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News Releases

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

News Releases

Map Tools to Identify Land Posted Electronically

Hunters should take note of the map tools available to identify electronically posted private land before venturing out in the field this fall.

Brian Hosek, North Dakota Game and Fish Department business operations manager, said map resources, mobile applications and printable maps can be found on the department’s website.

“We do provide a few different tools on our website, and each have different strengths, such as some require cell service while others can work offline, others offer the ability to determine who posted the land or a point of contact,” Hosek said. “And you can still pull down that print material for those who do not prefer to use these technologies.”

ArcGIS Explorer and Avenza are nationally used applications that will show content the Game and Fish Department publishes, Hosek said. In these applications, users will need to search “NDGF” to find content published by the department. The electronic posting information is included in the published Private Lands Open To Sportsmen map services. This information will appear, as well as public lands, including lands enrolled in PLOTS.

Hunters should note that electronically posted lands are identified in orange crosshatch when using these mapping tools.

OnX Hunt, another nationally used hunting application, has indicated they will include electronically posted land for the 2021 hunting season.

“OnX is an app that many hunters subscribe to and have purchased. It’s another mapping tool that offers many great features, such as collecting, sharing waypoints and the ability to work offline,” Hosek said. “Hunters have the option to redeem a free three-month subscription located in the Inbox of My Account on our website. This subscription can be redeemed at any time prior to the end of the year.”

Hosek mentioned the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov, has a wealth of information on mapping tools.

“There is a subscription piece for News and Alerts that you can sign up for to check for map updates. Then you will receive alerts of any map updates when the content is published,” he added. “This is important with the Avenza app, as it uses content downloaded to the device to work offline.”

PLOTS Guide Available Online

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Private Land Open To Sportsmen Guide for 2021 is now available online at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov. In addition, the free printed PLOTS guides will be available late August at most license vendors and other locations throughout the state.

The guide will feature nearly 800,000 PLOTS acres. Because the guide is printed in mid-August, some PLOTS tracts highlighted in the guide may have been removed from the program since the time of printing. There will also be some PLOTS tracts where the habitat and condition of the tract will have changed significantly. Conversely, Game and Fish may have added new tracts to the program after the guide went to press.

To minimize possible confusion, Game and Fish will update PLOTS map sheets weekly on its website.

The PLOTS guide features maps highlighting these walk-in areas, identified in the field by inverted triangular yellow signs, as well as other public lands.

The guides are not available to mail, so hunters will have to pick one up at a local vendor or Game and Fish offices, or print individual maps from the website.

HIP Registration Required for Migratory Bird Hunters

Migratory bird hunters of all ages need to register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, coots, cranes, snipe, doves and woodcock. Hunters must register in each state for which they are licensed to hunt.

Hunters can HIP certify when purchasing a license by visiting the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. In addition, hunters can call 888-634-4798.

Those who registered to hunt during the spring light goose conservation order in North Dakota do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required only once per year.

HIP registration is a cooperative program designed to determine a sample of hunters from which to measure the harvest of migratory birds for management purposes.

Swan Application Deadline Aug. 11

The deadline to submit a swan application is Aug. 11.

Applicants must submit an online application through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov.

North Dakota residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply. The resident swan license is $10, while the nonresident fee is $30.

2020 Upland Game Seasons Summarized

North Dakota’s 2020 pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse and Hungarian partridge harvests were up from 2019, according to statistics compiled by the state Game and Fish Department.

Upland game biologist RJ Gross said the overall harvest was likely because of increased production of upland birds and favorable weather conditions for hunters.

“The increases are largely due to a larger pheasant breeding population and an increase in production of upland game bird chicks across most of the state that we observed during our 2020 spring crowing and late summer roadside counts,” Gross said.

Looking back, Gross said the 2020 spring pheasant crowing counts showed a 15% increase in the breeding population, and roadside counts showed 10% more birds per mile and 17% more broods per mile compared to 2019.

“Combine that with favorable weather conditions late into the hunting season and more hunters on the landscape, you end up with more birds in the bag,” he said.

Last year, 57,141 pheasant hunters (up 14%) harvested 330,668 roosters (up 28%), compared to 50,000 hunters and 256,800 roosters in 2019.

Counties with the highest percentage of pheasants taken were Hettinger, Divide, Bowman, Williams and Morton.

