nd.gov - The Official Portal for North Dakota State Government
My Account  |  Logout  |  Cart

News Releases

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

News Releases

Landowners Interested in Wildlife Food Plot Seed

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is offering free seed for the 2021 growing season to landowners interested in planting wildlife food plots for pheasants.

Rather than traditional corn or sunflower food plots, Game and Fish is offering a diverse species, multi-season seed mix that will attract insects, the major diet component of pheasant chicks. Additionally, the mix will provide needed cover during spring and summer, as well as a winter food source.

Private lands biologist Ryan Huber, Riverdale, said the Game and Fish Department is offering the seed as an outreach to landowners to help with habitat, as well as provide food for pheasants, deer, turkeys and a variety of other animals.

“Landowners have been very receptive,” Huber said. “We had several landowners contacting us throughout the summer wanting to show us. They are so proud of it.”

Wildlife food plot seed cooperator DJ Randolph from Velva is one such landowner. “I think it’s a great program,” Randolph said. “I like a variety of seed in a food plot blend. One, you're providing different food at different stages of the year for a variety of wildlife. So whether it's too hot, wet, dry, something in that food plot blend is going to come up and grow and provide what your wildlife need.”

Most Game and Fish food plots are part of the department’s Private Land Open To Sportsmen program, but this food plot campaign does not require a PLOTS contract.

Game and Fish does ask participating landowners to allow reasonable public access, such as opening land to youth hunters. Another option simply could be putting up Ask Before You Enter signs. Landowners participating in the promotion cannot charge a fee for hunting.

Randolph provided youth hunters access to his food plots. “Youth hunters were able to harvest both deer and turkey last fall,” he said.

The Game and Fish Department will provide enough seed to cover up to a maximum 5-acre planting at no cost to the landowner.

“Any time you can get something that’s going to benefit wildlife at no charge to you, why wouldn’t you try to put that in?” Randolph said. “You can go on the website and sign up for it, contact the Game and Fish and they’ll arrange a distribution point for you to pick up the seed.”

Landowners interested in receiving the food plot seed must sign up online by March 31. Seed will be available in April at Game and Fish offices in Bismarck, Jamestown, Devils Lake, Harvey, Dickinson, Williston and Riverdale.

Game and Fish private land biologists can provide technical assistance on food plot location and site preparation.

Landowners who are interested in additional financial incentives may be considered for the PLOTS program as well. More information is available by contacting a private land biologist at any Game and Fish office in the state, or email ndgf@nd.gov.  

Zebra Mussels Found in Moss Balls at Pet Stores

Zebra mussels were recently found in moss balls at some pet stores in North Dakota and several other states. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is urging customers who recently purchased moss balls to properly dispose of them by placing in a bag, freezing solid and discarding into the trash. It’s important to not put moss balls down the toilet or drain.

North Dakota pet stores that received the contaminated shipment have been notified and have removed the moss balls from shelves.

For additional aquarium decontamination instructions, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at https://www.fws.gov/fisheries/ANS/zebra-mussel-disposal.html.

Nonresident Any-Deer Bow Licenses

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will have 780 any-deer bow licenses available to nonresidents in 2021.

Applicants can apply online beginning March 15 on the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov. The deadline for applying is April 15. 

Up to five hunters can apply together as a party. A lottery will be held if more applications are received than licenses available. A total of 1,486 people applied in 2020. 

The number of nonresident any-deer bow licenses available is 15% of the previous year’s mule deer gun license allocation.

Open Fires Banned on Oahe WMA, Surrounding Areas

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is prohibiting open burning this spring on public property it manages south of Bismarck and Mandan, as a means to reduce potential for wildfires on a heavily wooded recreation area along the Missouri River.

Bill Haase, wildlife resource management supervisor, said all open burning, including campfires, is banned until further notice on the Oahe Wildlife Management Area along both sides of the Missouri River. While the use of portable grills is allowed, extreme caution is advised due to the heavily vegetated area.

