News Release Archives- February 2005

Game and fish will provide updates periodically during the week. "Hunters are able to get general locations of light geese at any time during the day or night once geese have entered the state," Szymanski said. "It is a good way to periodically update hunters as to timing and duration of the migration."

The department also has a spring snow goose update available on the Internet.

Snow geese tend to move through North Dakota fairly quickly in the spring, with arrival and duration in the state dependent on weather conditions. Last year, snow geese were in the state primarily the last two weeks in March and the first week in April. "But with our spring-like weather conditions, hunters should be prepared for an earlier and possibly faster migration," Szymanski said.

Species identification is important, Szymanski said, because white-fronted and Canada geese travel with light geese. The season is closed to whitefronts, Canada geese, swans and all other migratory birds.

The spring light goose season opened Feb. 19 and continues through May 8. Hunters must obtain a Harvest Information Program number for 2005 before hunting in the spring season. Hunters who have yet to obtain a HIP number may do so by calling 888-634-4798.

Regulations are available at county auditors, game and fish offices and some vendors. A waterfowl identification booklet can be obtained by contacting the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095 or call 328-6300.

North Dakota has auctioned a bighorn sheep license each year since 1986 to fund sheep projects in the state, raising $590,650. Last year's license, which sold for $40,000, was the sixth time it was auctioned at the Minnesota-Wisconsin chapter meeting. Prior to that, the license was sold at the national FNAWS convention.

In 1999 the North Dakota Game and Fish Department entered into a five-year agreement with the Minnesota-Wisconsin conservation group. In 2003, due to the success of the partnership, the agreement was extended an additional five years. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of the license, along with an additional annual grant of $25,000, will be used to enhance management of North Dakota's bighorn sheep.

Written bids should be sent to: MN-WI Chapter FNAWS, Hunt Auction Permit, PO Box 892, Hudson, WI 54016. For more information contact John Coulter, auction chairman, 507-629-4755.

A North Dakota boating graduate card is recognized in other states as well. However, some states have different age criteria. For example, Minnesota law states youngsters ages 12-17 must take a course in order to operate a conventional boat, but must be 13 in order to operate a personal watercraft. South Dakota has a minimum age of 12 for conventional boats and 14 years of age for personal watercraft operation.

The Boating Basics Course isn't just for kids. Major insurance companies give adult boat owners who pass the course a premium discount on boat insurance.

The course covers legal requirements, navigation rules, getting underway, accidents and special topics. Each part has 2-5 chapters that elaborate on topics such as weather, rules of the road, laws, life saving and first aid.

For more information on Boating Basics write to Nancy Boldt, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095; or call 701-328-6300.

Interested individuals who would still like to get out for the first time must first register with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Registration is available through the department's website at gf.nd.gov/, or through any game and fish office.

Darkhouse spearfishing regulations can be found in the 2004-06 North Dakota Fishing Guide.

Years of service and instructor of the year awards were presented to volunteers at the annual hunter education workshop and awards banquet held in Bismarck. The instructor of the year award is based on years of service, classes taught, in-service training and involvement in the community with firearms safety.

Jim Schmitt from Casselton, Mayville Portland instructors Dale Bakkum, Ralph Peterson, Allan Kville, Larry Gander and Ron Grinde, and Garrison instructors Dave Rensch, Mel Birkholz, Pat Stockdill, Daryl Simmons, Vern Ostby and Jim Barow were named instructors of the year.

Volunteer hunter education instructors were also recognized for years of service.

Receiving 25 year service awards were Steve Bratlien, Tioga; Mardella Carter, Glen Ullin; Wayne Carter, Glen Ullin; Timothy Estes, Rugby; Larry Gander, Portland; Darrell Jamsa, Starkweather; Gary Lindemann, Bismarck; Glen Lueck, Lidgerwood; Leroy McCann, Grafton; Kent Pelton, Watford City; Kenneth Rehling, Hebron; James Schmitt, Casselton; Gordonna Toepke, New Salem; Rodney Weigum, Zap.

Honored for 20 years of service were Gaylon Hansen, Valley City; Dennis Helland, Kathryn; Roger Hollevoet, Devils Lake; Lee Johnson, Hillsboro; Mike Kiernan, West Fargo; James Lehse, Fargo; Allen Martin, Drake; Franz Pedersen, Valley City; Richard Smith, Williston; Roy Steiner, Mott; Charles Vasicek, Bismarck.

