Buffaloberry Patch

Courtesy at Boat Ramps

Boaters are reminded to exercise patience and plan accordingly when heading to a lake or river this summer.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department receives a number of complaints every year about overly aggressive behavior at boat ramps. A few simple reminders will help ensure a fluent transition when launching and loading a boat.

Launching

• Don't pull onto the ramp until your boat is ready to launch.
• Prepare for launching in the parking area. Remove covers, load equipment, remove tie downs, attach lines and put in drain plug, before backing onto the ramp.
• When ready, pull into line to launch. Wait your turn. Be courteous.
• It takes at least two people to efficiently and courteously launch a boat: one to handle the boat and one to take care of the tow vehicle.

Loading

• Don't block the loading area with your boat until your tow vehicle is ready to load. Wait until you are clear of the launch area to unload gear.
• As soon as your trailer is in the water, load and secure your boat to the trailer.
• Remove boat and trailer from the water as quickly as possible.
• Get clear of the ramp. Pull into the parking area to finish securing your boat, unloading gear, draining all water and inspecting for and removing any vegetation. Remember to leave plugs out when transporting your boat.

Wolverine Shot in Mckenzie County

A rancher south of Alexander in McKenzie County shot and killed a wolverine in late April that was harassing livestock. The incident was investigated and determined to be within North Dakota law, which allows a landowner, tenant or that persons agent to catch, or kill any wild furbearing animal (except bears) in protection of poultry, domestic animals or crops.

The last confirmed record of a wolverine in North Dakota was from the fur trading era during the mid-1800s. The closest population of wolverines occurs in the mountains of Montana, and the forests of northern Canada. However, male wolverines are known to travel great distances in search of habitat, food and/or other wolverines.

The 8- to 9-year old male appeared to be healthy, and was found with a radio tracking device in its abdomen. Records indicated the device was inserted in 2008, when the wolverine was captured south of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Internal radio tracking devices are often used in mammals that frequently crawl in and out of burrows, or those that live in water.

This wolverine’s last known location was Colorado in 2012. After which, the battery in its radio tracking device was likely depleted.

A full body mount will be displayed in the furbearer exhibit at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Bismarck.

Paddlefish Record Broken

Grant Werkmeister of Williston snagged a record 131-pound paddlefish on May 7, about 20 miles southwest of Williston near the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has confirmed that Werkmeister’s 71-inch paddlefish is the heaviest fish caught in North Dakota, breaking the previous record of 130 pounds set in 2010.

North Dakota’s paddlefish snagging season was open May 1-13.

Family Fishing Days at Bismarck Owls

Family fishing days have returned to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Outdoor Wildlife Learning Site.

The catch-and-release only fishery is stocked with trout, bluegill, largemouth bass and other species.

Family fishing days are Wednesdays and Saturdays through the end of August. Fishing equipment can be checked out at the OWLS Pond, located adjacent to the department’s Bismarck office, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Fishing rods, basic tackle and bait are available for use free of charge.

Trained volunteers or Game and Fish staff are available to answer questions and check out equipment, but there is little or no direct supervision. Children who aren’t old enough to get to the pond on their own should be accompanied by an adult.

The OWLS area is fairly primitive, but includes a picnic shelter and benches upon entering the site, and a portable restroom. The area has no running water. Users should bring water, sunscreen, folding chairs and appropriate clothing.

The Game and Fish Department is seeking volunteer instructors to assist with the program. Individuals at least age 18 with an interest in teaching kids to fish can contact the department at 701-328-6300.

The OWLS pond is open to fishing year-round during daylight hours. There are no bait restrictions and anglers must practice catch-and-release. The area is designed for wheel chair accessibility. Pets, glass bottles and alcohol are not permitted on the site.

Fireworks Prohibited on State WMAs

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department reminds citizens that possession or use of fireworks on state wildlife management areas is prohibited.

The primary objective of a wildlife management area is to enhance wildlife production, provide hunting and fishing opportunities, and offer other outdoor recreational and educational uses. Only activities that would not disrupt the intentions of how these areas are managed are encouraged, and a fireworks display is not compatible.

