2016 Hunting Season Outlook
Partnerships are important.
We are blessed to have many partners in North Dakota willing to contribute funds to leverage hunter and angler dollars, maximizing the conservation benefit. But due to our state's land base, which is mainly under private ownership, our most important partners are landowners.
While our goals as an agency and those of landowners sometimes differ, overall the relationship is positive due to a willingness on both sides to work together to identify reasonable solutions.
My thoughts of late have centered on a particular landowner who recently passed away, Con "Buzz" Short. I was fortunate to call him my uncle, but more "importantly, my friend.
The Short ranch is located along the Little Missouri River north of Medora. Many people have hunted on the ranch over the years, thanks to the generosity of its stewards. Whether you were looking to hunt for the day, or were connected to a hunting group who fixed up and maintained one of the cabins on the ranch, all were welcome.
And, the generosity I'm talking about wasn't contingent on a payment required to stay or hunt. Free access, free hospitality in exchange for respectful behavior and friendship.
My job takes me to all parts of the state and I'm fortunate to meet and visit with many people about today's outdoor issues. Often, after mentioning my western North Dakota upbringing, people would tell stories about hunting on the Short ranch. I laughed during one of these conversations and sarcastically asked a gentleman if there is a hunter in the state who hasn't hunted on the ranch?
Con Short was a great man to hunters, and many have wonderful hunting memories from the badlands due to his generous nature. He is a good reminder to all of us as hunters to demonstrate our gratitude toward those landowners who willingly open their gates.
This fall, hunters in the western part of the state (Golden Valley County) will notice a new addition to the Game and Fish Department's Private Land Open To Sportsmen program. It's a big addition, the largest contract the Department has ever signed.
An interested landowner is graciously giving the public a chance to share in the hunting opportunities on his ranch. Yet, without the help of several conservation groups like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Mule Deer Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation and Pheasants Forever, the project may not have happened.
Partnerships, once again, at work.
Everyone worked together with the landowner to identify projects, provide funding and volunteer labor, all of which will be beneficial to wildlife and the landowner.
However, just like every acre of land enrolled in the PLOTS program, it comes with a condition. A condition that hunters respect the property and the wishes of the landowner, pick up after themselves, and appreciate an opportunity that isn't guaranteed forever.
And there is a chance if the experience is a good one, additional opportunities could arise. You can bet that many neighbors will be closely watching to see how things go and may consider enrolling their property if the outcome is positive. It's certainly a wonderful opportunity for the hunting public as access has been a growing concern for the last 20 years.
Writing this article is a bit more enjoyable when you can discuss additional access acres, while at the same time many of the state's game species are on the rise. It appears we are working our way out of a 30-year low in deer license numbers, a total of seven pronghorn units are open this fall, licenses for both moose and elk increased, North Dakota's bighorn sheep season will return, and our four-legged hunting partners will likely stay plenty busy this fall chasing and retrieving upland and migratory birds.
When you are outdoors this fall, stay safe and enjoy North Dakota's wonderful landscape and wildlife opportunities.
Upland and Small Game
--- Ring-necked Pheasants ---
Regular Season Opens: Oct. 8
Delayed Season Opens: Oct. 15
Regular Season Closes: Jan. 8, 2017
Delayed Season Closes: Jan. 8, 2017
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 12
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Thanks to last winter's noticeably warmer weather, with little snow accumulation across North Dakota's pheasant range, birds got through winter in good shape. Results of this spring's crowing count survey showed good numbers of breeding roosters throughout most of the state's traditional pheasant range, with numbers up anywhere from 2-7 percent.
However, there was a decrease in the number of roosters heard crowing in southeastern North Dakota. This area has seen an increased number of grassland acres and CRP converted to crop fields. Hunters can still expect to find birds in the southeastern part of the state, but they'll likely have to cover more ground.
Residual cover for nesting hens was average this spring in some areas of the state, with early spring rains improving conditions for upland nesting birds. Eastern and central North Dakota received warm temperatures, along with late spring rain that created good brooding cover for upland birds. The western part of the state was very dry through late July, reducing insect populations necessary for chick survival. There will likely be reduced pheasant numbers throughout those traditional areas in western North Dakota.
As of this writing, preliminary numbers from the Game and Fish Department's late summer roadside brood counts indicate hunters will see fewer birds this fall compared to 2015.