Presented with 15 year service awards were Ray Aamold, Hatton; Dean Anderson, Grand Forks; Ronald Bartz, Elgin; Steve Beaudoin, Minot; Douglas Benson, Jamestown; Dale Bren, Elgin; Brenda Davis, Rhame; Gene Davis, Rhame; Leonard Enander, Granville; Edward Fritel, Cando; Mark Frost, Carrington; Joseph Heiser, Minot; Harold Jacobson, Max; Daryl Kleyer, Williston; Arvid Knutson, Park River; Jerome Koenig, Woodworth; Lawrence Kukla, Jamestown; Jack Lalor, Lidgerwood; David Nelson, Grand Forks; Darris Olson, Bowbells; Tim Phalen, Wyndmere; Vic Risovi, Cando; Scott Sundhagen, Tioga; David Urlacher, Dickinson; Jeff Violett, Mandan.

Recognized for 10 years of service were Richard Anderson, Ray; Thomas Balsdon, Osnabrock; David Bremer, Finley; Merle Brink, Mandan; Keith Burwick, Dickinson; Warren Buss, Fargo; Shane Clausen, Minot; Robert Fagerstrom, Riverdale; Steve Hammes, Underwood; Guy Heffta, Adams; Theodore Hoberg, Grand Forks; Mark Hunt, Minot; Dan Imdieke, Linton; Larry Johnson, Belfield; Richard Linnertz, West Fargo; Bruce McComish, Riverdale; Bradley Moser, Medina; Joseph O'Meara, Hankinson; Paul Roeder, Milnor; Claude Sheldon, Park River; George Siroti, Belcourt; Douglas Sommerfeld, Lisbon; Mark Spravzoff, Watford City; William Titus, Lincoln; Larry Viall, Ray; Debbie Waldahl, Casselton; James Weight, Jamestown; Linda Weigum, Zap; Mark Weyrauch, Ray.

Five-year service awards were presented to Lee Albright, Upham; Troy Alderman, New Rockford; George Babcock, Minot; Lynn Baltrusch, Fessenden; Kay Bauer, Selfridge; Janice Bishop, Kathryn; Ray Brown, Grafton; Harold Capaci, Minot; Arthur Cox, Bowman; Dan Duchscherer, Towner; Charlie Dunbar, Baldwin; Eric Eckart, Harvey; Craig Enervold, Moorhead, Minn; Corey Erck, Spiritwood; Donn Hancock, Emerado; Jeff Hruby, Wilton; Grant Johnson, Almont; Mitchell Kallias, Minot; James Klinicke, Lakota; Gary Knotts, Fargo; Joy Kroh, Surrey; Michael Kroh, Surrey; Gary Kuhn, New England; Michael Leigh, Minot; Darren Lorenz, Dodge; Eric Martel, Dickinson; Richard Michels, Elgin; Daniel Narum, LaMoure; Gregory Oeder, Devils Lake; Chris Pulver, Stanley; James Rudlang, West Fargo; Gerald Schroeder, Harwood; Darrel Stambaugh, Glenburn; Rickie Theurer, Mandan; Gregory Veen, Carrington; Alan Waldo, New Rockford.

Two-year active instructors recognized were Dave Aberle, Fargo; Denise Aberle, Fargo; Casey Anderson, Turtle Lake; Benjilee Boll, Wahpeton; Stewart Borman, Berthold; Sylvia Brockman, Bismarck; Steven Buchweitz, Alsen; Brian Burkett, Grand Forks; John Burt, Fargo; Mark Fisher, Devils Lake; Nathan Fitzgerald, Napoleon; Jerome Fruge, Minot; Mark Geiss, Williston; John Grosgebauer, Gwinner; Larry Hanneman, Surrey; Glen Hauf, Makoti; Doug Hintzman, Kulm; Rodney Hubbard, Fargo; Sean Jalbert, Grandin; Kelly Keller, Center; Lloyd Kennedy, Reynolds; Keith Kinneberg, Wahpeton; Peggy Knotts, Fargo; James Krohn, Bismarck; John Kron, Enderlin; Howdy Lawlar, Watford City; Brad Manz, Bismarck; Dallas Marchus, Fessenden; Dale Miller, Grandin; Justan Mishler, Manvel; Kimberly Murphy, Fargo; Steven Nelson, Devils Lake; Dale Patrick, Bismarck; James Peterson, Rutland; Brett Poehls, Tolna; Corey Poitra, St. John; Kory Richardson, Valley City; John Riske, Reynolds; Travis Rodenhizer, Stanley; Myron Schaff, Hebron; Thomas Schumacker, Fullerton; Tyler Shoberg, Grand Forks; Melvin Siverson, Bowman; Rod Skalsky, Stanton; Jay Slade, Minot; Scot Stenshoel, Fargo; Scott Wagner, Casselton; Jeffrey Wright, Minot Air Force Base.

