Fur Harvester Classes Scheduled

Wed, 07/08/2026

The North Dakota Cooperative Fur Harvester Education Program is holding a class Aug. 4, 6, and 8 at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Bismarck and a class Oct. 1, 2 and 3 at the Velva Wildlife Club.

Fur harvester education classes are 16 hours in length, free, voluntary, and cover topics associated with trapping and fur hunting. Much of the instruction includes hands-on experience with traps and equipment commonly used for harvesting furbearers and properly caring for the pelts.

Successful completion of this training provides certification recognized by other states where mandatory trapper education training is required. Participants can enroll in the August class now on the Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov/education/fur-harvester. Enrollment for the October class will open at a later date. 

The North Dakota Cooperative Fur Harvester Education Program is also hosting a training seminar on using cable devices in North Dakota Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Velva Wildlife Club.

The seminar is free and available to anyone who would like information and experience using cable devices. All aspects of cable device construction, care, use, ethics, responsibility and legal requirements are covered. Much of the instruction includes hands-on field application and set construction. Preregistration is required by contacting Rick Tischaefer at 701-460-1055.

State Fair Conservation and Outdoor Skills Park

Wed, 07/08/2026

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will host thousands of visitors to its free Conservation and Outdoors Skills Park July 17-25 at the State Fair in Minot.

Visitors of all ages can try their hand at the fishing pond, air rifle shooting gallery and archery range. 

In addition to these hands-on outdoor activities, the area offers a live fish display, boat and water safety station, furbearer exhibit and native prairie plantings. An information center staffed by Game and Fish Department personnel is located in the Conservation and Outdoors Skills Park, on the north end of the fairgrounds near the State Fair Center.

The park is open daily during the fair from 1-7 p.m.

Report Boat Accidents

Wed, 07/08/2026

Boat accidents involving injury, death or disappearance of a person must be reported to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department within 48 hours of the occurrence. If property damage exceeds $2,000, but no deaths or injuries occur, a boat operator has five days to file a report.

These reporting requirements are mandatory whether one or more boats are involved.

To request a boat accident form, contact your local game warden.

Guide and Outfitter Exam Scheduled

Mon, 07/06/2026

The next guide and outfitter written examination is Aug. 15 at 1 p.m. at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department office in Bismarck. Preregistration is required no later than Aug. 7 by calling the Department’s enforcement office at 701-328-6604.

In addition to passing a written exam, qualifications for becoming a guide include a background check for criminal and game and fish violations; certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and standard first aid; and employment by or contract with a licensed hunting outfitter.

Hunting outfitter eligibility requirements include the guide qualifications, as well as an individual must have held a hunting guide license for two years; and must have proof of liability insurance.

The test is given periodically to anyone interested in becoming a guide or outfitter in the state.

Operation Dry Water: Heightened Boating Enforcement July 3-5

Mon, 06/29/2026

As boating traffic increases over the Fourth of July weekend, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, along with other law enforcement agencies, will increase on-the-water patrols and enforcement as part of Operation Dry Water, a national campaign focused on preventing boating under the influence. From July 3–5, officers will take part in the initiative in partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the U.S. Coast Guard. 

Alcohol use remains the leading contributing factor in recreational boating fatalities. As part of Operation Dry Water, Game and Fish will focus on public education, compliance checks, and enforcement efforts designed to identify and remove impaired vessel operators from the water. Boaters can expect an increased law enforcement presence, including targeted patrols and sobriety checks in high-traffic areas.

"The Fourth of July weekend is one of the busiest times of the year on the water," said Jackie Lundstrom, Department enforcement operation supervisor, "Boating under the influence is completely preventable, and it puts everyone at risk. Our wardens will be actively enforcing BUI laws to help ensure a safe holiday weekend for all waterway users."

Regardless of whether you are operating a vessel or riding as a passenger, alcohol- or drug-impaired boating increases the risk of incidents, injuries and fatalities. In North Dakota, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher. The department urges boaters to always boat sober and utilize a life jacket when on or near water.

Visit operationdrywater.org or gf.nd.gov for more information about safe boating.

Inspect All Boats, Docks and Lifts Before Buying or Selling

Mon, 06/29/2026

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department urges people to check boats, trailers, docks, lifts, and all other water-related equipment for aquatic nuisance species before buying or selling. During summer, there is an elevated risk of having ANS, like zebra mussels, attached to submerged equipment.

North Dakota requires all docks, lifts and related equipment to be dried and left out of the water for at least 21 days before being placed in another water.

Ben Holen, Game and Fish Department ANS coordinator, said “While often overlooked, docks and lifts are one of the highest risk vectors for starting new zebra mussel infestations.  Following the 21-day out-of-water rule is critical to preventing the spread of mussels to cabin lakes in North Dakota.” 

Protecting our waters is everyone’s responsibility. Please remember to follow all 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 aquatic bait into the state. For Class I ANS Infested waters, aquatic bait cannot be transported away from the water during the open-water months. At all other waters, bait must be transported in a container that holds 5 gallons or less. It is illegal to dump unused bait on shore or into the lake. 

For more information on aquatic nuisance species, visit the department’s website at gf.nd.gov.

Grouse Surveys

Thu, 06/25/2026

Each spring, North Dakota Game and Fish Department staff count the number of male sharp-tailed grouse, greater prairie chickens and greater sage grouse dancing on leks, while also tallying the number of male ruffed grouse drumming in suitable aspen habitats. 

These surveys serve as relative indices of spring breeding populations. 

“The sharp-tailed grouse counts were mixed across the state this spring, which resulted in an unchanged statewide count compared to 2025,” said Jesse Kolar, department upland game management supervisor. 

This result was better than expected following poor reproduction and decreases in adult sharptail densities in last summer’s roadside surveys and the 24% decrease in hunter harvest last fall. 