If the data holds true, we are anticipating a season similar to 2013. That year hunters harvested roughly 447,000 pheasants, compared to about 590,000 in 2015.
There will be areas that had good production and other areas that didn't, so hunters need to be mobile and be willing to move to different areas to find hunting opportunities. Knowing North Dakota continues to lose many acres of CRP, and the weather this year was not optimal, the state still supports good pheasant hunting opportunities.
Rodney Gross, Upland Game Management Biologist, Bismarck
--- Wild Turkeys ---
Opens: Oct. 8
Closes: Jan. 8, 2017
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Turkey hunting the last few falls has been tough. The bird population in many hunting units was lower than typical the past few years due to cool, wet spring conditions during nesting/brooding.
Turkey production last spring was improved, but from a smaller breeding population, so fall numbers were still relatively low. Consequently, Game and Fish has continued to reduce fall licenses for wild turkeys since 2008 to try to turn turkey numbers around and improve hunter success.
Last fall, 2,580 hunters harvested 1,012 birds for a success of 39 percent. The best hunting success was in the central part of the state.
Even though it is too early in the summer to predict reproductive success for this year, there's hope the fall turkey population shows improvement over last year. The central and west-central parts of the state are expected to provide some of the better turkey hunting opportunities this fall.
Rodney Gross
--- Ruffed Grouse ---
Opens: Sept. 10
Closes: Jan. 8, 2017
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 12
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
If you want a break from hunting the prairie, spend some time pursuing this woodland grouse.
Ruffed grouse are primarily found in the native aspen woodlands of Rolette, Bottineau, Pembina, Walsh, Cavalier and portions of McHenry counties. Census data from heavily forested states like Minnesota and Wisconsin, indicate ruffed grouse numbers cycle about every 8-10 years. This was observed many years ago in North Dakota, but because of limited and fragmented acreage of native woodlands and low numbers of ruffed grouse, population cycles are seldom seen today.
Spring drumming counts have been up and down - mostly down - in both the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills the last several years. North Dakota's ruffed grouse population may still be low compared to states to the east, but with good production, an improved population this fall in both the northeast and north central parts of the state is a possibility.
For ruffed grouse in particular, habitat is the key. A good mixture of young and old aspen trees, with a thick shrub understory of beaked hazel, will improve nesting success and brood survival.
Ruffed grouse hunting activity nearly ends each year when snow blankets the forest. That can be early in North Dakota, and in some years a couple of months of the season remain with virtually no one hunting these birds. Regardless of their population status, many hunters do not consider their hunting season complete without at least one trip to the grouse woods in fall.
Aaron Robinson, Upland Game Management Supervisor, Dickinson
--- Sharp-tailed Grouse ---
Opens: Sept. 10
Closes: Jan. 8, 2017
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 12
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
This year hunters should find fair opportunities to pursue sharp-tailed grouse.
Spring numbers indicated a slight decrease from 2015 as biologists observed a 6 percent decline in the number of males on breeding grounds. Summer roadside counts showed population numbers similar to 2013, which in all respects wasn't a great year. Hunters harvested roughly 48,000 grouse that year, and had a difficult time finding areas with good bird numbers.
Grouse populations respond either negatively or positively to certain types of weather conditions. There is typically a happy medium between too wet/cold and too hot/dry. If the scale is tipped too far on either end of the spectrum, negative results occur.
This year the western part of the state had very poor grouse production as a result of hot and dry weather in early spring. Suboptimal habitat conditions and reduced insect production were the result of the drought conditions.
The central and northwestern parts of the state faired a bit better, but data collected in summer from roadside counts indicated only fair grouse reproduction.
There will be localized areas that had good chick survival so hunters need to be willing to travel to different areas, which may necessitate moving to different counties to hunt. In all, hunters will find birds, but it will require more effort this fall.
Additionally, we ask all grouse and partridge hunters to send in wings from harvested grouse and partridge to help us analyze production for 2016. Envelopes can be requested on the NDGF website at gf.nd.gov.
Aaron Robinson
--- Hungarian Partridge ---
Opens: Sept. 10
Closes: Jan. 8, 2017
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 12
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
In the 1980s and early 1990s, Hungarian partridge were plentiful in North Dakota, but as farming practices changed and the weather pattern changed from dry to a predominate wet cycle, partridge populations responded negatively.