Haase said these woodlands are prone to wildfires prior to spring green-up. Mild temperatures and a high fuel load in the river bottoms are a cause for concern, he said, in addition to being a high use area for anglers, campers and other outdoor recreationists.

In addition to Oahe WMA, surrounding areas included in the open burn ban include Kimball Bottoms and Maclean Bottoms managed by Bismarck Parks and Recreation District, Desert Off Road Vehicle Area managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Graner Park managed by Morton County Parks.

Oahe WMA covers more than 16,000 acres along Lake Oahe south of Bismarck-Mandan, in portions of Burleigh, Emmons, and Morton counties. Burning restriction signs are posted at all entrances to the WMA.

Elk, Moose, Bighorn Sheep Applications Online

Elk, moose and bighorn sheep applications are available online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov. The deadline for applying is March 24.

A total of 523 elk and 474 moose licenses are available to hunters this fall, the same as last year.

Moose units M4 and M1C will remain closed due to a continued downward population trend in the northeastern part of the state.

As stated in the chronic wasting disease proclamation, hunters harvesting an elk in unit E2, or a moose in units M10 and M11, cannot transport the whole carcass, including the head and spinal column, outside of the unit. More information on CWD is available by visiting the Game and Fish website.

A bighorn sheep hunting season is tentatively scheduled for 2021, depending on the sheep population. The status of the bighorn sheep season will be determined Sept. 1, after summer population surveys are completed. The season was closed in 2015 due to a bacterial pneumonia outbreak. 

Bighorn sheep applicants must apply for a license at the same time as moose and elk, but not for a specific unit. Once total licenses are determined for each unit in late summer, the bighorn lottery will be held and successful applicants contacted to select a hunting unit.

Because the bighorn sheep application fee is not refundable as per state law, if a bighorn season is not held, applicants would not receive a refund.

Elk, moose and bighorn sheep lottery licenses are issued as once-in-a-lifetime licenses in North Dakota. Hunters who have received a license through the lottery in the past are not eligible to apply for that species again.

Deadline to Remove Fish Houses

Anglers are reminded unoccupied fish houses must be removed from all waters beginning March 15 until ice-out.

Fish houses may be used after March 15 if they are removed daily.

Anglers are advised to use caution while accessing area lakes because mild weather conditions can quickly result in unstable ice conditions that can make removing a fish house with a vehicle difficult or dangerous. Ice conditions can vary from region to region, between lakes in the same region, and even on the same lake.

Grants Support High School Trap League

Local clubs or communities interested in receiving a grant to support a high school trap shooting team must have the application in before April 1. Existing teams that have received a grant in the past are not eligible.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department offers a grant of up to $1,000, with funds designed to purchase gear such as eye and hearing protection, vests, shell bags and magnetic barrel rests.

Interested applicants can print out the high school trap league grant application online at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.

For more information, contact Game and Fish education section leader Marty Egeland at 328-6612, or email megeland@nd.gov.

Scholarships Available for Students

The North Dakota Game Wardens Association and the Ray Goetz Memorial Fund are sponsoring scholarships for graduating high school seniors or current higher education students interested in majoring in wildlife law enforcement or a related field.

Applicants must be North Dakota residents, be in good academic standing and have an interest in wildlife law enforcement or a related field. Scholarships will be awarded in fall upon proof of enrollment.

Applications are available by contacting the North Dakota Game Warden’s Association, ndgamewardens@gmail.com. Applications must be received no later than May 31.

Spring Turkey Drawing Held, Licenses Remain

The 2021 spring wild turkey lottery has been held and individual results are available on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.

The Game and Fish Department will mail the spring turkey licenses to successful applicants after they purchase a valid 2021-22 hunting license. All spring turkey hunters regardless of age are required to have a general game and habitat license in addition to their spring turkey license. Hunters age 16 and older must also have a small game license, or a combination license. The 2021-22 licenses are available for purchase beginning March 15.

Spring turkey hunters are encouraged to purchase their other necessary licenses well in advance so their turkey tag arrives before the season opener on April 10.

