News Release Archives - January 2006

In early January, 75 bald eagles - 64 adults and 11 juveniles, and two golden eagles - were spotted along the Missouri River in central North Dakota, according to Patrick T. Isakson, nongame biologist. Twenty-seven birds were observed in 2005, Isakson said.

"This year's total surpasses the previous high of 59 set in 1992," Isakson said, while noting the survey has been conducted each year since 1986.

The number of bald eagles wintering in the state depends on the amount of open water and availability of prey. "The mild winter has kept the waterfowl numbers high in the state," Isakson said, "and when waterfowl are plentiful, so are eagles."

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 and golden eagles.

Eagles are relatively easy to spot as they prefer to perch in large cottonwood trees along the river, and feed on fish and waterfowl. Adult bald eagles have a white head and tail and a dark brown body, while immature bald eagles are brown with irregular white plumage. Golden eagles have a gold cap on their head.

"Eagles were more spread out along the river this year, but the majority was viewed from Washburn to the Garrison Dam," Isakson said. "Annually, that area seems to be the best location to view eagles."

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 $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 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.

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.

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; or email ndgf@state.nd.us.

The 2005 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 checkoff 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 33 or 37 of your short form state tax return. The checkoff is an easy way to voluntarily contribute part of your tax refund (line 33) to sustain this long standing program. Or, if you have tax due, you can make a donation on line 37. In addition, direct donations to the program are accepted any time of year.

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

Webster's photograph was chosen from more than 400 entries, said Jeb Williams, outreach biologist. "DeVane was a first-time contributor to the photo contest, and his work was impressive," Williams said.

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. American white pelicans submitted by J.C. Hauge, Mandan, and American avocets, also photographed by Webster, placed in the nongame category.

A pronghorn submitted by Robert Fenstermacker, Bismarck, and a red squirrel by Kelly Krabbenhoft, Fargo, were tapped as the game category winners. Bismarck's Dwight Bohnet's spiderwort won the plant category.

The winning photographs can be viewed on the department's website, gf.nd.gov, under the North Dakota OUTDOORS magazine January issue. To order a copy of the magazine, send $2 to North Dakota OUTDOORS, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095.

The conservative season quota of five lions was set by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department as a means to obtain data and insight on the status of mountain lions in the state, without doing irreparable harm to the population.

Three male and two female cats were taken during the experimental season, which opened Sept. 2. All five cats were taken in the northern badlands of western North Dakota. All animals had moderate to high organ fat reserves, indicating they were in very good nutritional condition, said Dorothy Fecske, department furbearer biologist.

"This experimental season has revealed that, while we get reports of mountain lion sightings statewide, there appears to be a higher concentration of animals in western North Dakota," Fecske said. "Also, we now know that there are resident, breeding mountain lions in the state. But as far as how many, it's too soon to estimate."

The first two cats were shot in mid-November during the deer gun season. One was a 99 pound, 1.5-2-year-old male. The other was a 92 pound, 2.5-3-year-old female that had not yet had her first litter.

The third lion, a 4-5-year-old, 140 pound male, was killed on Dec. 31. "This mountain lion is interesting because it probably was a resident male that was holding a territory," Fecske said.

The fourth lion was a two-year-old male and weighed 111 pounds, Fecske said. It was taken Jan. 6.

"It's possible both young males that were harvested were born in North Dakota, but more likely they are immigrants from Montana or South Dakota," she said. "Young males often travel long distances before establishing a territory of their own."

Immigrant animals add to a genetically healthy population, Fecske said, and serve to increase numbers in an establishing population.

The fifth and final lion, a young 39-pound, 4-6-month-old female, was taken Jan. 15 northwest of Grassy Butte. "This animal represents further confirmation that we have resident, breeding females in the state," Fecske said. "We also documented porcupine remains in the gastrointestinal tract of this young lion. Small mammals, like porcupines, can be very important for sustaining lions between kills of their larger prey."

