Buffaloberry Patch

North Dakota’s spring pheasant population index is about the same as last year, according to the state Game and Fish Department’s 2021 spring crowing count survey.

R.J. Gross, upland game management biologist, said the number of roosters heard crowing this spring was up about 3% statewide.

“The statewide number might be a bit misleading since we are notably down in the southwest, while most of the state benefitted from good reproduction in 2020 and a mild winter,” Gross said.

The primary regions holding pheasants showed 18.4 crows per stop in the southwest, down from 19.6 in 2020; 14.3 crows per stop in the northwest, up from 12.2; and 14.5 crows per stop in the southeast, up from 13.6. The count in the northeast, which is not a primary region for pheasants, was 5.2 crows per stop, up from 3.4 last year.

Gross said current drought conditions are causing delayed growth in nesting cover, brood rearing cover and croplands across the state, while extended drought conditions could prevent insect hatches, reducing forage availability to chicks for brood rearing.

“We are hopeful that the latest rain events will foster insect production to bolster pheasant chick foraging,” he said.

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 2-minute period.

The number of pheasant crows heard are compared to previous years’ data, providing a trend summary.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has confirmed the presence of invasive zebra mussels in Twin Lakes, LaMoure County, after a local cabin owner reported adult mussels attached to a floating log over the weekend.

Ben Holen, Department aquatic nuisance species coordinator, said subsequent follow-up sampling found a few other zebra mussels attached to woody debris. In addition, Game and Fish Department ANS staff processed plankton tow net samples collected from Twin Lakes June 22, and zebra mussel veligers were detected in those samples indicating a breeding population of mussels within the lake.

The 1,735-acre lake is a popular fishing destination located a few miles north of LaMoure. Twin Lakes is located approximately 6 miles from Lake LaMoure, which had a confirmed finding of zebra mussels in 2020.

Moving forward, Holen reminds lake visitors that everyone plays a key role in stemming the spread of mussels to lakes that are not infested.

“This situation is yet another example of the importance for all water enthusiasts including boaters, anglers and skiers, to be aware of aquatic nuisance species and to take all precautions to prevent their spread,” Holen said.

Prevention is the best way to avoid spreading ANS. They often travel by “hitchhiking” with unsuspecting lake-goers.

“Always clean, drain and dry boats and other equipment before using another lake,” Holen mentioned. “Also, don’t transfer lake water or live fish to another body of water. This can help stop the spread of not only zebra mussels, but most aquatic nuisance species that may be present.”

Twin Lakes is now considered a Class I ANS Infested water, joining Lake LaMoure, Lake Ashtabula, the lower portion of the Sheyenne River, and the Red River in this designation. Emergency rules will go into effect immediately to prohibit the movement of water away from the lake, including water for transferring bait. Notices will be posted at lake access sites.

For the remainder of summer, ANS watercraft inspections will be increased at Twin Lakes.

Zebra mussels are just one of the nonnative aquatic species that threaten our waters and native wildlife. After using any body of water, people must remember to follow North Dakota regulations:

Remove aquatic vegetation before leaving the water access and do not import into North Dakota.

Drain all water before leaving the water access.

Remove drain plugs and devices that hold back water and leave open and out during transport.

Do not import bait. For Class I ANS Infested waters, bait cannot be transported in water. In all other areas, bait must be transported in a container that holds 5 gallons or less. Remember that it is illegal to dump unused bait on shore or into the lake.

In addition to North Dakota regulations, the Game and Fish Department strongly recommends:

Avoid mooring watercraft in zebra mussel infested waters.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department reminds archery hunters to plan accordingly and allow for time to receive their bow tag in the mail as hunters will not receive their tag immediately after purchase.

Bow licenses can still be purchased at license vendors, but this year the tag will arrive by postal mail, not over the counter while the customer waits. This applies while purchasing a bow license at a license vendor, or at the Game and Fish Department’s main office in Bismarck.

The bow tag will be mailed the next business day after the bow license is purchased. All archery hunters must have the bow tag in their possession before hunting.

Bow licenses can also be purchased online.

The pronghorn application deadline for the 2021 season is Aug. 4.

The pronghorn population increased to just over 10,400 animals in 2020, which was the highest estimate since 2009. The population has been slowly recovering since 2013 following the severe winters of 2008-10, which resulted in numbers declining by 75%.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual aerial pronghorn survey began in early July and will determine pronghorn abundance, herd demographics and fawn production. This data, which was not available at publication, is used to set the number of licenses for the fall hunting season.

Audubon Dakota’s Conservation Forage Program provides North Dakota landowners and producers a unique set of incentives and resources to support improving land productivity, increasing available wildlife habitat and overall ecosystem services through the establishment of working forages.

The Conservation Forage Program will accept producer applications through Aug. 6. For more information about open enrollment, visit dakota.audubon.org/conservation-forage-program.

Landowners selected for enrollment in the program will receive technical assistance and cost-share for forage seed planting and the development of grazing infrastructure. Additionally, the Conservation Forage Program offers establishment incentive payments for three years during the land-use transition.

“The ability to provide establishment payments is the critical element that really makes the Conservation Forage Program work for landowners who are interested in keeping their lands working to produce food, for the world and for wildlife”, said Marshall Johnson, Audubon Dakota executive director. “We know North Dakota landowners love their land, and so do birds. By acknowledging and investing in the financial commitment of converting marginal lands to grassland, this program can be a win-win for the agriculture and conservation communities. After years of collaborating and planning, we are thrilled to finally offer the Conservation Forage Program to producers.”

Audubon Dakota is proud to collaborate with many agriculture and conservation based organizations for the development and implementation of the Conservation Forage Program. Partner organizations include the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, North Dakota Outdoor Heritage Fund, North Dakota Farm Bureau, Natural Resources Conservation Service, North Dakota Soil Conservation Districts, Partners for Fish and Wildlife, Delta Waterfowl, North Dakota Natural Resources Trust, Ducks Unlimited and the North Dakota Wildlife Federation.

Staff Notes

Longtime employee Pat Lothspiech, Bismarck, retired in June after 38 years with the Game and Fish Department.

Lothspeich was a Department district game warden for 26 years, beginning in 1983. In 2009, he was hired as an outreach biologist stationed in Bismarck, the position he held until retirement.