News Release Archives - September 2005

Precipitation typically decreases in the fall, and grasses begin the natural process of dying back. When grasses turn from green to brown, they lose their natural moisture and dry out, thus becoming available as fuel.

With some hunting seasons already open and others soon to follow, hunters are asked to be alert, and to carry the proper equipment in case the situation arises. "It is always a good idea to carry a cell phone in the vehicle, along with shovels, fire extinguishers, extra water and heavy fabric for putting out fires," said Greg Link, assistant wildlife chief. "But if a fire is out of control, don't fight it. Instead, contact the fire department immediately."

The daily fire danger index is issued by the National Weather Service to alert the public to conditions that may be conducive to accidental starting or spread of fires. The index can change from day to day depending on temperature, wind and precipitation forecasts. If the index reaches the VERY HIGH or EXTREME category, people are asked to follow the appropriate measures.

Information on current fire danger indexes is available through the NWS internet site at www.crh.noaa.gov/data/BIS/RFDBIS, the Game and Fish Department's website at gf.nd.gov/, or county sheriff offices.

Waterfowl hunters are urged to clean duck boats, waders and other hunting equipment after each hunting trip, reports Lynn Schlueter, special projects biologist with the department's fisheries division, Devils Lake.

North Dakota does not yet have an overwhelming ANS problem, Schlueter said, and will remain that way if hunters do their part and follow these simple guidelines:

• Do not use exotic plants when camouflaging a boat. Use terrestrial plants that will not be a problem in other areas.
• Remove all aquatic plant materials from the boat, motor and trailer.
• Disinfect the bottom of the boat with a 20-to-1 solution of common chlorine bleach mixture; or rinse thoroughly with hot water of at least 110 degrees.
• Clean off mud, which may harbor seeds or plant fragments, from all hunting equipment, decoys and waders.
• Run a brush through a hunting dog's coat to remove any mud and seed.

ANS prevention methods are not time consuming, Schlueter said, and should be followed to ensure North Dakota's water quality remains in tact.

Private Land Open To Sportsmen acreage and state wildlife management areas are open to hunting by resident hunters only from Oct. 8-14. Nonresidents, however, can still hunt those days on other state-owned and federal lands, or private land.

The law, passed by the 2003 state legislature, applies to all small game, waterfowl, furbearer and big game hunting on PLOTS and state wildlife management areas during the first seven days of the pheasant season. Starting Oct. 15 this year, nonresidents may hunt on PLOTS and WMAs as long as the appropriate season is open.

Licenses remain in units 4-A (late season), 4-C, 5-A and 7-A. The season opens Sept. 30 at noon, and continues through Oct. 16. Only North Dakota residents are eligible for pronghorn gun licenses.

Licenses are issued only as a first license, and they will be issued until the end of the pronghorn gun season, as long as they are available. Hunters who do not have a license can download and print an application for mailing at the department's website, gf.nd.gov/. Interested hunters may also request an application by calling the department's Bismarck office at 701-328-6300.

Brood observations statewide were up 3 percent from last year, and average brood size was up 20 percent. "The number of pheasants observed is much improved over the average of the last five years," Kohn said, "It closely resembles what we saw in 2003, and we all remember that was a very good year as nearly 600,000 roosters were harvested."

Wet weather from late April to early July didn't appear to cause much chick mortality, Kohn said. "For the most part it doesn't look like the wet weather pattern, even during the peak of the hatch in mid June, greatly affected nesting hens, hatching eggs or caused major problems for broods," Kohn added. "And with the much improved habitat conditions that occurred during the summer, survival of broods was probably very good."

Habitat is critical to sustaining the pheasant population, Kohn mentioned, and nothing has done more to enhance their survival than the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Conservation Reserve Program. "CRP has provided a significant habitat base, and has long been known as the nation's most successful conservation program." Kohn said. "We are entering a critical time, with 1.7 million of the state's 3.4 million CRP acres set to expire in 2007. If we want to maintain our wildlife populations at present levels, we need to preserve those acres."

The survey indicated pheasant numbers were up, or at least comparable to last year, in all regions of the state. The southwest portion of the state showed the biggest increase (65 percent) in birds per mile over last year, while northwestern (up 53 percent) and south central (up 7-10 percent) areas also showed an increase. The southeast region was good for pheasants in 2004, and data suggests it should be another good year as numbers didn't change from last year.

