The loss of habitat across North Dakota is impacting game and nongame populations and, consequently, hunting license allocations. Coupled with increased challenges to finding hunting access, the state’s longstanding hunting heritage is suffering.
To raise awareness about the need for more wildlife habitat on the landscape in a state that has lost its share over the years, and find productive pathways forward, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department is hosting the Habitat and Hunting Access Summit on Dec. 17 at 4:30 p.m. at the Bismarck State College National Energy Center of Excellence.
Hunters, landowners, legislators, local business owners and others passionate about the state’s wildlife are encouraged to attend. Registration is required and space is limited to 250 attendees. Food and drinks will be provided.
District 1 – Divide, McKenzie and Williams counties
Date: Nov. 13, 7 p.m.
Location: Auditorium, 215 Main St., Ray
Host: Ray Volunteer Fire Department
Advisory board member: Beau Wisness, Keene
Salmon Spawn Completed
Fisheries crews completed their annual salmon spawning operation on Lake Sakakawea, collecting 1.9 million eggs.
Russ Kinzler, North Dakota Game and Fish Department Missouri River System fisheries supervisor, said the 2024 spawn was almost perfect with lots of fish and great weather.
“The numbers of fish in the spawn this year were amazing to see, and we saw a noticeable increase in the size of our salmon compared to last year,” Kinzler said. “In addition to collecting enough eggs for our needs, we were able to help South Dakota by collecting over 715,000 eggs for their salmon program.”
Kinzler said the eggs should be enough to stock the 350,000 smolts planned for Lake Sakakawea in 2025.
The average size of female salmon was 5.8 pounds, more than a pound larger than last year. The largest salmon was 9.7 pounds.
Chinook salmon begin their spawning run in October. Since salmon cannot naturally reproduce in North Dakota, Game and Fish personnel capture the fish and transport them to Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery where they are relieved of their eggs.
Once the eggs hatch, young salmon spend about six months in the hatchery before being stocked in Lake Sakakawea.
Hunters Encouraged to Have Deer Tested for CWD
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will continue its Hunter-Harvested Surveillance program during the 2024 hunting season by sampling deer for chronic wasting disease from select units in the northeastern portion of the state.
Samples will be tested from deer taken from units 1, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F1, 2K1, 2K2, 2L, 3A4 and 3B2. Outside of this area, hunters can still have their animal tested by taking it to a Game and Fish district office, deer head collection site or by using a self-sampling kit.
CWD is a slow-moving brain disease of deer, moose and elk that can cause population-level impacts under high infection rates.
Hunters are encouraged to drop off heads of adult or yearling deer at collection locations listed on the department’s website at gf.nd.gov. Fawns and head-shot deer cannot be tested. Hunters wishing to keep the heads can bring them to a Game and Fish district office during business hours to have them sampled.
Self-sampling kits are available for hunters who wish to have their deer tested but are unable to drop the head at a collection site. The do-it-yourself kit allows hunters to remove the lymph nodes and ship them to the department’s wildlife health lab for testing.
Results can be expected within four weeks and will be sent to your Game and Fish My Account inbox.
Hunters should note that carcass disposal requirements apply statewide. The entire carcass can be transported outside of the gun unit where it was harvested. If transported out of the gun unit, the carcass waste (material left after processing) must be disposed of via landfill or waste management provider. This requirement does not apply to heads dropped at CWD collection sites, or lymph nodes submitted for CWD surveillance.
The state Game and Fish Department is allowing hunters with whitetail or “any” deer gun licenses in several units in western North Dakota the option of turning those licenses in for refunds.
Casey Anderson, wildlife chief, said the decision is based on scattered reports of white-tailed deer mortality caused by epizootic hemorrhagic disease that began in late August.
Hunters with antlered whitetail, antlerless whitetail, any antlered and any antlerless licenses, are eligible for refunds in units 3D1, 3D2, 3E1, 4B, 4C, and 4D. Hunters who return their licenses will have their bonus points restored, if applicable, to the same number of points prior to the 2024 deer gun lottery.
“Compared to previous years, this outbreak appears mild and less extensive,” Anderson said. “However, it’s possible that some hunters could notice an impact in localized areas.”