In the last five years we have seen an increase in the partridge population, but this fall hunters will see fewer birds compared to last year. Biologists observed roughly 30 percent fewer partridge broods this year compared to last summer.
Partridge respond favorably to drier conditions and biologists are hopeful that this is will only be a one year depression as the population continues to rebound.
Partridge have become a bonus bird for hunters pursuing sharp-tailed grouse or pheasants, so keep a look out for areas such as abandoned farmsteads and native prairie that is on the edge of small grain crops. Pockets of decent hunting may be found in these areas, but hunters will need to spend some time in the mornings scouting.
Aaron Robinson
--- Tree Squirrels ---
Opens: Sept. 10
Closes: Jan. 8, 2017
Daily Limit: 4
Possession Limit: 12
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Tree squirrels may be taken statewide with firearms loaded with shot, rimfire rifles, or with bow and arrows legal for taking upland game.
Big Game
--- White-tailed Deer ---
Archery Opens: Sept. 2
Archery Closes: Jan. 8, 2017
Regular Gun Season Opens: Nov. 4
Regular Gun Season Closes: Nov. 20
Muzzleloader Opens: Nov. 25
Muzzleloader Closes: Dec. 11
For the 2016 hunting season, Game and Fish made 49,000 licenses available to deer gun hunters, 5,725 more than 2015.
The statewide hunter success rate in 2015 was 68 percent, which is higher than 2014 (60 percent), and just below the Department's goal of 70 percent.
No winter aerial surveys were flown last winter due to a lack of snow. Winter of 2015-16 was the mildest since when snow depth records were first kept in the winter of 1949-50. This gave big game biologists optimism for higher overall winter survival rates and more healthy fawns born this past spring.
Based on hunter observations during opening weekend of the 2015 deer gun hunting season, the number of deer sighted per hour of effort was stable to increasing for most of the state. The exception to that trend was hunting unit 3F2.
Unit 3F2 is where chronic wasting disease has been found, and Game and Fish continues to aggressively issue licenses in that unit to reduce the potential spreading of this disease outside the unit.
A summary of white-tailed deer licenses for 2016:
- Any-antlered licenses increased by 3,000.
- Any-antlerless licenses increased by 900.
- Antlered white-tailed deer licenses increased by 700.
- Antlerless white-tailed deer licenses increased by 450.
- 928 muzzleloader licenses were available in 2016 - 464 antlered white-tailed deer licenses and 464 antlerless white-tailed deer licenses. This is an increase of 100 muzzleloader licenses from 2015.
- 225 "I" licenses available for the youth deer hunting season, up 38 licenses from 2015. These licenses are limited in number and are valid for any deer, "except antlerless mule deer in units 4A, 4B and 4C. There are unlimited "H" youth deer hunting licenses valid for any deer statewide, except mule deer in the "above restricted units.
- 281 nonresident any-deer archery licenses available for 2016, 79 more than 2015. The number of nonresident any-deer archery licenses will increase to 382 in 2017.
Bill Jensen, Big Game Management Biologist, Bismarck
--- Mule Deer ---
Archery Opens: Sept. 2
Archery Closes: Jan. 8, 2017
Regular Gun Season Opens: Nov. 4
Regular Gun Season Closes: Nov. 20
Mule deer in the North Dakota badlands continue to show signs of recovery following the severe winters from 2008-09 through 2010-11, which resulted in deer numbers declining by nearly 50 percent from 2007.
This spring marked the fourth consecutive year the spring mule deer index was higher than the previous year. The 2016 spring index was 21 percent higher than in 2015, and 38 percent higher than the long-term average.
The mule deer population is increasing because of several factors, including no antlerless mule deer harvest in the badlands units during the 2012-2015 hunting seasons, another moderate winter in 2015-16, and improved fawn production in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Fawn production in 2015 was good and indicative of a growing population, with a fawn-to-doe ratio of 84 fawns per 100 does.
An increasing mule deer population means more hunting opportunities this fall. There were 2,250 antlered mule deer licenses available in 2016, an increase of 375 from 2015.
A limited number of mule deer doe licenses were also made available in hunting units 4D, 4E and 4F. A mule deer buck license remains one of the most difficult licenses to draw, but for those lucky few, it should result in a very high-quality hunt. Mule deer buck hunter success was 86 percent in 2015.
