchewan - Wildlife Management Zone 13, 14, 46, 47, 68 South;
• South Dakota - Prairie units 321A, 327A, 327B; and Black Hills units 403A, 404A;
• Utah - Manti Unit 16, South Slope Unit 9, La Sal Unit 13;
• Wisconsin - any deer registered with a Wisconsin DNR Red Registration Tag from the area designated as the Disease Eradication Zone including deer management zones 70-CWD, 70A-CWD, 70B-CWD, 70C-CWD, 70D-CWD, 71-CWD, 73E-CWD, 75A-CWD, 75C-CWD, 76-CWD, 76M-CWD, 77A-CWD, 77B;
• Wyoming - Deer Hunt Areas 6, 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 22, 34, 41, 55, 57, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67,70, 73, 74, 75, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 88, 89, 158, 164 or Elk Hunt Areas 5, 6, 7.

Additional units may be added as necessary, Link said, and the public will be informed of any additional areas through department news releases and website.

Because each state has its own set of rules and regulations, hunters should contact the state in which they will be hunting to obtain more information. "All hunters must comply with regulations in the state they are hunting," Link said. "These regulations do not supersede existing regulations."

Historically, these water bodies account for nearly one-half of all statewide fishing efforts. As recent as 2000-01, anglers spent about 2.6 million hours of fishing on these waters during the open-water months. In addition, approximately 2 million sport fish were caught, including nearly 1.5 million walleye.

Recent water events, however, have made fishery management challenging. "Although a mere 100 miles apart, the states two largest fisheries, Lake Sakakawea and Devils Lake, are experiencing records but headed in opposite directions," Power said. "Virtually every day this summer, Lake Sakakawea's water level has been at a record low for the day, while Devils Lake has experienced daily record highs."

Drought and past federal water management practices have resulted in the virtual disappearance of water in the upper ends of lakes Sakakawea and Oahe. Boating access from all the traditional boat ramps on the North Dakota end of Lake Oahe no longer exists. "Anglers from communities such as Williston and Linton now have many more miles to travel to find fishing access and fish to be caught on the Missouri River System," Power said. "To date, as a result of low water, there has been practically no fishing use on Lake Oahe, and fishing pressure for Lake Sakakawea has declined 25 percent."

Despite either too much or too little water, Power said, the fisheries of Lake Sakakawea and Devils Lake continue to hold steady. Although the upper portion of Lake Sakakawea has virtually disappeared as a viable fishery, expenditures of about $1.3 million (by various federal, state and county agencies) for boating access this past year has helped to maintain boating access at 22 sites. "Anglers who made it out in June and July generally found good walleye fishing as catch rates have been similar to the past few years," Power said. "In addition, a cool summer has provided an unexpected benefit - that is protection of the coldwater habitat that is needed to support the lake's forage base, specifically rainbow smelt. However, the long-term health of the smelt population remains a real concern."

Devils Lake has also had good fishing this summer. Even with a constant rise in lake elevation this spring, northern pike were caught in large numbers. As the summer progressed, Power mentioned, walleye fishing was consistently good throughout much of the lake. The planned expenditure of approximately $250,000 to raise or relocate a few ramps has helped maintain the same number (eight) of access sites at the lake as in 2003.

As school resumes and fall returns, good fishing opportunities on Devils Lake, Lake Sakakawea and the Missouri River will still be available, Power said. "Although the water situation continues to be troublesome, especially on the Missouri River System, stable walleye populations with a good or improving size structure can be found in all water bodies, and anglers are encouraged to experience these large fisheries," he said.

Over the past year, North Dakota Game and Fish Department biologists worked with representatives of the North Dakota Bow Hunters Association to refine equipment standards.

A compound bow must have at least 35 pounds of draw or pull at 28 inches or less draw length. Recurve and long bows must have at least 35 pounds of draw or pull at 28 inches.

Arrows must be at least 24 inches in length, tipped with a metal broadhead, with at least two sharp cutting edges, and have a cutting diameter of at least three-fourths of an inch. Broadheads with mechanical or retractable blades are legal.

The pronghorn archery season is open through Oct. 10, while the archery deer season is open through Jan. 2, 2005.

Students must attend either a state or tribal college, and be from a state that is a member of the Midwest student or Western undergraduate exchange program. Students attending private colleges are not eligible.

Qualifying states are Minnesota, Michigan, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, California, Arizona, Idaho, Colorado, South Dakota, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming.

The resident fee applies only to common, over-the-counter licenses such as fishing, small game, waterfowl, and archery deer and pronghorn. It does not apply to lottery licenses.

Licenses for qualifying students are issued only through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's Bismarck office and website. To purchase a license online, access the department's website at gf.nd.gov/.

2004-05 North Dakota Small Game and Furbearer Guides Available 082504
North Dakota's 2004-05 small game and furbearer regulations are now printed on separate guides and are available to hunters throughout the state.

