The North Dakota Game and Fish Department offers a simple message to the well-intentioned who want to rescue what appear to be orphaned baby animals this time of year: don’t touch them. Whether it is a young fawn, duckling, cottontail rabbit or a songbird, it is better to leave them alone.
“Often, young animals are not abandoned or deserted, and the mother is probably nearby,” says Patrick Isakson, department conservation supervisor, “Secluding their young is a strategy to protect them from predators.”
Anytime a young wild animal has human contact, its chances of survival decrease significantly. Wild animals taken into captivity and later returned to the wild will struggle to survive without possessing learned survival skills.
The only time a baby animal should be picked up is if it is in an unnatural setting, such as a young songbird found on a doorstep. In that case, the young bird can 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 can lead to potentially dangerous situations.
In addition, motorists are reminded to watch for deer along roadways. During the next several weeks, young animals are dispersing from home ranges, and with deer more active during this time, the potential for car‑deer collisions increases.
Camping Restriction Lifted for Memorial Day
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will lift the Tuesday-Wednesday no-camping restriction for Memorial Day week, which will allow overnight camping May 26-27 on those Wildlife Management Areas that otherwise have this two-day restriction in place.
A complete list of WMA regulations is available on the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.
May Highlights Safe Boating
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department recognizes National Safe Boating Week, May 16-22, an annual boating safety public awareness campaign that serves to educate boaters and water users heading into summer.
A boat should have enough U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable life jackets on board for all passengers. North Dakota law requires all children ages 10 and younger to wear a personal flotation device while in boats less than 27 feet in length. The law also requires all personal watercraft users to wear a life jacket, as well as anyone towed on skis, tubes, boards or other similar devices.
However, state law allows an individual engaged in barefoot skiing or surfing to wear a wet suit (a life preserver must be on board the towing vessel), and a person who is at least 16 years of age can windsurf or boardsail without wearing a PFD. Water users should make sure to wear life jackets of the appropriate size and in good condition.
Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in three out of every four recreational boating fatalities in 2024, and that 87% of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets.
It is also important children wear a PFD while swimming. Swimmers should know the water’s depth, as serious injuries can occur from diving. Large objects hidden below the water’s surface can lead to significant injury.
North Dakota boaters are also reminded that Class A and Class 1 vessels are required to have one hand, mouth or power-operated whistle audible for at least one-half mile. This regulation also applies to kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and jet skis.
Applicants must be at least 21, have a bachelor’s degree at time of hire or an associate degree with either 2 years of law enforcement or wildlife experience, have a valid driver’s license and a current North Dakota peace officer license, or eligible to be licensed. Candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive background check and must not have a record of any felony convictions.
Zebra Mussel Eradication Plan for Smishek Lake Continues
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department, in cooperation with state and federal partners and local stakeholders, plan to retreat Smishek Lake in May and June to eradicate the remaining zebra mussel population in the lake.
“This spring, at ice-out, we surveyed the mussel population in Smishek Lake to evaluate the effectiveness of last fall’s treatment” said Ben Holen, department aquatic nuisance species coordinator. “While the treatment significantly suppressed the zebra mussel population at the lake, live mussels capable of reproduction remain. This population poses a threat to the downstream waters of Lake Sakakawea and other lakes in the northwestern part of North Dakota, so we are doing what we can to achieve a full eradication.”
When weather conditions are suitable, department staff will apply an EPA-registered copper-based mollusicide called EarthTecQZ. Three treatment applications are anticipated starting mid-May and continuing into June. The lake will remain open for public recreation, but the ramp will be signed and closed on application days.
Additional information will be provided on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s ANS webpage gf.nd.gov/ans.
Deer Season Set, Apply Online
North Dakota’s 2026 deer season is set, with 39,100 licenses available to hunters, down 3,200 from last year, the lowest total in over a half century. Muzzleloader licenses were also reduced, and antlerless deer gun licenses are not available in several units.
A total of 240 nonresident any deer archery licenses are available, a decrease of 60 from last year. Additionally, nonresidents may only hunt on private land, excluding Private Land Open To Sportsmen, during the first 9 ½ days of the deer bow season.