Information gathered from the harvested animals, in conjunction with other data collected by the department, Fecske said, will help the Game and Fish Department better manage mountain lions in the future. "This experimental harvest represents another piece of the puzzle to help us understand the population," she said.

"When a dark house is moved or a hole larger than 12 inches in diameter is left in the ice, the hole must be adequately marked with a natural object visible from a minimum of 150 feet," said Greg Power, fisheries chief for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Power noted that it was especially important this winter because of the mild weather. "We usually have good ice building conditions by mid-January due to cold overnight temperatures," Power said. "However, this year due to near record warm temperatures most lakes have only 10-16 inches of ice, and the icepack hasn't been growing."

A darkhouse spearfishing hole may only have an inch or two of ice covering it the following day, Power mentioned, thus a truck tire breaking through is a possibility. "A well marked hole is very important in preventing such an accident," he said.

Anglers should be concerned with fish baits year-around, Schlueter said, because not all ANS are dormant in winter. "Eurasian watermilfoil, silver carp, and adult zebra mussels are alive and can be moved in winter to new waters," he said.

It is illegal for anglers to bring, stock or release live fish baits into the state, Schlueter said, for a simple reason - to prevent the introduction of ANS into North Dakota's waters.

"ANS will gladly catch a free ride into North Dakota any time of the year," Schlueter said. "Those minnows, chubs, aquatic insect larva, crayfish, or other live aquatic baits could offer more than just bait."

Aquatic baits are hauled in water or in wet bedding that was most likely obtained where the bait was collected. "We do not know if that site was free of problem species," Schlueter said. "That live vegetation bedding could be watermilfoil that could end up in the lake. A small fragment of Eurasian watermilfoil can start a new plant next spring causing another infested lake. Those little clam shells could be adult zebra mussels that can produce thousands of offspring next summer."

The simple methods to prevent winter ANS introductions are:

* Do not use illegally imported baits.

* Do not empty a bait bucket into any water body.

* Do not drop plant fragments into the water.

* Do not pour the water used to transport live bait into the lake.

* Dispose any unused bait into the trash.

"These precautions are needed to prevent the introduction of ANS into North Dakota's waters," Schlueter said.

Fifth Mountain Lion Taken, Season Closed 011506
North Dakota's experimental mountain lion is officially closed.

A young female mountain lion was taken Sunday, Jan. 15 northwest of Grassy Butte. It was the fifth cat taken since the season opened Sept. 2. The season is now closed because a predetermined quota of five cats has been met.

"Greg brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the position," Steinwand said. "He has credibility and recognition from nationwide fisheries leaders. He'll take the fisheries of the state to the next level."

Power, management/research section supervisor for the last five years, has been instrumental in working on Missouri River issues. "He has represented North Dakota on a number of Missouri River committees, and his work is well-respected on a national level," Steinwand said.

Power is a graduate of the University of North Dakota with a bachelor's degree in fish and wildlife management and a master's degree in biology.

More than 100 classes are listed on the web site, Carter said, and persons interested in taking a class should schedule it now. "Most of the classes are offered over the next few months," Carter said, "and they fill up quickly."

In rural areas, Carter said, classes are most likely offered only once, while in larger communities multiple sessions are typically scheduled.

Hunter education applicants should access the Game and Fish Department home page at gf.nd.gov, click on the online services tab, and then click on "online course enrollment" under the hunter education heading. Classes are listed by city, and can also be sorted by start date.

To register for a class, click on "enroll" next to the specific class, and follow the simple instructions. Personal information is required. Enrollment for some classes requires calling the instructor's phone number.

Those who do not have access to the internet and want to sign up for a class can call the hunter education program in Bismarck at 328-6615.

State law requires persons born after Dec. 31, 1961 to pass a certified hunter education course to hunt in the state. Hunter education is mandatory for youth who are turning 12 years old, and children can take the class at age 11.

The Devils Lake class is geared toward ice fishing and darkhouse spearfishing.

