My 2 Cents

If there’s one constant in North Dakota’s outdoors, it’s that change is always somewhere on the horizon. Whether it’s the turn of the leaves or a new line in the regulation’s booklet, we’re reminded that wildlife management is a living, breathing process — one that never truly stands still.

Two topics have taken center stage at recent advisory board meetings: the desire to see more deer on the landscape and the pros and cons of the new zoning structure for nonresident waterfowl hunters. Both come from the same place — a deep love for North Dakota’s hunting heritage and a shared responsibility to keep it strong.

When it comes to deer, nobody disagrees on the goal. Hunters, landowners and biologists alike would all like to see more whitetails and mule deer. The challenge, of course, is that deer numbers don’t rise just because we want them to. Habitat conditions, weather, disease and hunter harvest all play a part. After several years of tough winters and losses in some western units to epizootic hemorrhagic disease, the Department continues to take a careful, conservative approach.

License numbers reflect that caution. It’s not about limiting opportunity — it’s about rebuilding the foundation. A few mild winters, solid fawn survival, and good habitat conditions could turn that trend around faster than we think. But as any hunter knows, patience in the field pays off. The same applies to wildlife management.

The other hot topic — nonresident waterfowl hunting zones — is a change aimed at improving balance as well. By adjusting where and when nonresidents can hunt, the goal is to relieve pressure in some of the most heavily hunted areas and distribute opportunities more evenly across the state. It’s a move that’s been talked about for years, and while it’s drawn plenty of opinions, both good and bad, it reflects a willingness to adapt for the long-term health of the resource and the quality of the experience for residents and nonresidents alike.

In the end, both issues — deer and ducks — boil down to the same thing: stewardship. The goal isn’t to protect the past, but to prepare for the future. Regulations may shift, populations may rise and fall, but North Dakota’s hunting spirit remains steady.

So, as we step into another fall, let’s remember that every change, even the tough ones, comes from the same shared hope — that our kids and grandkids will have some of the same hunting and fishing experiences that North Dakota has long been known for.

That’s a goal worth working toward.