A total of 19,971 grouse hunters (up 43%) harvested 86,965 sharp-tailed grouse (up 153%), compared to 14,000 hunters and 34,300 sharptails in 2019.

Counties with the highest percentage of sharptails taken were Mountrail, Burleigh, Sheridan, Stutsman and Morton.

Last year 16,795 hunters (up 41%) harvested 52,251 Hungarian partridge (up 60%). In 2019, nearly 11,900 hunters harvested 32,600 Huns.

Counties with the highest percentage of Hungarian partridge taken were Mountrail, Morton, McLean, Williams and Divide.

Pronghorn Applications Due Aug. 11

The deadline to apply for the 2021 pronghorn hunting season is Aug. 11.

Applicants can apply online by visiting the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.

The pronghorn license fee is $30 for 16 and older, and $10 for under 16.

Only North Dakota residents are eligible to apply.

Duck Brood Numbers Drop Considerably

State Game and Fish Department biologists expect a fall flight of ducks in North Dakota this fall that will be unfamiliar to many hunters.

Mike Szymanski, Department migratory game bird management supervisor, said based on observations from the annual mid-July duck production survey, the 2021 fall flight is anticipated to be down 36% from last year, and similar to the 1970, 1979 and 1994 fall flights.

“Hunters should expect waterfowl hunting to be difficult in North Dakota this year, with the lone bright spot being Canada goose hunting. Nonetheless, localized concentrations of ducks, geese and swans will materialize throughout the hunting season as birds migrate through the state,” Szymanski said. “Hunters should take advantage of early migrants like blue-winged teal during the first two weeks of the season. We won’t be able to depend on local duck production to the extent that we have in the past.”

Drought has severely impacted breeding duck habitats across North Dakota. Breeding conditions varied from very poor to fair, and the wetland index declined by 80%.

While 2.9 million ducks were estimated during the Department’s 74th annual breeding duck survey in May, Szymanski said then that behavioral cues suggested breeding efforts by those ducks would be low.

He was correct.

“Conditions are not good statewide and, after a high count in 2020, the decline in wetlands counted represented the largest one-year percentage-based decline in the 74-year history of the survey,” he said. “Overall, this year’s breeding duck index was the 48th highest on record, down 27% from last year, but still 19% above the long-term average.”

The number of broods observed during the Department’s July brood survey dropped 49% from last year’s count and 23% below the 1965-2020 average. While the number of broods observed is the lowest since 1994, the count this year was still 62% above the 1965-1993 average. The average brood size was 6.46 ducklings, down 4% from last year’s estimate.

The summer duck brood survey involves 18 routes that cover all sectors of the state, except west and south of the Missouri River. Biologists count and classify duck broods and water areas within 220 yards on each side of the road. The survey started in the mid-1950s, and all routes used today have been in place since 1965.

Game and Fish biologists will conduct a separate survey in mid-September to assess wetland conditions heading into the waterfowl hunting season.

“At this point, we are not overly concerned about undue negative impacts of the harvest on ducks during this season, but we’ll re-evaluate the situation during the federal regulations process,” Szymanski said. “One year of drought won’t be a disaster for ducks, but we could have issues if these conditions continue into next year.”

2021-22 Small Game, Waterfowl, Furbearer Regulations Set

North Dakota’s 2021 small game, waterfowl and furbearer regulations are set, and most season structures are similar to last year.

Noteworthy items include:

  • Opening day for ducks, geese, coots and mergansers for North Dakota residents is Sept. 25. Nonresidents may begin hunting waterfowl in North Dakota Oct. 2.
  • The prairie chicken and sage grouse seasons remain closed due to low populations.
  • Pre-charged pneumatic air guns are legal for taking beaver, raccoon, bobcat, red fox, gray fox, coyote and badger.
  • The season on bobcat is split into two zones.
  • Harvest limit for otters increased to 25.
  • In accordance with state law, nonresidents are not allowed to hunt in Game and Fish Department wildlife management areas or Private Land Open To Sportsmen areas from Oct. 9-15. Exception: nonresidents hunting on PLOTS land they own.

Hunters and trappers can find the North Dakota 2021-22 Hunting and Trapping Guide, which includes upland game, migratory game bird and furbearer/trapping regulations and other information, by visiting the state Game and Fish Department's website, gf.nd.gov. Printed guides will be available at vendor locations in mid-August.

For a complete listing of opening and closing dates, and daily and possession limits, refer to the table on pages 4-5 of the guide.

