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News Releases

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

News Releases

Paddlefish Snagging Season Opens May 1

North Dakota’s paddlefish season opens May 1 and is scheduled to continue through May 21. However, depending on the overall harvest, an early in-season closure may occur with a 24-hour notice issued by the state Game and Fish Department.

Paddlefish tags are available for purchase online at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov, and during business hours at Game and Fish Department offices in Bismarck, Dickinson, Jamestown, Devils Lake, Lonetree (Harvey) and Williston. Snaggers buying tags online have the option to have the tag mailed or can stop at a Game and Fish office and pick it up during business hours. Those having a tag mailed should plan accordingly and allow for a few days for delivery.

All paddlefish snaggers must possess a paddlefish tag, in addition to a valid fishing license for anyone 16 and older. Lost or destroyed tags will not be replaced.

The Game and Fish Department will allow camping during the open paddlefish season at Lewis and Clark Wildlife Management Area Pumphouse and at Neu’s Point WMA. However, no roads or gates will be open at Neu’s Point, therefore camping is allowed in the small Neu’s Point parking lot, and the rest of the WMA for walk-in access. All other WMA regulations apply.

Snaggers are urged to be aware of the current fire index. Information, including restrictions, on current fire danger indexes is available at NDResponse.gov.

For more information on the paddlefish snagging season, snaggers should refer to the Game and Fish website.

Lake LaMoure Association Recognized

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department recognized Lake LaMoure Association with the 2025 certificate of appreciation for its involvement in public use areas and facilities for more than 40 years.

Each year the Department cooperates in the development and enhancement of public boating and fishing related facilities throughout the state. Almost always, these activities and efforts would not be possible without the assistance and support of a local entity of some form. While most park boards, wildlife clubs, or water resource boards play a role, there are always a few boards or groups, like Lake LaMoure Association, that stand out above the others.

A few examples of the association’s accomplishments include maintaining the parking lot area at the boat ramp; caring for several public use docks, access sites, and fishing piers; constructing a fish cleaning station; and updating camping facilities for visiting recreators.

 

Wildfire Potential High in Spring

Outdoor enthusiasts need to be aware of ground conditions while enjoying spring activities.

Increased human activity outdoors in spring, combined with dead ground vegetation and high winds, make this time of year highly susceptible to wildfires.

Because of highly variable weather patterns, North Dakota experiences a distinct spring fire season every year. With that in mind, it’s important to pay attention to the fire danger index, and to follow the appropriate measures.

Hunters and anglers 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 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.

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

Earth Day Patch Contest Winners

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department announced the winners of the 2025 Earth Day Patch Contest. Over 1,600 students from 100 schools entered this year’s contest.

Winners in four age categories are Tryg Klindworth, Beulah (K-3); Mariah Achtenberg, White Shield (4-6); Jazmin Vasquez, Minot Bishop Ryan (7-9), and Brielle Volk, Mohall (10-12). Achtenberg’s design was chosen as the overall winner and will be made into the 2025 Earth Day patch. 

Youth and adults who participate in cleaning up public lands receive the 2025 patch to celebrate Earth Day and their service. Projects that qualify for the Earth Day patch include refuse pick-up on local, state or federal properties and landscaping on public property including planting trees, bushes and pollinator plants. 

Groups participating in the service projects are encouraged to take the following precautions to ensure their safety: keep young people away from highways, lakes and rivers and only allow older participants to pick up broken glass or sharp objects. 

Participants are asked to contact Sherry Niesar at 701-527-3714 or sniesar@nd.gov to receive a patch.

Summer Workshop for Educators

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is sponsoring Pollinators in the Classroom, a professional development workshop for educators. 

Pollinators in the Classroom will be held June 10-11 at United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck. The workshop will explore pollinators, what they are, where they live, life cycles, importance, and how you can make a difference. It will be fun and fast paced with many hands-on activities educators can use in their classrooms, and incorporate discussion of classroom and curriculum integration.

Students will receive a copy of the Urban Pollinator Program Curriculum, and should be prepared for walking field trips in the area. All materials are included.

The course is suitable for k-12 educators. 

For more information contact curriculum specialist Sherry Niesar at 701-527-3714 or sniesar@nd.gov. Register by clicking on the link.

