Buffaloberry Patch

New Licenses Needed

North Dakota anglers, trappers and hunters are reminded that new licenses for 2018-19 seasons are required starting April 1.

Licenses can be purchased online. Once the license is processed, users will have the option to print a hard copy and/or download the license to a smart phone or mobile device, which is helpful when asked to show proof of license while hunting or fishing in rural areas that lack cellular service.

Licenses can also be purchased at more than 140 vendor locations throughout the state, or by calling 800-406-6409.

The 2018-19 small game, fishing and furbearer licenses are effective April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019.

2017 Deer Season Summary

A total of 49,407 North Dakota deer hunters took approximately 30,100 deer during the 2017 deer gun hunting season, according to a post-season survey conducted by the state Game and Fish Department.

Game and Fish made available 54,500 deer gun licenses last year. Overall hunter success was 61 percent, with each hunter spending an average of 4.4 days in the field.

Hunter success for antlered white-tailed deer was 66 percent, and antlerless whitetail was 61 percent. Mule deer buck success was 83 percent, and antlerless mule deer was 86 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 63 percent, while doe hunters had a success rate of 60 percent.

Game and Fish issued 13,402 gratis licenses in 2017, and 11,503 hunters harvested 6,059 deer, for a success rate of 53 percent.

A total of 1,022 muzzleloader licenses were issued in 2017, and 933 hunters harvested 354 white-tailed deer (196 antlered, 158 antlerless). Hunter success was 38 percent.

A record 28,481 archery licenses (26,114 resident, 2,367 nonresident) were issued in 2017. In total, 23,003 bow hunters harvested 8,900 deer (7,854 whitetails, 1,046 mule deer), for a success rate of 39 percent.

The Department is in the process of determining recommendations for licenses in 2018. The proclamation will be sent to the governor’s office for approval in late April.

In addition to harvest rates and winter aerial surveys, the Department monitors a number of other population indices to determine license numbers, including depredation reports, hunter observations, input at advisory board meetings, and comments from the public, landowners and Department field staff.

2017 Bighorn Sheep, Moose, Elk Harvests

Harvest statistics released by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department show overall hunter success during the 2017 season for bighorn sheep was 100 percent, 92 percent for moose and 58 percent for elk.

The Department issued four bighorn sheep licenses and auctioned one. All five hunters harvested a bighorn ram.

The Department issued 245 moose licenses last year. Of that total, 240 hunters harvested 221 animals – 138 bulls and 83 cows/calves. Harvest for each unit follows:

Moose
Unit	Hunters	Bulls	Cow/Calf	Success Rate
M5	5	2	3	100
M6	10	7	1	80
M8	15	11	2	87
M9	79	38	35	92
M10	77	50	22	94
M11	54	30	20	93

The department issued 400 elk licenses last year. Of that total, 362 hunters harvested 211 elk – 112 bulls and 99 cows/calves. Harvest for each unit follows:

Elk
Unit	Hunters	Bulls	Cow/Calf	Success Rate
E1E	64	12	21	52
E1W	34	8	8	47
E2	120	28	38	55
E3	116	50	28	67
E4	23	12	2	61
E6	5	2	2	80

Whooping Crane Migration

Whooping cranes are in the midst of their spring migration and sightings will increase as they make their way into and through North Dakota over the next several weeks. Anyone seeing these endangered birds as they move through the state is asked to report sightings so the birds can be tracked.

Whooping cranes that do make their way through North Dakota are part of a population of about 400 birds that are on their way from wintering grounds at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas to their nesting grounds at Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada, a distance of about 2,500 miles.

Whoopers stand about five feet tall and have a wingspan of about seven feet from tip to tip. They are bright white with black wing tips, which are visible only when the wings are outspread. In flight they extend their long necks straight forward, while their long, slender legs extend out behind the tail. Whooping cranes typically migrate singly, or in groups of 2-3 birds, and may be associated with sandhill cranes.

Other white birds such as snow geese, swans and egrets are often mistaken for whooping cranes. The most common misidentification is pelicans, because their wingspan is similar and they tuck their pouch in flight, leaving a silhouette similar to a crane when viewed from below.

Anyone sighting whoopers should not disturb them, but record the date, time, location, and the birds' activity. Observers should also look closely for and report colored bands which may occur on one or both legs. Whooping cranes have been marked with colored leg bands to help determine their identity.

