2009 Small Game Hunting Guide
Licensing on the Web and Telephone, Downloadable Applications, & Regulations
For North Dakota state laws go to www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/T201.html.
Get Waterfowl Identification brochures from USGS
2009 Small Game Hunting Guide (621Kb PDF)
2009
Small Game- Furbearer Proclamation (225Kb PDF)
2009 Furbearer Guide (HTML format)
1. Canada Geese (Early Season)
Open area: Statewide
Opens: August 15 Closes: September 15 (Except in Missouri River Zone)
Daily Limit: 5
Possession limit: 10
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset
Missouri River Zone
Open Area: See map below
Opens: August 15 Closes: September 7
Daily Limit: 5
Possession Limit: 10
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
*Hunters may not combine daily or possession limits from the two zones. Besides possessing the
required licenses, hunters must register with the Harvest Information Program. Residents and
nonresidents are eligible to hunt. Nonresidents who hunt during this season in Sargent and Richland
counties may do so without counting against their 14-day regular license restrictions. Otherwise,
nonresidents may hunt only during the period that their nonresident waterfowl license is valid and
must stay within selected zones (exception – statewide license does not restrict to
zones).
The Missouri River Canada Goose zone is bordered by state, federal and county highways, and the South Dakota state line. The northwest boundary is the section line between section 8 and 9 of T146N R87 W (off of Mercer County 21), and the southern shoreline of Lake Sakakawea (including Mallard Island) to U.S. Highway 83.
2. Ruffed Grouse
Opens: September 12 Closes: January 3, 2010
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 12
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
Open Area: Bottineau, Rolette, Cavalier, Pembina and Walsh
counties. Also that portion of the J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge in McHenry County lying
south of the Upham-Willow City Road is open to ruffed grouse hunting.
3. Sharp-Tailed Grouse
Open Area: Statewide
Opens: September 12 Closes: January 3, 2010
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 12
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
Exception - Hunting for sharptails is not open within the
North and South prairie chicken units (see map and unit descriptions), except by prairie chicken
permit holders, and then only during the designated prairie chicken season, October 10-18.
4. Hungarian Partridge
Open Area: Statewide
Opens: September 12 Closes: January 3, 2010
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 12
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
5. Pheasant (Male Pheasants Only)
Open Area: Statewide
Opens: October 10 (See Delayed Opener below) Closes: January 3, 2010
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 12
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
Youth Pheasant Season - Legally licensed residents and nonresidents ages 15 and younger may hunt pheasants statewide on October 3-4. An adult of at least 18 years of age must accompany the youth pheasant hunter in the field. This adult may not carry a firearm and may not hunt any species of wildlife. Daily limit and hunting hours are the same as the regular season.
Delayed Opener - Opens October 17. Includes area in Williams and McKenzie counties starting where BN Railroad enters North Dakota, then east on the railroad tracks to the west boundary of the Trenton Wildlife Management Area (southwest of Trenton) then south and east on the boundary of the Trenton WMA to the Missouri River, then directly across the river, then west to the Yellowstone River, then south and west on the Yellowstone River to the Montana border, then north to the point of origin. View map of delayed-opener season area.
In accordance with state law, nonresidents are not allowed to hunt on Game and Fish Department wildlife management areas or conservation PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) areas from October 10-16, 2009.
6. Crows
Open Area: Statewide
Fall Season Opens: August 8 Closes: October 18
Spring Season Opens: March 13, 2010 Closes: April 25, 2010
Daily Limits: There is no limit on crows
Possession Limit: There is no limit on crows
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset
Crows may also be taken anytime when committing or about to commit depredation as specified in federal law (50CFR21.43).
7. Doves
Open Area: Statewide
Opens: September 1 Closes: October 30
Daily Limit: 15
Possession Limit: 30
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset
It is illegal to hunt doves or other birds resting on utility lines or fixtures adjacent to such lines.
8. Falconry (Special Extended) Season
Licensed falconers possessing the appropriate licenses may hunt resident game species from August 1 through March 14, 2010, and also migratory game birds during their open hunting seasons. In addition, falconers may hunt snipe, ducks, mergansers and coots from September 7 through September 11 and September 14 through September 18. Contact the Department for details.
