Buffaloberry Patch

Waterfowl Survey Numbers Not a Surprise

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual midwinter waterfowl survey in early January indicated about 88,000 Canada geese and 3,225 mallards in the state.

John Palarski, Department migratory game bird biologist, said the below average count was expected this year for wintering waterfowl due to cold temperatures in late November and early January leading up to the survey.

“The majority of waterfowl that winter in North Dakota can be found along the Missouri River System. Following a record-setting count in 2024, we counted fewer geese and mallards than normal this year, which was directly due to the amount of ice cover across the state,” he said. “Although we don’t currently have much snow cover, cold temperatures in November and early January pushed many birds south and froze a considerable portion of the open water.”

Lake Sakakawea, which in some years harbors thousands of wintering waterfowl, froze over on Jan. 4, just two days before the survey. In four of the last 10 years, the lower portion of Sakakawea still had substantial open water in early January and needed to be completely surveyed by air.

During the 2025 survey, an estimated 68,788 Canada geese were observed on the Missouri River, another 13,400 on Nelson Lake in Oliver County, and an additional 5,000-plus geese in other parts of the state.

The 10-year average (2016-25) for the midwinter survey in North Dakota is 124,700 Canada geese and 14,000 mallards. All states in the Central Flyway participate in the survey during the same time frame to reduce the possibility of counting birds more than once.

Hunter Education Classes

If you were born after 1961, are 12 years or older, you must take a home study or traditional classroom certified hunter education course before you can get a firearm or bowhunting license in North Dakota.

The home study, or hybrid course, requires 7-10 hours of online and six hours of in-person classroom time. The six hours of classroom time consists of an in-person session prior to starting the online class and at the end of the class to complete testing.

Traditional classroom courses require at least 14 hours of in-person class time, and most classes are held from January through May.

Individuals interested in taking a hunter education class in 2025 can find a class online. To register for a class, click on “enroll” next to the specific class, and follow the simple instructions. Personal information is required. Classes are listed by city and can also be sorted by start date. Classes will be added throughout the year as they become finalized.

Individuals interested in receiving a notice by email or SMS text message when each hunter education class is added, can subscribe to news and alerts. Check the box labeled “hunter education” under the education program updates.

Participants must turn 12 during the calendar year to take the home study course, and age 11 during the calendar year to take the traditional class.

Contest Entry Deadline Nears

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual Earth Day Patch Contest is an effort to heighten awareness about the environment.

Students who participate will develop a patch design using five colors incorporating an aspect of Earth Day such as environmental awareness, respect Earth, water quality, wildlife, or habitat conservation in North Dakota.

The contest is open to students in grades K-12. Winners are chosen from four grade categories (K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12). Each winner will receive an outdoor kit, which includes a pair of binoculars and field guides. The grand prize patch design winner is chosen from one of the four winning age categories.

In addition, the grand prize winner will have their design displayed on the recognition patch, be featured in North Dakota OUTDOORS and on the Game and Fish website.

Contest entry deadline is March 1.

Youth Conservation and Leadership Summer Camp

The 1st Battalion of North Dakota Waterfowl Brigade will be taking place July 8-12, 2025 at the 4-H Center in Washburn.

NDWTFL is a hands-on, fiveday, immersive learning experience for youth ages 13-17. The camp is designed to educate participants about the importance of wetland ecosystems, waterfowl biology, flock dynamics, shooting skills and safety, stewardship, public speaking, leadership development, and more. The deadline to apply is March 15.

NDWTFL is a program of Texas Brigades, a Texas-based 501(c)(3) focused on educating and empowering adolescents to become conservation ambassadors. Additional information and applications can be found at www.texasbrigades.org/waterfowl-brigade-nd.

Staff Notes

Game and Fish Fills Leadership Positions

Bruce Kreft and Brian Hosek have filled division chief positions for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Kreft, conservation section leader since 2023, was promoted to conservation and communications chief when Greg Link retired after 45 years with the agency.

A Towner native with a zoology degree from North Dakota State University, Kreft started his career with Game and Fish as a fisheries technician from 1989-90; assistant Missouri River biologist from 1990-92; central district fisheries biologist from 1992-2000; and conservation biologist from 2000-2023.

Link started his career with Game and Fish as a seasonal employee in 1980.

In 2011, he assumed leadership of the conservation and communications division.

The conservation and communications division informs, educates and promotes fish and wildlife related opportunities; manages nongame species and species of conservation priority; and consults with developers to avoid, minimize and offset impacts to fish and wildlife resources.

Hosek, longtime business operations manager, was named chief of administrative services when Kim Kary announced her retirement after 20 years with the agency.

A graduate of Emporia State University with a degree in earth and data sciences, Hosek started his Game and Fish career in 2001 as the Department’s GIS coordinator, and his role evolved into business operations manager during his tenure.

Kary began her career with the Department as the business manager in 2005, and in 2010 moved into the administrative services division chief position.

The administrative services division provides policy, planning and support services and is responsible for all game and fish licensing.

Jasmer Fills New Post

Judd Jasmer was named Game and Fish Department wildlife resource management supervisor in Dickinson.

Prior to his appointment in January to the Department’s newly created district, Jasmer worked as a wildlife resource management biologist, also in Dickinson.

Raugust Retires

Diana Raugust retired in January after more than 30 years with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Raugust, an administrative assistant at the Department’s Lonetree Wildlife Management headquarters near Harvey, began working for the agency in 1993.