Department staff will continue to monitor reports to determine if licenses in additional units should become eligible for refunds due to the EHD outbreak. Hunters and landowners should report any dead deer along with photos, if possible, to the department through the online wildlife mortality reporting system, at gf.nd.gov/mortality-report.
Before deciding to turn in a license, Anderson urges license holders to make local contacts to find out the extent of mortality in their hunting unit.
“Most areas within these units have not been heavily affected and a good deer harvest is still needed,” he said. “But a little scouting and a phone call or two will help to make an informed decision.”
License holders who qualify and want a refund must mail their tag, along with a note requesting a refund due to EHD, to the Game and Fish Department’s Bismarck office no later than Nov. 8. Envelopes postmarked Nov. 8 will be accepted.
EHD, a naturally occurring virus that is spread by a biting midge, is often fatal to infected white-tailed deer, while mule deer do not usually die from the disease. Hunters do not have to worry about handling or consuming meat from infected deer because the virus that causes EHD is not known to cause disease in humans. In addition, the first series of hard frosts typically kills the midge that transmits the EHD virus and will slow or halt the spread of the disease.
Fort Totten Angler’s Bullhead Breaks Record
Daniel Wegener’s bullhead caught Sept. 27 broke a state record for the species that’s been in the books for more than 35 years.
The Fort Totten angler reeled in his 4-pound, 9-ounce bullhead from Devils Lake.
The previous record of 4 pounds, 1 ounce was established in 1988 by Riley Zavada, a Wolford angler who was also fishing Devils Lake.
Advisory Board Meetings Announced
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department Advisory Board will host public meetings this fall at eight locations across the state.
These public meetings, held each spring and fall, provide citizens with an opportunity to discuss fish and wildlife issues and ask questions of their district advisors and agency personnel.
The district 7 meeting in Bismarck will be streamed live on the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.
District 2 – Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville and Ward counties
Date: Oct. 30 – 7 p.m.
Location: American Legion, Memorial Hall, 224 Second Ave. SE, Rugby
Host: Barton Sportsman Club
Contact: Dale Broe, 701-208-1300
Advisory board member: Travis Leier, Velva
District 7 – Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux counties
Date: Nov. 4 – 7 p.m.
Location: Game and Fish Main Office, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck
Host: Dakota Chapter Pheasants Forever
Contact and advisory board member: Jody Sommer, Mandan, 701-527-2295
District 4 – Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina and Walsh counties
Date: Nov. 6 – 7 p.m.
Location: UND, Gorecki Alumni Center, 3501 University Ave., Grand Forks
Host: UND Chapter of The Wildlife Society
Contact: Susan Felege, 701-777-3699
Advisory board member: Karissa Daws, Michigan
District 3 – Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner counties
Date: Nov. 12 – 7 p.m.
Location: LRSC, Chautauqua Room, 1801 College Dr. N., Devils Lake
Host: Devils Lake Tourism
Contact and advisory board member: Edward Dosch, Devils Lake, 701-351-4202
District 8 – Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope and Stark counties
Date: Nov. 19 – 7 p.m.
Location: Economic Development Corp, 13 E. Divide, Bowman
Host: Rob Brooks
Contact and advisory board member: Rob Brooks, Rhame, 701-440-8952
District 5 – Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele and Traill counties
Date: Nov. 20 – 7 p.m.
Location: City Hall, 241 Langer Ave. N., Casselton
Host: Cass County Wildlife Club
Contact: Gabe Kost, 701-212-8260
Advisory board member: Doug Madsen, Harwood
District 6 – Barnes, Dickey, Foster, Griggs, Logan, LaMoure, McIntosh, Stutsman and Wells counties
Date: Nov. 26 – 7 p.m.
Location: VCSU, Rhoades Science Center, Room 203, 101 College St., Valley City
Host: VCSU Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society
Contact: Bob Anderson, 605-695-1344
Advisory board member: Cody Sand, Ashley
District 1 – Divide, McKenzie and Williams counties
Date: to be announced
Location: to be announced
Host: to be announced
Contact: to be announced
Advisory board member: Beau Wisness, Keene
Permit Required to Possess Dead Deer
A permit is required before taking possession of a dead deer. Only shed antlers can be possessed without a permit.
