Buffaloberry Patch

Spring Pheasant, Grouse Numbers

North Dakota's spring pheasant population index is up slightly from last year, while sharp-tailed grouse numbers are down slightly, according to recent surveys conducted by State Game and Fish Department biologists.

Aaron Robinson, Department upland game management supervisor, said the number of pheasant roosters heard on the spring crowing count survey was up just about 2 percent statewide. Numbers in the southeast were down from last year, Robinson said, while "the other regions from west to central were up slightly, but not enough to say there's a big increase from last year."

Sharp-tailed grouse counts on spring dancing grounds or leks were down about 6 percent statewide from last year. "We were kind of expecting that," Robinson added. "We had some dry weather last year and production wasn't as good."

While the spring counts provide a good indicator of the number of breeding birds in the two populations, Robinson says it's primarily early summer weather that influences hunting success in the fall.

"You have to have the right conditions to produce a good hatch," he said. "You don't want really wet, cold years, and you don't want dry years. Dry years don't produce those insects that chicks need to survive those first 10 days."

Game and Fish biologists will start their summer upland game brood counts in mid-July, and Robinson said that will lead to more precise fall population predictions. "That's when we really start to understand what our production was for the year."

Pheasant crowing counts are conducted each spring throughout North Dakota. Observers drive specified 20-mile routes, stopping at predetermined intervals, and counting the number of pheasant roosters heard crowing over a two-minute period during the stop.

Biologists count male sharptails on their dancing grounds in 25 monitoring blocks throughout the state, and numbers within each block are compared from year to year.

Spring Breeding Duck Numbers

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department's annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of 3.4 million birds, down 5 percent from last year.

"The spring migration was well ahead of normal as open fields and warm temperatures allowed early migrants to pass quickly through the state," said Mike Szymanski, Department migratory game bird supervisor.

Survey results indicated all species, except ruddy ducks (up 19 percent) and gadwall (up 4 percent), decreased from their 2015 estimates, while shovelers remained unchanged. Mallards were down 9 percent, pintails down 17 percent and canvasbacks down 18 percent. However all species, with the exception of pintails and canvasbacks, were above the long-term average (1948-2015).

Szymanski said the number of temporary and seasonal wetlands was substantially lower than last year, with the spring water index down 50 percent. In the weeks following the survey, however, frequent rains added water to many wetlands that are beneficial for breeding ducks.

The water index is based on basins with water, and does not necessarily represent the amount of water contained in wetlands or the type of wetlands represented.

Szymanski said the July brood survey will provide a better idea of duck production and insight into expectations for this fall.

"The total breeding duck index is still in the top 20 all time, so there is still a lot of potential for good production this year," he said. "Hopefully improved wetland conditions since the May survey will carry through into increased wetland availability for duck broods."

Traveling Boaters Should Check Border State and Provincial ANS Regulations

North Dakota boaters traveling to other states or Canadian provinces should check the aquatic nuisance species regulations of their destination to make sure they are in compliance.

While many of North Dakota's ANS prevention regulations are similar to surrounding states and provinces, Jessica Howell, North Dakota Game and Fish Department ANS coordinator, said there are some subtle differences that could lead to travel interruption or citations depending on the circumstances.

"Removal of all water and vegetation, as well as pulled plugs while traveling, are generally the rule in neighboring states and provinces," Howell said, "but there are some places where ‘dry' is also a requirement, meaning no residual water anywhere in the boat."

In addition, mandatory boat inspections may be required based on destination or route taken. For example, Howell said anyone pulling a boat into Canada will likely have it inspected at a border crossing, some states have inspection checkpoints along highways, and some lakes have inspectors at boat ramps. Any boats that are not in compliance will likely get delayed in their travels or be prevented from launching, Howell said.

Boaters should be aware of regulations for not only their destination, but for any states they are traveling through. More information on bordering state and provincial ANS regulations is available at the following web addresses.

