News Release Archives - August 2005

Opening day for North Dakota residents is Sept. 24 for ducks, geese, coots and mergansers. Nonresidents may begin hunting waterfowl in North Dakota Oct. 1.

The daily bag limit for ducks is six per day. The federal framework is similar to last year, except the scaup or bluebill limit has been reduced from three to two per day. Pintails and canvasbacks are once again limited to 39 days, and can be taken only from Sept. 24 through Nov. 1.

The hunting season for Canada geese and light geese will close Dec. 22, and the season for white-fronts closes Dec. 4. Shooting hours for all geese shall be one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. each day through Oct. 29. Beginning Oct. 30, 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. 17-18. 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.

Season regulations include three nonresident waterfowl zones that were used in 2004, or the option for nonresidents to purchase a statewide license. There is no cap on the total number of nonresident waterfowl hunters for 2005.

The boundaries of the three waterfowl hunting zones for nonresidents are the same as in 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. Hunters in zone 3 can hunt that zone the entire 14 days.

The state legislature in 2005 added an option for a statewide nonresident waterfowl license with no zone restrictions for $125.

In accordance with state law, nonresidents are not allowed to hunt on Game and Fish Department wildlife management areas or conservation PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) areas from Oct. 8-14.

All waterfowl hunters must register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting. Hunters purchasing a license from the department's Bismarck office, web site (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 web site, 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.

Hunters should refer to the 2005 North Dakota Waterfowl Hunting Guide, available in early September, for further details on the waterfowl season.

The season opens for sharptails, partridge and ruffed grouse Sept. 10, while sage grouse hunters will have to wait until Sept. 26.

The number of sharp-tailed grouse seen during brood surveys is down this year, but there's likely a reason for that, said Jerry Kobriger, upland game management supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Dickinson. "I don't feel it's significant due to the tremendous amount of cover this year," Kobriger said. "While all the cover is excellent for grouse, it does make for difficult census conditions."

Kobriger noted an increase in the average grouse brood size - nothing significant, but an increase nonetheless.

North Dakota 's buffaloberry crop is better than last year, which could be a good sign for sharptail hunters. "In years of a good crop of buffalo berries, hunters seem to do better, particularly when hunting conditions are warm and dry," Kobriger said.

Total harvest for sharptails dropped more than 30 percent in 2004, from nearly 150,000 birds in 2003 to just over 100,000 grouse in 2004.

The outlook for Hungarian partridge heading into the breeding season wasn't the best, but things have improved for the nonnatives. "Total partridge seen on brood survey routes has increased," Kobriger said. "Partridge numbers are up, production is better this year and hunters should find a few more birds than last year."

Last season, hunters bagged about 52,000 birds, down 41 percent from 2003 when hunters harvested nearly 90,000 Huns, the highest total in many years.

North Dakota 's ruffed grouse survey indicated a 37 percent population increase this spring compared to 2004, according to Stan Kohn, upland game bird biologist. "Hopefully, this indicates we are on a slow movement upward in the population."

Sunrise counts taken on survey routes this spring showed increases in male grouse drumming activity in the Turtle Mountains, Pembina Hills and McHenry County (J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge).

The season for sharptails, partridge and ruffed grouse is open through Jan. 8, 2006. The daily limit is three and possession limit is 12. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

The 2005 sage grouse survey showed an increase in the number of strutting male sage grouse observed compared to last year. Biologists counted 225 males this spring, up from 144 in 2004.

The three-day sage grouse season closes Sept. 28. The daily and possession limit is one, and shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

For further season information and regulations, hunters should consult the North Dakota 2005-06 Small Game Guide. 

Hunters can apply online from the Game and Fish Department's web site, gf.nd.gov/. Paper applications will be available by Sept. 9 from game and fish offices, county auditors and license vendors. Hand delivered applications will not be processed at the department while the applicant waits. Residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply.

Hunters are reminded that doe licenses purchased after the first lottery drawing can be used during the archery season with a bow; the deer gun season with a bow, rifle, or muzzle-loader; or during the muzzle-loader season with a muzzle-loader. Hunters must stay in the unit to which the license is assigned.

The regular deer gun season begins at noon Nov. 4 and continues through Nov. 20.

Hunting migratory game birds without HIP certification is a violation, said Robert Timian, chief of enforcement for the state Game and Fish Department. "Our wardens will issue citations to waterfowl hunters this fall for not being HIP registered," he said.