Lake Metigoshe offers a variety of classes. A class on dog sledding is available all three days with a limit of six entrants per session. Basic snowshoeing and winter tracking, winter ecology and cross-country skiing, and ice fishing is available only Feb. 25, with each class limited to 12-15 entrants.

Women interested in the workshops should register immediately due to limited space available. The cost is $40 for one class or $60 for two classes. Pre-registration with payment is required. Equipment and snacks will be provided.

Information and registration forms can be obtained by contacting Nancy Boldt, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095; 701-328-6312; or email ndgf@state.nd.us.

More than 120 high-tech maps are featured in " Lake Contour Maps" under the "Map Services/GIS" link. Another 40 lakes, including Lake Ilo ( Dunn County), Lake Tewaukon ( Sargent County), Alkaline Lake ( Kidder County), Brush Lake ( McLean County), Harmony Lake ( Mercer County), Round Lake ( Kidder County), and Mount Carmel Dam ( Cavalier County), were surveyed this past summer and will be added as full color maps upon completion.

These free maps are available in large-size and small-size files (size refers not to physical dimensions of the maps but to file size in bytes). Large-size maps show contour lines, man-made features such as boat ramps, roads and camping areas, and surrounding terrain taken from aerial photographs. Small-size maps show the same details except surrounding terrain.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view and print maps, which are saved in PDF format.

Other, older contour maps are also available on the web site. Survey work to update these remaining lakes will continue this spring and summer.

The popular presentations are held in the department's Bismarck office, begin at 7 p.m. each week, and last about 90 minutes.

Written materials and handouts will be available. For more information call the department's outreach section at 328-6615.

• Feb. 1 - Tracks and Signs of North Dakota Wildlife - Learn the shapes and patterns of tracks left by North Dakota wildlife in the soil and snow. Also, learn other signs that provide clues to animal whereabouts. This program is geared for fourth-graders to adults.
• Feb. 15 - Furbearers of North Dakota - Touch furs, identify habitats and learn the biology of a group of wildlife called furbearers, including species like mink, fox, muskrat and raccoon.  Learn how these animals are used for their fur and how their populations affect other wildlife. Presentation is geared for fourth-graders to adults.
• Feb. 22 - Raptors of North Dakota - Hawks, owls, eagles and falcons belong to a group of predatory birds called raptors.  Learn about their habitats, eating habits and identifying characteristics. Raptor expert Greg Brooks will present an in-depth, educational  look at two of North Dakota's raptors, the bald eagle and great-horned owl. Brooks will have live birds on hand for this presentation. Presentation is geared for fourth-grader to adults.
• March 1 - Trees and Shrubs for Wildlife - Some tree and shrub species are more beneficial to wildlife than others. Learn to recognize trees and shrubs that will survive North Dakota's climate, as well as provide food and shelter for wildlife. Learn about planting and caring for trees and shrubs, and how to identify bird that are attracted to these plantings. This presentation is tailored for adults.
• March 8 - Waterfowl Identification - North Dakota is one of the most important states in the U.S. for producing ducks. Learn about important prairie and wetland habitats where these birds live and raise young. Whether you hunt waterfowl or like to watch birds, learn to identify migratory waterfowl by examining color photographs, drawings, duck mounts and wings. Test your skills at the end with a fun quiz. Presentation is for fourth-graders to adults.
• March 15 - Catching, Cleaning and Preparing Northern Pike - The northern pike is the state fish, plentiful, and easy to catch. Learn what habitat pike prefer and methods - including darkhouse spearfishng and hook and line techniques - to put fish on the table. Participate in a hands-on filleting session to learn how to remove bones from pike, and take home recipes to prepare this fish. Presentation is geared for fourth-graders to adults.
• March 22 - Mountain Lions in North Dakota - Learn all about this large, mysterious predator including its historic and current status, preferred habitat, track identification, food requirements, and other interesting facts. Participants will see a mountain lion pelt, skull, scat and actual impressions taken from a mountain lion track. Presentation is geared for fourth-graders to adults.

