2016 Waterfowl Regulations Set

Mon, 08/01/2016

North Dakota’s 2016 waterfowl season is set, with the season framework similar to last year.

Opening day for North Dakota residents is Sept. 24 for ducks, geese, coots and mergansers. Nonresidents may begin hunting waterfowl in North Dakota Oct. 1. The season for swans opens Oct. 1 for both residents and nonresidents.

Hunters may take six ducks per day with the following restrictions: five mallards of which two may be hens, three wood ducks, three scaup, two redheads, two pintails and two canvasbacks. Similar to last year, hunters can take an additional two blue-winged teal from Sept. 24 through Oct. 9. The daily limit of five mergansers may include no more than two hooded mergansers. For ducks and mergansers, the possession limit is three times the daily limit.

The hunting season for Canada geese in the Missouri River zone will close Dec. 30, while the remainder of the state will close Dec. 22. The season for whitefronts closes Dec. 4, while the season on light geese is open through Jan. 1, 2017. Shooting hours for all geese are one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. each day through Nov. 5. Beginning Nov. 6, shooting hours are extended until 2 p.m. each day.

Extended shooting hours for all geese are permitted from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset on Saturdays and Wednesdays through Nov. 23, and on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays from Nov. 24 through the end of each season.

The bag limit for Canada geese during the regular season is eight daily and 24 in possession, except in the Missouri River zone where the limit is five daily and 15 in possession.

The daily limit on whitefronts is three with nine in possession, and light goose is 50 daily, with no possession limit.

The early Canada goose season will open Aug. 15 and continue through Sept. 15, except in the Missouri River Zone where the season ends Sept. 7. The early Canada goose season has a limit of 15 daily and 45 in possession.

The special youth waterfowl hunting season is Sept. 17-18. Legally licensed residents and nonresidents 15 years of age or younger can hunt ducks, coots, mergansers and geese statewide. Youth hunters must have a general game and habitat license and a fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. A licensed adult of at least 18 years of age must accompany the youth hunter into the field.

Nonresidents have the option of buying either a statewide waterfowl license or one with zone restrictions. Nonresidents who designate zones 1 or 2 may hunt that zone for only one seven-day period during the season. Nonresident hunters who chose to hunt in zone 1 or 2 and wish to use the full 14 consecutive days allowed, must use the other seven days in zone 3. Hunters in zone 3 can hunt that zone the entire 14 days.

In accordance with state law, nonresidents are not allowed to hunt on North Dakota Game and Fish Department wildlife management areas or conservation PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) areas from Oct. 8-14.

Hunters who do not HIP certify when they buy a North Dakota license, can add it later through the Game and Fish website at gf.nd.gov, or by calling 888-634-4798 and recording the HIP number on their printed license. Those who registered to hunt North Dakota’s spring light goose season or early Canada goose season do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required in each state only once per year.

Hunters should refer to the 2016 North Dakota Waterfowl Hunting Guide for further details on the waterfowl season. Paper copies will be at license vendors in early September.

Pronghorn Applications Due Aug. 3

Mon, 07/25/2016

Prospective pronghorn hunters are reminded the deadline to apply for the 2016 hunting season is Aug. 3.

Applicants can apply online by visiting the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov, or by calling 800-406-6409. Paper applications are available for printing off the website, and from license vendors.

A total of 730 licenses are available in seven open units – 1A, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A and 4C. All licenses are valid for any pronghorn.

The bow-only portion of the season is from Sept 2 (noon) – Sept. 25. Anyone who draws a license can hunt pronghorn with a bow in the unit printed on the license.

From Sept. 30 (noon) – Oct.16, hunters who still have a valid license can use legal firearms or archery equipment, and again must stay in the assigned unit.

Only North Dakota residents are eligible to apply for a 2016 pronghorn license. People who have accumulated bonus points and choose not to apply this year will not lose their points. 

Deer Lottery Held, Antlerless Licenses Remain

Mon, 07/25/2016

North Dakota’s deer gun lottery has been held and individual results are available online at the State Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov.

More than 1,600 antlerless deer gun licenses remain. Only resident applicants who were unsuccessful in the first lottery can apply for remaining licenses.

The first lottery application process – deer gun, muzzleloader, youth and landowner – had more than 102,000 applicants, and over 51,000 were unsuccessful.

An option for unsuccessful applicants to apply online for remaining licenses will be available Aug. 3. Paper applications for remaining licenses will be mailed to individuals the week of Aug. 1. The deadline for applying is Aug. 24.