HIP certification is required for all migratory bird hunters, regardless of age, before hunting ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, coots, cranes, snipe, doves or woodcock.

Hunter compliance is essential in order to obtain reliable national and regional estimates of annual harvest of all migratory game bird species. These estimates provide information biologists need to make sound decisions concerning hunting seasons, bag limits and population management.

Hunters who purchase a license through the department's Bismarck office, web site (gf.nd.gov/), or instant licensing telephone number (800-406-6409) can easily get HIP certified.

Otherwise, hunters must call 888-634-4798, or log on to the game and fish web site, and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate.

Hunters are reminded to HIP register in each state before hunting migratory game birds.

The mourning dove 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 web site (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. 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 harvested doves for leg bands.

In the last three years more than 62,000 mourning doves were trapped and banded in 27 states - including more than 2,000 in North Dakota - as part of a nationwide mourning dove study.

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 that will allow researchers to update survival and harvest models for mourning doves.

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 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.

Since 2003, 33 birds banded in North Dakota were shot by hunters and reported to the Bird Banding Lab. Nineteen of these doves were bagged in North Dakota, while others were harvested in Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Georgia and Mexico.

Hunters are reminded of new baiting restrictions, and bow and arrow specifications.

Baiting is now prohibited on all North Dakota Game and Fish Department wildlife management areas. Baiting is defined as the placement and/or use of bait for attracting big game and other wildlife to a specific location for the purpose of hunting.

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. 9, while the archery deer season is open through Jan. 1, 2006.

The law applies to any nonresident full-time student living in this state who is attending an institution under the jurisdiction of the state board of higher education, a private institution of higher education, or a tribal college.

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 web site To purchase a license online, access the department's web site at gf.nd.gov/.

Not to worry, says Greg Link, North Dakota Game and Fish Department assistant wildlife division chief." We want hunters to know the details about this disease," Link emphasized, "but there's really no need for concern beyond the normal precautions hunters take."

Anthrax is a naturally occurring bacteria that can lie dormant in the ground for decades, then become active under ideal soil and weather conditions. This summer it has been particularly active and widespread, with confirmed livestock deaths at more than 60 locations in 14 counties in eastern and southeastern North Dakota.

Cattle and sheep are the most susceptible, but on rare occasions anthrax has been identified in wild animals as well, including deer. Anthrax has not been detected in any wildlife this year.

Humans acquiring anthrax disease from either domestic livestock or wild animals is rare. North Dakota has had only two cases of anthrax in humans since 1967, according to the State Health Department.

If hunters in the field should encounter dead deer or livestock with no obvious cause of death, Link said, the best approach is to leave it alone, note the location, and contact a regional Game and Fish Department office or local game warden.

Bowhunters should also not attempt to harvest animals that appear ill or are acting abnormally. Otherwise, Link suggested, bowhunters should follow the same procedures the Game and Fish Department recommends for field dressing and cleaning of all big game and birds.

* Wear rubber (latex) gloves and minimize animal fluid contact with skin, and wash hands thoroughly after field dressing or processing.

* If the harvested animal does not appear normal, either outside or inside, stop field dressing, note the location, and contact a Game and Fish Department office.

The occurrence of anthrax should end when colder weather arrives. "More than likely, no hunters will encounter an animal that has died of anthrax," Link said. "We just want people to be aware that the possibility exists this year, so if it does happen, they'll know to avoid the animal and contact authorities."

For more information on anthrax, visit the North Dakota Department of Agriculture web site at www.agdepartment.com/hottopics.htm.

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, Szymanski said, as the proposed regular season bag is three daily and six in possession.

All migratory bird hunters must register with HIP prior to hunting. Hunters who purchase a license through the department's web site (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, Szymanski 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.

The 2005 brood index from the department's annual mid-July survey was up 38 percent from last year, and 140 percent above the 1955-2004 average. Average brood size was 7.1 ducklings, up 0.7 from last year. The long term average is 7.2 ducklings per brood. The water index observed during the survey was up 37 percent from 2004, and 96 percent above the long-term average.

Average age of broods was similar to the long-term average, Johnson said. Brood survey results, Johnson expects, may be somewhat low due to tall 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.

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 - only animals not hunted, fished or trapped - will appear on the department's 2006 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 2006.

