Behind the Badge - Tree Stands on WMAs
Tree Stands on WMAs
District Game Warden Dale Skalicky
As many people know, wildlife management areas are public lands managed by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
These lands provide reproduction areas for wildlife along with access for hunters.
There are over 200 wildlife management areas located across the state.
Wildlife management areas have specific rules to preserve the habitat along with making hunting equal for all hunters.
Around this time of year, many wardens run into a common rule that is broken as they search through WMAs looking for tree stands, ground blinds, or game cameras that hunters left out after the hunting season.
All tree stands, ground blinds and game cameras may not be put up before August 20 and must be taken down by January 31of the following year.
Stands, steps, ground blinds or game cameras that are not removed by January 31 are considered abandoned property and are to be removed and confiscated.
All confiscated property that is not claimed will be sold at a public action with the proceeds going to the Report All Poachers program.
The reason the department sets dates for the use of tree stands, ground blinds and game cameras revolve around the equal right for all hunters.
These dates are meant to prevent conflicts between hunters and to create fair access for all.
Hunters should be aware that placing a tree stand does not prevent others from hunting in the same area.
Hunters should be courteous of others hunting in the same area but not feel deterred from hunting the same vicinity.
Some other regulations regarding tree stands, ground blinds and game cameras that hunters should be aware of includes identification.
Hunters must have their name, city, telephone number, their North Dakota hunter education number, or a unique identification number issued by the department on stands, grounds blinds, or game cameras that are left on a WMA overnight.
The identification must also be visible from the ground.
Hunters should also know that only portable tree stands and tree steps are allowed while hunting in a WMA.
Portable tree stands and steps are defined as those that are held to trees with ropes, straps, cables, chains or bars.
Hopefully this information is helpful to all hunters and makes them aware of some less known regulations.