Kohn predicts the area south of Interstate 94 will provide hunters with the best opportunities this year. "The southwest and southeast areas of the state are going to be very strong this fall," he added. "The central and west central regions will also produce good numbers, and the northwest corner should be better than last year."

The 2005 season opens Oct. 8 and continues through Jan. 8, 2006. Limits are three roosters daily and 12 in possession. Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset each day. Hunters should refer to the North Dakota 2005-06 Small Game Guide for regulations.

Hunters are reminded that Private Land Open To Sportsmen acreage and state wildlife management areas are open to hunting by resident hunters only from Oct. 8-14. Nonresidents, however, can still hunt those days on other state owned and federal lands, or private land.

Whoopers stand about five feet tall and have a wingspan of about seven feet from tip to tip. They are white with black wing tips, which are visible only when the wings are outspread. In flight they extend their long necks straight forward, while their long, slender legs extend out behind the tail. Whooping cranes typically migrate singly, or in groups of 2-3 birds, and may be associated with sandhill cranes.

Whooping crane sightings should be reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge office at 701-387-4397, Crosby Wetland Management District office at 701-965-6488, the state Game and Fish Department's main office in Bismarck at 701-328-6300, or to local game wardens around the state. Reports help biologists locate important whooping crane habitat areas, monitor marked birds, determine survival and population numbers, and identify times and migration routes.

Anyone sighting whoopers should record the date, time, location, and the birds' activity, but not disturb them. Szymanski also requests that observers look closely for colored leg bands which may occur on one or both legs. Young whooping cranes were marked during 1975-1988 with colored leg bands to help determine their identity.

Sportsmen Against Hunger is a charitable program in the Bismarck area that has arranged for deer to be processed and delivered at no cost to the hunter. Hunters are asked to call West Dakota Meats in Bismarck (221-9142), or Choice Cut Meats in Mandan (663-1888), before dropping off a deer in order to verify the SAH quota has not been filled. SAH is sponsored and paid for by the Northern Plains Chapter of Safari Club International.

In the Valley City area, the Barnes County Wildlife Club is arranging for the processing of 100 deer. The club is seeking hunters to sign up to donate one or more deer. For more information contact Perry Kapaun at 845-0564; or email pskapaun@ictc.com.

In the Harvey area, the Anamoose Wildlife Club is conducting Operation Sportsmen Relief, a program in which club members arrange for deer to be processed at no cost to the hunter, with the meat/sausage being delivered to the Central Dakota Food Pantry. The club is seeking hunters to sign up to donate their deer meat. Contact Mark Friedt at 324-2812 for information.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department supports these programs and encourages hunters to participate.

The 2005 brood index from the department's annual mid-July survey was up 38 percent from last year, and the water index observed during the survey was up 37 percent from 2004.

Additionally, water conditions and duck production in prairie Canada were good this spring, bringing a higher potential for more young birds to move through the state this fall than in recent years, according to Mike Szymanski, migratory game bird biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

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

While the fall flight and production numbers were fairly high, hunters are cautioned that 20-30 percent of the breeding population is attributed to blue-winged teal, which are early migrants. "Based on federal estimates, generally less than 10 percent of the total duck harvest in North Dakota is comprised of blue-winged teal," Szymanski said. "Hunters who want to hunt blue-winged teal need to do so early in the season, as most have moved out of the state by early October."

Wetland and weather conditions are important factors that affect duck availability in the fall. "Overall, water conditions in the state should be similar to last year," Szymanski said, while noting that hunters need to put in some time scouting so they are not surprised by what they encounter. Generally speaking, Szymanski noted, wetlands in the eastern part of the state are probably more likely to have water, while wetland conditions in the central part of the state could be more variable.

Variable wetland conditions aren't necessarily a bad thing, Szymanski explained, because it means they are progressing within their natural cycle. "Shallow basins generally are meant to dry up by late summer," he said.