Whooping crane sightings should be reported to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offices at Lostwood, 701-848-2466, or Long Lake, 701-387-4397, national wildlife refuges; the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Bismarck, 701-328-6300, or to local game wardens across the state. Reports help biologists locate important whooping crane habitat areas, monitor marked birds, determine survival and population numbers, and identify times and migration routes.

Paddlefish Snagging Season Opener

North Dakota’s paddlefish snagging season opens May 1 and is scheduled to continue through May 21. However, depending on the overall harvest, an early in-season closure may occur with a 24-hour notice issued by the state Game and Fish Department.

Legal snagging hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. One tag per snagger will be issued. Snagging is legal in all areas of the Yellowstone River in North Dakota, and in the area of the Missouri River lying west of the U.S. Highway 85 bridge to the Montana border, excluding that portion from the pipeline crossing (river mile 1,577) downstream to the upper end of the Lewis and Clark Wildlife Management Area (river mile 1,565).

If the season closes early because the harvest cap is reached, an extended snag-and-release-only period will be allowed for up to four days immediately following the early closure, but not to extend beyond May 21. Only snaggers with a current season, unused paddlefish snagging tag are eligible to participate. Only a limited area at the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers is open to this extended season snagging opportunity.

Mandatory harvest of all snagged paddlefish is required on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. On these days, all paddlefish caught must be kept and tagged immediately. All paddlefish snagged and tagged must be removed from the river by 7 p.m. of each snagging day. Any fish left at the confluence fish cleaning caviar operation after 8 p.m. the day they were snagged will be considered abandoned and the snagger is subject to a fine.

Snag-and-release of all paddlefish is required on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. Participants during snag-and-release-only days need to have in their possession a current season, unused paddlefish snagging tag. Use or possession of gaffs is prohibited on snag-and-release-only days, and, if it occurs, during the snag-and-release extension period.

All paddlefish snaggers must possess a paddlefish tag in addition to a valid fishing license. Cost of a paddlefish tag is $10 for residents and $25.50 for nonresidents.

Report Bald Eagle Nests

The state Game and Fish Department is asking for help in locating bald eagle nests in North Dakota.

Sandra Johnson, Game and Fish Department conservation biologist, said the Department is looking for locations of nests with eagles present, not individual eagle sightings.

Eagles actively incubate eggs in March and April, and it’s easy to distinguish an eagle nest because of its enormous size. Johnson estimates the state has around 215 active bald eagle nests, possibly more.

Eagle nests are observed in more than three-quarters of the counties in the state, mostly near streams and mid- to large-sized lakes. However, they are also found in unique areas such as shelterbelts surrounded by cropland or pasture.

Nest observations should be reported online, by email, or call 701-328-6300.

Observers are asked to not disturb the nests, and to stay away at a safe distance. Johnson said foot traffic may disturb birds, likely causing eagles to leave their eggs or young unattended.

Hunting Guide and Outfitter Test Set

The next guide and outfitter written examination is May 12 at 1 p.m. at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department office in Bismarck. The test is given periodically to anyone interested in becoming a hunting guide or outfitter in the state.

In addition to passing a written exam, qualifications for becoming a guide include a background check for criminal and game and fish violations; certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and standard first aid; and employment by or contract with a licensed hunting outfitter.

Hunting outfitter eligibility requirements include the guide qualifications, as well as an individual must have held a hunting guide license for two years; and must have proof of liability insurance.

Interested individuals are required to preregister by calling the Game and Fish Department’s enforcement office at 701-328-6604.

Game and Fish Volunteers Recognized

Volunteer instructors for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department were recognized at the annual winter banquet in Bismarck.

Michael Malarkey, Bismarck, was recognized as volunteer of the year; Kent Reierson, Williston, was named archery instructor of the year; Martin Marchello, Bismarck, was recognized as hunter education instructor of the year; Velva residents Travis Leier and DJ Randolph were named hunter education team instructors of the year; and Terry Fasteen, Helena, Mont., received the lifetime achievement award.

