Buffaloberry Patch

2016 Deer Season Summarized

A total of 44,140 North Dakota deer hunters took approximately 29,300 deer during the 2016 deer gun hunting season, according to a post-season survey conducted by the state Game and Fish Department.

Game and Fish made available 49,000 deer gun licenses last year. Overall hunter success was 66 percent, with each hunter spending an average of 4.4 days in the field.

Hunter success for antlered white-tailed deer was 72 percent, and antlerless whitetail was 60 percent. Mule deer buck success was 89 percent, and antlerless mule deer was 78 percent.

Hunters with any-antlered or any-antlerless licenses generally harvest white-tailed deer, as these licenses are predominantly in units with mostly whitetails. Buck hunters had a success rate of 71 percent, while doe hunters had a success rate of 66 percent.

Game and Fish issued 13,466 gratis licenses in 2016, and 11,369 hunters harvested 6,593 deer, for a success rate of 58 percent.

A record 26,755 archery licenses (24,532 resident, 2,223 nonresident) were issued in 2016. In total, 22,071 bow hunters harvested 9,492 deer (8,686 whitetails, 806 mule deer), for a success rate of 43 percent.

Bighorn Sheep Population Stable

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual bighorn sheep survey revealed a minimum of 296 bighorn sheep in western North Dakota, up slightly from last year and 3 percent above the five-year average.

Altogether, biologists counted 104 rams, 170 ewes and 22 lambs. Not included are approximately 20 bighorns in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Brett Wiedmann, Department big game biologist, said the survey revealed both good and bad news after a sheep die-off that began in 2014.

“This year’s count of adult bighorn was encouraging, given the ongoing effects of bacterial pneumonia throughout most of the badlands, but the lamb count was discouraging,” he said.

The northern badlands population, which was hit the hardest from the die-off, increased 2 percent from last year. However, the southern badlands population was down 3 percent.

“The total count of adult rams and ewes was the highest on record, but the total count, recruitment rate and winter survival rate for lambs were all the lowest on record,” Wiedmann said. “The recruitment rate of lambs per adult ewes was 15 percent, well below the long-term average.”

Wiedmann noted that one year isn’t necessarily a trend, but poor lamb survival is typical in populations exposed to Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, the pathogen responsible for most die-offs of bighorn sheep, and those effects can last many years.

Game and Fish Department biologists count and classify all bighorn sheep in late summer, and then recount lambs the following March, as they approach one year of age, to determine recruitment.

“Adult mortality was low in 2016, and we had a good number of lambs survive in 2014 and 2015 to compensate for most of the adult losses in 2014,” Wiedmann said. “However, many bighorns are still showing signs of pneumonia and lamb recruitment was poor in 2016, so next year’s survey will be important in determining if the state’s population continues to recover from the disease outbreak, or if the pathogens are likely to persist and cause a long-term population decline.”

Dr. Dan Grove, Department veterinarian, said that 19 adult bighorn were tested for deadly pathogens last winter, but results are still pending. He said animals continue to succumb to pneumonia, albeit at a much slower rate.

A bighorn sheep hunting season is tentatively scheduled to open in 2017, unless there is a recurrence of significant adult mortality from bacterial pneumonia. The status of the bighorn sheep season will be determined September 1, after the summer population survey is completed.

Spring Mule Deer Survey Complete

The state Game and Fish Department’s annual spring mule deer survey indicated western North Dakota’s mule deer population increased 16 percent from last year.

Biologists counted 3,349 mule deer in about 306 square miles during the survey. Overall mule deer density in the badlands was 10.9 deer per square mile, which is up from 9.4 deer per square mile in 2016.

Bruce Stillings, Department big game management supervisor, said mule deer in the badlands have recovered nicely following the winters of 2009-11, which led to record low fawn production and a population index low of 4.6 mule deer per square mile in 2012.

“The population recovery is due to no antlerless deer harvest for four years, combined with milder winter conditions during 2012-16, which led to good fawn production since 2013,” Stillings said. “However, the long-term health of the population will depend on maintaining high quality habitat.”

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 the 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 issued eight licenses in 2016 and all hunters harvested a ram.

June Deer Drawing Deadline

The application deadline for the 2017 deer gun and muzzleloader season is June 7.

Online applications for regular deer gun, youth, muzzleloader, and resident gratis and nonresident landowner licenses are available through the Game and Fish Department’s website. Also, paper applications are available at vendors and other locations throughout the state.

North Dakota’s 2017 deer gun season opens November 10 at noon.

State law requires residents age 18 or older to prove residency on the application by submitting a valid North Dakota driver’s license number or a North Dakota nondriver photo identification number. Applications cannot be processed without this information.

Gratis applications received on or before the regular deer gun lottery application deadline (June 7) will be issued an any-legal-deer license. As per state law, gratis applications received after the deadline will be processed based on licenses remaining after the lottery – generally only antlerless licenses remain.

Hunters are also reminded of an option that allows unsuccessful applicants to donate their refund to the Game and Fish Department’s Private Land Open To Sportsmen program. Proceeds from this donation fund will focus on deer habitat and hunting access to deer habitat.

