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News Releases

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

News Releases

Spring Mule Deer Survey Complete

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department completed its annual spring mule deer survey in May, and results indicate western North Dakota’s mule deer population is 13% higher than last year and 34% above the long-term average.

Biologists counted 2,923 mule deer in 298.8 square miles during this year’s survey. The overall mule deer density in the badlands was 9.8 deer per square mile.

Big game management supervisor Bruce Stillings said he is encouraged with current mule deer densities across the badlands.

“The spring index was higher than 2021 despite having very poor fawn production,” Stillings said. “Although fawn production was low due to extreme drought, habitat in the badlands was still in a condition able to provide high over-winter survival, leading to a slight population increase in 2022.”

Stillings said the 2022 spring survey was the longest on record due to two April blizzards.

“These two blizzards produced approximately 40 inches of snow with high winds and low temperatures,” he added. “The effects of these storms will not be understood until upcoming surveys are completed.”

The spring mule deer survey is used to assess mule deer abundance in the badlands. It is conducted after the snow has melted and before trees begin to leaf out, providing the best conditions for aerial observation of deer. Biologists have completed aerial surveys of the same 24 study areas since the 1950s.

Game and Fish Pays Property Taxes

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department recently paid more than $718,000 in taxes to counties in which the department owns or leases land. The 2021 in-lieu-of-tax payments are the same as property taxes paid by private landowners.

The Game and Fish Department manages more than 200,000 acres for wildlife habitat and public hunting in 51 counties. The department does not own or manage any land in Traill or Renville counties.

Following is a list of counties and the tax payments received.

County

Tax Due

County

Tax Due

County

Tax Due

Adams

188.65

Grand Forks

15,017.82

Pierce

3,279.22

Barnes

6,698.85

Grant

1,240.37

Ramsey

16,613.75

Benson

5,041.29

Griggs

101.89

Ransom

2,141.83

Billings

289.80

Hettinger

4,797.87

Richland

18,437.69

Bottineau

6,659.40

Kidder

12,317.52

Rolette

58,854.22

Bowman

2,278.57

LaMoure

10,845.98

Sargent

20,589.68

Burke

1,275.83

Logan

422.37

Sheridan

84,201.15

Burleigh

26,269.81

McHenry

1,693.92

Sioux

318.21

Cass

7,908.60

McIntosh

10,029.29

Slope

1,993.35

Cavalier

14,896.63

McKenzie

35,374.75

Stark

5,632.41

Dickey

13,598.38

McLean

130,467.84

Steele

10,637.84

Divide

2,460.37

Mercer

23,702.99

Stutsman

5,601.63

Dunn

5,691.13

Morton

25,459.76

Towner

2,476.61

Eddy

6,705.08

Mountrail

6,747.28

Walsh

10,215.94

Emmons

6,969.02

Nelson

6,199.99

Ward

58.90

Foster

1,449.53

Oliver

2,512.79

Wells

62,208.26

Golden Valley

169.75

Pembina

11,163.89

Williams

8,475.96

Scholarships Available for Students

The North Dakota Game Wardens Association, Ray Goetz Memorial Fund and Report All Poachers are sponsoring two $600 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 July 8.

Pronghorn Hunting Season Statistics

Hunter success during last fall’s pronghorn hunting season was 68%, according to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Game and Fish issued 1,710 licenses (1,034 lottery and 676 gratis), and 1,457 hunters took 991 pronghorn, consisting of 807 bucks, 159 does and 25 fawns. Each hunter spent an average of three days afield.

The 2022 pronghorn hunting season will be determined in July.

Local Burn Restrictions Remain on Oahe WMA

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department removed the open fire ban on Oahe Wildlife Management Area.

However, this area still falls under burn restrictions implemented by Morton, Burleigh and Emmons counties, which only allow open fires, including campfires, when the fire danger rating is low or moderate. Information, including restrictions, on current fire danger indexes is available at NDResponse.gov.

Oahe WMA covers more than 16,000 acres along the Missouri River south of Bismarck and Mandan within Burleigh, Emmons and Morton counties.

