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News Releases

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

News Releases

Feathers for Science

Hunters can help in the effort to manage upland game birds in the state by collecting feathers from harvested birds and sending in wing envelopes.

Birds included in the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s upland game wing survey, which has been in practice for decades, are ring-necked pheasants, sharp-tailed grouse, gray partridge (commonly referred to as Hungarian partridge), turkeys and ruffed grouse.

Collecting enough pheasant samples is typically never a problem, but securing enough sharptail and partridge feathers can be.

Game and Fish biologists will take as many sharptail and partridge feathers as they can get because the more collected, the better the data. Biologists can determine sex and age ratios from wings and tail feathers, survival, nesting success, hatch dates and overall production. What biologists learn from the samples is vital to helping manage North Dakota’s upland game birds.

Hunters interested in receiving wing envelopes should visit the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov, or contact the Department’s main office in Bismarck at 701-328-6300 or email ndgf@nd.gov.

Hunters can also get wing envelopes at Game and Fish District offices in Devils Lake, Jamestown, Riverdale, Dickinson, Williston and Lonetree Wildlife Management Area near Harvey.

 

Upland Game Brood Survey

North Dakota’s roadside surveys conducted in late July and August indicate pheasant numbers were up, while gray partridge and sharp-tailed grouse numbers were down.

Game and Fish Department upland game biologist RJ Gross said although the state experienced a mild winter and an optimistic start to the breeding season, the wet, cold June appears to have impacted partridge and sharptails particularly, leading to smaller brood sizes for pheasants.

“Hunters should expect to find similar numbers to last year, with a higher proportion of adult pheasants in the population, smaller partridge coveys and slightly fewer sharptail,” Gross said.

Total pheasants observed (94.5 per 100 miles) are up 25% from last year and broods (11.6) per 100 miles are up 33%. The average brood size (5.5) is down 13%. The final summary is based on 274 survey runs made along 100 brood routes across North Dakota.

Observers in the northwest counted 20.8 broods and 164 pheasants per 100 miles, up from 19.1 broods and 159 pheasants in 2023. Average brood size was 5.3 chicks.

Results from the southeast showed 7.9 broods and 57 pheasants per 100 miles, up from 5.9 broods and 53 pheasants in 2023. Average brood size was 4.6 chicks.

Statistics from southwestern North Dakota indicated 13.8 broods and 119 pheasants per 100 miles, up from 9.7 broods and 86.2 pheasants in 2023. Average brood size was six chicks.

The northeast district, generally containing secondary pheasant habitat with lower pheasant numbers compared to the rest of the state, showed 4.3 broods and 37 pheasants per 100 miles, compared to two broods and 19 pheasants last year. Average brood size was 5.5 chicks.

Sharptails were down 20% statewide (23 sharptail per 100 miles), but remain above the 10-year average. Brood survey results showed 2.4 broods per 100 miles and an average brood size of 5.5, which is mediocre for grouse reproduction.

Partridge observed per 100 miles were down 20% from the near all-time high in 2023, and remain at high densities (29 partridge per 100 miles). Observers recorded 2.3 broods per 100 miles (the second highest in 20 years), but only an average of 8.3 chicks per brood (the lowest since 2018).

The grouse and partridge seasons open Sept. 14 and continue through Jan. 5, 2025.

The pheasant season opens Oct. 12 and continues through Jan. 5, 2025. The two-day youth pheasant hunting weekend, when legally licensed residents and nonresidents 15 and younger can hunt statewide, is set for Oct. 5-6.

Seven Bighorn Sheep Licenses

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department allocated seven bighorn sheep licenses for the 2024 hunting season, one more than last year.

One license was issued in unit B1, two in B3, two in B4 and one in B5. In addition, one license, as authorized under North Dakota Century Code, was auctioned in March by the Midwest Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation, from which all proceeds are used to enhance bighorn sheep management in North Dakota.

In total, 19,889 applicants applied for bighorn sheep. Successful applicants have been notified.

