News Release Archives- January 2005

The 2004 state income tax form provides taxpayers with an opportunity to sustain nongame wildlife like songbirds and birds of prey, while at the same time contributing to programs that help everyone enjoy all wildlife.

The State Game and Fish Department has used donations received from the annual check-off to help fund birding field trips and surveys, Outdoor Wildlife Learning Sites, conservation and photography workshops, endangered species habitat protection projects, and to produce educational materials, such as a series of bird posters and a variety of publications.

Look for the Watchable Wildlife checkoff on lines 29 or 33 of your short form state tax return. The checkoff is an easy way to voluntarily contribute part of your tax refund (line 29) to sustain this long standing program. Or, if you have tax due, you can make a donation on line 33. In addition, direct donations to the program are accepted any time of year.

To learn more about Watchable Wildlife Program activities contact the department at 328-6300; or write the Watchable Wildlife Program at 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501 5095.

Up to 100 of North Dakota's nonresident antlered whitetail or any-antlered deer gun licenses are allocated by law to licensed hunting outfitters. An outfitter may purchase a maximum of five deer licenses per year at $250 per license.

However, a current outfitter license is required, Burkett said. "Outfitters may not apply for these licenses unless they have already purchased their 2005 hunting outfitter license," he said.

Hunting outfitters have an application deadline of Feb. 16 for deer licenses. Outfitters who are allocated licenses will be billed and must make full payment prior to April 1.

An estimated 6,720 hunters harvested 24,930 Canada geese during the 2004 season, compared to 6,870 hunters and a harvest of 20,500 birds in 2003.

Surveys for the Sept. 1-15 season showed hunters averaged 2.67 days afield and 3.71 birds each. Geese were harvested in 48 counties, with the highest number of birds bagged in Stutsman County. Other top counties were Barnes, Sargent, Nelson and Ramsey.

Last year was the sixth year North Dakota has had an early Canada goose management season, which is designed to maintain or reduce resident Canada goose numbers. By holding the season in early September, the harvest consists of primarily local Canada geese, as migrants have not yet started to arrive in significant numbers.
More than 146,000 Canada geese have been harvested during the early September season since it first began in 1999.

Wildlife Wednesdays to be Held in Bismarck 011905
North Dakota Game and Fish Department biologists will present a series of free wildlife and conservation talks in February and early March. All presentations are on Wednesday nights and start at 7 p.m. at the department's Bismarck headquarters at 100 N. Bismarck Expressway.

Called Wildlife Wednesdays, the talks cover a variety of topics and are geared for both children and adults. The schedule is as follows:

Feb. 2 - Reptiles and Amphibians. Biologists will discuss turtles, lizards, snakes, frogs and toads that are often avoided or not understood. Program geared for all ages.

Feb. 9 - Deer in North Dakota. Biologists will give a hands-on adventure using skulls, antlers, hides and other materials. Grades 4-adult.

Feb. 16 - Birds and their Nests. Learn about the important bird habitats, and how to identify birds by their nests. Grades 4-adult.

Feb. 23 - Terrain, Plants and Wildlife of Western North Dakota. Learn about wildlife and plants that call the badlands home. Program geared for all ages.

March 2 - Fish of North Dakota. Learn about common fish species in North Dakota, as well as some not-so-common species, where they live, what conditions they require to reproduce, what they eat, how large they grow and how long they live. The presentation includes an explanation of work done by the department in managing fish in North Dakota, and is suited for all ages.

For more information contact Chris Grondahl at 328-6612.

Robert Timian, North Dakota Game and Fish Department chief of enforcement, cautioned snowmobilers and all-terrain vehicle riders to keep their distance from wildlife and wildlife habitat. "Chasing wildlife not only causes stress for the animals, but it is considered harassment and it's illegal," Timian said.

Snowmobilers are asked to take into consideration the additional stress put on wildlife when running snowmobiles near or through thickets, cattails and wooded areas. "Winter is already long enough for many of these species," Timian said, "they don't need the additional stress or injury."

Snowmobile North Dakota and the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department also urge snowmobilers to observe state laws that regulate and protect natural resources, according to Keri Vammer, program manager for Snowmobile North Dakota. These organizations, Vammer said, promote safe snowmobiling practices, so everyone can continue to enjoy snowmobile recreation in the future.