Small game season details are still printed on a white, foldout guide that includes a summary of changes from last year, as well as licensing requirements, season dates, bag limits, sunrise-sunset times, and state and federal regulations.

Furbearer season details and general regulations are printed on a tan one-page brochure. Hunters and trappers should refer to the small game guide for license fees and sunrise and sunset times.

Guides are available at county auditors, license vendors, North Dakota Game and Fish Department offices, and the department web site at gf.nd.gov/. The 2004 waterfowl regulations will be available in early September.

The season is open statewide from Sept. 1 through Oct. 30. The daily limit is 15 and possession limit is 30. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

All migratory bird hunters must get HIP certified prior to going afield. 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 can call 888-634-4798 to register, and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. Hunters can also register with HIP on the game and fish department website. 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.

In addition, mourning dove hunters are asked to carefully check all doves for leg bands during the season.

From 2003-2005, more than 85,000 mourning doves are expected to be trapped and banded in 26 states - including North Dakota - as part of a nationwide mourning dove study. This is the second summer of a three-year mourning dove banding project.

Doves have been fitted with metal leg bands, each inscribed with a bird identification number and a toll-free telephone number to report the band. In return, wildlife managers will receive important information on the number of banded doves harvested, and location and date of the harvest.

The three-year study is designed to determine mourning dove harvest rates, estimate annual survival, provide information on geographical distribution of harvest, and to develop and refine techniques for a future larger scale dove banding program.

Bird bands can be reported by calling 1-800-327-BAND (2263); or online at www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl. Hunters will be provided with a certificate of appreciation that identifies who banded the bird, the age of the bird, and the date and location of where the bird was banded.

Last summer, more than 750 mourning doves were banded in North Dakota. Thirteen of those birds were shot by hunters and reported to the Bird Banding Lab during fall and winter of 2003-04. About 40 percent of these doves were shot in North Dakota, while others were harvested in Mexico, Georgia, New Mexico and Texas.

"This is mainly due to the number of pheasant crows in the southern one-third of the state," Kohn said. "At this point it appears that with average reproduction our pre-hunt pheasant population will show an increase over 2003," Kohn said.

Pheasant crowing counts are conducted each spring throughout North Dakota. The index does not measure an entire population density, Kohn mentioned, but is an indicator of the pheasant population trend. Observers drive specified 20-mile routes, stopping at pre-determined intervals, and count the number of pheasant roosters heard crowing during the stop. The information recorded is compared to previous years' data, providing a population trend.

The survey indicated crowing counts are comparable or up in all areas of the state except the northwest and far west central portion of the state. "Crow count numbers are up slightly in the central portion of the state, and are up more than 35 percent in the south," Kohn said.

Even though the crowing count indicates an increase in numbers, the fall pheasant population largely depends on reproduction success in late May and early June. "The pheasant brood data now coming in will tell us more regarding the outlook for fall pheasant hunting," Kohn said.

Landowners who participate in the program place a YOUTH sticker on a "no hunting" sign. The sticker is not a guarantee that a landowner will allow access on a particular day, but they are positive encouragement for young hunters to ask.

"We are pleased with the number of stickers that have been distributed statewide," Williams said. "Our goal was to instill confidence in the young hunter by seeking and obtaining permission to get on the land, therefore learning proper landowner-hunter relations."

Private landowners interested in finding out more about the program, or to receive free YOUTH stickers, should contact a local game and fish office, or the main office in Bismarck at 701-328-6300.

Any person who requires an auxiliary aid or service must notify Doug Howie, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, at 701-328-6333 prior to the scheduled meeting date.

Hunters will have a daily bag limit of five Canada geese and a possession limit of 10. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily. Limits and shooting hours are different from the regular season, Johnson said. The proposed regular season bag has a daily limit of three and a possession limit of six.

All migratory bird hunters must register with HIP 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.

Normal licensing requirements for the regular season, including a federal duck stamp, apply to the September Canada goose season. Nonresidents who hunt in Sargent and Richland counties during the early season may do so without counting against their 14-day regular season license.

Waterfowl rest areas, closed to hunting during the regular season, will be open during the early September season. Most land in these rest areas is private, Johnson noted, so hunters may need permission to hunt within rest areas.

The purpose of the early season is to increase harvest of resident Canada geese - those birds that nest and raise their young in North Dakota - whose statewide population has grown substantially in recent years. The early to mid-September season promotes the harvest of resident birds, as migrants do not usually begin filtering into the state until later in September.

North Dakota's giant Canada goose population continues to expand. In some parts of the state the growing population has led to in increased reports from landowners concerning depredation on crops. The early season can specifically address these resident goose populations, Johnson said.

The 2004 brood index from the department's annual mid-July survey was down 45 percent from last year's record total, but still 77 percent above the 1955-2003 average. Average brood size was 6.4 ducklings, down 0.4 from last year. The long term average is 7.2 ducklings per brood. The water index observed during the survey was unchanged from 2003, and 45 percent above the 1955-2003 average.