Bruce Stillings, Big Game Management Supervisor, Dickinson
--- Pronghorn ---
Archery Only Opens: Sept. 2
Archery Only Closes: Sept. 25
Gun and Archery Season Opens: Sept. 30
Gun and Archery Season Closes: Oct. 16
Pronghorn continue to show signs of recovery following the severe winters from 2008-09 through 2010-11, which resulted in numbers declining by 75 percent.
Biologists conducted aerial surveys in early July and determined the number of pronghorn in the state increased by 34 percent from last year, primarily due to a mild winter in 2015-16, and higher fawn production in 2016, with a fawn-to-doe ratio of 66 fawns per 100 does, which is slightly higher than the long-term average.
Pronghorn have reached levels that can support higher harvest in 2016, though Game and Fish will maintain a conservative harvest strategy designed to provide hunting opportunities while still encouraging population growth.
Statewide pronghorn numbers are 94 percent higher than the low reached in 2012, but still nearly 50 percent below near record high numbers in 2007.
In 2016, 730 licenses were available, 320 more than in 2015. Hunting units 1A, 2A, 2B and 3A are open to hunting this fall, and more licenses were allocated to hunting units 3B, 4A and 4C.
Hunters who draw a pronghorn lottery license can use it during an early archery only portion of the season, from September 2-25, and anyone with a valid tag remaining after that can hunt during the rifle portion of the season from September 30 - October 16, using legal firearms or archery equipment.
Another moderate winter could provide conditions needed for continued pronghorn population growth, which could support additional hunting opportunities in 2017.
Hunters who held licenses for last year's limited season were mostly successful, with 385 hunters harvesting 312 pronghorn for a success rate of 81 percent. The harvest consisted of 286 adult bucks, 15 does and 11 fawns.
Hunters should expect similar success this year.
Bruce Stillings
--- Bighorn Sheep ---
For season details, refer to the 2016 bighorn sheep, elk and moose hunting guide.
Following a pneumonia-related die-off in 2014, Game and Fish closed the bighorn sheep hunting season in 2015 to allow biologists to assess the status of the state's population.
Although bighorns continued to succumb to pneumonia in 2015, mortalities occurred at a lower rate.
The 2015 survey revealed a minimum of 292 bighorn sheep in western North Dakota - 88 rams, 160 ewes and 44 lambs. Not included are approximately 30 bighorns in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Rams, ewes and lambs all increased from 2014. The northern badlands population, which was hit the hardest from the die-off, increased 13 percent, whereas the southern badlands population was down 19 percent. Biologists were pleased to see that 76 percent of lambs counted during last summer's survey survived winter, which is above average. The recruitment rate of lambs per adult ewes was 31 percent, equal to the long-term average.
Adult mortality slowed significantly in 2015 and a good number of lambs survived in 2014 and 2015 to compensate for most of the adult losses. Unfortunately, bighorns are still showing signs of pneumonia, so this year's summer survey is important in determining if the state's population is continuing to recover from the disease outbreak, or if the pathogens are likely to persist and cause a long-term population decline.
Disease testing during winter 2015 revealed that 16 of 22 bighorns were positive for the deadly pathogens.
A bighorn sheep hunting season is scheduled for 2016, with eight licenses allocated.
Brett Wiedmann, Big Game Management Biologist, Dickinson
--- Moose ---
For season details, refer to the 2016 bighorn sheep, elk and moose hunting guide.
The 2016 moose season is highlighted by a record number of once-in-a-lifetime licenses issued for this highly valued big game animal. The increase in license numbers is primarily in the northwest region of the state, in moose management units M9 and M10, with additional "any" and antlerless licenses."
There is also a slight increase in licenses in moose unit M6, and the boundary for this unit was expanded west to the east banks of the Missouri River to account for an increase in observations and crop depredation concerns over the past few years.
While moose continue to thrive in the state in what is considered nontraditional habitat, numbers remain low in what was once considered traditional habitat in the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills. Moose unit M1C, located in the Pembina Hills region of the state, has been closed since 2006 and will remain closed this year. Moose unit M4, which encompasses the Turtle Mountains, was closed in 2013 and will also remain closed this fall.