Permits are free and available from North Dakota Game and Fish Department game wardens and local law enforcement offices.
In addition, hunters should properly dispose of dead deer. Carcass waste cannot be left on public property, including roadways, ditches or wildlife management areas.
If transported outside of its respective gun unit, carcass waste must be disposed of via landfill or waste management provider. This requirement does not apply to heads dropped off at chronic wasting disease collection sites, or lymph nodes submitted for CWD surveillance.
Order 2025 OUTDOORS Calendars
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is taking orders for its North Dakota OUTDOORS calendar, the source for all hunting season and application dates for 2025. Along with color photographs of North Dakota’s wildlife and outstanding scenery, it also includes sunrise-sunset times and moon phases.
The calendar is the North Dakota OUTDOORS magazine’s December issue, so current subscribers will automatically receive it in the mail.
Hunters, Recreationists Asked to be Aware of Fire Conditions
State wildlife and outdoor recreation agency officials said a weekend of historic fires in western North Dakota delivered a stark reminder to hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts about the need to be acutely aware of dry conditions while recreating outdoors.
While the need to be aware of the daily fire index is standard for hunters and state park visitors in North Dakota in fall, it’s especially true now considering the conditions and the fact that many hunters will be in the field for the pheasant season opener and hundreds of campers will visit North Dakota state parks this weekend.
“While hunters are always our eyes and ears in North Dakota’s rural areas in fall, it will be especially true this weekend with the highly anticipated pheasant season opening,” said Jeb Williams, North Dakota Game and Fish Department Director. “We encourage hunters who spot a fire caused by whatever means to report the situation immediately to law enforcement officials. We also encourage hunters to carry fire extinguishers, shovels, water and other tools. And it goes without saying to extinguish and discard smoking materials appropriately, not from a vehicle.”
Williams added that individuals who are not trained firefighters should not attempt to fight a fire that is out of control.
“Anyone recreating outdoors is asked to remain vigilant as dry conditions and wildfire risk remains high,” said North Dakota Parks and Recreation Director Cody Schulz. “We are grateful for the numerous first responders, local officials, and landowners for their efforts to battle these wildfires, and we encourage everyone that if they see something – a spark that ignites nearby grasses, or smoke in any vegetation or trees – to say something immediately by calling 9-1-1.”
An elevated fire danger index in most counties will likely influence outdoor activities. The most current wildfires and fire danger index can be found at NDResponse.gov. Conditions can change daily depending on temperature, wind and precipitation forecasts.
For those recreating outdoors this fall:
Be aware of current burn restrictions.
Make sure your chains aren't dragging when hauling boats, campers or trailers.
Don't drive or park vehicles on dry grass - this includes OHVs.
Never leave campfires unattended and be sure they are completely extinguished.
The daily rural fire danger index is issued by the National Weather Service to alert the public to conditions that may be conducive to the accidental starting or spread of fires. In addition, county governments have the authority to adopt penalties for violations of county restrictions related to burning bans. These restrictions apply regardless of the daily fire danger index and remain in place until each county’s commission rescinds the ban.
PLOTS Regulations
Hunting small game, waterfowl, furbearers or big game by nonresidents is prohibited by state law on Private Land Open To Sportsmen acreage and state wildlife management areas from Oct. 12-18, the first seven days of the pheasant season. However, nonresidents can hunt on PLOTS land they own during that week.
In addition, leaving equipment on PLOTS overnight, such as tree stands, blinds, decoys, firearms, archery equipment, or trail cameras, is not allowed without written permission from the landowner.
Permission from the landowner is always required for motorized vehicle access on PLOTS, such as for setting decoys in a field, unless specifically designated on the PLOTS sign.
Fall Mule Deer Survey Begins
The state Game and Fish Department’s annual fall aerial mule deer survey is set to begin Oct. 14 in western North Dakota. Weather permitting, the survey takes about two weeks to complete.
During the survey period, people could notice low-flying small airplanes over some parts of the badlands.
Game and Fish biologists have completed aerial surveys of the same 24 badlands study areas since the 1950s. The survey is used to collect mule deer population data for monitoring demographic trends, such as buck-to-doe and fawn-to-doe ratios.
North Dakota Game and Fish Department