The image selected for the poster will be selected from entries that are original, vertical-composition transparencies (slides), or vertical digital originals taken with cameras with resolution capability of 6.0 megapixels or higher. 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.

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.
If a print made from a digital file is selected, the photographer must provide the original file for publication purposes.

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.

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

Deadline. Entries will be accepted through Sept. 30, 2005. 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.

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

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.

At Lake Sakakawea, the state's number one fishery, and at Devils Lake, the number two destination for anglers, biologists found good numbers of most game-fish species during population monitoring efforts in July.

At Sakakawea, biologists conducted their annual netting survey the first couple weeks in July. "This year the lake was netted from White Earth Bay to Snake Creek, and once again, the walleye population is good in Sakakawea," said Jeff Hendrickson, fisheries biologist at Riverdale.

Average length for walleye was 15 inches, with a good number of fish of more than 20 inches. "In recent years natural reproduction has been poor at Sakakawea, but stocking has provided consistent recruitment of walleye," Hendrickson said. "A waning supply of smelt has caused all sport fish to be a little skinnier than normal, but most are still in fairly good condition."

Sauger and northern pike populations remain steady, with average sizes of 12 and 27 inches respectively. While Chinook salmon are not effectively sampled in summer survey efforts, limited angler reports indicate salmon this year are smaller than normal. As August progresses, Hendrickson mentioned, angler effort and interest will increase, along with the catch rate.

"Generally, the Sakakawea fishery is in very good shape, considering lower abundance of smelt, and fishing has been pretty good," Hendrickson said.

At Devils Lake, adult fish population surveys take place in mid-July, with netting sites located lake wide from Pelican Bay in the west to East Devils Lake in the east, according to Randy Hiltner, fisheries biologist, Devils Lake.

"This year, once again, high net catch rates continued for walleye," Hiltner said. The average length for walleye was 14 inches, with many fish from 10-20 inches. "Successful natural reproduction in recent years has provided anglers with consistent recruitment of eater-sized walleye, as well as some larger fish," he said.

Northern pike were also abundant in the netting survey, with an average weight of four and a-half pounds. "Net catch rates and the average weight for pike have been remarkably consistent in recent years," Hiltner said.

A good supply of 12-inch, mid-sized white bass are in the lake, Hiltner said, and anglers have been enjoying good white bass fishing so far this summer.

The yellow perch catch rate was again relatively low. The good news, according to Hiltner, is that yellow perch in the nets were larger, averaging about 10 inches in length. About half the total perch netted were 10-12 inches long, he said, noting that if anglers can find the perch this winter, many will likely be nice-sized fish.

"Generally, the Devils Lake fishery is in very good shape, with only yellow perch at population levels lower than desired," Hiltner said. "Overall, the fishing has been very good this spring and summer."

And that, Hendrickson and Hiltner say, should carry over into fall as well.

The survey indicated crowing counts are comparable or up in all areas of the state except the far west central and southwestern portion of the state. "Crow count numbers are down in those areas," Kohn said, "but nice increases were noted in the northwest, central and southeast."

Pheasant crowing counts are conducted each spring throughout North Dakota. The index does not measure an entire population density, Kohn said, 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.

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. "We do not know what affect, if any, the heavy rains in May, June and July may have had on hatching success and brood mortality," Kohn said. "At this point the pheasant brood data is now beginning to come in, and this data will tell us more regarding the outlook for fall pheasant hunting."

Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. There is no daily or possession limit on crows.

For more information on the state's small game hunting seasons refer to the North Dakota 2005-06 Small Game Guide.

A significant change involves the addition of an experimental mountain lion season, which upon the governor's approval, will run statewide from Sept. 2 through March 12, 2006, or until a season quota of five cats has been met. If the quota is reached, the season will close immediately.

"There have been an increasing number of confirmed mountain lion reports in recent years, most likely due to immigration from Montana and South Dakota," Kreil said. "We would like to know more regarding the current status of these animals in North Dakota, and this experimental hunting season will be implemented to gather biological information on mountain lions in the state."

The mountain lion season is open only to North Dakota residents. A furbearer or combination license is required and the use of dogs is permitted.

Any mountain lion that is taken must be reported to the department within 12 hours, Kreil said, and the entire animal must be submitted for analysis. Legally taken animals will be returned to the hunter following analysis.