• South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks at sdleastwanted.com.
• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquatic/index.html.
• Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks at fwp.mt.gov/fishing/guide/ethics.
• Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment http://environment.gov.sk.ca.
• Manitoba Department of Sustainable Development, http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/waterstewardship/stopais/index.html.
• North Dakota ANS regulations are as follows:
• All aquatic vegetation must be removed from boats, personal watercraft, trailers and fishing equipment such as fishing poles, bait buckets, lures and waders before leaving a body of water. That means "vegetation free" when transporting watercraft and/or equipment away from a boat ramp, landing area or shoreline. Time out of the water needed to remove aquatic vegetation at the immediate water access area is allowed.
• All water must be drained from boats and other watercraft, including bilges, livewells, baitwells and motors before leaving a water body.
• All drain plugs that may hold back water must be removed, and water draining devices must be open, on all watercraft and recreational, commercial and construction equipment bilges and confined spaces, during any out-of-water transport of same.
• Transportation of fish in or on ice is allowed.
• Live aquatic bait or aquatic vegetation may not be transported into North Dakota.
• All legal live aquatic organisms used by anglers, including legal baitfish (fathead minnows), amphibians (salamanders and frogs), invertebrates (crayfish and leeches) and insects must be purchased and/or trapped in North Dakota.
• Anglers may not transport live bait in water away from the Red River (Class I ANS infested waters). All water must be drained from bait buckets as anglers leave the shore, or remove their boat from the water. Anglers must properly dispose of unused bait away from the river, as dumping bait in the water or on shore is illegal.
• In all other waters not infested with Class I ANS species, anglers can transport live bait in water in containers of five gallons or less in volume.

Game and Fish at State Fair

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will host thousands of visitors to its free Conservation and Outdoors Skills Park July 22-30 at the State Fair in Minot.

Visitors will be treated to an array of activities, exhibits and useful information as the park is open from 1-7 p.m. daily. Pathways to Hunting, Fishing, Trapping and Archery are major attractions where interested kids and adults can participate in each outdoor activity.

In addition to hands-on outdoor learning opportunities, the area offers a live fish display, furbearer exhibit and native prairie plantings. Two information centers staffed by Game and Fish Department personnel bookend the Conservation and Outdoors Skills Park, which is located on the north end of the state fair grounds near the State Fair Center.

Pronghorn and Swan Apps

Hunting license applications for fall pronghorn and swan seasons will be on the Game and Fish Department's website (gf.nd.gov) and at vendors by late July.

The pronghorn application deadline is August 3, followed by the swan deadline August 17.

Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department's annual Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest is now open, and the deadline for submissions is September 30.

The contest has categories for nongame and game species, as well as plants/insects. An overall winning photograph will be chosen, with the number of place winners in each category determined by the number of qualified entries.

Contest entries are limited to digital files submitted on disk or via email. Contestants are limited to no more than five entries. Photos must have been taken in North Dakota.

By submitting an entry, photographers grant permission to Game and Fish to publish winning photographs in North Dakota OUTDOORS magazine, and on the Department's website, gf.nd.gov.

Photo disks should be sent to Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest, C/O Patrick T. Isakson, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095.

Send emailed digital photos to photocontest@nd.gov. Photographers will need to supply the original image if needed for publication.

Photo disks will not be returned. All entries must be accompanied by the photographer's name, address, phone number and email address if available. Other information such as photo site location and month taken are also useful.

Game Warden Exam Set

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has scheduled an examination to select candidates for the position of district game warden.

The test is August 5 at 10 a.m. at the Department's main office in Bismarck.

Applicants must register to take the exam no later than August 1 by submitting an online application through the North Dakota State Job Openings website.

Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and have a bachelor's degree at time of hire (tentative hire date is October 1), have a valid driver's license and a current North Dakota peace officer license, or be eligible to be licensed. Candidates must have excellent interpersonal skills in communications and writing, and must not have a record of any felony convictions.

District game wardens enforce game and fish laws and related regulations in an assigned district and other locations as determined by the department. Wardens normally work alone under varied conditions, at all hours of the day, night and weekends. In addition to law enforcement duties, wardens assist in the areas of public relations, education programs, and hunter and boat safety education.

Salary through training for a district game warden is $3,800 per month. Upon successful completion of training, the monthly salary ranges are $4,260 - $7,100. Wardens also receive the state benefits package, including travel allowance. Uniforms and other equipment are provided.

Agency Pays Property Taxes

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department recently paid more than $581,900 in taxes to counties in which the Department owns or leases land. The 2015 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.

Staff Notes

Fred Ryckman, recently retired Department fisheries biologist, was honored with the Fisheries Management Section's Award of Excellence for 2016.

Greg Power, Department fisheries chief, said Ryckman exemplified the true essence of a fisheries professional.

"His career accomplishments are diverse and noteworthy, and should serve as a template for every new employee entering the fisheries profession," Power said.

The Award of Excellence is given for inspirational leadership in the fishery profession and substantial achievements for the American Fisheries Society and the fisheries resource. It is given for cumulative accomplishments rather than a singular effort as recognized by the Award of Merit.