The statewide deer herd continues to recover from the lingering effects of the 2022-23 winter and epizootic hemorrhagic disease outbreaks across a landscape with increasingly limited habitat. Additional measures to help encourage population growth were discussed at spring advisory board meetings. The Department will continue to engage stakeholders on these measures including limiting adult archery tags to antlered only in the upcoming year.
Conservative license allocations are intended to maintain hunting opportunities while encouraging population growth in the state, said Bill Haase, North Dakota Game and Fish Department wildlife division chief.
High quality deer habitat is not as abundant as in the past, particularly quality cover for fawn rearing and recruitment, limiting the potential for population recovery. This has been particularly evident in the eastern third of the state, where most gun license allocation reductions occurred for the upcoming season. In some parts of the state, deer gun harvest is down 90% from what was harvested in 2005, during the peak CRP years.
The department continues to emphasize habitat through existing voluntary landowner programs, new partnerships and innovative solutions, such as the Governor’s Legacy Soil Health and Habitat Program, to bolster deer populations.
The spring mule deer survey showed western North Dakota’s population is 31% higher than last year, which is attributed to high over-winter survival. Conservative license allocations remain to support continued population rebound.
North Dakota’s 2026 deer gun season opens Nov. 6 and continues through Nov. 22.
Applicants for regular deer gun, gratis, youth and muzzleloader can apply online through the Game and Fish Department’s website at gf.nd.gov. The deadline for applying is midnight June 3.
State law allows residents age 11, 12 and 13 to obtain any antlerless licenses, except in units 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 4F where mule deer doe licenses are issued through lottery.
In addition, regular deer gun hunters who turn 14 or 15 and who have never received a youth season deer gun license (a license at age 11, 12 or 13 does not apply) are eligible to receive a youth any deer license, except in units 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 4F where mule deer licenses are issued through lottery.
Total deer licenses are determined by harvest rates, aerial surveys, depredation reports, hunter observations, input at advisory board meetings, and comments from the public, landowners and department field staff.
Governor’s Legacy Program Adds Habitat and Access
The North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts has completed the first enrollment cycle for the Governor’s Legacy Soil Health and Habitat Program. The program was launched through a $6.5 million Outdoor Heritage Fund grant awarded in December 2025, with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department serving as a co-applicant. The program was developed with input from agricultural and conservation partners and is designed to support grassland restoration, soil health, and wildlife habitat across the state.
The program provides five-year agreements that include annual rental payments, cost-share for grass establishment, and a first-of-its-kind $10 per acre crop insurance credit for unproductive cropland converted to grassland habitat. Producers who enroll acres into the department’s Private Land Open To Sportsmen program receive additional incentives.
Demand for the program was strong, with 458 applications submitted and nearly 20,000 acres offered for consideration, totaling approximately $10.5 million in requests, well above the available grant funding. Interest in PLOTS was also high, with nearly 6,000 acres offered for walk-in public access. Following review and ranking, the highest scoring applications were selected, fully obligating all grant funds through more than 9,000 acres of habitat and access projects for 2026.
The response demonstrates significant producer interest in grassland restoration and soil health practices, as well as strong support for a state-led program. The Governor’s Legacy Soil Health and Habitat Program was developed following recommendations from the Game and Fish Department’s 2024 Habitat and Access Summit, which identified the need for a state program to help offset ongoing losses in the federal Conservation Reserve Program.
The North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts and the department are working with partners to explore long-term funding options to continue and expand the program.
Paddlefish Snagging Season to Close to Additional Harvest
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department announced today that the state's 2026 paddlefish snagging season will close Friday, May 8 at 7 p.m. Central time to any additional harvest to provide long-term protection of the paddlefish population.
An additional snag-and-release extended season will begin May 9 and run through May 15. Paddlefish snaggers with unused tags can continue snagging during the additional snag-and-release season but must release all fish immediately. If a snagger has already used their tag on a harvested paddlefish, they are not allowed to participate in the additional snag-and-release period.
Snag-and-release will be open in that area of the Missouri River starting on the north shore from the Confluence boat ramp, then east (downstream) to the pipeline crossing (river mile 1577), and on the south shore from the confluence with the Yellowstone River, then east (downstream) to the pipeline crossing (river mile 1577).