Actions during the recent state legislative session established the option for a youth pheasant season. Legally licensed residents and nonresidents 12-16 years old may hunt pheasants statewide Oct. 1-2.

Nonresidents will notice a change in both the small game and waterfowl licensing structure passed during the state legislature. The small game license is now valid for 14 days instead of 10, and nonresident waterfowl hunters will have an option of buying a statewide waterfowl license with no zone restrictions for $125.

Nonresident sandhill crane hunters must purchase either a waterfowl license or a small game license. Nonresidents using a waterfowl license may only hunt cranes in their waterfowl zone.

Other nonresident small game and waterfowl licensing details are similar to last year.

As in 2004, federal frameworks allow for an early waterfowl opener. The first seven days (Sept. 24-30) will be open to residents only. Other details will be finalized in mid-August in the waterfowl amendment to the small game and furbearer proclamation.

The state legislature also made a change regarding the licensing requirement for hunting on an Indian reservation. Individuals who hunt exclusively on Indian lands within the exterior boundaries of an Indian reservation are not required to have a state hunting license.

In accordance with state law, nonresidents are not allowed to hunt on Game and Fish Department wildlife management areas or conservation PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) areas from Oct. 8-14.

Hunters should refer to the North Dakota 2005-06 Small Game and Furbearer guides (available early August) for more details on small game and furbearer seasons. Waterfowl regulations will be available toward the end of the month.

Participants can look forward to visiting some of the badlands special areas, according to Jeb Williams, department outreach biologist. "We will try to see long-billed curlews, prairie dogs, burrowing owls, mule deer, golden eagles and other wildlife species that call the badlands home, while also talking about the habitats these species are dependent upon for survival," Williams said.

The field trip is a great opportunity to discuss some of the more challenging wildlife management issues in western North Dakota, Williams said, such as elk management in and around Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and the increased presence of mountain lions.

The summer tour is again being offered thanks to the success of last year's event. "The badlands is one of North Dakota's unique and wild places, something wildlife enthusiasts deeply appreciate," Williams said. "While I can't guarantee what types of wildlife we may encounter, I can guarantee beautiful badlands scenery, especially with the rainfall received this year in western North Dakota."

The field trip will also highlight some recent projects established by the department's nongame biologists through State Wildlife Grants, said Steve Dyke, Game and Fish Department conservation section supervisor. The goal of the SWG program is to increase the department's awareness of the needs of many animal species to protect them from future decline, or listing as threatened or endangered species.

"The State Wildlife Grants program has given the department additional funding and man-power to study some of our state's nongame species," Dyke said. "The funding received from State Wildlife Grants will greatly improve the department's understanding for some of these lesser-known species, and the information collected will help guide management goals for future years."

The group will depart from Bismarck on Friday, Aug. 26 at 10 a.m. central time, and return Saturday, either late afternoon or early evening. Transportation will be provided. Participants will be responsible for meals and one night of lodging.

For more information, and to register, contact Jeb Williams at 328-6332. In an attempt to recruit new participants, last year's registrants are eligible to sign up beginning Aug. 17, if space remains.

North Dakota residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply. Interested hunters can print out an application for mailing, or submit a lottery application online at the game and fish web site, gf.nd.gov/. Regular license fees apply and no service charge is added.

Applications are also available from game and fish offices, county auditors and license vendors, or by calling 800-406-6409. A service fee is added for license applications made over the phone.

The statewide tundra swan hunting season is Oct. 1 - Dec. 11. A total of 2,200 licenses are available. Successful applicants will be issued a tag to take one swan during the season. Since swans are classified as waterfowl, nonresidents may hunt them only during the period their nonresident waterfowl license is valid.

Interested hunters can print out an application, or apply online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department web site, gf.nd.gov/.  Applications are also available from game and fish offices, county auditors and license vendors. Residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply.

After the third lottery application procedure, any remaining licenses will be issued first-come, first-served for hunters who want more than four deer gun licenses.

Hunters can use additional doe licenses during the archery season with a bow; the deer gun season with a bow, rifle, or muzzle-loader; or during the muzzle-loader season with a muzzle-loader. These licenses must be used for antlerless deer only, and hunters must stay in the unit to which the license is assigned.

The regular deer gun season starts at noon Nov. 4 and runs through Nov. 20.

Individuals are encouraged to apply online at gf.nd.gov/. Applications are also available at county auditors, license vendors and game and fish offices, or by calling 800-406-6409.