“Thus, we expected to see very poor numbers for lek counts this spring, but we suspect that our mild winter led to minimal mortality and helped minimize losses after the cool and wet summer of 2025,” Kolar said.  

By district, observers saw 4.9 males per square mile in the southwest, down 8% from 2025; 5 males per square mile in the prairie potholes, up 2%; and 2.9 males per square mile in the drift prairie, up 10% from last year. The only remaining survey block in the Red River Valley is Grand Forks County, which is not a primary region for sharptails but was up 9% from last year. 

Ruffed grouse survey results indicated an uptick in drums heard in the Turtle Mountains (+40%) and a decrease in the Pembina Hills (-15%) compared to 2025.

“In contiguous forest habitats, ruffed grouse numbers usually rise and fall in cycles, but because habitat in North Dakota is isolated and fragmented, we have not seen these peaks, but the population has been increasing slightly since 2019,” Kolar said. 

Small greater prairie chicken populations remain in Grand Forks County and the Sheyenne National Grasslands but overall, North Dakota no longer holds enough suitable, intact tallgrass prairie to support a huntable population. 

Only one male and one female sage grouse were observed in 2026. Both sage grouse and greater prairie chicken hunting seasons will remain closed. 

Overall, the long-term outlook for our native prairie grouse remains a concern due to grassland conversion, fragmentation and woody encroachment on prairies. 

Deer Lottery Held, Licenses Remain

Wed, 06/24/2026

North Dakota’s deer gun lottery has been held. More than 72,000 individuals applied for a deer gun lottery license, in addition to over 12,000 gratis applicants. The 2026 deer gun proclamation allowed for 39,100 deer gun season licenses.

More than 1,200 licenses remain. Only resident applicants who were unsuccessful in the lottery can apply online for remaining licenses beginning July 1, with a deadline of July 15.

Licenses will be mailed to successful applicants in early August.

Remaining Deer Gun Licenses:

Pronghorn Survey Begins

Mon, 06/22/2026

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual aerial pronghorn survey will begin June 28 and is scheduled to be completed within two weeks.

During the survey period, small airplanes will sometimes fly low over parts of western North Dakota.

The survey determines pronghorn abundance, herd demographics and fawn production. This data is used to set the number of licenses for the fall hunting season.

Fireworks Prohibited on WMAs, Camping Restrictions Lifted for Holiday

Mon, 06/22/2026

With Independence Day approaching, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department reminds outdoor recreationists fireworks on state wildlife management areas are prohibited.

The primary objective of a wildlife management area is to enhance wildlife production, provide hunting and fishing opportunities, and offer other outdoor recreation compatible with these objectives. Activities that do not disrupt the intentions are encouraged, and fireworks are not compatible.

In addition, the department will lift the Tuesday-Wednesday no-camping restriction for the Fourth of July holiday week, which will allow overnight camping June 30 and July 1 on those WMAs that otherwise have this two-day restriction.

Crowing Counts Up Statewide

Thu, 06/18/2026

The number of roosters heard during the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 2026 spring pheasant crowing count survey was 23.2 crows per stop, up 9% statewide from last year.

“Overwinter survival of adult pheasants has been outstanding. Typically, we lose up to 75% of our pheasant population each winter, but that has not been the case as of late,” said RJ Gross, Department upland game management biologist.

By region, observers heard 32.7 crows per stop in the southwest, up 5% from 2025; 22.2 crows per stop in the northwest, up 4%; and 23.1 crows per stop in the southeast, up 24% from last year. The count in the northeast, which is not a primary region for pheasants, was 9.3 crows per stop, up 43% from 2025.

Crowing counts are just one part of the picture, providing a glimpse of the population going into the breeding season. But Gross expects more good news as the peak of the pheasant hatch approaches.

“Entering the nesting season, residual grass cover looked good,” Gross said. “We have received ample precipitation that has led to increased growth in nesting and brood rearing cover across the state. Combined with high overwinter survival over the past three years and near ideal nesting habitat conditions, things are looking great for pheasants in North Dakota.”

Pheasant crowing counts are conducted each spring throughout North Dakota. Observers drive specified routes, stopping at predetermined intervals, and counting the number of roosters heard crowing. The number of pheasant crows heard is compared to previous years’ data, providing a trend summary.

As always, the late summer roadside counts conducted in July and August will give a better idea of brood production and the hunting outlook for fall. 

For the full story, watch this week’s North Dakota Outdoors Webcast with R.J. Gross.

Zebra Mussels Discovered in Horseshoe Lake

Wed, 06/17/2026

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has confirmed invasive zebra mussels in Horseshoe Lake, Richland County, after detecting zebra mussel veligers in routine plankton tow net samples. 

Department aquatic nuisance species coordinator Ben Holen said subsequent follow-up sampling found additional adult mussels in the lake.

The 275-acre lake is located 5 miles southwest of Hankinson and is near Lake Elsie, which has had zebra mussels present for a number of years.

Horseshoe Lake is now considered a Class I ANS Infested waters. 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. 

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 aquatic bait into the state. For Class I ANS Infested waters, aquatic bait cannot be transported away from the water during the open-water months. In all other areas, bait must be transported in a container that holds 5 gallons or less. It is illegal to dump unused bait on shore or into the lake. 
• All docks, lifts and related equipment must be dried and left out of water for at least 21 days before being placed in another water.

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

• Avoid mooring watercraft in zebra mussels infested waters. 
• Clean – remove plants, animals and excessive mud prior to leaving a water access.
• Drain – drain all water prior to leaving a water access.
• Dry – allow equipment to dry completely before using again or disinfect.

For more information about ANS in North Dakota, options for disinfection, or to report a possible ANS, visit https://gf.nd.gov/ans.