2021 Early Canada Goose Dates Announced

North Dakota’s early Canada goose season dates are set, with bag limits and licensing requirements the same as last year.

Opening day is Aug. 15 in all three zones. Closing dates are Sept. 7 in the Missouri River zone, Sept. 15 in the western zone and Sept. 22 in the eastern zone.

Early Canada goose limits are 15 daily and 45 in possession.

Limits and shooting hours are different from the regular season, while the zone boundaries remain the same. Shooting hours for early Canada goose are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.

Residents need a $5 early Canada goose license and a general game and habitat license. Also, residents 16 and older need a small game license. Nonresidents need only a $50 early Canada goose license, and the license is valid statewide without counting against the 14-day regular season license. Licenses can be purchased online by visiting the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov.

Harvest Information Program certification is required and beginning Sept. 1 a federal duck stamp for hunters 16 and older is needed. Those who HIP registered to hunt the spring light goose conservation order in North Dakota do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required in each state only once per year.

Waterfowl rest areas, closed to hunting during the regular season, are open during the early season. Most land in these rest areas is private, so hunters may need permission to access them.

Hunting of Canada geese in August and early September is intended to reduce local Canada goose numbers, which remain high. Game and Fish is attempting to provide additional hunting opportunities that can increase pressure on locally breeding Canada geese.

Swan Hunt Applications

Hunters interested in applying for a 2021 swan license can submit an online application through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov.

North Dakota residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply. The resident swan license is $10, while the nonresident fee is $30. The deadline for applying is Aug. 11.

The statewide tundra swan hunting season opens Oct. 2. A total of 2,200 licenses are available. Successful applicants will receive a tag to take one swan during the season. Since swans are classified as waterfowl, nonresidents may hunt them only during the period their nonresident waterfowl license is valid.

All swan hunters, regardless of age, are required to have a general game and habitat license when applying. In addition, nonresidents must have a waterfowl license, and residents 16 and older need a small game or combination license. 

Pronghorn Hunting Season Set, Apply Online

North Dakota’s 2021 pronghorn hunting season is set, with 1,720 licenses available in 15 open units.

Applicants can apply online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. The deadline for submitting applications is Aug. 11.

Bruce Stillings, big game management supervisor for the Game and Fish Department, said license numbers are down slightly from last year, when the department allocated 1,790 licenses.

“Doe/fawn licenses will be issued in unit 3B for the first time in several years to address areas of high pronghorn density and provide additional hunting opportunities,” Stillings said.

The recently completed aerial survey indicated the pronghorn population is down 8% from last year. The fawn-to-doe ratio was 52 fawns per 100 does, down from 61 fawns per 100 does last year. The buck-to-doe ratio of 34 bucks per 100 does remains stable and above the population objective, Stillings said.

Each unit will once again 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. 3 (noon) – Sept. 26. Anyone who draws a license can hunt pronghorn with a bow in the unit printed on the license. 

From Oct. 1 (noon) – Oct. 17, 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 pronghorn license. Hunters who have accumulated bonus points and choose not to apply this year will not lose their points, but will not accrue a point for next year. However, hunters who do not want a license in 2021 have the option to purchase a bonus point on the application. 

The pronghorn license fee is $30 for ages 16 and older, and $10 for under age 16. Applicants for a pronghorn lottery license must be at least 12 years of age on or before December 31, 2021.

Habitats of North Dakota is Online for Educators

Educators, do you need additional professional development credits? If the answer is yes, Habitats of North Dakota is offering five online-only courses through North Dakota State University.

Select one or all Wetlands, Badlands, Riparian, Woodlands and Prairie habitats, with each one credit. Work at your own pace and develop a list of concepts and a lesson plan that will implement the key concepts into an existing curriculum.

In addition, students are responsible for reading and reviewing text, video and supplementary materials for each habitat guide. Courses are suitable for educators K-12.

Comprehension and critical thinking questions are incorporated throughout each of the texts. Each unit also includes vocabulary and review sections. The material meets the state life science standards for grades 3-6 and North Dakota Studies standards for grade 4. Examples of implementation projects are provided for each Habitat course.

Online classes are Aug. 15 – Sept. 30, and Oct. 15 – Nov. 30. The NDSU course fee is $50 per credit payable upon registration at https://www.ndsu.edu/dce/k-12/k12_listing.

For more information, contact Sherry Niesar at sniesar@nd.gov or 701-527-3714.