The next guide and outfitter written examination is May 12 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.
Elk, Moose, Bighorn Sheep Application Deadline Extended to March 30
The North Dakota State Information Technology Department is experiencing issues regarding the Game and Fish Department’s online licensing system. Therefore, Game and Fish extended the moose, elk and bighorn sheep application deadline another 48 hours to March 30.
Applications must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. on Friday.
2017 Deer Season Summarized
A total of 49,407 North Dakota deer hunters took approximately 30,100 deer during the 2017 deer gun hunting season, according to a post-season survey conducted by the state Game and Fish Department.
Game and Fish made available 54,500 deer gun licenses last year. Overall hunter success was 61 percent, with each hunter spending an average of 4.4 days in the field.
Hunter success for antlered white-tailed deer was 66 percent, and antlerless whitetail was 61 percent.
Mule deer buck success was 83 percent, and antlerless mule deer was 86 percent.
Hunters with any-antlered or any-antlerless licenses generally harvest white-tailed deer, as these licenses are predominantly in units with mostly whitetails. Buck hunters had a success rate of 63 percent, while doe hunters had a success rate of 60 percent.
Game and Fish issued 13,402 gratis licenses in 2017, and 11,503 hunters harvested 6,059 deer, for a success rate of 53 percent.
A total of 1,022 muzzleloader licenses were issued in 2017, and 933 hunters harvested 354 white-tailed deer (196 antlered, 158 antlerless). Hunter success was 38 percent.
A record 28,481 archery licenses (26,114 resident, 2,367 nonresident) were issued in 2017. In total, 23,003 bow hunters harvested 8,900 deer (7,854 whitetails, 1,046 mule deer), for a success rate of 39 percent.
The department is in the process of determining recommendations for licenses in 2018. The proclamation will be sent to the governor’s office for approval in late April.
In addition to harvest rates and winter aerial surveys, the department monitors a number of other population indices to determine license numbers, including depredation reports, hunter observations, input at advisory board meetings, and comments from the public, landowners and department field staff.
Whooping Crane Migration
Whooping cranes are in the midst of their spring migration and sightings will increase as they make their way into and through North Dakota over the next several weeks. Anyone seeing these endangered birds as they move through the state is asked to report sightings so the birds can be tracked.
The whooping cranes that do make their way through North Dakota are part of a population of about 400 birds that are on their way from wintering grounds at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas to their nesting grounds at Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada, a distance of about 2,500 miles.
Whoopers stand about five feet tall and have a wingspan of about seven feet from tip to tip. They are bright white with black wing tips, which are visible only when the wings are outspread. In flight they extend their long necks straight forward, while their long, slender legs extend out behind the tail. Whooping cranes typically migrate singly, or in groups of 2-3 birds, and may be associated with sandhill cranes.
Other white birds such as snow geese, swans and egrets are often mistaken for whooping cranes. The most common misidentification is pelicans, because their wingspan is similar and they tuck their pouch in flight, leaving a silhouette similar to a crane when viewed from below.
Anyone sighting whoopers should not disturb them, but record the date, time, location, and the birds' activity. Observers should also look closely for and report colored bands which may occur on one or both legs. Whooping cranes have been marked with colored leg bands to help determine their identity.
Whooping crane sightings should be reported to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offices at Lostwood, 701-848-2466, or Long Lake, 701-387-4397, national wildlife refuges; the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Bismarck, 701-328-6300, or to local game wardens across the state. Reports help biologists locate important whooping crane habitat areas, monitor marked birds, determine survival and population numbers, and identify times and migration routes.
Elk, Moose, Bighorn Sheep Apps Due March 28
North Dakotans who want to hunt elk, moose and bighorn sheep in 2018 are reminded the deadline for submitting applications is March 28.
Prospective hunters can apply online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov. General lottery applications can also be submitted by calling 800-406-6409. Preferential landowner (gratis) applications must be submitted online. Paper applications are no longer available for any lottery or gratis licenses, which will also include deer gun, pronghorn, swan and fall turkey.
The status of the bighorn sheep season will be determined Sept. 1, after summer population surveys are completed. However, bighorn sheep applications must be submitted before the deadline. Once total licenses are determined for each unit in late summer, the bighorn lottery will then be held and successful applicants will be contacted to select a hunting unit.