 

Advisory Board Meetings Announced

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department Advisory Board will host public meetings this spring at eight locations across the state. 

These public meetings provide citizens with an opportunity to discuss fish and wildlife issues and ask questions of their district advisors and agency personnel.

The district 7 meeting in Bismarck will be streamed live on the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov. 

 

District 2 – Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville and Ward counties

Date: April 14 – 7 p.m.

Location: Wildlife Club, 1901 U.S. Highway 52, Velva

Host: North Dakota Fur Hunters and Trappers Association

Contact: Rick Tischaefer, 701-460-1055

Advisory board member: Travis Leier, Velva

 

District 8 – Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope and Stark counties

Date: April 14 – 7 p.m.

Location: Eagles Club, 31 First Ave. E., Dickinson

Host: Roughrider Archers

Contact and advisory board member: Rob Brooks, Rhame, 701-440-8952

 

District 1 – Divide, McKenzie and Williams counties

Date: April 15 – 7 p.m.

Location: McKenzie County Sportsman’s Club, 2306 121X Ave. NW, Watford City

Host: Watford City Droptine Chapter of Mule Deer Foundation

Contact and advisory board member: Beau Wisness, Keene, 701-421-8814

 

District 3 – Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner counties

Date: April 15 – 7 p.m.

Location: Memorial Building, 408 Fifth Ave., Cando

Host: Dakota Rifle and Pistol Club

Contact: Duane Holien, 701-303-0798

Advisory board member: Edward Dosch, Devils Lake

 

District 5 – Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele and Traill counties

Date: April 21 – 7 p.m.

Location: Hughes Shelter, 820 RJ Hughes Dr., Chahinkapa Park, Wahpeton

Host: Red River Area Sportsman Club

Contact: Greg Gerou, 701-840-0188

Advisory board member: Doug Madsen, Harwood

 

District 6 – Barnes, Dickey, Foster, Griggs, Logan, LaMoure, McIntosh, Stutsman and Wells counties

Date: April 21 – 7 p.m.

Location: North Dakota Farmers Union, 1415 12th Ave. SE (north door), Jamestown 

Host: Stutsman County Wildlife Club

Contact and advisory board member: Cody Sand, Ashley, 701-535-1071

 

District 4 – Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina and Walsh counties

Date: April 22 – 7 p.m.

Location: Fire Department, 305 Elizabeth St. W., Cavalier

Host: Pembina County and Area Sportsman’s Club

Contact: Roger Furstenau, 701-265-2960

Advisory board member: Karissa Daws, Michigan

 

District 7 – Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux counties

Date: April 22 – 7 p.m.

Location: Game and Fish Main Office, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck 

Host: North Dakota Bowhunters Association 

Contact: Steve Goroski, 701-391-2665

Advisory board member: Jody Sommer, Mandan 

 

 

Spring Mule Deer Survey Begins

The state Game and Fish Department’s annual spring aerial mule deer survey is set to begin in early April in western North Dakota. Weather permitting, the survey takes about two weeks to complete.

During the survey period, people could notice low-flying small airplanes over some parts of the badlands.

Game and Fish biologists have completed aerial surveys of the same 24 badlands study areas since the 1950s. The purpose of the survey is to determine a population index to assess mule deer abundance in the badlands. 

Gratis Application Process Improved

North Dakota landowners applying for deer gratis licenses will notice improvements to the online application process.

The new system simplifies land selection by allowing users to click on property descriptions rather than manually entering lengthy details.

During the first year, applicants need to search and select their lands. In subsequent years, a convenient renewal button will speed up future applications. An additional link is available to reference previous years records.

These changes help validate eligible records more efficiently, ultimately reducing the time required to process the deer lottery. By improving accuracy and preventing errors, the system ensures a smoother experience for applicants and a timely lottery for those eager to receive their results.

Step-by-step guidance is available on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website by visiting gf.nd.gov/buy-apply/help/gratis-application.

General deer and muzzleloader lottery applications will be online in early May. The deadline to apply is June 4.