Items for sale include more than 50 shotguns, rifles and handguns. Fishing gear ranges from rods and reels to tackle boxes. Miscellaneous equipment includes compound bows, arrows, spotlights, knives, coolers and backpacks.

Auction items can be viewed between 5-7 p.m. The federation will charge a $3 cover fee, and those who attend will receive a free RAP cap or t-shirt. 

Proceeds from the auction fund the RAP program. The RAP line (800-472-2121) offers monetary rewards for information that leads to conviction of fish and wildlife law violators. The RAP line is available 24 hours a day, and callers can remain anonymous.

Entry Deadline for Fourth Edition of Big Game Record Book Feb. 23 020905
The North Dakota Big Game Records book is being updated for a fourth edition printing, and the deadline for submitting entries is Feb. 23, according to its editor, Lyle Hanson, Jamestown. The book provides a listing of top statewide trophies for each of the state's six big game species.

Scoring requirements for entries are: white-tailed deer (typical) - 150; white-tailed deer (non-typical) - 170; mule deer (typical) - 155; mule deer (non-typical) - 175; pronghorn - 70; moose - 135; elk - 275; and bighorn sheep - 135.

The book uses the standard Boone and Crockett scoring system to rank trophies. Animals taken in any year, either before or after the previous edition was printed, are eligible.

Score sheets are available in previous editions of the book, or are available from Hanson, at 337 15th Ave. N.E., Jamestown, ND 58401. Completed scoresheets must also be returned to Hanson.

The game and fish department recently recognized the efforts of the many volunteers who make the agency's conservation education projects successful. These projects include: Project WILD and Aquatics, Birds of North Dakota, Wildlife of North Dakota, Hooked on Fishing, Outdoor Wildlife Learning Sites, and Boat and Water Safety.

Following is a summary of instructor of the year and service awards for 2004, presented at the annual volunteer workshop held in Bismarck, Jan. 29:

Project WILD Instructor of the Year - Archie Moore, Rogers. Moore has volunteered more than 250 hours and 17 events since he started with Project WILD in 1985.

Boating and Water Safety Instructor of the Year - Terri Greenwood, Westhope. Greenwood has taught 42 events to 723 participants. She has been a certified boat and water safety instructor for four years.

Fishing Instructor of the Year - Bob Hagland, Minot. Hagland has volunteered with more than 84 activities totaling 1,100 hours. He has been a fishing instructor for 12 years.

Aquatic Instructor of the Year - John Cote, Dickinson. Cote has conducted 37 events while recording 1,130 volunteer hours. He has been a volunteer since 2000.

OWLS Site of the Year - Little Britches Fishing Pond on the east side of the Jamestown Reservoir, Gene Van Eeckhout, Coordinator. This 20-acre OWLS site includes native grass, shrubs, trees, and plum and chokecherry patches.

OWLS Coordinator of the Year - Wayne Beyer, Wahpeton. Beyer has conducted 15 events for 46 hours on four OWLS sites he oversees. He has been a volunteer instructor since 1992, holding 60 fishing, boating and birding events and more than 500 volunteer hours.

In addition to instructors of the year, volunteers received awards for long-term service.

Fifteen-year service award recipient was Lee Johnson, Hillsboro; Bill Schaller, Killdeer.

Ten-year service recipients were Clinton Baxter, Minot; John Brauner, Jamestown; Bonni Gourneau, Grand Forks; Archie Moore, Rogers; Elizabeth Schaner, Center; Lynn Schlueter, Devils Lake; Jim Septon, Bowman.

Five years of service were Larry Bartholomay, Casselton; John Cote, Dickinson; Rhonda Ferguson, Jamestown; Herman Ficek, Dickinson; Richard Fink, Bismarck; Rita Greer, Marion; Tom Hetletvedt, Ypsilanti; Jackie Jacobson, Coleharbor; Ronald Luethe, Bismarck; Chad Maloy, Fargo; Paula Mielke, Garrison; Bill Moffett, Jamestown; Erik Montgomery, Center; Mark Pollert, LaMoure; Joel Schleicher, Grand Forks; LeRoy Schmidt, Minot; David Vetter, Mandan; Duwayne Walz, Minot Air Force Base.

Two years of service recipients were Susan Ahles, Harwood; Mort Bank, Bismarck; Gilbert Black, Grace City; Greg Brooks, Gilby; Darryl Bulzomi, New Rockford; Tony Geer, Minot; Thomas Harvey, Mandan; Tracy Helfensteinn, Center; Jim Hennessy, Washburn; Joseph Hoffman, Mandan; Robin Jossart, Bismarck; Bryan Lee, Minot; Sharon Maas, Bismarck; Mike McDonald, Bismarck; Jason Mitchell, Devils Lake; Mary Persson, Williston; Betty Smokov, Steele; James Strand, Bismarck; Clark Talkington, Mandan.