Paddlefish snagging during the extended season is allowed from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT. The use or possession of a gaff on snag-and-release days is illegal.
State Agencies Recognize ANS Awareness Week
May 3–9 is Aquatic Nuisance Species Awareness Week. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department, in partnership with the North Dakota Department of Water Resources, and North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department, encourage all recreationists to take an active role in preventing the spread of ANS to the state’s waters through awareness and responsible recreation.
ANS are nonnative organisms that can disrupt natural habitats, impact recreational opportunities, damage equipment and infrastructure, and create long-term environmental and economic consequences.
Ben Holen, Game and Fish Department ANS coordinator, said “ANS have the potential to impact the daily lives of every single North Dakotan. This Awareness Week is a collaborative effort by the state and members of the North Dakota Aquatic Invasive Species Committee to highlight small actions that go a long way to prevent the introduction of ANS in North Dakota’s waters.”
North Dakota currently has low numbers of aquatic nuisance species. Other than zebra mussels, just a few invasive plants and animals – curly leaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, flowering rush, and grass, bighead, silver and common carp – are found in some state waters. But, preventing their spread is critical to maintaining healthy lakes, rivers and water systems across North Dakota.
“Protecting North Dakota’s water resources is a shared responsibility,” said Department of Water Resources director Reice Haase. “By taking a few simple precautions, individuals can play an important role in preventing the spread of aquatic nuisance species and preserving our waters for current and future generations.”
The public should to follow these best practices every time they are on the water:
Clean – Remove all plants, animals, and debris from watercraft and equipment.
Drain – Drain all water from boats, motors, and equipment before leaving an access point.
Dry – Allow all equipment to dry completely before using it again.
Anglers are invited to participate in the fifth annual North Dakota Fish Challenge. The challenges encourage exploration of North Dakota's many fisheries, and this year promote the joy of just catching a fish, no matter the size or species, with the newly added 100 Fish Challenge. To complete the challenge, just catch 100 fish of any kind.
In addition, anglers can complete the Total Catch Challenge by coaching a new angler, cleaning up a local waterbody, cooking a catch, and casting a story; the Rough Fish Challenge by catching a bullhead, carp and sucker; the Sportfish Challenge, by catching a bluegill, walleye, bass and trout; or the inaugural Classic Challenge, requiring a northern pike, yellow perch, smallmouth bass and channel catfish.
Either way, the process is simple – snap a photo of each and submit your entry on the North Dakota Game and Fish website now through Aug. 15.
Anglers who complete a challenge will receive a decal and certificate.
Using the Visual Arts to Teach Life Science – June 9-10, Game and Fish office, Bismarck.
This fun and fast-paced workshop will emphasize North Dakota resources, environment and wildlife through hands-on lessons educators can implement in their classrooms. It will include discussions on classroom and curriculum integration, identification of local resources and field trips to demonstrate the use of natural areas as classrooms. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to experiment with different media including clay, water, pastel and colored pencil. No previous art experience is required. The workshop is suitable for educators teaching K-12. All materials are included.
Pollinators in the Classroom – June 17-18, Dickinson State University, Dickinson.
This workshop will explore pollinators, what they are, where they live, life cycles, importance, and how you can make a difference. The workshop will include hands-on activities educators can use in their classrooms and demonstrations of classroom curriculum integration. Students will receive a copy of the Urban Pollinator Program Curriculum, and should come prepared for walking field trips in the area. The workshop is suitable for educators teaching K-12. All materials are included.
For more information contact curriculum specialist Sherry Niesar at 701-527-3714. Register by clicking on the link.
Update on the BNSF Bridge Project Navigation
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department and the North Dakota Department of Water Resources announce a temporary navigation change through the BNSF railroad bridge project on the Missouri River near Bismarck-Mandan.
The navigation channel through the construction zone will be reduced and partially restricted April 21 and 23 and April 28 and 30 due to movement and installation of 100-foot steel beams.
This restriction is anticipated to occur from 7:30 a.m. to noon each of those days. The project manager for the bridge construction will have two boats on site to assist boaters through the area when navigation though the marked channel is not cleared to be used.
North Dakota Game and Fish Department