May Highlights Safe Boating

A safe boating public awareness campaign held annually in May serves as a good reminder for boaters heading into summer.

National Safe Boating Week is May 21-27, with the campaign actually kicking off May 20 with Wear Your Life Jacket at Work Day. Water recreationists are encouraged to snap a picture while at work and share it on social media with the hashtag #wearyourlifejacketatworkday.

A boat should have enough U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets on board for all passengers. North Dakota law requires all children ages 10 and younger to wear a personal flotation device while in boats less than 27 feet in length. The law also requires all personal watercraft users to wear a life jacket, as well as anyone towed on skis, tubes, boards or other similar devices. However, state law allows an individual who is at least 16 years of age to windsurf or boardsail without wearing a PFD.

Water users should make sure to wear life jackets that are the appropriate size and in good condition. Failure to wear a personal flotation device is the main reason people lose their lives in water recreation accidents.

Water skiers and tubers should wear a life jacket with four nylon straps rather than one with a zipper, because straps are stronger than zippers upon impact with water. Anglers and people paddling a canoe, kayak or paddleboard should opt for a PFD that is comfortable enough to wear for an entire outing.

It is also important that children wear a PFD while swimming. Swimmers should know the water’s depth, as serious injuries can occur from diving. Large objects hidden below the water’s surface can lead to significant injury.

North Dakota boaters are also reminded that marine VHF radios are an important part of boat safety that should not be improperly used by operators. These radios are intended for boat operators in distress and facing an emergency situation.

Regulations to help ensure safe boating this summer are found in the North Dakota Boat and Water Safety Guide.

Register for Game Warden Exam Now

District game warden job announcement video.

Individuals interested in taking the exam to select candidates for the position of a full-time temporary district game warden must register no later than May 24. The test is at 10 a.m., May 27, at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's main office in Bismarck.

Applicants must register by submitting an online application through the North Dakota State Job Openings website.

Applicants must be at least 21, have a bachelor’s degree at time of hire or an associate degree with either 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.

Salary through training is $4,400 per month. 

Outdoor Projects Can Earn Earth Day Patches

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Earth Day patch contest is geared to bring greater awareness to the environment.

Yet, like Earth Day, which began in 1970 and kicked-started the environmental movement, concern for the outdoors isn’t simply a once-a-year thing. Understanding this, the Game and Fish Department supports Earth Day, Every Day to promote continual awareness about the environment.

With that in mind, youth and adults participating in public land cleanup and improvements will receive the 2022 Earth Day Patch to celebrate Earth Day and their service. Projects that qualify include trash cleanup on local, state or federal property, and landscaping on public property including planting trees, bushes and pollinator plants.

For more information or to request patches for a group’s service project, contact Sherry Niesar, Earth Day coordinator, at 701-527-3714 or sniesar@nd.gov. 

ANS Awareness Week

Governor Doug Burgum declared May 15-21 Aquatic Nuisance Species Awareness week in North Dakota to raise the public’s understanding of the preventative steps recreationists need to follow to stop the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species in the state’s waterways.

Knowing the fallout of aquatic nuisance species, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department has long steered communication efforts that focus on the dangers of unwanted exotics once established.

“Aquatic nuisance species are nonnative plants, animals or pathogens that can affect the ecology of our lakes and rivers and can affect the economic and recreational value of those waterways,” said Ben Holen, ANS coordinator in Jamestown. “Aquatic nuisance species can really change the ecology of a lake and upset the food web and can be very hard on recreation.”

North Dakota currently has low numbers of aquatic nuisance species. Other than zebra mussels, just a few invasive plants and animals – curly leaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, flowering rush, and grass, bighead, silver and common carp – are found in some state waters.

To fight the introduction and spread of unwanted invasives, Holen said some of the shared burden falls on water users. The Game and Fish Department encourages anglers, pleasure boaters and others to clean, drain and dry all equipment after every use. Clean and remove all plants or animals from watercraft or equipment prior to leaving any recreational area. Drain and remove water from all equipment prior to exiting designated access points. Not draining water can be extremely hazardous and may cause negligent transportation of ANS to various locations. Afterwards, verify that all equipment is completely dry before using again.