The new provision to allow hunters to donate their application fee in order to purchase a bonus point, passed by the state legislature in 2017, will not go into effect until 2018.

Free Fishing Weekend

North Dakota’s free fishing weekend is June 3-4. Resident anglers may fish that weekend without a license, except for paddlefish. All other fishing regulations apply.

NASP State Tournament Results

A record 614 archers competed in the North Dakota National Archery in the Schools Program state bull’s-eye tournament in March in Minot, a 15 percent increase from the mark set last year.

Hankinson students claimed top honors in the elementary (grades 4-6), middle school (grades 7-8) and high school (grades 9-12) divisions.

Overall male and female winners were Hankinson archers Clayton Stone and Jaycee Brown.

Winning teams and the top 10 individuals qualify for the national tournament in May in Louisville, Kentucky. The Game and Fish Department and North Dakota Youth Archery Advisory Council contribute a total of $3,000 in travel assistance to the first place team in each division, and $1,000 to the overall male and female individual winners. In addition, the NDYAAC also awarded $21,000 in college scholarships to the top five overall scorers in both boys and girls divisions.

Qualifying for nationals in each division are:

• High school boys – 1) Clayton Stone, Hankinson; 2) Chase Bladow, Hankinson; 3) Evan Mickelson, Mt. Pleasant; 4) Will Peckham, Montpelier; 5) Ty Wixo, Wahpeton; 6) Braydin Diede, Edgeley; 7) Chase Hibl, Wahpeton; 8) Michael McKenna, North Sargent; 9) Noah Trittin, Wahpeton; 10) Brandon Bottchen, Hankinson.
• High school girls – 1) Kate Loewen, Hankinson; 2) Jaidyn Sander, Hankinson; 3) Laura Kielb, North Sargent; 4) Morgan Ohm, Hankinson; 5) Abigail Henderson, Edgeley; 6) Alicia Biewer, Hankinson; 7) Mary Goroski, Wahpeton; 8) Cassie Boelke, Wahpeton; 9) Josephine Nelson, North Sargent; 10) Brinley Mathern, Edgeley.
• Middle school boys – 1) Grady Henderson, Edgeley; 2) Avery McFarland, North Sargent; 3) Brennan Wiederrich, Edgeley; 4) Jack Thompson, Hope-Page; 5) Austin Bladow, Hankinson; 6) Kase Kassian, Wilton; 7) Kalvin Loewen, Hankinson; 8) Isaac Pierce, North Sargent; 9) Tavon Stadler, Griggs County; 10) Connor Schall, Oakes.
• Middle school girls – 1) Jaycee Brown, Hankinson; 2) Gracie Gunderson, Medina; 3) Grace Neameyer, Mt. Pleasant; 4) Marti Moberg, Mt. Pleasant; 5) Jaden Gilje, North Sargent; 6) Allee Boyer, Edgeley; 7) Sydni Berg, Edgeley; 8) Hannah Neameyer, Mt. Pleasant; 9) Lily Wiek, Oakes; 10) Octavia Ralph, Griggs County.
• Elementary boys – 1) Matthew Wehseler, North Sargent; 2) Riley Christensen, North Sargent; 3) Marcus Garza, Oakes; 4) Parker Deering, Oakes; 5) Zeke Barnick, Edgeley; 6) Michael Erlanson, Wilton; 7) Joey Burgard, Oakes; 8) Jesse Sagaser, St. John’s; 9) Dalton Praska, Wahpeton; 10) Isaac Stadler, Griggs County.
• Elementary girls – 1) Makenna Vosberg, Hankinson; 2) Estella Prochnow, Hankinson; 3) Rylee Suhr, Griggs County; 4) Kirstan Loewen, Hankinson; 5) Skyler Foertsch, Hankinson; 6) Jewels Hamling, Hankinson; 7) Aysia Frederick, Wilton; 8) Ariana Onchuck, Hankinson; 9) Madison Samuelson, Mt. Pleasant; 10) Paetyn Hamann, North Sargent.

In addition, a record 404 archers – a 25 percent increase from 2016 – competed in a NASP 3-D Challenge, run simultaneously with the bull’s-eye tournament. Overall male and female winners were Evan Mickelson, Mt. Pleasant, and Kate Loewen, Hankinson. Top performers were:

• High school boys – 1) Evan Mickelson, Mt. Pleasant; 2) Cheyne Meyer, Hankinson; 3) Skylar Keller, Hankinson; 4) Glenn Sabinash, Kensal; 5) Ty Wixo, Wahpeton.
• High school girls – 1) Kate Loewen, Hankinson; 2) Mary Goroski, Wahpeton; 3) Chase McFarland, North Sargent; 4) Alicia Biewer, Hankinson; 5) Laura Kielb, North Sargent.
• Middle school boys – 1) Avery McFarland, North Sargent; 2) Brady McKenna, North Sargent; 3) Austin Bladow, Hankinson; 4) Isaac Pierce, North Sargent; 5) Connor Schall, Oakes.
• Middle school girls – 1) Grace Neameyer, Mt. Pleasant; 2) Hannah Neameyer, Mt. Pleasant; 3) Jaden Ligje, North Sargent; 4) Jaycee Brown, Hankinson; 5) Avery Trittin, Wahpeton.
• Elementary boys – 1) Riley Christensen, North Sargent; 2) Blayson Dolney, Oakes; 3) Matthew Wehseler, North Sargent; 4) Keaton Cudworth, New Rockford-Sheyenne; 5) Zeke Barnick, Edgeley.
• Elementary girls – 1) Joclynn Beckley, Kensal; 2) Madison Samuelson, Mt. Pleasant; 3) Isabella Sundby, Oakes; 4) Aysia Frederick, Wilton; 5) MaKenna Vosberg, Hankinson.