Elk, moose and bighorn sheep lottery licenses are issued as once-in-a-lifetime licenses in North Dakota. Hunters who have received a license through the lottery in the past are not eligible to apply for that species again.
Remaining Spring Turkey Licenses Available March 20
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department reminds hunters that 554 spring turkey licenses remain in six units. These remaining licenses are issued on a first-come, first-served basis beginning March 20.
The governor’s proclamation allows a maximum of two licenses. Hunters who did not apply in the first drawing are eligible to apply for remaining licenses.
Licenses remain in unit 06, Bowman County; unit 19, Grant and Sioux counties and portions of Morton County; unit 25, McHenry County and portions of Pierce and Ward Counties; unit 31, Mountrail County; unit 45, Stark County; and unit 51, Burke County and portions of Renville, Bottineau and Ward counties.
In addition, turkey hunters should note that the Game and Fish Department will mail the spring turkey licenses after hunters purchase a valid 2018-19 hunting license. All spring turkey hunters regardless of age are required to have a general game and habitat license in addition to their spring turkey license. Hunters age 16 and older must also have a small game license, or a combination license.
Spring turkey hunters are encouraged to purchase their other necessary licenses well in advance so their turkey tag arrives before the season opener on April 14.
Advisory Board Meetings Announced
Outdoor enthusiasts are invited to attend a North Dakota Game and Fish Department spring advisory board meeting in their area.
These public meetings, held each spring and fall, provide citizens with an opportunity to discuss fish and wildlife issues and ask questions of their district advisors and agency personnel.
The governor appoints eight Game and Fish Department advisors, each representing a multi-county section of the state, to serve as a liaison between the department and public.
Any person who requires an auxiliary aid or service must notify the contact person at least five days prior to the scheduled meeting date.
District 3 – Counties: Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner
Date: April 9 – 7 p.m.
Location: Eagles Club, 7 Eighth St. S., New Rockford
Host: Eddy County Rod and Gun Club
Contact: Jean Schuster, 947-2159
Advisory board member: Tom Rost, Devils Lake, 662-8620
District 4 – Counties: Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina and Walsh
Date: April 9 – 7 p.m.
Location: American Legion, 108 Fifth St. E., Park River
Host: Walsh County Gun Club
Contact: Doug Hove, 360-0709
Advisory board member: Joe Solseng, 317-5009
District 1 – Counties: Divide, McKenzie and Williams
District 2 – Counties: Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville and Ward
Date: April 17 – 7 p.m.
Location: Verendrye Electric Cooperative, Highway 2 Bypass E., Minot
Host: Souris River Basin Long Beards
Contact: DJ Randolph, 720-2134
Advisory board member: Robert Gjellstad, Voltaire, 338-2281
District 7 – Counties: Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux
Date: April 17 – 7 p.m.
Location: Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck
Host: Lewis and Clark Wildlife Club
Contact: Dave Dewald, 471-1046
Advisory board member: Dave Nehring, Bismarck, 214-3184
New Licenses Needed April 1
North Dakota anglers, trappers and hunters are reminded that new licenses for the 2018-19 season are required starting April 1.
Licenses can be purchased online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. Once the license is processed, users will have the option to print a hard copy and/or download the license to a smart phone or mobile device, which is helpful when asked to show proof of license while hunting or fishing in rural areas that lack cellular service.
Licenses can also be purchased at more than 140 vendor locations throughout the state, or by calling 800-406-6409.
In addition, spring turkey hunters are reminded that the spring turkey license will be mailed after hunters purchase a valid 2018-19 hunting license. All spring turkey hunters regardless of age are required to have a general game and habitat license in addition to their spring turkey license. Hunters age 16 and older must also have a small game license, or a combination license.
The 2018-19 small game, fishing and furbearer licenses are effective April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019.
2018-20 Fishing Regulations Set, New License Required
North Dakota’s 2018-20 fishing proclamation is set, with regulations effective April 1, 2018 through March 31, 2020.
Fishing licenses for the 2018-19 season can be purchased online at the state Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov, or at license vendors that are linked to the department’s online licensing system. Anglers are reminded that new fishing licenses are required April 1.
