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News Releases

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

News Releases

Federal Duck Stamp Required Sept. 1

A federal duck stamp is required for waterfowl hunters 16 and older beginning Sept. 1. Waterfowl includes ducks, geese, swans, mergansers and coots.

This year’s 2021-22 federal duck stamp is available for electronic purchase through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov, or at license vendors registered with the department’s licensing system. Physical stamps are not available at North Dakota license vendors but can still be purchased at many U.S. Postal Service offices.

The electronic stamp is a purchase item like any other hunting or fishing license. When the purchase is completed the electronic stamp is valid immediately. “Federal Duck Stamp” will be printed on the license certificate, along with an expiration date 45 days from the date of purchase. The actual physical stamp will be sent by postal mail.

The physical stamp is processed and sent by the official duck stamp vendor in Texas, and should arrive to the individual buyer well before the expiration date printed on the electronic license. The physical stamp must remain in possession of the hunter after the 45-day electronic stamp has expired. Individuals with questions regarding the status of their physical stamp can contact the federal duck stamp vendor customer service number at 800-852-4897.

The federal duck stamp has a fee of $25. An additional $2 fee is added to cover shipping and handling costs of the physical stamp. 

Try Hunting Doves This Season

Want to take someone new hunting this fall? If so, the upcoming dove season offers a great opportunity to introduce a new hunter to North Dakota’s outdoors.

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

The season opens Sept.1 and continues through Nov. 29.

All dove hunters regardless of age must possess a general game and habitat license, and hunters 16 and older need a small game license.

Hunters are also reminded to register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting any migratory game birds, including doves. Those who already HIP registered prior to hunting the spring light goose or August management take/early September Canada goose seasons in North Dakota do not have to register with HIP again.

Deer Archery Season Opens Sept. 3

North Dakota’s deer bow season opens Friday, Sept. 3 at noon and continues through Jan. 2, 2022.

Bowhunters can buy a license online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov, or at vendors linked to the department’s online licensing system.

Hunters should plan accordingly and allow for time to receive their tag in the mail, as this year the tag will arrive by postal mail and not over the counter while the customer waits. This applies while purchasing a bow license at a license vendor, or at the Game and Fish Department’s main office in Bismarck.

All archery hunters must have a bow tag in possession before hunting.

Bowhunters must follow all regulations of the managing agency when using tree stands, ground blinds and game cameras on public hunting areas, including displaying an equipment registration number, or the owner's name, address and telephone number, on all equipment left unattended on Game and Fish wildlife management areas.

In addition, hunting big game over bait is prohibited on both public and private land in deer hunting units 3A1, 3A2, 3A3, 3A4, 3B1, 3C west of the Missouri River, 3E1, 3E2, 3F1, 3F2, 4A, 4B and 4C.

Hunters should refer to the 2021 deer hunting guide for season information and regulations. 

Flowering Rush Found on James, Sheyenne Rivers

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department needs assistance in identifying populations of flowering rush, an aquatic nuisance species, with separate findings by department staff on the James and Sheyenne rivers.

Ben Holen, ANS coordinator, said fisheries staff are actively looking for flowering rush and other ANS species during regular work activities. In addition to these efforts, fisheries management personnel dedicate time solely to ANS detection and surveillance on waters around the state.

Flowering rush can be identified by its umbel cluster of 25-50 pink flowers and can generally be found along shorelines of slow-moving water, but can also grow deeper than three meters under water in some areas of the country.

“We really want to catch these ANS introductions early, because it allows us to have a full assortment of management options, including eradication in some instances,” Holen said. “The more eyes we have on the landscape, the better.

“Under the right conditions, flowering rush can outcompete native vegetation, restrict lake access for shore anglers and impede boating,” he continued. “In canals and drainage ditches, flowering rush has significantly reduced water flow.”

To report a flowering rush sighting or any other ANS, visit https://gf.nd.gov/ans/report.

For more information about ANS in North Dakota, visit https://gf.nd.gov/ans. 

Swan Lottery Held

North Dakota’s swan lottery has been held and all 2,200 licenses were issued.

A total of 2,402 applications were received. Unsuccessful applicants received a refund to their credit card.

Individual results are available online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov.