For more information on aquatic nuisance species, visit the Department’s website at gf.nd.gov.

Tri-Cities Group Recognized

TCJJDA Staff

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has honored the Tri-Cities Joint Job Development Authority for its ongoing efforts to develop and maintain public-use facilities used and appreciated by anglers.

“The JDA was selected from a long list of candidates throughout the state and is a very worthy recipient of what this award stands for and is an outstanding example of the difference that entities can make to their local fisheries and public recreation areas,” said Bob Frohlich, Game and Fish Department fisheries development supervisor.

Over the years, the group has become more active in the construction, management and maintenance of public-use facilities ranging from courtesy docks to boat ramps to fish cleaning stations. In just the last two to three years alone, the Department has partnered and cooperated on seven new courtesy docks and a new vault toilet at Heart Butte Dam. In addition, the JDA is involved in the all-important role of ongoing operations and maintenance of public-use facilities. 

NASP State Tournament Results

School-aged archers from across the state participated in the 2022 National Archery in the Schools state tournament in Minot.

Oakes students claimed top honors in the bull’s-eye high school (grades 9-12), middle school (grades 7-8) and elementary (grades 4-6) team divisions. The overall individual male winner was Wahpeton archer Joshua Wiebusch, while Hankinson student Danica Onchuck claimed the top individual spot in the female division.

Oakes students also took first place in the NASP 3-D Challenge high school and middle school team divisions, and Mt. Pleasant followed up with top honors in the elementary team division. Wiebusch was the top male winner, and Madision Samuelson from Mt. Pleasant was top female.

In addition, Layton Jacobson from New Rockford-Sheyenne (bull’s-eye middle school boys), Shayle Zimbelman from Oakes (bull’s-eye middle school girls) and Presley Thompson from Bob Callies (3-D elementary girls) captured first place at the Western Nationals, and as a state North Dakota placed in the top 10.

Place winners by competition at the state tournament in Minot:

Varsity boys – 1) Joshua Wiebusch, Hankinson; 2) Jayce Rivinius, Gackle-Streeter; 3) Brady Graves, Wahpeton.

Varsity girls – 1) Zoey Bohnenstingl, Lidgerwood; 2) Octavia Ralph-Martinson, Griggs County Central; 3) Madison Graves, Wahpeton.

Bull’s-eye high school boys – 1) Joshua Wiebusch, Hankinson.

Bull’s-eye high school girls – 1) Octavia Ralph-Martinson, Griggs County Central.

Bull’s-eye middle school boys – 1) Grant Grabinger, Medina. 

Bull’s-eye middle school girls – 1) Danica Onchuck, Hankinson.

Bull’s-eye elementary boys – 1) Wyatt Arrowood, Oakes.

Bull’s-eye elementary girls – 1) Elissa Estenson, Mt. Pleasant.

3-D high school boys – 1) Joshua Wiebusch, Wahpeton.

3-D high school girls – 1) Madison Samuelson, Mt. Pleasant.

3-D middle school boys – 1) Layton Jacobson, New Rockford-Sheyenne.

3-D middle school girls – 1) Shayne Zimbelman, Oakes.

3-D elementary boys – 1) Carter Belgrade, Mt. Pleasant.

3-D elementary girls – 1) Elissa Estenson, Mt. Pleasant.

Check Fire Extinguishers in Boats

Boat owners should take note of a new U.S. Coast Guard fire protection regulation that took effect April 20.

Recreational boats with a disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguisher with a manufacture stamped date on the bottle that is older than 12 years are considered expired and must be removed from service. Fire extinguishers with a label stamped “Marine Type – USCG Approved” are considered up-to-date, and extinguishers without a date or marine label are most likely older than 2007 and must be replaced.

The following recreational boats are required to carry marine fire extinguishers:

  • Boats with permanently installed fuel tanks.
  • Spaces that are capable of trapping fumes, such as:
    • closed compartments, such as under seats,
    • double bottoms not sealed to the hull or not completely filled with flotation material,
    • closed living space,
    • closed stowage compartment where combustible or flammable materials are stowed.