Licenses may also be purchased by calling the department’s instant licensing telephone number at 800-406-6409. A service charge is added for this option.
The 2018-20 North Dakota Fishing Guide is available at Game and Fish offices and license vendors throughout the state.
Noteworthy regulation changes include:
· The season for taking of nongame fish with a bow will now be open year-round.
· The transportation of live white suckers, other than within Richland, Cass, Traill, Grand Forks, Walsh and Pembina counties, is now illegal.
· The beginning of the darkhouse spearfishing season changes from December 1 to whenever ice-up occurs. When ice-up occurs in North Dakota is unpredictable. However, whenever it does occur, ice conditions continue to improve with no significant melting, thus safety concerns such as opening large holes in the ice are reduced. This is not true in the spring, when warm weather can create unsafe conditions … therefore the closing date of March 15 will remain in place.
· Paddlefish snagging days will begin at 7 a.m. (was 8 a.m.) and close at 7 p.m. (was 9 p.m.). Also, the season length will be shortened to 21 days (May 1 – May 21). These changes are an effort to both extend the paddlefish season to more than a few days – most years the season lasts only 4-6 days, as an early in-season closure occurs due to the harvest reaching the cap of 1,000 paddlefish – and to improve safety conditions due to snagger congestion at the Confluence area. A daily closure at 7 p.m. will allow for a more orderly and safe situation for snaggers backed up at the cleaning station. Also, in the past 17 years, only twice was a full season reached. Effective this year, the overall season length is reduced to 21 days.
· The statewide daily and possession limit for bluegill is reduced to 10/20 respectively (was 20/40). The number of quality bluegill fisheries in North Dakota is limited. Reducing the harvest somewhat, should help maintain the size of bluegill in some lakes. Bluegill populations are more in line with crappie where populations can be managed over a longer time, versus yellow perch populations which are tied closely to weather patterns and fluctuations in water levels.
· Walleye length restrictions are eliminated on North and South Golden, Alkali (Sargent Co.), Lueck and West Moran lakes, and Tosse Slough. While minimum length restrictions for these species have been in place for a number of years, all biological data collected from angler use and population surveys indicates the restrictions have not yielded positive results. Therefore, these regulations are no longer necessary.
Shed Hunting
As March snow melts away, an off-season activity that many deer hunters pursue is looking for shed antlers.
Both whitetail and mule deer bucks, and moose and elk, lose their antlers during winter, typically in January and into February, though occasionally these big game animals are seen with antlers still intact in late March or even early April.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department reminds shed hunters that while collection of naturally shed deer, elk and moose antlers is legal and no permit required, possession of antlers attached to the skull plate require a permit before possession is allowed. Permits may be issued by Game and Fish game wardens, and other law enforcement personnel on a case by case basis. Game warden phone numbers are all listed on the Game and Fish website at gf.nd.gov.
“Individual antlers that are naturally separated from the skull do not require a permit,” said chief of enforcement Robert Timian. “If the antlers are not naturally separated from the skull, a permit is required before you could remove them from the field.”
Timian also reminds shed hunters to avoid disturbing deer that are congregated. “Deer generally disperse from larger groups this time of year, but if large groups are hanging out in good winter habitat, it’s best to avoid those areas until later in the spring,” he said.
Elk, Moose, Bighorn Sheep Applications Online
North Dakota’s elk, moose and bighorn sheep applications are available, and prospective hunters can apply online at the state Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov.
General lottery applications can also be submitted by calling 800-406-6409. Preferential landowner (gratis) applications must be submitted online. Paper applications are no longer available for any lottery or gratis licenses, which will also include deer gun, pronghorn, swan and fall turkey.
The deadline for applying is March 28.
A total of 408 elk licenses are available to hunters this fall, an increase of 19 from last year and the most since 2011.
Coordination among state Game and Fish, private landowners and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe will continue to highlight elk management in hunting Unit E6.
A record 334 moose licenses are available in 2018, an increase of 89 from last year and 203 more than in 2015. Most of the increase is antlerless licenses in units M10 and M11, due to an increasing moose population in these units.
Hunting units M1C and M4 will remain closed due to a continued downward trend in moose numbers in the northeastern part of the state.