Remaining Deer Gun Licenses

(B = Any Antlerless    D = Antlerless Whitetail   F = Antlerless Mule Deer)

Game Warden Exam Set for Aug. 5

Mon, 07/25/2016

Individuals interested in taking the district game warden exam scheduled for Aug. 5 are reminded to register no later than Aug. 1, by submitting an online application through the North Dakota State Job Openings website.

The test is at 10 a.m. at the department's main office in Bismarck.

Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and have a bachelor’s degree at time of hire (tentative hire date is Oct. 1), have a valid driver’s license and a current North Dakota peace officer license, or be eligible to be licensed. Candidates must have excellent interpersonal skills in communications and writing, and must not have a record of any felony convictions.

District game wardens enforce game and fish laws and related regulations in an assigned district and other locations as determined by the department. Wardens normally work alone under varied conditions, at all hours of the day, night and weekends. In addition to law enforcement duties, wardens assist in the areas of public relations, education programs, and hunter and boat safety education.

Salary through training for a district game warden is $3,800 per month. Upon successful completion of training, the monthly salary ranges are $4,260 - $7,100. Wardens also receive the state benefits package, including travel allowance. Uniforms and other equipment are provided. 

Anglers Asked to Look for Tagged Salmon

Mon, 07/25/2016

Anglers who catch a tagged salmon are reminded to turn in the heads and report information to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Anglers can identify a tagged salmon by looking at the adipose fin – a small fleshy lobe found on the back toward the tail. If the fin is missing it was likely removed by Game and Fish biologists and the salmon probably has a micro-tag embedded in its head. There is no external tag.

Micro-tags are inserted into a sample of young salmon before being stocked into Lake Sakakawea. This microscopic tag is implanted near the snout, and contains a code that identifies stocking information.

Heads can be turned into Game and Fish, or local bait shops in Riverdale and Pick City. Anglers will be provided information about the fish when tags are extracted and read by biologists.

Hunting Guide and Outfitter Test Set

Mon, 07/18/2016

The next guide and outfitter written examination is Aug. 13 at 1 p.m. at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department office in Bismarck. The test is given periodically to anyone interested in becoming a hunting guide or outfitter in the state.

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.

Interested individuals are required to preregister by calling the Game and Fish Department’s enforcement office at 328-6604.

Some Hunter Education Classes Available

Mon, 07/18/2016

Adults and children looking to take a hunter education class in 2016 are reminded to enroll at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website.

Hunter education coordinator John Mazur said the majority of classes were held by the end of May. However, he said classes will still be added throughout the year as they become finalized.

“Our volunteer instructors will be adding classes, but not nearly as many as we move toward the fall,” Mazur said. “That’s why it is important to monitor our website and to act quickly when a class suits your needs.”

To register, click on the hunter ed enrollment link and “list of hunter education courses.” Classes are listed by city, and can also be sorted by start date. To register for a class, click on “enroll” next to the specific class, and follow the simple instructions. Personal information is required.

Those who do not have access to the Internet and want to sign up for a class can call the hunter education program in Bismarck at 701-328-6615.

Individuals interested in receiving a notice by email when each hunter education class is added can click on the “subscribe to news, email and text alerts” link found below the news section on the department’s home page. Check the box labeled “hunter education class notification” under the education program updates.

In addition, SMS text notifications of new classes can be sent directly to a cell phone. Simply text “NDGF HunterClass” to 468311 to subscribe to this feature.

State law requires anyone born after December 31, 1961 to pass a certified hunter education course to hunt in the state. Hunter education is mandatory for youth who are turning 12 years old, and children can take the class at age 11.

Pronghorn Hunting Season Set, Online Apps Available Monday

Mon, 07/18/2016

North Dakota’s 2016 pronghorn hunting season is set, with 730 licenses available in seven open units, according to Jeb Williams, wildlife chief for the State Game and Fish Department.

Along with units 3B, 4A and 4C, which were the only open units in 2015, units 1A, 2A, 2B and 3A will hold a limited number of licenses.

“Overall, our pronghorn numbers are up 34 percent from last year, with better fawn production of 66 fawns per 100 does compared to 52 per 100 in 2015,” Williams said. “With an average winter, the foundation is set for an even larger increase next year as many other units are doing well and are close to opening with the observed population levels. But we are continuing to be conservative to ensure steady population growth throughout the pronghorn range.”