Fourth Mountain Lion Taken 010906
North Dakota's fourth mountain lion of the season was taken Friday, Jan. 6 near North Fairfield in northern Billings County, according to State Game and Fish Department officials.

The lion was a 2-year-old male and weighed 111 pounds, Game and Fish furbearer biologist Dorothy Fecske said.

Since the state has limited the mountain lion harvest to no more than five, the season will close immediately if another lion is taken, according to Randy Kreil, department wildlife division chief. Otherwise, the season ends March 12. Game and Fish will issue press releases and other media alerts to notify hunters if the season is closed.

The third mountain lion was harvested Dec. 31, and the other two were shot in mid-November during deer gun season. All three of those lions were harvested in the same general area - the northern badlands within 25 miles of Grassy Butte.

The fourth lion was a bit farther south than the other three, but still in the same general area. "It's possible this young male was born in North Dakota, but more likely it was an immigrant male from Montana or South Dakota," Fecske said. "Young males often will travel long distances before establishing a territory of their own."

Third Mountain Lion Taken 010406
State Game and Fish Department officials have confirmed that another mountain lion was taken by a hunter over the New Year's weekend.

The lion, an adult male, was killed in an area of the badlands west of Grassy Butte in McKenzie County on Dec. 31.

It is the third mountain lion taken in North Dakota since a season was opened last September. The other two cats were shot in mid-November. One was a juvenile male, the other an adult female that had not yet had a litter. All three lions were harvested in the same general area - the northern badlands within 25 miles of Grassy Butte.

"This mountain lion is interesting because it's probably a resident male that was holding a territory," said Dorothy Fecske, Game and Fish Department furbearer biologist.

The state's first open season for mountain lions in modern times runs through March 12. The Game and Fish Department will close the season early if the total harvest reaches five before that.

Information gathered, Fecske said, will help Game and Fish better manage mountain lions in the future. "So far, this season is telling us that, while we get reports of mountain lion sightings statewide, their presence is greater in western North Dakota," Fecske said. "It's another piece of the puzzle to help us understand the population." 

McDowell Dam ( Burleigh County), Lightning Lake ( McLean County), Nygren Dam ( Morton County), Kraft Slough ( Sargent County), Velva Sportsmens Pond ( Ward County) and Kettle Lake ( Williams County) are closed to fishing from Nov. 1 through March 31.

Anglers should refer to the 200406 North Dakota Fishing Guide for winter fishing regulations.

The number of nonresident any-deer bow licenses available is 15 percent of the previous year's mule deer gun license allocation. The Game and Fish Department issued 7,700 mule deer licenses in the 2005 deer gun lottery.

The department will begin issuing any-deer bow licenses March 1. All applications received on or before March 1, 2006, 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.

Dates become official when approved by governor's proclamation. Tentative opening dates for 2006 include:

Spring Light Goose ------------------------------------------------------------ February 18
Spring Crow ------------------------------------------------------------------- March 18
Spring Turkey ------------------------------------------------------------------ April 8
Paddlefish Snagging ------------------------------------------------------------ May 1
Fall Crow ---------------------------------------------------------------------- August 12
Deer & Pronghorn Bow, Mourning Dove, Early Canada Goose ---------------- September 1
Sharptail, Hun, Ruffed Grouse, Squirrel ---------------------------------------- September 9
Youth Deer -------------------------------------------------------------------- September 15
Sandhill Crane ----------------------------------------------------------------- September 16
Ducks, Goose, Swan ---------------------------------------------------------- September 30
Pronghorn  Gun --------------------------------------------------------------- October 6
Pheasant, Fall Turkey --------------------------------------------------------- October 14
Mink, Muskrat, Weasel Trapping --------------------------------------------- October 21
Deer Gun --------------------------------------------------------------------- November 10
Deer Muzzleloader ------------------------------------------------------------ December