Snow goose and Canada goose populations remain high and large numbers will migrate through the state this fall. "Breeding conditions in southern and western Hudson Bay areas were quite favorable this year, which usually translates into increased production," Szymanski said. "However, forage for goslings may have been low in some areas, subsequently limiting survival. Nonetheless, hunters should expect a better fall flight than last year, depending on weather patterns."

All migratory bird hunters are reminded to register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting. Hunters who purchase a license through the Game and Fish Department website (gf.nd.gov/) or instant licensing telephone number (800-406-6409) can easily get HIP certified.

Otherwise, hunters must call 888-634-4798, or access the department's website, and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. Those who registered to hunt the spring light goose season in North Dakota do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required only once per year in each state that is hunted.

Hunters should refer to the 2005 North Dakota Waterfowl Hunting Guide for season regulations including dates, bag limits and nonresident hunting units.

The 2005 proclamation, signed by Gov. John Hoeven, provides transportation and importation guidelines for white-tailed deer, mule deer and elk as a precaution against the possible spread of chronic wasting disease into the state.

Hunters are not 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 taking white-tailed deer, mule deer or elk from areas documented with CWD 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, 14, 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, 591, 951;

* Illinois - Counties of Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, DeKalb;

* Nebraska - Upper Platte, Platte, Plains, Sandhills, Buffalo and Pine Ridge units, which include the counties of Cheyenne, Kimball, Sioux, Scotts Bluff, Morrill, Sheridan, Box Butte, Dawes, Banner, Cherry, Hall, Deuel, Grant, Arthur;

* New Mexico - White Sands Missile Base (GMU 19) and GMU 34;

* Saskatchewan - Wildlife Management Zone 13, 14, 46, 47, 68 South;

* South Dakota - Prairie units WRD-21A, WRD-27A, WRD-27B; and Black Hills units BHD-BH1, BHD-BD3, BHD-BD4;

* 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, 30, 33, 34, 41, 55, 57, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67,70, 73, 74, 75, 76, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 88, 89, 158, 164 or Elk Hunt areas 5, 6, 7, 125.

Additional units may be added as necessary, Link said, and the public will be informed of any additional areas through department's 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."

Lawmakers established the option for a pheasant hunting season on the Saturday and Sunday preceding the opening of the regular pheasant season. The regular season opens Oct. 8.

Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. The daily bag limit, licensing requirements, and all other regulations for the regular pheasant season apply. Since the season is intended for youth ages 12-16, all hunters need to have passed a certified hunter education course.

An adult at least 18 years of age must accompany the youth hunter in the field. The adult may not carry a firearm nor hunt any wildlife species.

As of Sept. 14, nearly 700 licenses remain in 10 units. Licenses are issued on a first-come, first-served basis to hunters who do not already have a license, or for those who want additional licenses.

Licenses remain for the following units: Unit 04, portions of Billings and Golden Valley counties south of Interstate 94, 27; Unit 13, Dunn County, 64; Unit 15, Emmons County, 36; Unit 17, portions of Billings and Golden Valley counties north of Interstate 94, 373; Unit 19, Grant and Sioux counties and a portion of Morton County, 8; Unit 21, Hettinger and Adams counties, 55; Unit 31, Mountrail County, 15; Unit 45, Stark County, 53; Unit 51, Burke County and portions of Renville, Bottineau and Ward counties, 30; and Unit 99, Mercer and Oliver counties, 34.

Resident and nonresident hunters can apply online, or print out an application for mailing, at the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov/. Applications are also available from the department's Bismarck office and county auditors. There is no limit to the number of licenses a person can receive.

The fall turkey season opens Oct. 8 and continues through Jan. 15, 2006.

A North Dakota Game and Fish Department fisheries crew discovered the unwanted plant while test netting in late August. The department is currently considering options to deal with this discovery, said Terry Steinwand, fisheries chief.

"The impacts aren't completely known at this time, but based on accounts from other areas, there isn't anything positive about its discovery," Steinwand said.

Given the time of year, when plants such as Eurasian water milfoil typically die back, there are limited options available to effectively control it at the current time, Steinwand said. "We're discussing the best course of action," Steinwand added. "Whatever we do, however, we urge anglers and hunters to take the necessary precaution to not move it to other areas."

Eurasian water milfoil is a plant that forms thick mats that hamper boating, fishing and swimming, and help support overpopulations of undesirable small fish. The plants reproduce through stem fragments, root runners and by seeds, so a single piece of plant stem can create an infestation at a new location.