The Department continues to monitor moose that die from nonhunting related reasons, to determine any effects of disease and to gain a better understanding of cause specific mortality. A three-year research study for moose in the Kenmare area and on the Missouri River bottoms southeast of Williston is nearing completion and is moving on to analysis of collected data. The focus of the research was annual survival, cause-specific mortality, reproduction rates, annual and seasonal movements and home range use, as well as seasonal habitat selection. Preliminary results from collared cow moose in this study indicate high adult survival, high pregnancy rates and excellent calf production and recruitment.
Game and Fish has issued 200 licenses for the 2016 fall moose season. This is an increase from 130 licenses in 2015. Expectations for the season are high, as hunter success for moose historically runs above 90 percent.
Jason Smith, Big Game Management Biologist, Jamestown
--- Elk ---
For season details, refer to the 2016 bighorn sheep, elk and moose hunting guide.
North Dakota's 2016 elk season features 335 licenses, which is a slight increase from 2015. The season outlook is good, with expectations for hunter success similar to last year.
The number of elk licenses in Unit E1 is unchanged, at 100 licenses with 30 any elk and 70 antlerless licenses. Elk numbers in southwestern North Dakota are beginning to stabilize after a successful coordinated volunteer herd reduction effort in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in 2010 and 2011.
Units E3 and E4 have 95 licenses this season, a slight increase from last year that includes of 10 more "any" elk licenses and 15 more antlerless licenses."
Unit E2 elk numbers remain stable and the number of licenses issued is up 10 from last year.
Jason Smith
Migratory Birds
--- Ducks and Geese ---
Good wetland conditions and high waterfowl numbers were found again during the Game and Fish Department's 69th annual breeding duck survey in 2016.
This is perhaps the longest-running operational breeding waterfowl survey in the world, covering nearly 2,000 miles to assess spring wetland conditions and the number of waterfowl in the state.
Winter and early spring conditions were mild and generally dry, with below average precipitation in many areas. Waterfowl habitats were drying up as spring progressed, but early summer rains improved pond conditions throughout much of the state.
The 2016 May water index was the 48th highest on record, down 50 percent from 2015, and 40 percent below the 1948-2015 average.
This year's breeding duck index was the 12th highest on record, down 5 percent from last year, but 45 percent above the long-term average.
All species, except ruddy ducks (up 19 percent), gadwall (up 4 percent), and northern shoveler (unchanged) had lower numbers than 2015.
Mallards were down 10 percent from 2015 for their 18th highest count on record. Scaup declined 13 percent, while canvasbacks and pintails declined 18 and 17 percent, respectively.
Although counts for most species declined from last year, all species, except pintails and canvasbacks (28 and 6 percent below the average, respectively) were still above the long-term average. Gadwall were 84 percent above average, mallards 78 percent, scaup 76 percent, wigeon 78 percent, redheads 72 percent, shovelers 31 percent, and blue-winged teal 28 percent.
Duck numbers in North Dakota have remained high since 1994 because of exceptional water conditions and abundant nesting cover provided by CRP. However, as CRP acres and native grasslands continue to decline across the state, biologists expect duck production to decline.
The number of broods observed during the Department's July brood survey was up 10 percent from 2015, and 36 percent above the 1965-2015 average. However, the average brood size was 6.32 ducklings, down 0.73 ducklings.
July wetland counts were up 35 percent from 2015, and 37 percent above the long-term average. However, wetland conditions were quite variable across the state, with some areas receiving considerable rainfall in late June and into July.
It appears that just enough late spring and early summer rains fell to promote a good nesting effort by breeding ducks in the state. We are predicting the fall flight of ducks from North Dakota this year will be similar to last year and that observed in 2013.
Numbers of resident Canada geese, Western Prairie Canada geese and arctic nesting Tallgrass Prairie Canada geese, snow geese and Ross's geese all remain high.
Mild fall weather can negatively affect North Dakota's waterfowl hunting seasons, which was the case last year. Ducks and geese, especially mallards and snow geese, arrived late in the season and moved through the state in a matter of days.
Prospects for duck and goose hunting are again good, but as always, weather conditions and migration patterns will dictate waterfowl hunting opportunities come fall.
Mike Szymanski, Migratory Game Bird Management Supervisor, Bismarck
---Youth Waterfowl Season ---
(For legally licensed residents and nonresidents ages 15 and younger.)