Riders are encouraged to use snowmobile trails and avoid situations that could disturb wildlife. Information on the North Dakota trail system is available at the Snowmobile North Dakota web site at www.snowmobilend.com.

Angell, an avid outdoorsman and high school biology teacher, is no stranger to the contest winner's circle. He has had seven of his photographs in 17 years selected for the poster.

"When you look at his wonderful images of wildlife in our state, it's no wonder," said Jeb Williams, department outreach biologist.

The Watchable Wildlife poster is distributed to advertise the Watchable Wildlife tax checkoff on the state tax form. The checkoff provides additional funding for the program.

Several other place-winners in various contest categories were also recognized. A willet submitted by David Walsh, Minot, and a brown thrasher, also photographed by Angell, placed in the nongame category.

A wild turkey, submitted by Kelly Krabbenhoft, Fargo, and a mule deer by Mike LaLonde, Bismarck, were tapped as the game category winners. Mandan's Sue Bartholowmew's gumbo rose won the plant category, while a katydid, photographed by Lyndon Anderson, Bismarck, won the insect category.

"It's fun, but challenging to pick contest winners each year," Williams said. "Contestants share a slice of outdoor life that helps make North Dakota what it is. We thank them for that."

In early January, 27 eagles -- 24 adults and three immature birds - were spotted along the Missouri River in central North Dakota, according to Patrick Isakson, department nongame biologist. Fifty birds were observed in 2004, Isakson said.

The number of bald eagles wintering in the state depends on the amount of open water and availability of prey. "This time of year, if waterfowl numbers are low, generally so are eagles," Isakson said. Because of cold temperatures for the last month, much of the river survey area was frozen and few ducks and geese were present, Isakson said.

The game and fish department participates in an annual nationwide mid-winter survey to determine the number of bald eagles in each state. The survey is flown at a low altitude from Bismarck to the Garrison Dam, with an observer counting both adult and immature bald eagles. Adults have a white head and tail and a dark brown body. Immature bald eagles are brown with irregular white plumage.

Eagles are relatively easy to spot as they prefer to perch in large cottonwood trees along the river, and feed on fish and waterfowl.

Bald eagles are unique to North America. Once an endangered species, bald eagles were reclassified as threatened in 1995 because of successful recovery efforts. "A number of bald eagles were observed close to the Garrison Dam," Isakson said. "Annually, that area seems to be the best location to view eagles."

Dates become official when approved by governor's proclamation. Tentative opening dates for 2005 include: (*depending upon final federal framework)

Spring Light Goose -- February 19
Spring Crow -- March 12
Fishing -- April 1
Spring Turkey -- April 9
Paddlefish Snagging -- May 1
Fall Crow -- August 13
Mourning Dove -- September 1
Early Canada Goose -- September 1
Deer & Pronghorn Archery -- September 2
Sharptail, Hun, Ruffed Grouse & Squirrel -- September 10
Youth Deer -- September 16
Sandhill Crane -- September 17
Youth Waterfowl* -- September 17
Pronghorn Gun -- September 30
Ducks, Geese & Swan* -- October 1
Fall Turkey -- October 8
Pheasant -- October 8
Mink, Muskrat & Weasel Trapping -- October 29
Deer Gun -- November 4
Bobcat Hunting & Trapping -- November 12
Deer Muzzle-loader -- November 25

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 6,375 mule deer licenses in the 2004 deer gun lottery.

The department will begin issuing any-deer bow licenses March 1. All applications received on or before March 1, 2005, 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-served basis.

"We sponsored this event last year with the idea of bringing attention to our state's natural resources," Williams said. "It was well received based on the number of entries that were submitted."

A $75 savings bond will be awarded to the winner in three age categories:   6-9, 10-13, and 14-18. The final patch design will be chosen from the three winners.

The patch should incorporate some aspect of Earth Day - celebrated April 22 - or keeping North Dakota clean. It must be round and three inches in diameter. There is a limit of five colors on the patch, and lettering must be printed. Name, address and phone number of the contestant must be clearly printed on the back of the entry design. Only one entry per person is allowed.

The winning design will be used on a patch given to members of Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and 4-H clubs that participate in Earth Day cleanup projects on state-owned or managed lands in North Dakota in April.

Entries should be mailed to Jeb Williams, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501. For information, contact Williams at 328-6332.