ANS can be transported from lake to lake by boats, trailers and other recreational equipment. A thorough inspection of a boat or personal watercraft, trailer, fishing and scuba gear should be done before leaving the lake, and all plants, plant fragments and mud must be removed.

Waterfowl hunters are urged to run a brush through a hunting dog's coat to remove any mud and seed, and to clean duck boats, waders and other hunting equipment after each hunting trip.

The sandhill crane season is open through Nov. 13 in unit 1 (west of U.S. Highway 281), and through Oct. 23 in unit 2 (east of U.S. Highway 281). Limits are three daily and six in possession in unit 1, and two daily and four in possession in unit 2. Shooting hours are 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.

As in past years, prospective hunters need a special $5 crane permit. Hunters can apply online, or print out a resident or nonresident application for mailing, at the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov/.

Hunters can also send the permit fee, along with personal information, including height, weight, sex, social security number, date of birth, color of hair and eyes, and hunter education number and state issued, to Crane Permit, NDGF, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501.

The season is statewide, except for restricted licenses and units in western North Dakota. After opening day, hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Solid daylight fluorescent orange vests or coats, and hats are required for all youth deer season hunters and their adult mentors.

Each youth deer hunter must be accompanied by an adult while in the field.

The daily bag limit, including species restrictions, and all other regulations for the regular duck and goose hunting seasons apply, including: all youth waterfowl hunters must be HIP certified; youth ages 12 and older need to have passed a certified hunter education course; and a general game and habitat license is required. Persons 15 years of age and younger do not need a federal duck stamp.

Shooting hours for the youth waterfowl season are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. An adult at least 18 years of age must accompany the resident youth hunter into the field, and a licensed adult is required to accompany a nonresident youth hunter. The two-day weekend hunt does not count against a nonresident adult hunter's 14-day regular season waterfowl dates.

Additionally, doe licenses that have already been issued and are printed with second, third or additional concurrent season designations can be used during any open season: bow 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.

As of Wednesday, Sept. 7, more than 28,000 antlerless licenses were available in 32 units.

These first-come, first-served licenses are available to hunters who don't already have a license, or for those who want additional licenses.

Hunters can apply online from the game and fish website, gf.nd.gov/. Paper applications are available from game and fish offices, county auditors and license vendors. Residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply.

The archery season is open through Jan. 1, 2006; the regular deer gun season opens at noon Nov. 4 and continues through Nov. 20; and the muzzle-loader season opens at noon Nov. 25 and continues through Dec. 11.

Licenses remain for the following units: Unit 1-A, 38 licenses; Unit 1-D, 108; Unit 2-A, 27; Unit 2-B, 10; Unit 3-A, 14; Unit 3-B, 35; Unit 4-A (late season), 217; Unit 4-C, 93; Unit 5-A, 113; Unit 6-A, 100; Unit 7-A, 68; Unit 8-A, 58; and Unit 11-A, 31.

Hunters who do not have a license can download and print an application for mailing at the department's website, gf.nd.gov/. Otherwise, interested hunters can request an application by calling the department's Bismarck office at 701-328-6300.

Only North Dakota residents are eligible for pronghorn gun licenses.

Hunters who do not have a license can apply online, or print an application for mailing, at the department's website gf.nd.gov/. Otherwise, interested hunters can request an application by calling the department's Bismarck office at 701-328-6300.

The statewide tundra swan hunting season is Oct. 1 - Dec. 11. North Dakota residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply. The fee is $5 for residents and $25 for nonresidents.

The PLOTS guide contains maps that highlight these walk-in areas, identified in the field by triangular yellow signs, as well as the rest of the state's public land. The guide also includes information about PLOTS and other game and fish programs, an upland game bird identification guide and other useful materials.

PLOTS guides are free, and available at county auditor offices and license vendors in the state; by walk-in at the Game and Fish Department's Bismarck office; and at district offices in Riverdale, Harvey (Lonetree), Williston, Dickinson, Jamestown and Devils Lake.

Interested hunters can also view the guide, and find a list of vendors where guides are available, through the department's website at gf.nd.gov/.