Habitats of North Dakota, a workshop for teachers, environmental educators and anyone who works with youth, will be offered online June 30 to July 17.
Instructor Sherry Niesar said the program features new material using inquiry and project-based learning.
“The materials presented will align with the North Dakota Envirothon Wildlife learning objectives,” Niesar said. “Students will explore current issues in conservation management, North Dakota habitats, wildlife species and wildlife adaptations.”
Different instructional methods will be used to teach across the curriculum integrating subject areas. Curriculum materials are suitable for both elementary and secondary teachers. All supplies will be provided.
The workshop will contain many activities educators can use in the classroom, discussion of classroom and curriculum integration, and self-guided walking field trips at the location of the student’s choice, in their yard, or if needed, can be completed using nature programming or live webcams.
To register for the workshop, visit the Dickinson State University West River Teacher Center website. One graduate credit is available.
For more information, contact Sherry Niesar at 701-527-3714 or email sniesar@nd.gov.
One Online Hunter Ed Class Available
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has one online hunter education class remaining for students to enroll in and complete prior to the deer gun application deadline. However, students must complete the class no later than May 29.
The online hunter education course is for students who will turn at least age 12 on or before Dec. 31, 2020. A 25% discount is being offered for taking the online course.
After signing up for the class, students will receive an email with further information and instructions.
Another option for anyone who wants to hunt in North Dakota in 2020, is a one-time exemption called an apprentice license. Individuals who are at least age 12 by the end of the calendar year, and who have not previously had an apprentice license, can apply for one and use that to purchase 2020 licenses without a hunter education number. An apprentice license holder must then complete the official hunter education course before being able to purchase hunting licenses in future years.
Online Hunter Education Certification Reminder
Students interested in getting hunter education certified prior to the deer gun application deadline will want to sign up now through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website.
The online hunter education course is for students who will turn at least age 12 on or before Dec. 31, 2020. A 25% discount is being offered for taking the online course.
After signing up for the class, the student will receive an email with further information and instructions. The online portion of the class must be completed within two weeks of the class closing.
When the online hunter education course and an accompanying virtual field day are completed, a temporary hunter education number will be provided, which will allow lottery applications and license purchases in 2020.
Each student will then have until Dec. 31, 2020 to attend one in-person class session, to take the official North Dakota Game and Fish Department hunter education written and practical exams. If this is not completed by the end of the year, the temporary hunter education number will expire and the student will have to retake the course in the future.
Game and Fish will notify students when dates and locations are established for these final class sessions.
Another option for anyone who wants to hunt in North Dakota in 2020, is a one-time exemption called an apprentice license. Individuals who are at least age 12 by the end of the calendar year, and who have not previously had an apprentice license, can apply for one and use that to purchase 2020 licenses without a hunter education number. An apprentice license holder must then complete the official hunter education course before being able to purchase hunting licenses in future years.
Information Sought in Moose Poaching
North Dakota Game and Fish Department officials are looking for information in connection to a moose poaching case earlier this spring in the northeastern part of the state.
Five adult moose – three cows and two bulls – were shot and killed sometime around April 25 through April 30 about 6 miles southwest of Dunseith. According to law enforcement, one of the adult moose, a large cow, was pregnant with triplets, with two calves cut out of her.
If anyone has any information about the illegal taking of these animals, contact the Report All Poachers at 701-328-9921 or Jonathan Tofteland, Game and Fish Department district game warden, at 701-201-0703.
RAP is offering a $2,000 reward for any information that leads to a conviction.
Spring Mule Deer Survey Complete
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department completed its annual spring mule deer survey in April, and results indicate western North Dakota’s mule deer population is up 7% from last year and 22% above the long-term average.
Biologists counted 2,364 mule deer in 267.3 square miles during this year’s survey. Overall mule deer density in the badlands was 8.8 deer per square mile.
Big game management supervisor Bruce Stillings said the population is above objective and remains at a level able to support more hunting opportunities in the northern badlands.