9. Sage Grouse - Closed in 2009
10. Pinnated Grouse (Prairie Chicken) By Permit Only
Open Area: See below
Opens: October 10 Closes: October 18
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
Pinnated Grouse (Prairie Chicken): May be taken in that portion of southeastern North Dakota bordered on the west by ND Highway 32, on the north by the Sheyenne River, on the south by ND Highway 11, and on the east by the Red and Bois de Sioux rivers; and in an area in Grand Forks County bordered on the east by the Red River, the south by U.S. Highway 2, the west by ND Highway 18, and the north by the Walsh and Grand Forks county line. These two areas will be open for sharp-tailed grouse and pinnated grouse hunting by permit only. Fifty permits were issued by lottery for the north unit and 30 in the south unit. A permit holder may take only two prairie chickens during this special season and each prairie chicken must be tagged immediately with the Department issued tag. (Two tags will be issued with each permit.) A permit holder may also take sharp-tailed grouse in the designated area throughout the season, with a daily limit of 3 and possession limit of 12. However, once a permit holder harvests two prairie chickens they may no longer hunt sharp-tailed grouse or prairie chickens in the designated area.
Application process - The prairie chicken permit application deadline is typically the second Wednesday in August.
11. Tree Squirrels
Open Area: Statewide
Opens: September 12 Closes: January 3, 2010
Daily Limit: 4
Possession Limit: 12
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
Tree squirrels may be taken with shotguns, rimfire and muzzleloading firearms, or with bow and
arrows legal for taking upland game.
12. Sandhill Cranes
Unit 1
Opens: September 19 Closes: November 15
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 6
Open Area: That portion of North Dakota west of US Highway
281.
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to: 1 p.m. CDT September 19 through
October 31; 2 p.m. CST November 1 through November 15.
Unit 2
Opens: September 19 Closes: October 25
Daily Limit: 2
Possession Limit: 4
Open Area: That portion of North Dakota east of US Highway
281.
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to 1 p.m.
Hunters may not combine daily bag or possession limits from the two units. (A hunter may take up to 3 cranes in one day, provided all 3 birds are taken from Unit 1, or no more than 2 birds are taken from Unit 2). Nonresident sandhill crane hunters must possess either a small game license or a waterfowl license. Nonresidents using a small game license can hunt in either crane unit. Nonresidents using a waterfowl license must stay within their selected zones unless they possess the statewide waterfowl license. In addition to other licenses required, all sandhill crane hunters must possess a $5 sandhill crane hunting permit available from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's Bismarck office. It is illegal to shoot from open water or from a boat or other floating vessel in open water while hunting sandhill cranes.
WARNING - Know your crane species BEFORE you hunt. Endangered whooping cranes occasionally fly with sandhill cranes. Adult whoopers are snow white and young whoopers are white with some rusty brown feathers; black wing tips show on both. Additional descriptions of sandhill cranes and whooping cranes can be found at the following web site: http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/issues/sandhillcrane/sandhillcranehunters.htm. If you see a whooping crane, contact a Game and Fish official or the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Sandhill Crane - Legal Game Bird
Whooping Crane
Endangered! Do not Mistake for a Sandhill Crane
13. Snipe
Open Area: Statewide
Opens: September 19 Closes: December 6
Daily Limit: 8
Possession Limit: 16
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
14. Woodcock
Open Area: Statewide
Opens: September 19 Closes: November 2
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 6
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
15. Waterfowl Seasons and Rest Areas
Final federal regulations regarding duck and goose seasons were not available before this guide was printed. A separate waterfowl hunting guide will be distributed in September 2009.
Waterfowl rest areas are located throughout the state and are in effect September 22 through the close of goose hunting season. Most rest areas are closed to small game hunting (includes waterfowl), others are closed to all hunting, and some are closed to just waterfowl hunting. Some areas are also closed to fishing. Refer to the waterfowl hunting guide for a listing of these areas. Signs are posted on the areas and they list regulations for the particular area.
