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News Releases

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

News Releases

Game and Fish Seeks Contractors for Work on Private Lands

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department encourages businesses to add their names to a list of available contractors to perform habitat work on Private Land Open To Sportsmen program lands across the state.

PLOTS is an agreement between the department and private landowners to open their lands to walk-in hunting. The department also encourages private landowners to establish or enhance habitat on PLOTS land with grass plantings, food plots, and so on. However, if a landowner does not have the necessary equipment for the work, a contractor is usually needed.  

There is a shortage of contractors, or equipment, to perform habitat work in some parts of the state. The bulk of the habitat work is planting native and introduced grasses, which requires a tractor, operator and a grass drill. Other work may include spraying, food plots, tree removal, prescribed burning, and construction of grazing infrastructure (fence/water).

Contractors or businesses interested in being added to the list can click here or call 701-328-6265. This is not a guarantee for work, but as projects come about the department will refer landowners to the list of available contractors. 

 

NASBLA Accepting Nominations for 2025 Awards

The 2025 Butch Potts Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award and the 2025 Pamela S. Dillon Boating Educator of the Year Award are now open for nomination submissions.

The deadline to submit nominations is March 31.   

Nominations for the Butch Potts award is open to all commissioned, certified or sworn peace officers authorized by the state to enforce recreational boating safety laws of that state. Boating law administrators should nominate candidates who have made an outstanding contribution to boating safety through enforcement.

Educators and volunteers from state and local agencies and from nonprofit organizations are eligible for the Pamela S. Dillon award. Boating law administrators should nominate candidates who have made an outstanding contribution to boating safety through education. A nominee should be someone in the education field who goes above and beyond to engage students and boaters, raise awareness, and make boating education and education initiatives relevant, thorough and exciting. 

This awards program is one of the many benefits the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators offers to its members, to recognize individuals for their outstanding accomplishments. Nominations are free to submit and provide an excellent opportunity to highlight exceptional professionals in North Dakota.

Regional and national awards in both categories will be presented during the NASBLA annual conference Sept. 16-18 in Des Moines, Iowa. 

North Dakota nominations can only be submitted through Jackie Lundstrom, the state’s boating law administrator. They should include a letter of nomination and a photograph of the nominee for use by NASBLA. Nominations can be submitted by email to jalundst@nd.gov or by mail to North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Attn: BLA Lundstrom, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501. 

Watchable Wildlife Checkoff on State Tax Form

North Dakotans interested in supporting wildlife conservation programs should look for the Watchable Wildlife checkoff on the state tax form.

The state income tax form gives wildlife enthusiasts an opportunity to support nongame wildlife like songbirds and birds of prey, while at the same time contributing to programs that help everyone enjoy all wildlife.

The checkoff – whether you are receiving a refund or having to pay in – is an easy way to voluntarily contribute to sustain this long‑standing program. In addition, direct donations to the program are accepted any time of year.

To learn more about Watchable Wildlife program activities and to view the winning entries in the 2024 photo contest, featured in the January issue of North Dakota OUTDOORS, visit the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov.

Waterfowl Survey Numbers Not a Surprise

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual midwinter waterfowl survey in early January indicated about 88,000 Canada geese and 3,225 mallards in the state.

John Palarski, department migratory game bird biologist, said the below average count was expected this year for wintering waterfowl due to cold temperatures in late November and early January leading up to the survey.

“The majority of waterfowl that winter in North Dakota can be found along the Missouri River System. Following a record-setting count in 2024, we counted fewer geese and mallards than normal this year, which was directly due to the amount of ice cover across the state,” he said. “Although we don’t currently have much snow cover, cold temperatures in November and early January pushed many birds south and froze a considerable portion of the open water.” 

Lake Sakakawea, which in some years harbors thousands of wintering waterfowl, froze over on Jan. 4, just two days before the survey. In four of the last 10 years, the lower portion of Sakakawea still had substantial open water in early January and needed to be completely surveyed by air.

During the 2025 survey, an estimated 68,788 Canada geese were observed on the Missouri River, another 13,400 on Nelson Lake in Oliver County, and an additional 5,000-plus geese in other parts of the state. 

The 10-year average (2016-25) for the midwinter survey in North Dakota is 124,700 Canada geese and 14,000 mallards. All states in the Central Flyway participate in the survey during the same time frame to reduce the possibility of counting birds more than once.

Spring Turkey Season Set

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is offering 8,547 wild turkey licenses for the 2025 spring hunting season, 410 more than last year.

Eight of the 21 hunting units have more spring licenses than last year, two have fewer licenses and 11 remain the same.

Unit 21 (Hettinger and Adams counties), which has been closed for several years due to a low turkey population because of a lack of quality habitat, has been extended into units 44 and 06 to allow for more opportunities.

Spring turkey applicants can apply online at the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. 

The deadline for applying is Feb. 12.