Longtime volunteers were also recognized for their service to the Game and Fish Department:

• 30 years – Timothy Bohlman, Thompson; Daniel Brown, Dickinson; Roger Krueger, Bismarck; Kevin Lech, Mandan; Vaughn Quern, Thompson; and Joseph Simon, Thompson.
• 25 years – Richard Bahm, Mandan; Wayne Beyer, Wahpeton; Mark Biel, Bismarck; Jeff Bjugstad, Wahpeton; Myron Brager, Sibley; Darrell Ekberg, Manvel; Joseph Haas, Lidgerwood; Robert Haglund, Garrison; Gerald (Tom) Lawson, Donnybrook; Robert Martin, Jamestown; Kenneth Retzlaff, Ellendale; and Dale Veselka, Tower City.
• 20 years – Burns Bailey, Moffit; Matthew Evans, Stanley; William Gauslow, Christine; Del Houghton, Steele; Scott Sigette, Devils Lake; Tim Stiles, Fairmount; Melisa Toepke-Peterson, Fargo; Beverly Turbiville, Dickinson; and Timothy Wieben, Bismarck.
• 15 years – Jerod Basol, Portland; Sylvia Brockman, Bismarck; Mark Fisher, Devils Lake; Glen Hauf, Makoti; Doug Hintzman, Kulm; Justin Houghton, Steele; Rodney Hubbard, Fargo; Kathy King, Bismarck; Peggy Knotts, Fargo; Thomas Schumacker, Fullerton; and Scott Wagner, Casselton.
• 10 years – Kyle Beach, Wimbledon; Michael Feener, Fargo; Dayne Green, Reeder; Brent Hansen, Horace; Stephen Hunt, Reynolds; Terry Huwe, Menoken; Christopher Krenzel, Harvey; Michael Neis, Carrington; Robert Ogurek, Burlington; Dustin Roeder, Menoken; Randy Schock, Bismarck; Penny Lee Slagle, Williston; and Justin Werven, Beulah.

Top Whoppers - Club Applications for 2017

• BLUEGILL – 2 pounds, 0 ounces, Long Lake (Bottineau County); 1-10, Long Lake, (Bottineau County); 1-9, Smishek Lake; 1-9, Lake Ashtabula; 1-9, Lake Metigoshe.
• BROWN TROUT – 19-6, Missouri River; 18-14, Missouri River.
• BUFFALO – 57-8, Heart Butte Reservoir; 53-8, Heart Butte Reservoir; 38-15, Missouri River; 37-2, Trenton Lake; 34-4, Trenton Lake.
• BURBOT – 9-3, Lake Sakakawea.
• CHANNEL CATFISH – 24-12, Lake Audubon.
• COMMON CARP – 31-9, Etta Alkaline Complex; 30-13, Lake Sakakawea; 30-10, Lake Sakakawea; 27-11, Missouri River; 23-0, Long Lake.
• CRAPPIE – 2-11, Lake Oahe; 2-3, Lake Oahe; 2-2, Whitman Dam; 2-1, Devils Lake; 2-0, Jamestown Reservoir.
• DRUM – 18-0, McClusky Canal; 8-3, James River.
• GOLDEYE – 3-5, Lake Audubon; 2-1, Lake Oahe; 2-0, Missouri River; 2-0, Lake Oahe; 2-0, Lake Oahe.
• LARGEMOUTH BASS – 7-11, Nelson Lake; 5-8, Horseshoe Lake.
• NORTHERN PIKE – 26-0, Lake Darling; 24-8, Lake Sakakawea; 24-8, Lake Oahe; 24-0, Lake Sakakawea; 23-12, Missouri River.
• PADDLEFISH – 115-0, Missouri River; 103-0, Missouri River; 100-0, Missouri River; 98-0, Missouri River; 98-0, Yellowstone River.
• RAINBOW TROUT – 18-4, Missouri River; 7-8, Missouri River; 7-4, Missouri River; 6-12, Missouri River; 6-0, Strawberry Lake.
• SMALLMOUTH BASS – 5-6, Spiritwood Lake; 5-1, New Johns Lake; 5-0, Sheyenne River; 4-6, Lake Ashtabula; 4-3, Lake Ashtabula.
• WALLEYE – 14-1, Missouri River; 12-12, Missouri River; 12-6, Lake Sakakawea; 12-1, Missouri River; 12-0, Lake Oahe.
• WHITE BASS – 3-14, Irvine Alice Complex; 3-12, Lake Audubon; 3-11, Dry Lake; 3-7, Lake Audubon; 3-4, Devils Lake.
• YELLOW PERCH – 2-9, Mud and Pearl Lakes; 2-5, Erickson Lake; 2-5, Mud Lake; 2-3, Big Mallard Marsh; 2-2, Erickson Lake.