16. General Requirements
Hunter Education Requirement - Hunters born after December 31, 1961 must have passed a certified state or provincial hunter education course in order to purchase a North Dakota hunting license. Exceptions: Persons who hunt only on land they own or operate, and youth under age 12 may hunt if they have appropriate licenses. In addition, the 2009 state legislature passed a law allowing individuals who are 16 years of age and older who have not taken the hunter education course to be issued an apprentice hunter validation that enables them to hunt small game (includes waterfowl) and deer for one license year. Contact the Game and Fish Department for details.
Minimum Age - There is no minimum age for hunting small game, but anyone under age 15 afield with firearms must be licensed and under direct supervision of a parent, guardian, or adult authorized by their parent or guardian.
17. Licenses
Hunting licenses in the form of stamps must be affixed to the back of a fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. Stamps and licenses must be signed in ink.
Hunters and trappers are required to purchase licenses, except any resident, or member of his or her family permanently residing with him or her, may hunt small game, trap or use cable devices during the open season without a license upon land owned or leased by him or her, but other-wise is governed by seasons, limits and all other regulations. Refer to the 2009-10 Furbearer Guide for specific furbearer season details.
Pheasant, partridge, grouse, duck, goose, swan, merganser, sandhill crane, coot, crow, snipe, dove, woodcock and squirrel hunters must possess a fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate and a general game and habitat license, regardless of age. In addition, hunters ages 16 and older need a small game license. Resident youth and qualifying nonresident youth hunters under age 16, and nonresidents hunting only water-fowl, do not need a small game license; nonresident crane hunters need either a small game license or a waterfowl license; all crane, swan and pinnated grouse hunters must possess special permits; and all nonresident duck, goose, swan, merganser and coot hunters must possess non-resident waterfowl licenses. All migratory game bird hunters must be certified annually through the Harvest Information Program for each state in which they are licensed.
Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp – No one age 16 or older, including landowners hunting on their own land, shall hunt, kill, or take ducks, geese, swans or mergansers without having in his or her possession a federal migratory bird hunting and conservation stamp (duck stamp) for the season and validated by his or her signature written across the face of it in ink.
Residents do not need a license to take unprotected species of wildlife (prairie dogs, rabbits, skunks, ground squirrels). Nonresidents hunting only unprotected species of wildlife need only a nongame license.
A resident who is on leave and on active duty with the United States military may hunt small game or trap during the season without a license. Contact the Department for details.
License Fees:
Resident Fishing, Hunting and Furbearer Certificate $1
Nonresident Fishing, Hunting and Furbearer Certificate $2
General Game and Habitat License (resident and nonresident) $13
Resident Small Game License (for age 16 and over) $6
Nonresident Small Game License (may purchase more than one per year) $85
Nonresident Small Game License, General Game and Habitat License, and Certificate $100
Nonresident Waterfowl License (zones) $85
Nonresident Waterfowl License (zones), General Game and Habitat License, and Certificate
$100
Nonresident Waterfowl License (statewide) $125
Nonresident Waterfowl License (statewide), General Game and Habitat License, and Certificate
$140
Crane Permit (resident and nonresident) $5
Resident Swan License (issued by lottery) $5
Nonresident Swan License (issued by lottery) $25
Resident Furbearer License (for age 16 and over) $7
Nonresident Furbearer and Nongame License $25
Nonresident Nongame License $15
Resident Combination License (Fishing, Small Game, General Game and Habitat, and Furbearer)
$32
Nonresident Small Game Hunters – Nonresident small game hunters may hunt statewide but must select two 7-day hunting periods or one 14-day hunting period. More than one small game license may be purchased per year.
Nonresident Youth Hunting Licenses – A nonresident under age 16 need only purchase a North Dakota resident fishing, hunting and fur-bearer certificate and a North Dakota resident general game and habitat license to hunt small game and waterfowl, except swans and wild turkeys; provided that the nonresident’s state of residence, or province or territory of Canada, provides a reciprocal licensing agreement for North Dakota residents who are also under age 16. (Currently states of CO, CT, ID, KY, MI, MN, MO, MS, NE, NJ, NY, OH, SC, TN, TX and WI qualify.) To be eligible, a nonresident youth must not turn 16 before September 1 of the year for which the license is issued, and must possess a certificate of completion for a certified hunter education course. The nonresident youth may only hunt under the supervision of an adult family member or legal guardian who is licensed to hunt small game or waterfowl in this state and is subject to the same regulations as that youth’s adult family member or legal guardian.