Excessive noise and commotion that come with fireworks disturbs wildlife, and their explosive nature is a potential source of wildfires. Chances of a wildfire developing are greatly enhanced when explosives, such as fireworks, come in contact with tall grasses in rural areas.

A complete list of the WMA regulations is available on the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.

Summer Safety on the Water

Failure to wear a personal floatation device is the main reason people lose their lives in water recreation accidents.

North Dakota law requires all children ages 10 and younger to wear a personal flotation device while in boats of 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.

Water users should make sure to wear life jackets that are the appropriate size, and in good condition. It is also important that children wear a PFD while swimming.

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 or persons paddling a canoe should opt for a PFD that is comfortable enough to wear for an entire outing.

Water skiers and tubers are reminded it takes three to ski and tube. When a person is towed on water skis or a similar device, an observer other than the operator is required on the vessel.

Swimmers should know the water’s depth, as large objects hidden below the water’s surface can lead to significant injury.

North Dakota boaters also are 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 who are in distress and facing an emergency situation.

Regulations to help ensure safe boating this summer are found in the 2016-18 North Dakota Fishing Guide. A more comprehensive listing is available in the North Dakota Boat and Water Safety Guide or the Boat North Dakota education book. These guides are available online at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov, by email at ndgf@nd.gov, or at a local Game and Fish Department office.

ANS Education at Boat Ramps

Jonathan Kabberhoft, right, is one of four Valley City State University students, through a grant provided by the Game and Fish Department, working at high use boat ramps this summer to learn what anglers and other water users already know about aquatic nuisance species, while encouraging compliance in a statewide effort to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful exotics. Kabberhoft is pictured working at a boat ramp at Devils Lake. He is teamed this summer with Morgan Berquist (not pictured). The other two-person crew will work lakes in southeastern and south central North Dakota. Jessica Howell, Department ANS coordinator, said the summer employees will, among other duties, show boaters how to conduct ANS inspections. The inspections are voluntary.

BUI Awareness

North Dakota game wardens will participate in a national boating under the influence awareness campaign called Operation Dry Water the weekend of June 24-26.

Operation Dry Water is coordinated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard as well as local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

Jackie Lundstrom, North Dakota Game and Fish Department enforcement operations supervisor, says that while BUI is always a concern throughout the open-water season, Operation Dry Water weekend will see heightened enforcement and additional education efforts that foster a stronger, more visible deterrent to alcohol and drug use on the water.

Since the inception of the Operation Dry Water Campaign in 2009, law enforcement officers have removed 2,153 BUI operators from the nation’s waterways and made contact with over 729,000 boaters during the annual three-day weekend.

Leave Baby Animals Alone, Watch for Deer

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department emphasizes a simple message to well-intentioned humans who want to pick up and rescue what appear to be orphaned baby animals – don’t touch them.

No matter the animal – fawn, duckling, rabbit or songbird – it is better to just leave them alone.

More often than not young animals are not abandoned or deserted, and the mother is probably watching nearby. Young wildlife are purposely placed into seclusion by adults to protect them from predators.

Anytime a young wild animal has human contact its chance for survival decreases significantly. It’s illegal to take wild animals home, and captive animals later returned to the wild will struggle to survive because they do not possess learned survival skills.

The only time a baby animal should be picked up is if it is in an unnatural situation, such as a young songbird found on a doorstep. In that case, the young bird could be moved to the closest suitable habitat.

Citizens should also steer clear of adult wildlife, such as deer or moose that might wander into urban areas. Crowding stresses animals, and this could lead to a potentially dangerous situation.

In addition, motorists are reminded to watch for deer along roadways. June is one of the peak months for deer vehicle accidents because young animals are dispersing from their home ranges. With deer more active at this time, the potential for car deer collisions increases.

Staff Notes

Mattheis, Gross Fill Positions

Beulah native Charlie Matthies has filled the Department’s building maintenance technician position in Bismarck. Larry Gross has been hired to fill an IT coordinator position in Bismarck. He has a computer science degree from the University of Mary.

Game Management Technician

Brandon Tycz has been hired to fill the game management technician position in Bismarck. He is a graduate of South Dakota State University, with a master’s degree in natural resource management.