Prospective hunters were required to apply for a bighorn license earlier this year on the bighorn sheep, moose and elk application.

Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest

The deadline for submitting entries in the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest is Oct. 1.

The contest has categories for nongame and game species, as well as plants/insects. An overall winning photograph will be chosen, with the number of place winners in each category determined by the number of qualified entries.

Photographers should go to the Game and Fish Department’s website at gf.nd.gov/photo-contest. Then it is a matter of providing some pertinent information about the photo and uploading it. Doing so helps both with ease of submitting photos for the photographer and managing those images for department staff. 

Contestants are limited to five entries. Photos must have been taken in North Dakota.

By submitting an entry, photographers grant permission to Game and Fish to publish winning photographs in North Dakota OUTDOORS, the department’s website and social media channels.

 

Remaining Fall Turkey Licenses Available Sept. 18

The fall wild turkey lottery has been held and more than 900 licenses remain in 10 units. Unsuccessful applicants will have a refund issued to their credit card.

Beginning at 8 a.m. Central time on Sept. 18, all remaining licenses will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Hunters are allowed a maximum of five licenses for the fall season.

Resident and nonresident hunters must purchase a license online at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.

The fall turkey season runs Oct. 12 – Jan. 5, 2025.

Licenses remain for the following units: Unit 03, Benson and Ramsey counties and a portion of Pierce County, (11); Unit 04, portions of Billings and Golden Valley counties, (27); Unit 13, Dunn County, (529); Unit 19, Grant and Sioux counties and portions of Morton County, (27); Unit 25, McHenry County and portions of Pierce and Ward counties, (214); Unit 31, Mountrail County, (24); Unit 44, Slope County, (20); Unit 45, Stark County, (23); Unit 47, Eddy, Foster, Kidder, Sheridan, Stutsman and Wells counties, (22); and Unit 51, Burke County, Renville County and a portion of Ward County, (27).

 

 

Youth, Military Waterfowl Weekend

Introduce a youngster to duck hunting during North Dakota’s two-day youth waterfowl weekend Sept. 14-15. In addition, the special veteran and active military personnel waterfowl season is set for the same weekend.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has a Virtual Duck Hunting Mentor webpage with all the basics, including license requirements, regulations, gear recommendations and tips for finding a place to hunt.

Legally licensed resident and nonresident youth waterfowl hunters 15 and younger, and veterans and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training), may hunt ducks, geese, coots and mergansers statewide.

The daily bag limit and species restrictions are the same as for regular duck and goose seasons. However, the additional two blue-winged teal allowed during the first 16 days of the regular season are not allowed during this weekend, and hunters should adhere to early Canada goose regulations when hunting in an open early September Canada goose zone.

Resident and qualifying nonresident youth waterfowl hunters must possess a general game and habitat license. 

Veterans and members of the Armed Forces must possess a resident hunting license, which includes a general game and habitat license and a small game license. 

Hunters 16 and older must also possess a federal waterfowl stamp, and youth 12 and older need to have passed a certified hunter education course.

In addition, all hunters must be Harvest Information Program certified. Hunters who do not HIP certify when they buy a North Dakota license can add it by visiting the state Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov.

 

Zebra Mussels Discovered in South Golden Lake

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has confirmed the presence of invasive zebra mussels in South Golden Lake, Steele County, after detecting zebra mussel veligers in routine net samples. 

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

The 331-acre lake is a popular recreation destination located 13 miles southwest of Hatton. 

Due to its immediate downstream connection, North Golden will be listed with South Golden Lake as Class I ANS infested waters. These lakes join Lake Elsie, Twin Lakes, Lake LaMoure, Lake Ashtabula, lower portion of the Sheyenne River, and the Red River in this designation. 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. 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. 

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 or disinfect before using again. This includes boat docks and boat lifts. North Dakota Administrative Code states that “All docks, lifts and related equipment must be dried and left out of water for at least 21 days before they may be placed in another water.” For more information about ANS in North Dakota, options for disinfection, or to report a possible ANS, visit https://gf.nd.gov/ans. 