Average age of broods was younger than the long-term average, Johnson said. Brood survey results, Johnson expects, may be somewhat low due to marginal weather conditions and dense vegetative cover on many wetlands.

The index does not count every water body or duckling in the state. Instead, representative transects across the state are sampled each year. Over time, survey results provide biologists with trend information that allows annual comparisons of waterfowl production in the state.

North Dakota Swan Hunt Applications Due Aug. 18 081104
The application deadline for this fall's North Dakota tundra swan season is Aug. 18, reminds Carrie Whitney, licensing supervisor for the State Game and Fish Department.

The statewide tundra swan hunting season is Oct. 2 - Dec. 12. North Dakota residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply. The fee is $5 for residents and $25 for nonresidents. A total of 2,200 licenses are available.

Interested hunters can apply at the game and fish internet website. Access the department's website at gf.nd.gov/ to submit a lottery application online, or to print out an application for mailing. Regular license fees apply and no service charge is added. The department's online application feature will be deactivated Aug. 18 at midnight.

Applications are also available from game and fish offices, county auditors, license vendors, or by calling 1-800-406-6409. Persons applying by calling the 800 number must use a credit card and a service charge is added.

The test will be given at game and fish offices in Devils Lake (662-3617), Dickinson (227-7431), Bismarck (328-6604), Williston (774-4320), Jamestown (253-6480), and Riverdale (654-7475).

The 2003 North Dakota state legislature established licensing requirements for hunting guides and outfitters in the state. The requirements must be completed prior to obtaining a license.

In addition to passing a written exam, qualifications for becoming a guide include a background check for criminal and game and fish violations; certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and standard first aid; and employment by or contract with a licensed hunting outfitter.

Hunting outfitter eligibility requirements include the guide qualifications, as well as an individual must have held a hunting guide license for two years; and must have proof of liability insurance.

Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest 080404
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is accepting entries for the 15th annual Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest. Deadline for submitting photos is Sept. 30.

The contest encompasses all North Dakota wildlife in a variety of categories: nongame species, game species, insects and plants.

The winner in the nongame category - which includes only animals that are not hunted, fished or trapped - will appear on the department's 2005 Watchable Wildlife Program promotional poster.

The photographer submitting the poster winner receives five rolls of film, while runners-up in each category receive three rolls of film. Each of the prize-winning photographs will appear in North Dakota OUTDOORS magazine in January 2005.

The poster image will be selected only from entries that are original, vertical-composition transparencies (slides). Prints, slides and digital photos are all acceptable formats for entries in each category.

Photo Contest Rules:

• Eligibility. The contest is open to both amateur and professional photographers. North Dakota Game and Fish Department employees and their immediate family members are not eligible. Photographs must be taken in North Dakota.
• How and where to enter. The contest is limited to 35mm slides or larger format transparencies, or 5x7-inch or larger color prints in either vertical or horizontal composition. Prints made from unaltered digital files are accepted. Photographers are limited to no more than five entries each. The overall winner must be in vertical format for use on the promotional poster.

Photo requirements: Slides, transparencies or prints must be accompanied by the photographer's name, address and phone number. Other information such as photo site location and month taken, equipment used, film speed and type, and lens/aperture settings would be useful.

Deadline. Entries will be accepted through Sept. 30, 2004. Judging will take place in October, with winners notified by Nov. 30. Receipt of entries will not be acknowledged.

Judging. Photos are judged on quality, composition, content and general appeal.

The game and fish department reserves the right to copy and print winners to promote the Watchable Wildlife program. By submitting an entry, photographers grant permission to game and fish to publish winning photographs in its magazine, North Dakota OUTDOORS, and also as part of the magazine on the department's web page, gf.nd.gov//. Appropriate credit will be given in any publication where such photos are used.

All entries should be sent to: Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095.

Nonwinning entries will be returned following contest judging.

Although care will be taken with submitted material, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department assumes no financial responsibility for lost or damaged materials.

Please respect private lands by obtaining permission and be sure to use proper wildlife-watching ethics while photographing.

To apply, hunters need to send a postcard, addressed to Prairie Chicken Application - containing their name, address, phone number and hunting zone - to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department at 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, N.D. 58501.

For the first time since 1945 an experimental prairie grouse hunting season will be held Oct. 9-17 in two hunting zones, one in Grand Forks County and the other in southeastern North Dakota. Fifty permits will be awarded to resident hunters in each zone. The season limit is two prairie grouse, which may be a combination of sharp-tailed grouse or prairie chicken.

Deadline for applying is Aug. 11. Applicants must be legally licensed to hunt. Successful applicants will be notified through the mail.

Proceeds of the raffle are split between the Game Warden Museum and RMEF. Half of the proceeds are used for elk management or other wildlife conservation related projects in the state, and the remaining 50 percent is used for construction and maintenance of the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Memorial Museum and Educational Center at the International Peace Gardens in North Dakota.

Prior to this year, the wardens' association sponsored a moose license raffle to generate funds for the museum.