Bighorn Sheep Population Stable

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 2024 bighorn sheep survey, completed by recounting lambs in March, revealed a minimum of 350 bighorn sheep in the grasslands of western North Dakota, down 4% from 2023 and 6% above the five-year average. Despite a slight decrease from the record count in 2023, the 2024 survey was still the second highest count on record.

Altogether, biologists counted 105 rams, 199 ewes and 46 lambs. Not included are approximately 40 bighorn sheep in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and bighorns introduced to the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in 2020.

Big game biologist Brett Wiedmann was pleased to see the population remain near record levels for the seventh consecutive year.

The northern badlands population declined by 4% from 2023 but was the second highest count on record. The southern badlands population increased slightly but remained near its lowest level since bighorns were reintroduced there in 1966.

“We were encouraged to see adult rams and adult ewes near record numbers,” Wiedmann said. “The streak of four consecutive record counts was broken due to below-average lamb recruitment in 2024, as lambs recruited into the population declined 21% compared to 2023.”

Weidmann said the decline in lamb recruitment was likely not related to disease, but a combination of drought, predation and ewes recovering after several years of high lamb recruitment.

“Our state’s females have invested a lot of energy in rearing lambs the last four years, so sometimes they just need to take a break and concentrate on improving body condition,” he said.

Department biologists count and classify all bighorn sheep in late summer, and then recount lambs the following March, as they approach one year of age, to determine recruitment.

Currently, about 480 bighorns make up the populations managed by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, National Park Service and the Three Affiliated Tribes Fish and Wildlife Division, just shy of the benchmark of 500 bighorns in the state. 

A bighorn sheep hunting season is tentatively scheduled for 2025. The status of the season will be determined Sept. 1, following the summer population survey.

Game and Fish issued seven licenses in 2024 and all hunters were successful in harvesting a ram.

2024 Deer Season Summarized

A total of 42,416 North Dakota deer hunters took approximately 23,300 deer during the 2024 deer gun hunting season, according to a post-season survey conducted by the state Game and Fish Department.

Game and Fish made available 50,100 deer gun licenses last year. Overall hunter success was 55%, with each hunter spending an average of 4.7 days in the field.

Hunter success for antlered white-tailed deer was 49% and 44% for antlerless whitetails.

Mule deer buck success was 80% and 78% for antlerless mule deer.

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 61%, while doe hunters had a success rate of 56%.

Game and Fish issued 11,920 gratis licenses in 2024, and 9,484 hunters harvested 4,199 deer for a success rate of 44%.

A total of 956 muzzleloader licenses were issued, and 790 hunters harvested 232 white-tailed deer (116 antlered, 116 antlerless). Hunter success was 29%.

A total of 27,102 archery licenses (23,993 resident, 3,109 nonresident) were issued in 2024. In total, 22,449 bowhunters harvested 5,794 deer (4,884 whitetails, 910 mule deer) for a success rate of 26%.

The department is in the process of determining recommendations for licenses in 2025. In addition to harvest rates and winter aerial surveys, Game and Fish staff monitor 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.

Elk, Moose, Bighorn Sheep Apps Due

Elk, moose and bighorn sheep applications must be submitted online before midnight, March 26.

Applicants can apply by visiting My Account at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov.

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.

Open Fires Banned on Oahe WMA, Surrounding Areas

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is prohibiting open burning on public property it manages south of Bismarck and Mandan, to reduce the potential for wildfires in a heavily wooded recreation area along the Missouri River.

All open burning, including campfires, is banned until further notice on the Oahe Wildlife Management Area on both sides of the Missouri River. While the use of portable grills is allowed, extreme caution is advised due to the heavily vegetated area.

These woodlands are prone to wildfires prior to spring green-up. Mild temperatures and a high fuel load in the river bottoms are a cause for concern, in addition to being a high-use area for anglers, campers and other outdoor recreationists.

In addition to Oahe WMA, surrounding areas included in the open burn ban include Kimball and Maclean Bottoms managed by Bismarck Parks and Recreation District, Desert Off Road Vehicle Area managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Graner Park managed by Morton County Parks.

Oahe WMA covers more than 16,000 acres along Lake Oahe south of Bismarck-Mandan, in portions of Burleigh, Emmons and Morton counties. Burning restriction signs are posted at all entrances to the WMA.