 

Sandhill Crane Season

North Dakota’s sandhill crane season opens Sept. 14 and runs through Nov. 10.

Limits are three daily and nine in possession in unit 1 (west of U.S. Highway 281), and two daily and six in possession in unit 2 (east of U.S. Highway 281). Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 2 p.m. each day, with extended shooting hours to sunset on Saturdays and Wednesdays beginning Sept. 21 through the end of the season.

Hunters are urged to use caution and identify birds to prevent shooting at endangered whooping cranes as they begin their fall migration.

In addition to other licenses required, resident hunters need a $10 crane permit, while nonresidents need a $30 permit. Hunters can buy a license online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.

Harvest Information Program certification is required. To get HIP certified, access the Game and Fish website.

Fall Turkey Deadline

North Dakota’s fall turkey application deadline is Sept. 4.

Fall turkey hunters, including gratis applicants, can submit an online application through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov.

Only North Dakota residents are eligible to apply. Nonresidents can apply for remaining fall turkey licenses following the first lottery.

 

 

Youth Deer Season

Friday, Sept. 13 at noon Central time signals the start of a nine-and-a-half-day deer hunting season for licensed youth hunters.

Residents who are 11, 12 or 13 in 2024 can hunt statewide for antlerless white-tailed deer.

Resident deer gun hunters who are 14 or 15 in 2024 can hunt statewide with a youth season license for any deer, except for antlered mule deer in units 3B1, 3B2, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 4F where a special license is required.

The youth license is valid during the youth deer season, closes Sept. 22, and the regular deer gun season, open from Nov. 8-24.

After opening day, hunting hours are a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset. Orange clothing is required for youth hunters and mentors.

Each young deer hunter must be under direct supervision of an adult. The adult is prohibited from carrying a firearm or bow while accompanying the youth hunter in the field during the youth season.

Grouse, Partridge Seasons

North Dakota’s hunting seasons for grouse and partridge will open Sept. 14.

Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Sharptails, ruffed grouse and gray partridge, commonly called Hungarian partridge, each have a daily limit of three and a possession limit of 12.

All hunters, regardless of age, must have a general game and habitat license. In addition, hunters 16 and older need a small game license.

Grouse and partridge hunters should refer to North Dakota OUTDOORS August-September issue for an outlook on the fall hunting season, available online by the season opener on the state Game and Fish Department’s website gf.nd.gov.

Hunters are urged to keep up with the daily rural fire danger index, issued by the National Weather Service, to alert the public to conditions that may be conducive to accidental starting or spread of fires. County governments also 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. Information on current fire danger indexes is available through ndresponse.gov.

For other season information and regulations, hunters should consult the North Dakota 2024-25 Hunting and Trapping Guide. 

 

 

 

Chronic Wasting Disease Proclamation

Big game hunters should note the 2024 chronic wasting disease proclamation for baiting and transportation requirements for deer, elk and moose as a precaution against the spread of chronic wasting disease.

Noteworthy items include:

  • Deer gun hunting unit 2B is removed from the list of units where baiting is restricted after the minimum sampling requirement was met with no positive detections.
  • No new units have been added to the baiting restriction list for 2024-25.
  • Hunters are prohibited from transporting into North Dakota the whole carcass or parts, except the lower-risk portions, of deer, elk, moose or other members of the cervid family harvested outside of North Dakota.

State Game and Fish Department officials will conduct surveillance of the state by region on a four-year rotation. This year, the CWD surveillance effort will consist of deer gun units in northeastern North Dakota. Outside of this area, hunters can still have their animal tested by taking it to a Game and Fish district office, any deer head collection site (primarily located in the surveillance area) or using a mail-in self-sampling kit. A unit outside the annual surveillance zone is still eligible to have a baiting restriction removed if the sampling goal is met, or can be added as a restricted unit if a positive is found.