New State Record Carp

Derek Barnick’s catch on April 21 is the first entry to North Dakota’s list of state record fish in 2017. The Tappen man took a 31 pound, 9 ounce common carp from Lake Etta-Alkaline with a bow and arrow.

The 36-inch fish broke the old record of 31 pounds taken by Austin Loberg of Thompson from the Sheyenne River in 2003.

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 contact with a human, its chances for survival decrease. 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 that time, the potential for car deer collisions increases.

Boat North Dakota Course

Boat owners are reminded that children ages 12-15 who want to operate a boat or personal watercraft alone this summer must first take the state’s boating basics course.

State law requires youngsters ages 12-15 to pass the course before they operate a boat or personal watercraft with at least a 10 horsepower motor. In addition, some insurance companies give adult boat owners who pass the course a discount on boat insurance.

The course is available for home-study from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Bismarck office. Two commercial providers also offer the course online, and links to those sites are found on the Department’s website at gf.nd.gov.

While the home-study course is free, there is a fee for the online course. The online provider charges for the course, not the Game and Fish Department.

Upon completion of the online test, students can print out a temporary certification card, and within 10 days a permanent card will be mailed.

The course covers legal requirements, navigation rules, getting underway, accidents and special topics such as weather, rules of the road, laws, life saving and first aid.

For more information contact Brian Schaffer, Department education coordinator, by email at ndgf@nd.gov; or call 701-328-6300.

Summer BOW Set June 23-25

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program is accepting registrations for the annual summer workshop June 23-25 at the North Dakota 4-H Camp, Washburn.

Enrollment is limited to participants age 18 or older. Workshop fees of $150 cover instruction, program materials, use of equipment, all meals and lodging.

Participants can choose from a number of different activities, including archery, firearms, fishing, hunting, paddling sports, wildlife and plants, cooking and outdoor knowledge.

BOW workshops are designed primarily for women with an interest in learning skills associated with hunting, fishing and outdoor endeavors. Although open to anyone age 18 or older, the workshops are tailored primarily to women who have never tried these activities or who are beginners hoping to improve their skills.

Women interested in attending the summer workshop can get more information at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov, and print and mail an accompanying enrollment form. Registration deadline is May 17. The camp is limited to 72 participants.

More information is available by contacting Brian Schaffer, Department education coordinator, at 701-328-6300, or email bschaffer@nd.gov.

Game and Fish Sponsors Earth Day Project

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is once again celebrating Earth Day by sponsoring clean-up days on publicly owned or managed lands.

While Earth Day was recognized April 22, each member of a school, Girl Scout, Boy Scout, 4-H club or youth organization who participates in cleaning up public lands through May will receive a conservation patch.

Last winter the Game and Fish Department sponsored a contest for students ages 6-18 to design a North Dakota Earth Day patch. Winners in the three age categories were Ryan Schumacher of Dickinson (6-9), Morgan DeGeldere of Grafton (10-13) and Deanna Rose of Grand Forks (14-18). Schumacher’s design was chosen as the contest winner, and will be used on this year’s Earth Day patch.

Groups participating in the Earth Day project are encouraged to take the following precautions to ensure safety: keep young people away from highways, lakes and rivers; and only allow older participants to pick up broken glass.

Interested participants are asked to contact Pat Lothspeich, Department outreach biologist, at 701-328-6332 to receive a reporting form for their project.

Tower City Youth Wins Best of Show

A northern shoveler was chosen the 2017 Best of Show in the North Dakota Junior Duck Stamp Contest.

Megan Tichy, an 18-year-old high school student from Tower City, used acrylic paints for her presentation of a drake shoveler. Her artwork was selected from more than 1,400 entries from across North Dakota.

Tichy’s painting will represent North Dakota at the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The winner of the national contest will have their entry made into a stamp.

Other first place winners in the four age categories were:

• Grades K-3 – Ethan Bro, Bismarck; Vivian Lunden, Alexander; and Owen Tichy, Tower City.
• Grades 4-6 – Angela Chen, Devils Lake; Bailee Hagar, Karlsruhe; and Mikaela Woodruff, Garrison.
• Grades 7-9 – Fisher Ackerson, Sherwood; Sydney Nelson, Valley City; and Daniel Schumacher, Linton.
• Grades 10-12 – D.J. Elstrom, Valley City and Devin Anderson, Valley City.