Opens: Sept. 17
Closes: Sept. 18
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Daily Limit: Ducks and geese - same as regular season.
Exception: Additional two blue-winged teal not allowed during youth season.
---Early Canada Goose Season ---
Opens: Aug. 15 (statewide)
Closes: Sept. 7 (Missouri River zone), Sept. 15 (rest of state)
Daily Limit: 15
Possession Limit: 45
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
---Canada Geese Regular Season ---
Opens: Sept. 24 (residents only), Oct. 1 (nonresidents)
Closes: Dec. 30 (Missouri River zone), Dec. 22 (statewide)
Daily Limit: 5 (Missouri River zone), 8 (rest of state)
Possession Limit: 15 (Missouri River zone), 24 (rest of state)
---White-fronted Geese (Statewide) ---
Opens: Sept. 24 (residents only), Oct. 1 (nonresidents)
Closes: Dec. 4
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 9
---Light (Snow) Geese (Statewide) ---
Opens: Sept. 24 (residents only), Oct. 1 (nonresidents)
Closes: Jan. 1, 2017
Daily Limit: 50, no possession limit
Shooting Hours for all Geese: Half-hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. each day through Nov. 5. Starting Nov. 6, shooting hours are a half-hour before sunrise to 2 p.m. each day.
Exception: Shooting hours are a half-hour before sunrise to sunset on all Saturdays and Wednesday through the end of each season. Starting Nov. 24, all-day hunting is also allowed on Sundays through the end of each season.
---Regular Duck Season ---
LOW PLAINS UNIT
Opens: Sept. 24 (residents only), Oct. 1 (nonresidents)
Closes: Dec. 4
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
HIGH PLAINS UNIT
Opens: Sept. 24 (residents only), Oct. 1 (nonresidents)
Closes: Dec. 4
Opens: Dec. 10
Closes: Jan. 1, 2017
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Daily Limit: Six ducks, which may include no more than five mallards (two of which may be hens), two redheads, two canvasbacks, two pintails, three scaup, and three wood ducks. In addition to the daily bag limit of ducks, hunters may take an additional two blue-winged teal from Sept. 24 through Oct. 9.
Possession Limit: Three times the daily limit.
---Sandhill Cranes ---
Opens: Zone 1 and 2 - Sept. 17
Closes: Zone 1 and 2 - Nov. 13
Daily Limit Zone 1: 3
Zone 2: 2
Possession Limit Zone 1: 9
Zone 2: 6
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. daily through Nov. 5; to 2 p.m. Nov. 6 until end of season.
The Mid-Continent Sandhill Crane Population is in good shape heading into fall. Spring migration occurred early this year due to light snow cover and warm temperatures, and may have affected the number of birds counted during the spring survey in Nebraska.
Spring survey numbers were not yet finalized as this is written, but the three-year index used for guiding hunting season regulations has been stable to slightly increasing for several years.
Drier conditions this fall should lead to abundant staging areas throughout the state, with receding water levels providing more open shorelines suitable for roosting cranes.
The two zone structure for sandhill cranes continues. Zone 1 west of U.S. Highway 281 and Zone 2 east of U.S. Highway 281 will have the same season lengths (58 days) and dates, but will again have different bag limits. Zone 1 has a daily bag limit of three cranes; in Zone 2 the daily bag limit is two. The possession limit in Zone 1 is nine cranes, and six in Zone 2.
Nonresident hunters can pursue sandhill cranes with either a nonresident small game or waterfowl license, in addition to a crane permit. Hunters using a nonresident waterfowl license are reminded that they can only hunt cranes in the waterfowl zones designated on their license.
Hunters are also reminded to make sure of their target before shooting, as federally endangered whooping cranes may be present throughout North Dakota during fall.
Report all whooping crane sightings to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Bismarck at 701-328-6300.
Andrew Dinges, Migratory Game Bird Biologist, Bismarck
---Doves ---
Opens: Sept. 1
Closes: Nov. 29
Daily Limit: 15
Possession Limit: 45
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
North Dakota has a sizeable population of breeding mourning doves. Based on casual observation, production in the state has been good this year. The relatively early spring and dry summer allowed birds to nest early and often. Age ratios of juvenile to adult birds captured at banding stations throughout the state thus far also indicate good production.