Nonresident full-time students living in North Dakota, who are attending a North Dakota state or tribal college, or a private institution of higher education, may qualify for purchasing resident (nonlottery) licenses. Contact the Department for details.
Definition of Terms
"Game" includes any of those species of small game, or furbearers as defined in Section 20.1-01-02 of the North Dakota Century Code.
"Small Game" includes all game birds (including waterfowl) and tree squirrels.
"Upland Game" includes sharp-tailed and sage grouse, pinnated grouse (prairie chicken), Hungarian partridge, pheasants, ruffed grouse and tree squirrels.
"Migratory Game Birds" includes ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, coots, cranes, snipe, dove and woodcock. All hunters must be HIP registered.
"Waterfowl" includes ducks, geese, swans, mergansers and coots.
"Daily Bag Limit" (Daily Limit) means the maximum number of the particular game referred to in single or aggregate for which a bag limit is prescribed and that one hunter, legally licensed by this state, may take or kill for that species during a single hunting day, within the boundaries of this state, including Indian reservations.
"Possession Limit" means the maximum number of the particular game referred to (except waterfowl and migratory game birds) that a hunter, legally licensed by this state, may have in his/her actual possession during any phase of any single hunting trip, venture, or expedition of more than one day. No more than one daily limit may be taken on any one day. The possession limit at one's personal permanent residence, except for waterfowl and migratory game birds, is unlimited.
"Possession Limit for Waterfowl and Migratory Game Birds"means the maximum number of migratory game birds of a single species or a combination of species permitted to be possessed by any one person when lawfully taken in the United States in any one specified geographic area for which a possession limit is prescribed.
"Migratory Bird Preservation Facility" is any person or business for hire or other consideration, taxidermist, cold storage or locker plant facility, or hunting club which receives, possesses, or has in custody any migratory game birds belonging to another for purposes of picking, cleaning, freezing, processing, storage or shipment.
"Possession of Shot other than Nontoxic Shot" means in the gun, or in the pockets, or within reach while in the process of hunting. See nontoxic shot regulations below.
19. Nontoxic Shot Regulations
The possession or use of shot other than federally approved nontoxic shot is prohibited while hunting ducks, geese, sandhill cranes, tundra swans, snipe, mergansers and coot statewide.
Nontoxic shot is required for all hunting on all U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands, including federal refuges and waterfowl production areas. This regulation applies to all hunters using shotguns, except while hunting turkeys and big game. These shot requirements are in addition to current statewide nontoxic shot requirements for migratory birds as listed above.
For additional information on nontoxic shot, contact the Department's Bismarck office.
20. Legal Firearms and Ammunition
Game Birds and Waterfowl - Only firearms no smaller than 410 gauge nor larger than 10 gauge loaded with shot and capable of holding no more than three shells, legal archery equipment, and raptors may be used. Pistols may not be used to take migratory game birds. Nontoxic shot is required for some species and on some lands. Raptors may be used only by those possessing a falconry permit.
A bow must be pulled, held, and released by hand. Any release aid may be used providing it is hand operated, the shooter supports the draw weight of the bow, and the release is not attached to any part of the bow other than at the bowstring. Telescopic sights, range finding devices, battery-powered or electronically lighted sights or other electronic devices attached to the bow, or the arrow, are not permitted. Handheld range finding devices are legal. Arrows capable of causing damage or injury in excess of that inflicted by the cutting edges of the broadhead, are prohibited while hunting small game with a bow (e.g., explosive arrow points, arrows tipped with drugs or chemicals, and pneumatic or hydraulic shafts are illegal). Arrows must be at least 24 inches long and have at least 2 untrimmed feathers, or not less than 5 trimmed feathers when shooting at birds in flight.
Blind individuals, paraplegics and/or those having lost the use of one or both arms, having a permit from the Game and Fish Director to hunt with a crossbow, may use a crossbow during the small game seasons. Contact the Department for additional information on crossbow regulations.
21. Aircraft, Boats, Motor-Driven Vehicles
Aircraft, snowmobiles and motor-driven vehicles may not be used to kill, chase or harass wild birds or animals. In addition, aircraft may not be used to spot game and snowmobiles may not be used to flush wildlife.