A total of 486 spring turkey licenses remain in seven units. Remaining licenses are issued on a first-come, first-served basis beginning 8 a.m. Central Time on March 17.

Hunters are allowed two licenses for the spring season.

Licenses remain in unit 06, Bowman County; unit 13, Dunn County; unit 19, Grant and Sioux counties and portions of Morton County; unit 31, Mountrail County; unit 44, Slope County; unit 45, Stark County; and unit 51, Burke County and portions of Renville, Bottineau and Ward counties.

Applications must be submitted online at the Game and Fish website. Only North Dakota residents are eligible to apply.

Spring Light Goose Conservation Order

North Dakota’s spring light goose conservation order opens Feb. 20 and continues through May 9.

Residents must have a valid current season 2020-21 (valid through March 31) or 2021-22 (required April 1) combination license; or a small game, and general game and habitat license. Resident youth under age 16 only need the general game and habitat license. The 2021-22 license is available for purchase beginning March 15.

Nonresidents need a 2021 spring light goose conservation order license. The cost is $50 and is valid statewide. Nonresidents who hunt in spring remain eligible to buy a fall season license. The spring license does not count against the 14-day fall waterfowl hunting season regulation.

In addition, nonresident youth under age 16 can purchase a license at the resident fee if their state has youth reciprocity licensing with North Dakota.

A federal duck stamp is not required for either residents or nonresidents.

Resident and nonresident licenses are available online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov, or by calling 800-406-6409.

Hunters must register annually with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting in each state. The HIP number can be obtained online, or by calling 888-634-4798. The HIP number obtained for North Dakota’s spring conservation order is also valid for North Dakota’s fall hunting season.

The spring conservation order is only open to light geese – snows, blues, and Ross’s. Species identification is important because white-fronted and Canada geese travel with light geese. The conservation order is closed to whitefronts, Canada geese, swans and all other migratory birds.

For more information on regulations refer to the 2021 Spring Light Goose Hunting Regulations and the North Dakota 2020-21 Hunting and Trapping Guide. 

Darkhouse Spearers Reminded to Register, Practice Safety

Individuals who are required to possess a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) to participate in darkhouse spearfishing are reminded to first register with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Free registration is available at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.

All holes greater than 10 inches left in the ice must be marked with a natural object or a brightly painted or colored wooden lath, and visible from a minimum of 150 feet.

In addition, spearers are asked to be aware of the placement of spear holes in relation to access sites onto the ice, including boat ramps. The Game and Fish Department has received complaints about holes cut in the middle of these entry/exit points. The department is asking spearers to cut holes away from access sites, so safety is a priority and access isn’t an issue.

North Dakota’s darkhouse spearfishing season closes March 15.

CRP General Signup Extended

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is extending the open enrollment of its voluntary Conservation Reserve Program by continuing to accept offers past the original Feb. 12 deadline. Private landowners can sign up at their local USDA Farm Service Agency office.

North Dakota Game and Fish Department private land section leader Kevin Kading said the extension gives USDA time to evaluate the program and look for ways to increase enrollment.

“The extension will also allow USDA additional time to work with private landowners who have already submitted an offer who wish to adjust or resubmit their offer to take advantage of any changes USDA makes,” Kading said.

CRP provides options for environmentally sensitive land by reducing soil erosion and improving water quality, but it also provides significant benefits to wildlife populations through the habitat it creates. The habitat created by CRP makes it a great fit for the Game and Fish Department’s Private Land Open To Sportsmen program.

Game and Fish has partnered with the USDA FSA to help producers learn more about CRP and the options available.  

Landowners are encouraged to visit https://gf.nd.gov/landowner/2021-crp-contact-request to answer a few questions that will direct them to their local FSA county office for more detailed information and to apply for CRP. Landowners can also request to be contacted by a Game and Fish private land biologist to learn more about additional incentives and cost-share for allowing walk-in hunting access to their CRP through PLOTS.