“Mule deer have recovered nicely across the badlands following the winters of a decade ago,” Stillings said. “But long-term challenges remain for further population growth, including predators and weather patterns, and changes in habitat.”
The spring mule deer survey is used to assess mule deer abundance in the badlands. It is conducted after the snow has melted and before the trees begin to leaf out, providing the best conditions for aerial observation of deer. Biologists have completed aerial surveys of the same 24 study areas since the 1950s.
Fishing Tournament Permit Update
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department does not intend to revoke any fishing tournament permits for the remainder of this year, unless the coronavirus pandemic warrants such a decision.
Fisheries chief Greg Power said a letter was sent to all tournament sponsors with strong public safety recommendations, including physical distancing guidelines, for those who were still planning on conducting fishing tournaments.
Game and Fish had revoked fishing tournament permits for April and May due to COVID-19. No new fishing tournaments, beyond what is currently permitted, will be allowed or rescheduled this year on the Missouri River, lakes Oahe and Sakakawea, and Devils Lake (Stump Lake).
All tournament sponsors are urged to contact the respective managing entity of their tournament boat launching site to ensure there are no additional restrictions.
Deer Season Set, Apply Online
North Dakota’s 2020 deer season is set, with 69,050 licenses available to hunters, 3,550 more than last year.
In total, any-antlered licenses increased by 1,500 from last year, any-antlerless by 1,600, antlered whitetail by 250, antlerless whitetail by 200, and antlered and antlerless mule deer licenses remained the same.
In addition, muzzleloader licenses increased by 70 and restricted youth antlered mule deer licenses remained the same.
As stated in the 2020-21 chronic wasting disease proclamation, hunters harvesting a deer in units 3A1, 3B1, 3F2, 4B and 4C cannot transport the whole carcass outside of the unit, with the exception that hunters can transport the whole deer carcass between adjoining CWD carcass restricted units.
Also in the CWD proclamation, it is unlawful for an individual to hunt big game over bait, or place bait to attract big game for the purpose of hunting, in deer hunting units 3A1, 3A2, 3A3 north of U.S. Highway 2, 3B1, 3C west of the Missouri River, 3E1, 3E2, 3F1, 3F2, 4A, 4B and 4C.
North Dakota’s 2020 deer gun season opens Nov. 6 at noon and continues through Nov. 22.
Applicants for regular deer gun, youth and muzzleloader can apply online through the Game and Fish Department’s website at gf.nd.gov, or call 800-406-6409. A service fee is charged for applications made through the 800 number.
Gratis applicants must apply online – the toll-free licensing telephone number is not set up to process gratis applications.
The deadline for applying is June 3.
Applicants should note that beginning this year, a general game and habitat license is required when applying for a deer license. If the applicant has not already purchased one for the 2020-21 season, the license will be added to their cart upon checkout. The applicant has the option of having the general game and habitat license refunded if their deer license is not drawn in the lottery.
Gratis applicants who have previously applied online will automatically have their land description carried forward to this year’s application. However, any changes with land descriptions from last year’s application must be made prior to submitting the 2020 application.
Gratis applications received on or before the regular deer gun lottery application deadline will qualify for an any-legal-deer license. As per state law, gratis applications received after the deadline will be processed based on licenses remaining after the lottery. Generally, only antlerless licenses remain.
Total deer licenses are determined by harvest rates, aerial surveys, depredation reports, hunter observations, input at advisory board meetings, and comments from the public, landowners and department field staff.
Land Access Pilot Study Livestream Meeting on Monday
The North Dakota Legislative Interim – Natural Resources Committee is having a one-hour livestream meeting Monday, May 11 at 12 p.m. Central Time to discuss the land access pilot study that will be tested this fall in Richland, Ramsey and Slope counties.
Agenda items include consideration of the online land access application and related public information materials.
A one-week paddlefish snag-and-release season will be open May 15-21 for anglers who hold a valid fishing license, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department announced today. However, if conditions warrant, Game and Fish may close the season with a 24-hour notice.
