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News Releases

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

News Releases

NASP State Tournament Results

A record total of 614 archers competed in the North Dakota National Archery in the Schools Program state bull’s-eye tournament March 17-18 in Minot, a 15 percent increase from the mark set last year.

Hankinson students claimed top honors in the elementary (grades 4-6), middle school (grades 7-8) and high school (grades 9-12) divisions.

Overall male and female winners were Hankinson archers Clayton Stone and Jaycee Brown.

Winning teams and the top 10 individuals qualify for the national tournament, scheduled for May in Louisville, Ky. The Game and Fish Department and North Dakota Youth Archery Advisory Council contribute a total of $3,000 in travel assistance to the first place team in each division, and $1,000 to the overall male and female individual winners. In addition, a total of $21,000 in college scholarships was awarded by the NDYAAC to the top five overall scorers in both boys and girls divisions.

Qualifying for nationals in each division are:

High school boys – 1) Clayton Stone, Hankinson; 2) Chase Bladow, Hankinson; 3) Evan Mickelson, Mt. Pleasant; 4) Will Peckham, Montpelier; 5) Ty Wixo, Wahpeton; 6) Braydin Diede, Edgeley; 7) Chase Hibl, Wahpeton; 8) Michael McKenna, North Sargent; 9) Noah Trittin, Wahpeton; 10) Brandon Bottchen, Hankinson.

High school girls – 1) Kate Loewen, Hankinson; 2) Jaidyn Sander, Hankinson; 3) Laura Kielb, North Sargent; 4) Morgan Ohm, Hankinson; 5) Abigail Henderson, Edgeley; 6) Alicia Biewer, Hankinson; 7) Mary Goroski, Wahpeton; 8) Cassie Boelke, Wahpeton; 9) Josephine Nelson, North Sargent; 10) Brinley Mathern, Edgeley.

Middle school boys – 1) Grady Henderson, Edgeley; 2) Avery McFarland, North Sargent; 3) Brennan Wiederrich, Edgeley; 4) Jack Thompson, Hope-Page; 5) Austin Bladow, Hankinson; 6) Kase Kassian, Wilton; 7) Kalvin Loewen, Hankinson; 8) Isaac Pierce, North Sargent; 9) Tavon Stadler, Griggs County; 10) Connor Schall, Oakes.  

Middle school girls – 1) Jaycee Brown, Hankinson; 2) Gracie Gunderson, Medina; 3) Grace Neameyer, Mt. Pleasant; 4) Marti Moberg, Mt. Pleasant; 5) Jaden Gilje, North Sargent; 6) Allee Boyer, Edgeley; 7) Sydni Berg, Edgeley; 8) Hannah Neameyer, Mt. Pleasant; 9) Lily Wiek, Oakes; 10) Octavia Ralph, Griggs County.

Elementary boys – 1) Matthew Wehseler, North Sargent; 2) Riley Christensen, North Sargent; 3) Marcus Garza, Oakes; 4) Parker Deering, Oakes; 5) Zeke Barnick, Edgeley; 6) Michael Erlanson, Wilton; 7) Joey Burgard, Oakes; 8) Jesse Sagaser, St. John’s; 9) Dalton Praska, Wahpeton; 10) Isaac Stadler, Griggs County.

Elementary girls – 1) Makenna Vosberg, Hankinson; 2) Estella Prochnow, Hankinson; 3) Rylee Suhr, Griggs County; 4) Kirstan Loewen, Hankinson; 5) Skyler Foertsch, Hankinson; 6) Jewels Hamling, Hankinson; 7) Aysia Frederick, Wilton; 8) Ariana Onchuck, Hankinson; 9) Madison Samuelson, Mt. Pleasant; 10) Paetyn Hamann, North Sargent.

In addition, a record 404 archers – a 25 percent increase from 2016 – competed in a NASP 3-D Challenge, run simultaneously with the bull’s-eye tournament.

Overall male and female winners were Evan Mickelson, Mt. Pleasant, and Kate Loewen, Hankinson.

Top performers in the 3-D high school boys were 1) Evan Mickelson, Mt. Pleasant; 2) Cheyne Meyer, Hankinson; 3) Skylar Keller, Hankinson; 4) Glenn Sabinash, Kensal; 5) Ty Wixo, Wahpeton.

3-D high school girls – 1) Kate Loewen, Hankinson; 2) Mary Goroski, Wahpeton; 3) Chase McFarland, North Sargent; 4) Alicia Biewer, Hankinson; 5) Laura Kielb, North Sargent.

3-D middle school boys – 1) Avery McFarland, North Sargent; 2) Brady McKenna, North Sargent; 3) Austin Bladow, Hankinson; 4) Isaac Pierce, North Sargent; 5) Connor Schall, Oakes.

3-D middle school girls – 1) Grace Neameyer, Mt. Pleasant; 2) Hannah Neameyer, Mt. Pleasant; 3) Jaden Ligje, North Sargent; 4) Jaycee Brown, Hankinson; 5) Avery Trittin, Wahpeton.

3-D elementary boys – 1) Riley Christensen, North Sargent; 2) Blayson Dolney, Oakes; 3) Matthew Wehseler, North Sargent; 4) Keaton Cudworth, New Rockford-Sheyenne; 5) Zeke Barnick, Edgeley.

3-D elementary girls – 1) Joclynn Beckley, Kensal; 2) Madison Samuelson, Mt. Pleasant; 3) Isabella Sundby, Oakes; 4) Aysia Frederick, Wilton; 5) MaKenna Vosberg, Hankinson.

 

Anglers Asked to Report Winterkill

North Dakota Game and Fish Department fisheries biologists are asking anglers to report any lakes that may have experienced winter fish mortality.

Fisheries management section leader Scott Gangl said some winterkill is expected every year, with the severity depending on winter weather. Despite the heavy snow that covered much of the state in December, he doesn’t anticipate major widespread fish kills.

“Our biologists found acceptable levels of oxygen in most lakes during their mid-winter sampling,” Gangl said. “However, we expect some lakes to winterkill. Our staff will be busy spawning fish in the coming weeks, so anglers can help by notifying us of any lakes where they encounter dead fish.”

Biologists will begin sampling suspected winterkill lakes later this spring once fish spawning operations are completed to document the severity of any die-offs.

Anglers should report fish mortality in any North Dakota water by contacting the Game and Fish Department’s main office in Bismarck at 701-328-6300, or the local Game and Fish district office. 

 

Hunting Guide and Outfitter Test Set

The next guide and outfitter written examination is May 13 at 1 p.m. at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department office in Bismarck. The test is given periodically to anyone interested in becoming a hunting guide or outfitter in the state.

In addition to passing a written exam, qualifications for becoming a guide include a background check for criminal and game and fish violations; certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and standard first aid; and employment by or contract with a licensed hunting outfitter.

Hunting outfitter eligibility requirements include the guide qualifications, as well as an individual must have held a hunting guide license for two years; and must have proof of liability insurance.

Interested individuals are required to preregister by calling the Game and Fish Department’s enforcement office at 328-6604.

Report Bald Eagle Nest Sightings

The State Game and Fish Department is asking for help in locating bald eagle nests in North Dakota.

Game and Fish conservation biologist Sandra Johnson said the department is looking for locations of nests with eagles present, not individual eagle sightings.

Eagles are actively incubating eggs in March and April, and it’s easy to distinguish an eagle nest because of its enormous size. Johnson estimates the state has around 215 active bald eagle nests, possibly more.

Eagle nests are observed in more than three-quarters of the counties in the state, mostly near streams and mid- to large-sized lakes. However, they are also found in unique areas such as shelterbelts surrounded by cropland or pasture.

Nest observations should be reported online at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov. In addition, observations can be submitted by email to ndgf@nd.gov, or call 701-328-6300.

Observers are asked to not disturb the nest, and to stay away at a safe distance. Johnson said foot traffic may disturb the bird, likely causing the eagle to leave her eggs or young unattended.

White-tailed Deer, Turkey, Coyote Found in Burleigh County; Warden Seeks Information

North Dakota Game and Fish Department district game warden Corey Erck is searching for answers in the illegal taking, possession and dumping of four white-tailed deer, a turkey and coyote on the Apple Creek Wildlife Management Area in Burleigh County.

Erck said he investigated the report after receiving a call March 18, and by all indications the animals were recently discarded in the area.

The four deer and turkey were taken outside of a legal hunting season. All, including the coyote, were dumped on state land. There was evidence the deer and turkey were shot.

Anyone with information who wants to remain anonymous is asked to call the Report All Poachers telephone number at 800-472-2121. Also, callers can contact Erck directly at 701-320-2005.

The RAP line offers rewards for information that leads to conviction of fish and wildlife law violators. 

Whooping Crane Migration

Whooping cranes are in the midst of their spring migration and sightings will increase as they make their way into and through North Dakota over the next several weeks. Anyone seeing these birds as they move through the state is asked to report sightings so the birds can be tracked.

Whoopers stand about five feet tall and have a wingspan of about seven feet from tip to tip. They are bright 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.

Other white birds such as snow geese, swans and egrets are often mistaken for whooping cranes. The most common misidentification is pelicans, because their wingspan is similar and they tuck their pouch in flight, leaving a silhouette similar to a crane when viewed from below.

Anyone sighting whoopers should not disturb them, but record the date, time, location, and the birds' activity. Observers should also look closely for and report colored bands which may occur on one or both legs. Whooping cranes have been marked with colored leg bands to help determine their identity.

Whooping crane sightings should be reported to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offices at Lostwood, 701-848-2466, or Long Lake, 701-387-4397, national wildlife refuges; the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Bismarck, 701-328-6300, or to local game wardens across 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. 

 

Elk, Moose, Bighorn Sheep Apps Due March 22

Elk, moose and bighorn sheep applications must be submitted online, or postmarked, before midnight March 22.

To apply online, visit the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov. Paper applications are also available at vendors.

Individuals mailing applications to the department are advised to mail early because some post offices use the following day’s postmark for mail received after regular hours. The department’s online application feature will be deactivated March 22 at midnight.

Hunters who have received a license through the lottery in the past are not eligible to apply for that species again.

Mountain Lion Season closes in Zone 1, Conditional Season Opens March 21

Mountain lion hunting during the late season in zone 1 is closed immediately. The zone’s late-season quota was filled after the seventh cat was taken.

A conditional season in zone 1 will open March 21 for hunters to pursue the additional five mountain lions that were not taken during the early season. The zone 1 early season quota was eight, and only three were taken.

The conditional season will close March 31, 2017, or immediately once the fifth cat is taken. Early season regulations apply, which means hunters are not allowed to use dogs. In addition, hunters who harvested a lion during the early or late season are not eligible to participate.

Zone 1 includes land south of ND Highway 1804 from the Montana border to the point where ND Highway 1804 lies directly across Lake Sakakawea from ND Highway 8, crossing Lake Sakakawea then south along ND Highway 8 to ND Highway 200, then west on ND Highway 200 to U.S. Highway 85, then south on U.S. Highway 85 to the South Dakota border.

The mountain lion season in zone 2, which is the rest of the state outside zone 1, has no quota and is open through March 31, 2017.

New Law Moves Pheasant Opener to Oct. 7

A new law passed by the North Dakota Legislature will result in the State Game and Fish Department to propose Oct. 7 as opening day of the 2017 pheasant hunting season, one week earlier than what the department earlier announced.

Senate Bill 2318, signed into law March 14, requires North Dakota’s pheasant season to open no later than Oct. 12.

Game and Fish Department director Terry Steinwand said the new law means the pheasant hunting season will no longer always open on the second Saturday in October, which has been the case for more than 20 years.

With the regular pheasant season opening a week earlier, Game and Fish will propose that the youth pheasant hunting season also open earlier, on Sept. 30 instead of Oct. 7.

In addition, out-of-state hunters are reminded that state law does not allow nonresidents to hunt on Game and Fish owned or managed lands during the first week of pheasant season. Therefore, Private Land Open to Sportsmen acreage and state wildlife management areas are open to hunting by resident hunters only from Oct. 7-13. Nonresidents, however, can still hunt those days on other state-owned and federal lands, or private land.

New Licenses Needed April 1

North Dakota anglers, spring light goose hunters and trappers are reminded that new licenses for the 2017-18 season are required starting April 1.

Anglers and hunters can purchase new licenses  beginning March 15 at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov, and at more than 140 vendor locations throughout the state.

License buyers who use the Game and Fish website will notice a new look to the online system, which allows customers to purchase, apply for or renew licenses.

Hunters and anglers who have purchased licenses in the past should find their information in the new system. However, if prior information isn’t found, or if the information seems incorrect – such as boat registrations or bonus points – customers should contact the Department at 701-328-6335.

Game and Fish IT supervisor Brian Hosek said the new system, which has been in place since December, has met expectations and is working well. “The majority of users, such as people renewing their boat registrations, and spring turkey applicants, have experienced a smooth transition, but with a major overhaul like this we expect some issues to arise that need to be worked out,” Hosek said. “We ask anyone who experiences a technical issue to contact the Department so we can help them work through it.”

Help and tutorial links are available, which highlight new changes to the online services system. Some benefits of the new system include:

·         Customers are able to view licenses, lottery applications and results, bonus points, boat registration, magazine and calendar orders, and more, all in one place.

·         Address information is stored (and may be updated), so license buyers no longer need to reenter personal information each time a license is purchased or an application is filled out.

·         Replacement hunter education cards can be printed directly from your account page.

·         Email and text notification preferences can be managed from your account page.

·         Purchase and renew magazine subscriptions and purchase calendars online.

·         Mobile friendly – making it easier to conduct business on a smartphone.

One other item that some license buyers will notice is that the vendor service fee has changed. In the past, vendors could charge a 50-cent service fee on a license purchase, but the 2017 North Dakota Legislature changed that to allow vendors the option to add a 3 percent service fee to the total transaction.

The service fee does not apply to license purchases or applications made through the Game and Fish Department’s website.

The 2017-18 small game, fishing and furbearer licenses are effective April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018. 

Game and Fish Volunteers Recognized

Volunteer instructors for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department were recently recognized at the annual workshop in Mandan.

John Paulson, Bismarck, was recognized as volunteer of the year. Paul Speral, Fargo, was named archery instructor of the year. George Babcock, Garrison, and Rodney Hubbard, Fargo, were recognized as hunter education instructors of the year, while Minot residents Jonathan Hughes and Justin Hughes were named hunter education team of the year, and Skip Pederson, Valley City, received the hunter education lifetime achievement award.

Honored for 30 years of service were Darwin Bucholz, Rolla; Terry Fasteen, Helena, Mont.; Allen Goerger, Barney; Huel Halstenson, West Fargo; Richard Harwood, Lemmon, S.D.; Susan Harwood, Lemmon, S.D.; Robert Ingold, Manning; Thomas Kempf, Sawyer; Mike Kiernan, West Fargo; Dwight Leier, Esmond; Dennis Miller, Mandan; Lynda Miller, Mandan; Scott Mitchell, Rolla; Joe Solseng, Grand Forks; Todd Thingelstad, Grand Forks.

Recognized for 25 years of service were Douglas Bolte, Regent; James Borkowski, Bottineau; Dean Burwick, Dickinson; Brenda Davis, Rhame; Gene Davis, Rhame; Gary Ertmann, Devils Lake; Gerard Goldade, Hague; Theodore Hoberg, Grand Forks; Alan Klatt, Grand Forks; Lynn Hawler, Cando; Glenn Lemier, Oakes; Dale Marks, Ypsilanti; David Meberg, Hebron; Karla Meikle, Bismarck; Eugene Pederson, Valley City; Doyle Roeder, Bismarck; Daryl Simmons, Garrison; Patricia Stark, Cavalier; Gene Van Eeckhout, Jamestown; Curtis Walen, Carrington.

Honored for 20 years of service were Darren Benneweis, Lisbon; Larry Brooks, Bottineau; Scott Fasteen, Lincoln; Doyle Johannes, Underwood; Brad Kilde, Glen Ullin; Ike Kuntz, Dickinson; Marty Liesener, Ray; Mike Marquette, Cogswell; Brad Olson, West Fargo; Dale Patrick, Bismarck; Elizabeth Schaner, Center; Thomas Simmons, Cavalier; Paul Vasquez, Grand Forks; Don Underwood, Grand Forks.

Fifteen-year service awards were presented to Harold Capaci, Minot; Wesley Crosby, Williston; Tom Hetletvedt, Ypsilanti; Connie Jorgenson, Devils Lake; Jackie Martin, Anamoose; Kevin Mattson, Kindred; Robert Miller, Oakes; Ryan Mitchell, Rolla; Andrew Robinson, Minot; Joseph Schirado, Bismarck; Richard Simon Sr., Grand Forks; Paul Speral, Fargo; Ronald Swenson, Williston; Lavern Vance, Ray; Alan Waldo, New Rockford.

Ten-year active instructors recognized were Dorian Anderson, Drake; Jeff Ball, Des Lacs; Skip Balzer, Bismarck; Wayne Bauer, Wishek; Kimberly Blake, Park River; David Blocker, Mohall; John Butz, Northwood; Mark Crosby, Bowbells; Jeremy Duckwitz, Moffit; Paul Goldade, Wishek; Mike Graue, Devils Lake; Tanya Helfrich, Mandan; Amanda Johnson, Minnewaukan; Nadine Kassian, Wilton; Paul Lambert, Minot; Casey Martin, Bismarck; Deb Michels, Elgin; Timothy Nelson, Harvey; Lyle Olson, Lisbon; Todd Olson, Mohall; Levi Reese, Hillsboro; Dennis Schlenker, Bismarck; Chad Symington, Manvel; Samuel Theurer, Mandan.

Recognized for five years of service were Lynn Burgard, Bismarck; Justin Campbell, Hannaford; Tracey Day, Surrey; Jose Figueroa-Diaz, Devils Lake; Jason Hanson, Mayville; Wayne Henderson, Edgeley; Coby Hubble, Crosby; Clint Johnson, Carrington; Kevin Lahlum, Horace; Laurie Niblick, Bismarck; Jared Nygaard, Bismarck; Kendall Peterson, Devils Lake; Glenn Redmond, Belfield; Dennis Schaner, Mandan; Cory Wolf, Lincoln; Jordan Woroniecki, Dickinson.

Two-year active instructors recognized were Quincy Burroughs, Tioga; Kenneth Cabarle, Minot; Bob Dooley, Minot; Don Frost, West Fargo; Lisa Goldade, Wishek; JD Hanson, Center; Alan Haut, Fargo; Troy Jespersen, Grenora; Joel Johnson, Mooreton; Shannon Johnson, Fargo; Henry Juntunen, Bismarck; Leah Kessler, Watford City; Melissa Klitzke, Powers Lake; Edward Krank, Gladstone; Roger Landblom, Fargo; Patrick Liner, Williston; Leslie Moszer, Bismarck; Taylor Brown, Ryder; Benjamin Murphy, Killdeer; Rob Sailer, West Fargo; William Vasicek, Grand Forks; Scott Williams, Crosby. 

 

Advisory Board Meetings Announced

Outdoor enthusiasts are invited to attend a North Dakota Game and Fish Department spring advisory board meeting in their area.

These public meetings, held each spring and fall, provide citizens with an opportunity to discuss fish and wildlife issues and ask questions of their district advisors and agency personnel.

The governor appoints eight Game and Fish Department advisors, each representing a multi-county section of the state, to serve as a liaison between the department and public.

Any person who requires an auxiliary aid or service must notify the contact person at least five days prior to the scheduled meeting date.

 

District 1 – Counties: Divide, McKenzie and Williams

Date: March 27 – 7 p.m.

Location: Fairgrounds Archery Range, Williston

Host: Missouri Basin Bowmen

Contact: Steve Rehak, 770-3643

Advisory board member: Jason Leiseth, Arnegard, 586-3714

 

District 2 – Counties: Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville and Ward

Date: March 27 – 7 p.m.

Location: Memorial Building, 224 2nd Ave SE, Rugby

Host: Barton Sportsman’s Club

Contact: Joe Lautenschlager, 721-1882

Advisory board member: Robert Gjellstad, Voltaire, 338-2281

 

District 6 – Counties: Barnes, Dickey, Foster, Griggs, Logan, LaMoure, McIntosh, Stutsman and Wells

Date: March 28 – 7 p.m.

Location: Hakuna Matata Café and Convention Center, Hwy 13 and 281, Edgeley

Host: Wood Lake Pheasants Forever and Loren Schulz

Contact: Rodney Zahn, 357-8441

Advisory board member: Joel Christoferson, Litchville, 973-4981

 

District 7 – Counties: Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux

Date: March 28 – 7 p.m.

Location: Turtle Lake Wildlife Club, 695 15th Ave NW, Turtle Lake

Host: Turtle Lake Wildlife Club

Contact: Steve Seeger, 448-2448

Advisory board member: Dave Nehring, Bismarck, 214-3184

 

District 3 – Counties: Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner

Date: April 3 – 7 p.m.

Location: The Great American Inn, Hwy 2 East, Devils Lake

Host: Lake Region Anglers

Contact and advisory board member: Tom Rost, Devils Lake, 350-1424

 

District 8 – Counties: Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope and Stark

Date: April 3 – 7 p.m.

Location: Borderline Bar and Grill, 207 South Main, Reeder

Host: Cedar Creek Pheasants Forever

Contact: Tod Donner, 928-0330

Advisory board member: Dwight Hecker, Dickinson, 483-4952

 

District 4 – Counties: Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina and Walsh

Date: April 4 – 7 p.m.

Location: Community Center, 133 Broadway, Michigan

Host: Rainbow Lodge

Contact: Chris Anderson, 304-0040

Advisory board member: Joe Solseng, 317-5009

 

District 5 – Counties: Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele and Traill

Date: April 4 – 7 p.m.

Location: Community Center, 207 Lincoln St., Embden

Host: Four Corners Wildlife Club

Contact: Kent Jensen, 793-4446

Advisory board member: Duane Hanson, West Fargo, 367-4249