Youth Outdoor Festival Sept. 2 in Minot

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department, local wildlife clubs and other sponsors will usher youngsters into fall during the annual Youth Outdoor Festival in Minot.

The event is Thursday, Sept. 2 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Game and Fish Conservation and Outdoors Skills Park on the grounds of the North Dakota State Fair.

Young outdoor enthusiasts will experience a number of outdoor activities that relate to archery, fishing, waterfowl and upland game. Prizes will be awarded.

For more information, contact Game and Fish outreach biologist Greg Gullickson at 701-720-1640.

Fire Danger Index for Fall Outdoor Activity

As hunting seasons and other fall activities get underway, hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts need to be aware of the daily fire danger index.

Considering this year’s prolonged drought, combined with typical dry, late-summer and early-fall ground conditions, an elevated fire danger index in most counties will likely influence outdoor activities.

Hunters are urged to keep up with the daily rural fire danger index, which 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.

Hunters should consider bringing along a shovel, fire extinguisher, extra water and heavy fabric as an extra precaution. However, individuals who are not trained firefighters should not attempt to fight a fire that is out of control. Instead, contact the nearest rural fire department immediately.

Also, hunters should stay clear of tall vegetation when parking a vehicle.

The fire danger index can change daily depending on temperature, wind and precipitation forecasts. If the index reaches the high, very high or extreme category, open burning is prohibited; off-road travel with a motorized vehicle is prohibited, except for people engaged in a trade, business or occupation where it is required; and smoking is restricted to inside of vehicles, hard surface areas, homes or in approved buildings.

Information on current fire danger indexes is available at NDResponse.gov.

Equipment Registration Number Used for Identification

Hunters, trappers and anglers are reminded that an equipment registration number, or the individual’s name, address and telephone number, must be displayed on all equipment requiring identification.

In addition, a new state law requires written permission from the owner of the property, or an individual authorized by the owner, for an individual to install camera/video equipment on private property, and the equipment must be identified.

While on state wildlife management areas, identification is required on items such as ground blinds, tree stands, cameras and traps.

Identification must be attached to cable devices that are set on either private or public land, and on fish houses left unattended on the ice.

Owners can generate an equipment registration number by visiting Buy and Apply at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. One registration number will be issued that can be used on all equipment that requires identification.

The equipment registration number does not expire.

Audubon Boat Ramps to Become Unusable

Five of the six boat ramps on Lake Aububon will become unusable in the coming weeks.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is planning to lower the Lake Audubon water level for repairs and maintenance to the Snake Creek Pumping Plant. Lowering of the lake will begin this week and should reach the full drawdown elevation around Oct. 1.

The East Totten Trail boat ramp near U.S. Highway 83 will remain usable throughout the drawdown. However, the remaining five boat ramps will become unusable and be inoperable until the lake is refilled, which is expected to be around mid-November.

Concurrent Season Deer Licenses Available Aug. 18

Hunters can purchase additional, concurrent season deer licenses Aug. 18 at 8 a.m. Central Time by visiting the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov. There is no limit on the number of concurrent season licenses a hunter can purchase.

Concurrent season licenses can be used during the archery season with a bow; the deer gun season with a bow, rifle or muzzleloader; or during the muzzleloader season with a muzzleloader. However, youth under 14 (at the end of the calendar year) will be issued a concurrent season license for archery only.

Hunters with concurrent season licenses are restricted to the type of antlerless deer printed on the license and must stay in the unit to which the license is assigned.

Pronghorn Lottery Held

North Dakota’s pronghorn lottery has been held and all 1,720 licenses were issued.

All total, 13,909 applications were received, including 687 gratis applications.

Individual results are available online at North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov.

Fall Turkey Season Set, Apply Online

North Dakota’s fall turkey season is set with 3,825 licenses available to hunters, 40 more than last year.

Unit 21 (Hettinger and Adams counties) remains closed because of a low turkey population.

Fall turkey hunters, including gratis applicants, interested in applying for a 2021 license can submit an online application through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov.

The deadline for applying is Sept. 1.

Only North Dakota residents are eligible to apply in the first lottery. Nonresidents can apply for fall turkey licenses that are still available following the first lottery.

The fall wild turkey season runs from Oct. 9 through Jan. 2, 2022.