A total of 110 licenses are available in 1A, 60 in 2A, 40 in 2B, 35 in 3A, 110 in 3B, 300 in 4A and 75 in 4C. All licenses are valid for any pronghorn.

Similar to last year, each unit will have a season that is split into an early “bow-only” portion, and a later gun/bow season.

The bow-only portion of the season is from Sept 2 (noon) – Sept. 25. Anyone who draws a license can hunt pronghorn with a bow in the unit printed on the license.

From Sept. 30 (noon) – Oct.16, hunters who still have a valid license can use legal firearms or bow equipment, and again must stay in the assigned unit.

Only North Dakota residents are eligible to apply for a 2016 pronghorn license. Williams said people who have accumulated bonus points and choose not to apply this year will not lose their points.

In addition, state law allows youth who turn age 12 on or before December 31, 2016 to apply for a license.

Applicants can apply online at the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov starting Monday, July 18. Paper applications will be available by July 22 for printing off the website, and from license vendors, or by calling 800-406-6409.

The pronghorn license fee is $30, and the deadline for submitting applications is Aug. 3.

Game and Fish at State Fair

Mon, 07/11/2016

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will host thousands of visitors to its free Conservation and Outdoors Skills Park July 22-30 at the State Fair in Minot.

Visitors will be treated to an array of activities, exhibits and useful information as the park is open from 1-7 p.m. daily. Pathways to Hunting, Fishing, Trapping and Archery are major attractions where interested kids and adults can participate in each outdoor activity.

In addition to hands-on outdoor learning opportunities, the area offers a live fish display, furbearer exhibit and native prairie plantings. Two information centers staffed by Game and Fish Department personnel bookend the Conservation and Outdoors Skills Park, which is located on the north end of the fairgrounds near the State Fair Center. 

Aug. 1 Deadline for NDDOCR Archery Hunt

Mon, 07/11/2016

An experimental antlerless deer archery season will open this fall on the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation land south of Bismarck.

Interested hunters must apply for an access permit from NDDOCR at www.nd.gov/docr (under the Archery Hunt header) before receiving a license. The deadline for applying is Aug. 1 at 4 p.m. Only 25 access permits will be issued.

A maximum of 75 antlerless deer licenses will be available from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Bismarck office. Each access permit holder can purchase up to three antlerless white-tailed deer licenses.

Other details, including areas open to hunting, is determined by the NDDOCR. For more information, refer to the NDDOCR website.

Record Production, Lakes Stocked

Mon, 07/11/2016

With North Dakota’s recent growth in walleye fisheries, a record 150-plus lakes across the state were stocked with nearly 11 million walleye fingerlings earlier this summer. Jerry Weigel, North Dakota Game and Fish Department fisheries production and development section leader, said this was made possible by record production of 10.4 million fingerlings at Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery. “This is probably the most walleyes ever produced at a single hatchery anywhere in the country,” Weigel said. “Only one time in the past 20 years has 10 million fingerlings been reached.” Valley City National Fish Hatchery also had a good year, shipping 1.7 million fingerlings. “Talk about bumper crops,” Weigel said. “This was a great year for both hatcheries.” While the 30-day old fish averaged 1.25 inches, the cumulative weight tallied nearly 8,500 pounds, which made for an intense couple of weeks delivering fish. In total, 154 lakes and rivers were stocked in North Dakota, including Devils Lake (1.7 million fingerlings) and Lake Sakakawea (1.3 million). Some other waters to receive fingerlings were Stump Lake (518,000); Lake Darling (461,000); Heart Butte Reservoir (320,000); Lake Ashtabula (305,000); Lake Audubon (234,000); Pipestem Reservoir (203,000); and Alkaline Lake (200,000). One common observation Weigel noted while traveling across the state was the number of anglers fishing from boats and from shore. “You now see boats and trailers in counties you never did before. We are fortunate to have the production capability at the hatcheries to adequately stock and maintain these fisheries statewide,” Weigel said. “Given all the new fishable waters across North Dakota’s prairie, there’s never been a better time to fish in the state.” For a complete list of all fish stockings, visit the Game and Fish Department’s website.

Secondary Boat Ramp at Beaver Bay, Lake Oahe to Close for Repairs

Wed, 07/06/2016

The Beaver Bay boat ramp located east of Highway 1804 on Lake Oahe will be closed July 11-15 for road repairs and construction.

The main ramp at Beaver Bay will remain open.