Dove hunters should experience good opportunities again during early September before cooler weather sets in and pushes birds south. Hunters are encouraged to scout before the season to find the right mix of conditions that are conducive to concentrating birds.
Hunters should look for areas with abundant harvested small grain or oil-seed fields that are also near shelterbelts or other diverse stands of trees. Doves also need water sources within a few miles. An early harvest of small grains and oil-seed crops is projected, so hunters should have plenty of places to choose from.
Eurasian collared doves continue to expand throughout the state and are found in almost every city and small town. However, these birds are not often found outside of municipalities and rarely show up in hunter harvests.
Eurasian collared doves and white-wing doves, which are typically found in southern Texas, but have expanded their range, are included with mourning doves in the dove bag limit of 15 birds per day and 45 in possession.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may contact some dove hunters to participate in a wing survey, which involves clipping one wing from each dove shot early in the season to send in for analysis. Hunters are also reminded to look for banded mourning doves in their bag, and report bands directly to the Bird Banding Laboratory at 800-327-BAND (2263), or on the web at www.reportband.gov.
Andrew Dinges
--- Crows ---
Fall Season Opens: Aug. 20
Closes: Nov. 7
Spring Season Opens: March 11, 2017
Closes: April 23, 2017
Daily Limit: No limit on crows. In addition to the crow season, crows may be taken when committing or about to depredate as specified in federal law.
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
--- Snipe ---
Opens: Sept. 17
Closes: Dec. 4
Daily Limit: 8
Possession Limit: 24
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
--- Woodcock ---
Opens: Sept. 24
Closes: Nov. 7
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 9
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
--- Furbearers ---
For more season details, refer to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov, or the 2016-17 furbearer hunting and trapping guide.
Coyotes are the most sought after furbearer in North Dakota because of their valuable pelts, widespread distribution, and challenging pursuit. Traditionally, coyotes were most prevalent in western North Dakota, but over the past decade their numbers have increased in eastern North Dakota as well.
According to spring surveys, coyote numbers remain strong in eastern North Dakota this year, but are trending downward in the west.
Muskrats, another highly desirable furbearer, will likely be found at numbers comparable to last year, with the Prairie Pothole Region having the highest densities.
Surveys also indicate an increase in badgers, beavers and raccoons throughout much of the state. And although fox and mink numbers are up slightly in some regions compared to last year, both species remain well below their long term averages.
Trappers harvested 32 fishers last season, which was similar to the previous two seasons. A similar framework is set for the upcoming season in November.
Trappers and hunters harvested 21 bobcats last season, which was similar to the previous season, but 63 percent below the 20-year average.
The hunting season for mountain lions is slightly different this year, so be sure to read the regulations carefully and check the progress of the harvest limit on our website before going afield.
Last year, hunters took 13 mountain lions in Zone 1 (six in the early season and seven in the late season) and one mountain lion in Zone 2.
Cable device (e.g. snare) users no longer need to register with the Department this year. There are more than 70,000 licensed fur harvesters in the state annually, but we know only a small portion of those license holders are active cable device users. Therefore, the primary purpose for the registration system the past two seasons was to formulate a mailing list of cable device users in North Dakota.
Cable devices are an effective and efficient tool for trapping furbearers in North Dakota. However, misuse of cable devices or careless behavior by trappers can lead to nontarget catches, so it is important that users are aware of the cable device requirements and use them responsibly.
Over 1,100 registered cable device users received a copy of the "Using Cable Devices in North Dakota: A Guide to Responsible Use" booklet in the mail. Anyone "who did not receive a copy of this booklet, and would like one, can download it from the Game and Fish website at gf.nd.gov, or call the Department at 701-328-6300.
Game and Fish also has free, 16-hour fur harvester education classes. Again, check the website for available classes near you.
Stephanie Tucker, Game Management Section Leader, Bismarck
--- Mountain Lion Hunting ---
Zone 1 (early) Opens: Sept. 2
Closes: Nov. 20
Zone 1 (late) Opens: Nov. 21
Closes: March 31, 2017
Zone 2 Opens: Sept. 2
Closes: March 31, 2017
The overall harvest limit on mountain lions is reduced from 21 to 15, and the early season limit is reduced from 14 to eight. If the early season ends before the season limit is reached, the season could reopen if the late season limit is reached prior to March 25. The late season limit is seven total lions, or three female lions, whichever comes first.