It is illegal to shoot with bow and arrow or firearm while in or on a motor-driven vehicle.
It is illegal to carry a firearm in or on a motor-driven vehicle with a shell in the chamber. The entire cylinder of a revolver is considered the chamber, requiring the revolver to be completely unloaded. It is illegal to carry any muzzleloading firearm in or on a motor-driven vehicle with a percussion cap on the nipple or powder in the flash pan.
It is illegal to drive motor-driven vehicles off established roads and trails unless hunting waterfowl or cranes. Except for persons having a special disability permit, no person may use a motor-driven vehicle while in the process of hunting small game (except waterfowl or cranes) or aid another in the process of hunting small game (except waterfowl or cranes) including travel to and from a hunting location unless the motor-driven vehicle is on an established road or trail. Exception: A landowner or a lessee who actively farms or ranches the land, or a person having written permission from the landowner or lessee, may use a motor-driven vehicle off of an established road or trail to hunt small game except during the deer gun season.
Mallard Island and deTrobriand Island within Lake Sakakawea are closed to the use of all motor-driven vehicles and aircraft. On all other wildlife management areas owned or managed by the Department, the use of all motor-driven vehicles is restricted to those constructed roads, well worn trails, and parking areas normally used by passenger cars. Motor-driven vehicle use on wildlife management areas is further restricted or prohibited where posted as such.
Established roads or trails do not include temporary trails made for agricultural purposes.
No person may use motor-driven vehicles on North Dakota Game and Fish Department Conservation PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) property without permission from the landowner, or as otherwise signed by the Department. These areas have been entrusted to the public for walking access through written agreements with private landowners. The boundaries of these properties are identified by large yellow triangular signs.
All firearms must be unloaded and encased while traveling within the boundaries of a national park.
Motorboats are legal for going to and from hunting areas. Ducks, coots, mergansers, geese, and tundra swans may be taken from a floating craft, excluding a sink box, if such craft is either beached, fastened within or tied immediately alongside any type of fixed hunting blind, or resting at anchor. It is illegal to shoot from a sunken device or any floating vessel on open water, or to use or cause to be used any floating battery, electric, steam, gasoline, or other powered vessel in an attempt to take waterfowl. A motorboat, sailboat, or other craft may be used to pick up dead or injured birds.
All watercraft must have aboard a U.S. Coast Guard approved life preserver for each occupant. Additionally, any watercraft powered by any motor (including electric motors) must be registered and numbered (licensed) through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, or for nonresidents - through the state where principally used.
22. Identification
One fully feathered wing or the fully feathered head of all waterfowl, snipe, crane, and woodcock, and dove; and one leg and foot, or the fully feathered head, or the fully feathered wing of pheasant, Hungarian partridge, and all grouse shall remain attached to such game during transportation or shipment to its final place of storage.
23. Transportation and Storage
License holders must accompany their game, or parts thereof, (excluding hide) during transportation. Game may be shipped by common carrier in receipt of proper bill of lading. No resident of the state may ship game or parts thereof (other than hides) out of state without a permit from the Department. Any resident, other than a licensed fur buyer complying with Section 20.1-03-23 of the North Dakota Century Code who ships or transports such hides or furs, shall tag each hide or fur with the name of the person having taken it and that person's furbearer license number. Except for legally gifted game, it is illegal to possess or transport another's game animal, or parts thereof, (excluding hide) without the license holder accompanying or as otherwise permitted.
No person shall leave or store any game birds at any place other than that person's legal residence unless each piece of game is tagged with the owner's signature and address, date taken, number and species of game, and license number of the person who harvested the game. The packaging of game birds away from a person's legal residence must be in a manner that the species and number of game birds in each package is easily determined.
Game may be gifted to another, however this does not allow a person to exceed a daily limit. Any gifted game to be transported must be tagged with the above information and display sex and species identification as required. Termination of possession can only be accomplished by: (1) gifting of legally harvested game; (2) by consuming the game.