Game and Fish announced April 3 that the annual paddlefish snagging harvest season, which was scheduled to open May 1, was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, the agency held open the possibility of a snag-and-release season in mid-May.
Fisheries chief Greg Power said with the state transitioning to North Dakota Smart Restart, snaggers should have an opportunity to participate in a snag-and-release season.
“Past history has shown that considerably fewer snaggers will participate, but this one-week season provides an opportunity for the avid snaggers,” Power said.
As with all outdoor activities, Power said it is still important to follow physical distancing guidelines.
“We will have signs in place at popular snagging areas, but obviously a lot falls on the individual to be smart and considerate,” Power said.
Legal snagging hours are from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Central Time. Snagging is legal in the Yellowstone River, as well as the area of the Missouri River lying west of the U.S. Highway 85 bridge to the Montana border, excluding that portion from the pipeline crossing (river mile 1,577) downstream to the upper end of the Lewis and Clark Wildlife Management Area (river mile 1,565).
With fewer dumpsters and functioning rest rooms in place this year, snaggers are reminded to plan accordingly and pack out all trash.
The use of more than one snag hook per line is illegal. Use or possession of gaffs is prohibited.
A paddlefish tag is not required.
Snaggers should be aware that Sundheim Park, located on the Yellowstone River, is open to day-use only activities.
Boaters Reminded to Report Accidents, Practice Social Distancing
Regardless of how safe and cautious boaters are on the water, accidents happen. If a boating accident involves injury, death or disappearance of a person, an accident report must be filled out and sent to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department within 48 hours of the occurrence.
If property damage exceeds $2,000, but no deaths or injuries occur, a boat operator has five days to file a report.
A boat accident form is available at the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov, at any Game and Fish office or by contacting a local game warden.
In addition to wearing a life jacket, boaters are reminded to practice social distancing during these times of uncertainty.
Enforcement operations supervisor Jackie Lundstrom offers these simple safety precautions:
Boat only with family members
Maintain 6 feet between you and others
Stay home if you are sick
Keep occupants to a minimum
Sustain proper distance at ramps/docks
Guide and Outfitter Exam Canceled
The guide and outfitter exam scheduled for May 9 at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's main office in Bismarck has been canceled.
The next exam will be rescheduled at a later date.
Online Hunter Education Certification Available
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is offering an online hunter education course for students who will turn at least age 12 on or before Dec. 31, 2020.
Education supervisor Marty Egeland said with most in-person hunter education classes canceled this spring due to the coronavirus pandemic, Game and Fish needed to find a way to get students certified for hunter education this year. “And with most classes held before the deer application deadline, we had to adjust the way we administer our classes,” Egeland said.
The online course is available to students who were already enrolled in classes that were canceled, and also to qualifying students who were not previously enrolled in a class. A 25% discount is being offered for taking the online course.
Students who were already enrolled in a 2020 class that was canceled do not have to register with Game and Fish again. They will automatically receive an email with instructions to start the online course.
Prospective students who had not previously registered, can sign up through the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov. After signing up for the class, the student will receive an email with further relevant information and instructions. The online portion of the class must be completed within two weeks of signup.
For both pre-registered and new students, when the online hunter education course and an accompanying virtual field day are completed, a temporary hunter education number will be provided, which will allow lottery applications and license purchases in 2020.
Each student will then have until Dec. 31, 2020 to attend one in-person class session, to take the official North Dakota Game and Fish Department hunter education written and practical exams. If this is not completed by the end of the year, the temporary hunter education number will expire and the student will have to retake the course in the future.
Game and Fish will notify students when dates and locations are established for these final class sessions.
Another option for anyone who wants to hunt in North Dakota in 2020, is a one-time exemption called an apprentice license. Individuals who are at least age 12 by the end of the calendar year, and who have not previously had an apprentice license, can apply for one and use that to purchase 2020 licenses without a hunter education number. An apprentice license holder must then complete the official hunter education course before being able to purchase hunting licenses in future years.
North Dakota Game and Fish Department