First-time spring turkey hunters 15 or younger are eligible to receive one spring license valid for any open unit. To be eligible, the youth hunter must be 15 or younger on opening day of spring turkey season and has never received a spring turkey license in North Dakota.

The spring turkey season opens April 12 and continues through May 18. 

Hunter Education Classes

If you were born after 1961, are 12 years or older, you must take a home study or traditional classroom certified hunter education course before you can get a firearm or bowhunting license in North Dakota.

The home study, or hybrid course, requires 7-10 hours of online and six hours of in-person classroom time. The six hours of classroom time consists of an in-person session prior to starting the online class and at the end of the class to complete testing.

Traditional classroom courses require at least 14 hours of in-person class time, and most classes are held from January through May.

Individuals interested in taking a hunter education class in 2025 must click on the education link at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. To register for a class, click on “enroll” next to the specific class, and follow the simple instructions. Personal information is required. Classes are listed by city and can also be sorted by start date. Classes will be added throughout the year as they become finalized.

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

Participants must turn 12 during the calendar year to take the home study course, and age 11 during the calendar year to take the traditional class.

 

Remove Gear from WMAs

Tree stands, blinds, steps, and other personal items such as cameras, must be removed from all wildlife management areas by Jan. 31.

Items not removed by then are considered abandoned property and are subject to removal and confiscation by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

 

Youth Conservation and Leadership Summer Camp

The 1st Battalion of North Dakota Waterfowl Brigade will be held July 8-12 at the 4-H Center in Washburn. 

NDWTFL is a five-day hands-on immersive learning experience for youth ages 13-17. The camp is designed to educate participants about the importance of wetland ecosystems, waterfowl biology, flock dynamics, shooting skills and safety, stewardship, public speaking, leadership development and more.

The deadline to apply is March 15.

NDWTFL is a program of Texas Brigades, a Texas-based 501(c)(3) focused on educating and empowering adolescents to become conservation ambassadors. 

Additional information, including applications, can be found at www.texasbrigades.org/waterfowl-brigade-nd.

 

Hunting and Fishing Legislation

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will track hunting and fishing issues during the 2025 legislative session.

Outdoor enthusiasts can follow proposed outdoors-related bills by visiting the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov. The webpage will be updated daily as legislation is introduced and bills progress through the session. 

A brief description of each bill will be included. To view the bill in its entirety, click on the linked bill number.

Earth Day Patch Contest

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual Earth Day Patch Contest is an effort to heighten awareness about the environment.

Students who participate will develop a patch design using five colors incorporating an aspect of Earth Day such as environmental awareness, respect Earth, water quality, wildlife, or habitat conservation in North Dakota. 

The contest is open to students in grades K-12. Winners are chosen from four grade categories (K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12). Each winner will receive an outdoor kit, which includes a pair of binoculars and field guides. The grand prize patch design winner is chosen from one of the four winning age categories.

In addition, the grand prize winner will have their design displayed on the recognition patch, be featured in North Dakota OUTDOORS and on the Game and Fish website.

Contest entry deadline is March 1.

Game and Fish Fills Leadership Positions

Bruce Kreft and Brian Hosek have filled division chief positions for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Kreft, conservation section leader since 2023, was promoted to conservation and communications chief when Greg Link retired after 45 years with the agency.

A Towner native with a zoology degree from North Dakota State University, Kreft started his career with Game and Fish as a fisheries technician from 1989-90; assistant Missouri River biologist from 1990-92; central district fisheries biologist from 1992-2000; and conservation biologist from 2000-2023. 

Link started his career with Game and Fish as a seasonal employee in 1980. In 2011, he assumed leadership of the conservation and communications division. 

The conservation and communications division informs, educates and promotes fish and wildlife related opportunities; manages nongame species and species of conservation priority; and consults with developers to avoid, minimize and offset impacts to fish and wildlife resources. 

Hosek, longtime business operations manager, was named chief of administrative services when Kim Kary announced her retirement after 20 years with the agency. 

A graduate of Emporia State University with a degree in earth and data sciences, Hosek started his Game and Fish career in 2001 as the department’s GIS coordinator, and his role evolved into business operations manager during his tenure. 

Kary began her career with the department as the business manager in 2005, and in 2010 moved into the administrative services division chief position. 

The administrative services division provides policy, planning and support services and is responsible for all game and fish licensing.

Myhre Named Game and Fish Employee of the Year

James Myhre, district game warden for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in New Rockford, received the agency’s Director’s Award for professional excellence at the department’s annual staff meeting in December.

Jeb Williams, Game and Fish director, said Myhre has provided exceptional service to North Dakota for 22 years.

“He knows that helping hunters, anglers, trappers and boaters is only part of the job,” Williams said. “James is a farmer and rancher and knows the importance of working with and assisting in his district any way he can. He is one of the highest performers in the enforcement division year after year. He always goes above and beyond in providing exceptional service and represents the department in a way that we all should aspire to.”