Spring Turkey Season Applications Available 020205
For the second consecutive year a record number of licenses are proposed for North Dakota's spring wild turkey hunting season, according to Randy Kreil, wildlife chief for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Game and fish is recommending 6,165 wild turkey licenses be available, an increase of 750 from last year. Twenty-four of the 29 units have increases over 2004. "Turkeys continue to do well in most of the state, and license numbers reflect this trend," Kreil said. "However, certain areas in the southwest are an exception."

Five units in southwestern North Dakota have fewer licenses available than last year. "Poor reproductive success has led to a significant population decline in the southwest," Kreil said, "which in turn has led to lower hunter success."

Hunters can apply on-line or download and print an application. Applicants who apply online and provide an email address will receive an email from the department with results once the drawing has been held.

Lottery and gratis applications are available at game and fish offices, county auditor offices and license vendors. Persons can also apply by calling 800-406-6409. A $4 service charge is added with this feature.

Applications for the spring season must be postmarked no later than Feb. 16. Only North Dakota residents are eligible to apply. The spring turkey season is proposed to run from April 9 through May 15.

Game and Fish Recommends a Feb. 19 Spring Light Goose Opener 020205
North Dakota's spring light goose hunting season is set to open early enough in case weather conditions permit an early migration. As much of the upper Midwest experienced above-average temperatures in January, and the same is forecasted over the next few weeks, spring goose hunters should be aware of the possibility of early arrivals.

"Typically light geese move into the state in huntable numbers in mid-March," said Mike Johnson, migratory bird management supervisor for the State Game and Fish Department. "But with our spring-like weather conditions, we could see an earlier migration."

The game and fish department is recommending a spring light goose season opening date of Feb. 19 in North Dakota. Hunters are reminded they must first register with the Harvest Information Program before venturing into the field. Those purchasing a license from the department's office or website, as well as the 800-406-6409 licensing number, can easily get a HIP number at that time. Others may do so by calling toll-free, 888-634-4798. The HIP number is good for the fall season as well, so spring hunters should save it to record on their fall license.

Residents can hunt during the spring season by having last fall's 2004-05 bird license. Otherwise, hunters will need to purchase either a 2005-06 combination license; or a small game and general game and habitat license. Licenses are available only from the game and fish department's Bismarck office, the department's website at gf.nd.gov/, or by calling 800-406-6409.

Nonresidents need a 2005 spring light goose season license. The cost is $50 and the license is good statewide (zones do not apply to the spring season). Licenses are available at the department's Bismarck office or website, and by calling 800-406-6409. Nonresidents who hunt the spring season remain eligible to buy a fall season license. The spring season does not count against the 14-day fall hunting season regulation.

A federal duck stamp is not required of either residents or nonresidents.

The spring season is only open to light geese - snows, blues, and Ross'. Species identification is important because white-fronted and Canada geese travel with light geese. The season is closed to whitefronts, Canada geese, swans and all other migratory birds.

The statewide season is recommended to be open through May 8. Other recommendations include shooting hours of one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset and no daily bag limit or possession limit. Electronic and recorded calls as well as shotguns capable of holding more than three shells may be used to take light geese during this season.

There are no waterfowl rest areas designated for the spring season. Hunters should note that private land within the waterfowl rest areas closed last fall may be posted.

Non-toxic shot is required for hunting light geese statewide. Driving off established roads and trails is strongly discouraged during this hunt because of the likelihood of soft, muddy conditions. To maintain good landowner-hunter relations, hunters are advised to seek permission before hunting on private land or attempting any off-road travel.

All regular hunting season regulations that are not addressed above apply to the spring season. For more information on regulations refer to the 2004 North Dakota Waterfowl Hunting Guide.

The 35.5-inch fish broke the old record of 25 pounds, 4 ounces taken by Dean Malenius of Evelyth, Minn. in 1987.

Two bighorn sheep units were open in 2004. One license was issued south of Interstate 94 for Unit B1, two licenses were issued north of Interstate 94 in Unit B4, and one additional auction license holder was able to hunt both open areas. All four hunters tagged adult rams.

The department issued 135 moose licenses last year. Of that total, 116 hunters were successful, taking 65 bulls and 51 cows/calves. Harvest for each unit follows:

Of 217 elk licenses issued last year, 100 hunters harvested 63 bulls and 37 cows/calves. Harvest for each unit follows: