Individuals interested in taking the district game warden exam scheduled for July 16 are reminded to register no later than July 14 by submitting an online application through the North Dakota State Job Openings website.
The test is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the department's main office in Bismarck.
Applicants must be at least 21, have either a bachelor’s degree at time of hire or an associate degree with 2 years of law enforcement or wildlife experience, have a valid driver’s license and a current North Dakota peace officer license, or be eligible to be licensed. Candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive background check and must not have a record of any felony convictions.
District game wardens enforce game and fish laws and related regulations in an assigned district and other locations as determined by the department. Wardens normally work alone under varied conditions, at all hours of the day, night and weekends. In addition to law enforcement duties, wardens assist in the areas of public relations, education programs, and hunter and boat safety education.
Salary through training for a district game warden is $4,300 per month. For more information, see the district game warden job announcement on the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.
Zebra Mussels Discovered in Twin Lakes
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has confirmed the presence of invasive zebra mussels in Twin Lakes, LaMoure County, after a local cabin owner reported adult mussels attached to a floating log over the weekend.
Aquatic nuisance species coordinator Ben Holen said subsequent follow-up sampling found a few other zebra mussels attached to woody debris. In addition, Game and Fish Department ANS staff processed plankton tow net samples collected from Twin Lakes June 22, and zebra mussel veligers were detected in those samples indicating a breeding population of mussels within the lake.
The 1,735-acre lake is a popular fishing destination located a few miles north of LaMoure. Twin Lakes is located approximately six miles from Lake LaMoure, which had a confirmed finding of zebra mussels in 2020.
Moving forward, Holen reminds lake visitors that everyone plays a key role in stemming the spread of mussels to lakes that are not infested.
“This situation is yet another example of the importance for all water enthusiasts including boaters, anglers and skiers, to be aware of aquatic nuisance species and to take all precautions to prevent their spread,” Holen said.
Prevention is the best way to avoid spreading ANS. They often travel by “hitchhiking” with unsuspecting lake-goers.
“Always clean, drain and dry boats and other equipment before using another lake,” Holen mentioned. “Also, don’t transfer lake water or live fish to another body of water. This can help stop the spread of not only zebra mussels, but most aquatic nuisance species that may be present.”
Twin Lakes is now considered a Class I ANS Infested water, joining Lake LaMoure, Lake Ashtabula, the lower portion of the Sheyenne River, and the Red River in this designation. Emergency rules will go into effect immediately to prohibit the movement of water away from the lake, including water for transferring bait. Notices will be posted at lake access sites. For the remainder of this summer, ANS watercraft inspections will be increased at Twin Lakes.
Zebra mussels are just one of the non-native aquatic species that threaten our waters and native wildlife. After using any body of water, people must remember to follow North Dakota regulations:
Remove aquatic vegetation before leaving the water access and do not import into North Dakota.
Drain all water before leaving the water access.
Remove drain plugs and devices that hold back water and leave open and out during transport.
Do not import bait. For Class I ANS Infested waters, bait cannot be transported in water. In all other areas, bait must be transported in a container that holds 5 gallons or less. Remember that it is illegal to dump unused bait on shore or into the lake.
In addition to North Dakota regulations, the Game and Fish Department strongly recommends:
Avoid mooring watercraft in zebra mussel infested waters.
Clean – remove plants, animals and excessive mud prior to leaving a water access.
Drain – drain all water prior to leaving a water access.
Dry – allow equipment to dry completely before using again or disinfect. This includes boat docks and boat lifts brought from other waters/states. A 7-day dry time is recommended after recreating on a zebra mussel infested water at typical summer temperatures.
For more information about ANS in North Dakota, options for disinfection, or to report a possible ANS, visit https://gf.nd.gov/ans.
ABOUT ZEBRA MUSSELS
Zebra mussels are dime-sized mollusks with striped, sharp-edged, two-part shells. They can produce huge populations in a short time and do not require a host fish to reproduce. A large female zebra mussel can produce 1 million eggs, and then fertilized eggs develop into microscopic veligers that are invisible to the naked eye. Veligers drift in the water for at least two weeks before they settle out as young mussels which quickly grow to adult size and reproduce within a few months.
After settling, zebra mussels develop byssal threads that attach their shells to submerged hard surfaces such as rocks, piers, and flooded timber. They also attach to pipes, water intake structures, boat hulls, propellers, and submerged parts of outboard motors. As populations increase, they can clog intake pipes and prevent water treatment and electrical generating plants from drawing water. Removing large numbers of zebra mussels to ensure adequate water flow can be labor-intensive and costly.
Zebra mussels are native to the Black and Caspian seas of western Asia and eastern Europe and were spread around the world in the ballast water of cargo ships. They were discovered in Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River in 1988 and quickly spread throughout the Great Lakes and other rivers including the Mississippi, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, Arkansas and Hudson. They were first discovered in North Dakota in 2015 in the Red River. Moving water in boats has been identified as a likely vector, as has importing used boat lifts and docks.
Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest
Photographers who are interested in sending photos for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest are reminded to follow the guidelines for submitting their work.
Photographers should go to the Game and Fish Department’s website at gf.nd.gov/photo-contest. Then it is a matter of providing some pertinent information about the photo and uploading it. Doing so helps both with ease of submitting photos for the photographer and managing those images for department staff.
The contest is now open and the deadline for submitting photos is Oct. 1. For more information or questions, contact Patrick Isakson, department conservation biologist, at pisakson@nd.gov.
The contest has categories for nongame and game species, as well as plants/insects. An overall winning photograph will be chosen, with the number of place winners in each category determined by the number of qualified entries.
Contestants are limited to no more than five entries. Photos must have been taken in North Dakota.
By submitting an entry, photographers grant permission to Game and Fish to publish winning photographs in North Dakota OUTDOORS, and on the department’s website.
Spring Pheasant Count Similar to Last Year
North Dakota’s spring pheasant population index is about the same as last year, according to the state Game and Fish Department’s 2021 spring crowing count survey.
R.J. Gross, upland game management biologist, said the number of roosters heard crowing this spring was up about 3% statewide.
“The statewide number might be a bit misleading since we are notably down in the southwest, while most of the state benefitted from good reproduction in 2020 and a mild winter,” Gross said.
The primary regions holding pheasants showed 18.4 crows per stop in the southwest, down from 19.6 in 2020; 14.3 crows per stop in the northwest, up from 12.2; and 14.5 crows per stop in the southeast, up from 13.6. The count in the northeast, which is not a primary region for pheasants, was 5.2 crows per stop, up from 3.4 last year.
Gross said current drought conditions are causing delayed growth in nesting cover, brood rearing cover and croplands across the state, while extended drought conditions could prevent insect hatches, reducing forage availability to chicks for brood rearing.
“We are hopeful that the latest rain events will foster insect production to bolster pheasant chick foraging,” he said.
Pheasant crowing counts are conducted each spring throughout North Dakota. Observers drive specified 20-mile routes, stopping at predetermined intervals, and counting the number of pheasant roosters heard crowing over a 2-minute period.
The number of pheasant crows heard are compared to previous years’ data, providing a trend summary.
Put Garbage Where it Belongs
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department reminds outdoor recreationists to keep it clean this summer by packing out all trash.
All garbage, including used fireworks, should be placed in a proper trash receptacle. If trash cans aren’t available, or are full, dispose of trash at home.
It is not uncommon to see garbage piling up around full trash containers. Styrofoam containers are not biodegradable, but are often found wedged in cattails, drifting or washed up on shore.
Tires, mattresses and kitchen appliances have found their way to public use areas. This illegal dumping is costly to clean up and takes a significant toll on the environment. Not only does it spoil the beauty of the land, it destroys habitat, has the potential to pollute North Dakota waters and can injure wildlife.
Littering violations should be reported by calling the Report All Poachers at 701-328-9921.
Deer Gun Lottery Held, Licenses Remain
North Dakota’s deer gun lottery has been held and more than 7,900 deer gun licenses remain. Only resident applicants who were unsuccessful in the lottery can apply for remaining licenses.
More than 79,000 individuals applied for a deer gun lottery license, in addition to over 12,400 gratis applicants. The 2021 deer gun proclamation allows for 72,200 deer gun season licenses.
Unsuccessful applicants can apply online for remaining licenses beginning June 29. The deadline for applying is July 14.
Remaining Deer Gun Licenses
(B = Any Antlerless C = Antlered Whitetail D = Antlerless Whitetail F = Antlerless Mule Deer)
Remaining Tags
Unit
Type
Available
2H
B
185
3A1
B
985
3A2
B
108
3B1
D
227
3B2
D
214
3B2
F
146
3B3
D
636
3C
D
581
3D1
B
58
3D1
D
138
3D2
B
39
3D2
D
185
3E1
D
234
3E2
B
69
3E2
D
201
3F1
B
162
3F1
C
34
3F1
D
403
3F2
B
1124
3F2
C
180
3F2
D
796
4A
D
99
4B
D
146
4C
D
111
4D
D
137
4E
D
126
4F
D
365
4F
F
217
WMA Regulations Prohibit Fireworks, Camping Restrictions Lifted for Holiday
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department reminds citizens that possession or use of fireworks on state wildlife management areas is prohibited.
The primary objective of a wildlife management area is to enhance wildlife production, provide hunting and fishing opportunities, and offer other outdoor recreational and educational uses that are compatible with these objectives. Only activities that would not disrupt the intentions of how these areas are managed are encouraged, and a fireworks display is not compatible.
In addition, the Game and Fish Department will lift the Tuesday-Wednesday no-camping restriction for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday week, which will allow overnight camping July 6-7 on those WMAs that otherwise have this two-day restriction in place.
A complete list of WMA regulations is available on the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.
Operation Dry Water
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will again participate in Operation Dry Water as part of a nationally coordinated effort to increase knowledge about the dangers of boating under the influence. The goal is to reduce the number of accidents and deaths associated with alcohol and drug use on state waterways.
ODW weekend, July 2-4, is the national weekend of heightened enforcement effort directed at boating under the influence laws and recreational boater outreach.
While informing and educating boaters about the hazards and negative outcomes associated with boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a year-round effort, on ODW weekend the Game and Fish Department’s game wardens will focus on the water, informing boaters about safe boating practices, and removing impaired operators from the water.
Tips for staying safe on the water:
Boat sober – alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boater deaths. Alcohol and drug use impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time.
Wear your life jacket – 85% of drowning victims nationwide were not wearing a life jacket.
Take the online boating safety education course – 71% of deaths nationwide occurred on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction.
Pronghorn Survey Begins
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual aerial pronghorn survey will begin July 1 and is scheduled to be completed within two weeks.
During the survey period, small airplanes will sometimes fly low over some parts of western North Dakota.
The survey determines pronghorn abundance, herd demographics and fawn production. This data is used to set the number of licenses for the fall hunting season.
Earth Day, Every Day
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has for years encouraged students to design Earth Day patches to bring greater awareness to the environment in the state and elsewhere.
Yet, like Earth Day, which began in 1970 and kicked-started the environmental movement, the concern for our outdoor places isn’t simply a once-a-year-thing, but ongoing.
Understanding this, the Game and Fish Department has initiated Earth Day, Every Day to promote continual awareness about the environment.
Groups that engage in environmental clean-up projects, landscaping, or other efforts that promote environmental awareness, will receive an Earth Day patch for all participants.
The patches are used to recognize groups that work to celebrate the Earth Day concept, and everyone is encouraged to participate in the Earth Day, Every Day awareness campaign.
For more information about Earth Day, Every Day, or to request patches for your project, contact Sherry Niesar, Earth Day coordinator, at 701-527-3714 or sniesar@nd.gov.
Local Burn Restrictions Remain on Oahe WMA
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has removed the open fire ban on the Oahe Wildlife Management Area effective immediately.
However, this area still falls under burn restrictions implemented by Morton, Burleigh and Emmons counties, which only allows open fires, including campfires, when the fire danger rating is low or moderate. The burn ban is in effect when the rating is high, very high or extreme and/or a red flag warning has been issued.
Oahe WMA covers more than 16,000 acres along the Missouri River south of Bismarck and Mandan within Burleigh, Emmons and Morton counties.
Boat North Dakota Course
North Dakota state law requires youth ages 12-15 who want to operate a boat or personal watercraft by themselves with at least a 10 horsepower motor must pass the state’s boating basics course.
However, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department recommends all boaters take a boater education course. In fact, some insurance companies give adult boat owners who pass the course a discount on boat insurance.
The course is available for home-study from the Game and Fish Department’s Bismarck office. Two commercial providers also offer the course online, and links to those sites are found on the department’s website at gf.nd.gov.
While the home-study course is free, students are charged a fee to take it online. The online provider charges for the course, not the Game and Fish Department. The fee remains with the online provider.
Upon completion of the online test, and providing a credit card number, students will be able to print a temporary certification card, and within 30 days a permanent card will be mailed.
The course covers legal requirements, navigation rules, getting underway, accidents and special topics such as weather, rules of the road, laws, life saving and first aid.
North Dakota Game and Fish Department