Nonresidents may transport or ship from the state a possession limit of upland game. No one may possess in the field, transport, or ship at any one time, more than a possession limit of upland game. No one may possess, store, transport, or ship at any one time, more than a possession limit of migratory game birds. No person shall ship migratory game birds unless the package is marked on the outside with: (1) the name and address of the person sending the birds; (2) the name and address of the person to whom the birds are being sent; and (3) the number of each species contained in the package. No person shall put or leave any game birds at any place unless the birds are tagged by the hunter with the following information: the hunter's signature and address, date taken, number and species of such birds, and small game or waterfowl license number. The above tag is required if the birds have been left by the hunter for cleaning, storage (including temporary storage), shipment, or taxidermy services. No person shall transport migratory game birds belonging to another person unless such birds are tagged as required (see above). Passengers in a vehicle that is transporting their birds are not required to tag their birds.
24. Posting and Trespass
Only the owner or tenant, or an individual authorized by the owner, of any land may post it by placing signs along-side the public highway or the land giving notice that no hunting is permitted on the land. The name of the person posting the land must appear on each sign in legible characters. The signs must be readable from the outside of the land and must be placed conspicuously not more than 880 yards apart. For land entirely enclosed by a fence or other enclosure, posting of signs at or on all gates through the fence or enclosure constitutes a posting of all the enclosed land.
It is illegal to hunt on posted lands without permission from the owner or tenant. Trespass is a criminal violation punishable by suspension of hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for a period of at least one year.
It is illegal to hunt upon the premises of another within 440 yards of any occupied building without the consent of the person occupying the building. This does not prohibit hunting on land owned by neighbors (private or public) even if the land is less than 440 yards from the occupied building.
Any person may enter upon legally posted land (without a firearm or bow) to recover game shot or killed on land where he/she had a lawful right to hunt.
It is illegal to hunt in unharvested cereal and oilseed crops without the owner’s consent. Crops also include sprouted winter wheat, alfalfa, clover and other grasses grown for seed.
It is illegal to deface, take down or destroy posting signs.
Failure to close gates upon exit or entry is a criminal violation, punishable by forfeiture of hunting licenses.
25. Road Rights of Way
Do not hunt on road rights of way unless you are certain that they are open to public use. Most road rights of way are under the control of the adjacent landowner and are closed to hunting when the adjacent land is posted closed to hunting.
26. Wanton Waste of Waterfowl, Migratory Game Birds, and Upland Game
No person shall kill, cripple, waste, destroy, spoil, or abandon the edible flesh of any migratory game bird or upland game without making a reasonable effort to retrieve the bird/animal, and retain it in his/her actual custody, at the place where taken and between that place and either (a) his or her personal permanent residence; (b) taxidermist; or (c) a common carrier. Edible flesh means the breast meat of any game bird or the hind legs and lower back of a squirrel.
27. Summary of Federal Regulations
In addition to state regulations, these federal rules apply to the taking and possession of migratory game birds.
No one shall take migratory game birds by the aid of baiting, or on or over any baited area, where a person knows or reasonably should know that the area is or has been baited. You may hunt migratory game birds, including waterfowl, on, over, or from standing crops or flooded standing crops; flooded, harvested cropland; lands where grain has been scattered solely as a result of a normal agricultural planting, harvest or post-harvest manipulation; or from a blind or place of concealment camouflaged with vegetation from agricultural crops, provided that use of such vegetation does not expose, deposit or scatter grain or other feed.
Motor-driven vehicles may not be used off established roads or trails on federal waterfowl production areas.
Further regulations may apply to national wildlife refuges open to public hunting. For additional information on federal regulations, contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Bismarck (701) 250-4418, in Denver (303) 236-7890, or a local national wildlife refuge office.
28. Fire Danger Index
Fire danger indexes provide an indication of wildland fire potential. Fire danger indexes are calculated considering temperature, humidity, wind speed, cloud cover, and vegetative condition, and are rated as Low, Medium, High, Very High, or Extreme. Fires are more likely to occur on higher index days. Certain outdoor activities may be prohibited when a fire danger index is considered Very High or Extreme .Hunters are asked to be aware of current fire danger indexes. Updated information is available through NOAA Weather Radio, the National Weather Service at www.crh.noaa.gov/bis/, or from county sheriff offices.