A bighorn sheep hunting season is tentatively scheduled to open in 2018, depending on the sheep population. The status of the bighorn sheep season will be determined Sept. 1, after summer population surveys are completed. The season was closed in 2015 due to a bacterial pneumonia outbreak.
Bighorn sheep applicants must apply for a license at the same time as moose and elk, but not for a specific unit. Once total licenses are determined for each unit in late summer, the bighorn lottery will then be held and successful applicants will be contacted to select a hunting unit.
Because the bighorn sheep application fee is not refundable as per state law, if a bighorn season is not held, applicants would not receive a refund.
Elk, moose and bighorn sheep lottery licenses are issued as once-in-a-lifetime licenses in North Dakota. Hunters who have received a license through the lottery in the past are not eligible to apply for that species again.
Game and Fish Volunteers Recognized
Volunteer instructors for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department were recently recognized at the annual banquet in Bismarck.
Michael Malarkey, Bismarck, was recognized as volunteer of the year; Kent Reierson, Williston, was named archery instructor of the year; Martin Marchello, Bismarck, was recognized as hunter education instructor of the year; Velva residents Travis Leier and DJ Randolph were named hunter education team instructors of the year; and Terry Fasteen, Helena, Mont., received the lifetime achievement award.
Honored for 30 years of service were Timothy Bohlman, Thompson; Daniel Brown, Dickinson; Roger Krueger, Bismarck; Kevin Lech, Mandan; Vaughn Quern, Thompson; Joseph Simon, Thompson.
Recognized for 25 years of service were Richard Bahm, Mandan; Wayne Beyer, Wahpeton; Mark Biel, Bismarck; Jeff Bjugstad, Wahpeton; Myron Brager, Sibley; Darrell Ekberg, Manvel; Joseph Haas, Lidgerwood; Robert Haglund, Garrison; Gerald (Tom) Lawson, Donnybrook; Robert Martin, Jamestown; Kenneth Retzlaff, Ellendale; Dale Veselka, Tower City.
Honored for 20 years of service were Burns Bailey, Moffit; Matthew Evans, Stanley; William Gauslow, Christine; Del Houghton, Steele; Scott Sigette, Devils Lake; Tim Stiles, Fairmount; Melisa Toepke-Peterson, Fargo; Beverly Turbiville, Dickinson; Timothy Wieben, Bismarck.
Fifteen-year service awards were presented to Jerod Basol, Portland; Sylvia Brockman, Bismarck; Mark Fisher, Devils Lake; Glen Hauf, Makoti; Doug Hintzman, Kulm; Justin Houghton, Steele; Rodney Hubbard, Fargo; Kathy King, Bismarck; Peggy Knotts, Fargo; Thomas Schumacker, Fullerton; Scott Wagner, Casselton.
Ten-year active instructors recognized were Kyle Beach, Wimbledon; Michael Feener, Fargo; Dayne Green, Reeder; Brent Hansen, Horace; Stephen Hunt, Reynolds; Terry Huwe, Menoken; Christopher Krenzel, Harvey; Michael Neis, Carrington; Robert Ogurek, Burlington; Dustin Roeder, Menoken; Randy Schock, Bismarck; Penny Lee Slagle, Williston; Justin Werven, Beulah.
Recognized for five years of service were Troy Anderson, Dickinson; Craig Blomster, Leeds; Kaya Engen, Heaton; William Harkness, Leeds; Nicholas Krump, Grand Forks; Dennis Lakoduk, Minot; Kerry Thompson, Watford City; Eric Viall, Ray.
Two-year active instructors recognized were Duane Bowen, Halliday; Randal Brockman, Gwinner; Robert Curl, Beach; Amelia Doll, Bismarck; John Eldredge, Fargo; Tim Fiebiger, Valley City; Destiny Fox-Deane, New Town; Cathryn Hanson, Hettinger; Gaylord Hibl, Wahpeton; Brant Jacobson, Harwood; Kristen Mason, New Town; Richard Podoll, Jamestown; Heather Retzer, Wahpeton; Scott Rupert, Bowman; William Rupert, Minot; Daron Sander, Hankinson; Jodi Sander, Hankinson; Duane Schauer, Williston; Michael Triepke, Bismarck; Lonnie Wertz, Fargo; Don Williams, Bismarck.
North Dakota Game and Fish Department