There is no mountain lion harvest limit in Zone 2.
Mountain lions may be hunted statewide by residents using legal firearms or archery equipment during regular hunting hours. Beginning Nov. 21, mountain lions may also be hunted by pursuing with dogs. Cable devices and traps are not allowed. The limit is one lion per hunter per season. Kittens (lions with visible spots), or females accompanied by kittens, may not be taken. Any lion taken must be reported to the Department within 12 hours and the entire intact animal must be submitted for analysis and tagging. Legally taken animals will be returned to the hunter.
--- Fisher Trapping or Cable Devices ---
Opens: Nov. 21
Closes: Nov. 27
For more information, see the North Dakota 2016-17 furbearer hunting and trapping guide.
--- Beaver and Raccoon Hunting, Trapping or Underwater Cable Devices ---
Open year-round, officially from April 1, 2016 - March 31, 2017.
For more information, see the North Dakota 2016-17 furbearer hunting and trapping guide.
--- Beaver and Raccoon Cable Devices on Land ---
Opens: Nov. 21
Closes: May 10, 2017
From March 16, 2017, through May 10, 2017, cable devices must be within 50 feet of water; they must be no more than 4 inches off the ground and must have a stop restricting loop size to 12 inches or less in diameter.
Beaver dams may be dismantled when their presence causes property damage.
--- Weasel Trapping ---
Opens: Oct. 22
Closes: March 15, 2017
--- Weasel Hunting or Cable Devices ---
Opens: Nov. 21
Closes: March 15, 2017
Weasels may be hunted statewide with .22 caliber or smaller rimfire rifles or pistols, muzzleloaders of .45 caliber or smaller, longbows and crossbows.
--- Muskrat and Mink Trapping or Cable Devices ---
Trapping Opens: Oct. 22
Cable Devices Opens: Nov. 21
Closes: May 10, 2017
Muskrat huts may be opened for insertion of traps or cable devices; however, the huts must be restored to their approximate original condition to prevent freeze-up.
Beginning March 16, 2017, colony traps must be under at least 2 inches of water, and trapping or using cable devices on the outside of any muskrat house or structure of any size is prohibited; traps may be placed completely inside a muskrat house or structure of any size, except when used on float sets; foothold traps must be submerged under water at all times or must have a protective covering; body-gripping traps used in water can have no more than 2 inches of the trap above the water or must have a protective covering.
Beginning May 1, 2017, float sets must have a protective covering.
--- Muskrat and Mink Hunting ---
Opens: Nov. 21
Closes: May 10, 2017
Mink and muskrat may be hunted statewide with .22 caliber or smaller rimfire rifles or pistols, muzzleloaders of .45 caliber or smaller, longbows and crossbows.
--- Bobcat Hunting or Trapping ---
Opens: Nov. 5
Closes: March 15, 2017 Beginning Nov. 21, bobcats may also be hunted by pursuing with dogs.
Open only in the area south and west of the Missouri River.
--- Bobcat Cable Devices ---
Opens: Nov. 21
Closes: March 15, 2017
Open only in the area south and west of the Missouri River.
The pelt and carcass of each bobcat must be presented to Department personnel for inspection and tagging prior to sale or transfer of possession, but no later than 14 days after the close of the season. No bobcat pelt will be tagged until the animal is skinned and presented with the intact carcass. The carcass shall remain property of the Department. No fur dealer shall possess or purchase an untagged bobcat.
For more information, see the North Dakota 2016-17 furbearer hunting and trapping guide.
Red Fox, Gray Fox, Coyote and Badger Hunting or Trapping
Open year-round, officially from April 1, 2016 - March 31, 2017.
In addition, red fox, gray fox and coyote may be hunted at any hour from Nov. 21 through March 15, 2017. Any hunter who engages in the hunting of red fox, gray fox or coyote during the time from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, must hunt exclusively on foot.
Starting this year, hunters can use night vision, electronically enhanced light gathering optics and thermal imaging equipment during this portion of the season.
--- Red Fox, Gray Fox, Coyote and Badger Cable Devices ---
Opens: Nov. 21
Closes: March 15, 2017