29. Closed or Restricted Areas
PLOTS Areas - In accordance with NDCC 20.1-08-04.9, nonresidents may not hunt any game from October 10 through October 16 on North Dakota Game and Fish Department wildlife management areas or on Conservation P.L.O.T.S. (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) areas.
Wildlife management areas so posted, refuges, sanctuaries, national parks, and historic sites shall be closed to the hunting of all species. (Exception: small game hunting may be permitted at times and on those areas of federally owned refuges designated by the refuge manager.) For additional regulations on federal refuges, contact refuge headquarters.
The Minot and Grand Forks air bases are closed to hunting. Carrying or possession of firearms on wildlife management areas so posted shall be prohibited from May 1 through September 1 or dates posted on the signs.
State school land is open to public access including hunting unless posted with State Land Department signs. Vehicles are not permitted on state school lands. Contact the State Land Department for additional information regarding state school lands.
When hunting near the boundaries of closed refuges, sanctuaries, military installations, parks, or historic sites - make sure that you are familiar with any retrieval restrictions that may apply.
State law allows the Governor to close or postpone a hunting season upon reasonable notice through the media if climatic conditions create a fire hazard.
30. Other Restrictions
An individual must harvest his or her own limit.
It is illegal to go afield with a firearm or archery equipment while intoxicated.
It is illegal to possess or use an electronic or recorded call while hunting migratory game birds.
Use of night vision equipment, electronically enhanced light gathering optics or thermal imaging equipment for locating or hunting game is prohibited.
Hunters may retrieve game that has fallen into a state wildlife refuge if they leave their firearms outside the boundary. They may not retrieve game that has fallen into a federal wildlife refuge unless there has been a retrieving zone designated by the refuge manager.
It is illegal to shoot harmless birds. All hawks, owls, falcons and eagles are protected by state and federal law.
It is illegal to use live birds as decoys.
No person may possess or sell any live wildlife or release said wildlife into the wild without a permit from the Department.
31. Harvest Information Program (HIP)
All migratory game bird hunters must register annually with the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) before hunting ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, coots, cranes, snipe, doves and woodcock. Before your license to hunt is legal you must register by calling toll free 888-634-4798. After answering a brief survey you will receive a HIP registration number which must be recorded on your fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. NOTE: If you purchase your hunting license at the Department's Bismarck office, through the Department's website, or over the phone with the toll-free number you can easily be HIP registered. If you participated in the spring snow goose conservation hunt in North Dakota in 2008, you should have already been HIP registered. HIP is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service program designed to measure the harvest of migratory birds for management purposes.
HIP certification is required in each state in which you hunt Migratory birds.
32. Hunting by Nontribal Members on North Dakota Indian Reservations
If an individual hunts exclusively on Indian lands within an Indian reservation, a tribal license is required and a state hunting license is not required. Hunting on nontribal lands within an Indian reservation requires a state hunting license. Game taken legally with a tribal license within an Indian reservation may be possessed and transported anywhere in North Dakota.
Portions of some units are located on Indian reservations. Contact reservation tribal offices for more information:
- Fort Berthold. Game and Fish Department, 404 Frontage Road, New Town, ND 58763, (701) 627-4760.
- Standing Rock. Game and Fish Department, Box D, Fort Yates, ND 58538, (701) 854-7236.
- Turtle Mountain. Department of Natural Resources, Box 570, Belcourt, ND 58316, (701) 477-2600.
- Spirit Lake. Fish and Wildlife Department, Box 359, Fort Totten, ND 58335, (701) 766-4221.
33. Sunrise and Sunset Times
34. Report All Poachers (RAP) Program
This program encourages people to report wildlife violations, remain anonymous if they prefer, and receive monetary rewards for convictions based on their information. Anonymous callers will be given a special code number and are not required to give their name. Rewards range from $100 to $1,000 depending on the nature and seriousness of the crime. Call 800-472-2121. Call this number only to report game and fish violations. Note: If calling from outside North Dakota, the number is (701) 328-9921.The reward fund is supported by private donations. If you wish to donate to the RAP program, tax deductible contributions can be sent to RAP, Box 188, Valley City, ND 58072-0188.
Will open a new window (pop-up).