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The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 70th annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of 2.95 million birds, down 15 percent from last year.

Migratory game bird supervisor Mike Szymanski said even though the index is below 3 million for the first time since 1994,…

North Dakota boaters who are traveling to other states or Canadian provinces should check the aquatic nuisance species regulations of their destination to make sure they are in compliance.

While many of North Dakota’s ANS prevention regulations are similar to surrounding states and provinces,…

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest is now open, and the deadline for submissions is Oct. 2.

The contest has categories for nongame and game species, as well as plants/insects. An overall winning photograph will be chosen, with the number of place…

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has openings for Hike the Maah Daah Hey Trail, a Becoming an Outdoors-Woman event scheduled for July 15-16.

This workshop is designed for women with previous hiking or backpacking skills, or who are in good physical condition. Participants will hike a 13-…

The next guide and outfitter written examination is Aug. 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…

The public shooting range at Wilton Mine Wildlife Management Area is closed until further notice because of a fire danger caused by dry ground conditions.

The Schmidt Bottoms and MacLean shooting ranges remain open. However, shooters are advised to use caution because of the hot, dry conditions.

Wilton Mine WMA is approximately two miles east of Wilton

Schmidt Bottoms…

North Dakota deer hunters are reminded the deadline for submitting applications for the 2017 gun season is June 7. Hunters are encouraged to apply online at the state Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.

The deadline applies to muzzleloader, regular gun, gratis and nonresident landowner,…

Failure to wear a personal floatation device is the main reason people lose their lives in water recreation accidents.

North Dakota law requires all children ages 10 and younger to wear a personal flotation device while in boats of less than 27 feet in length. The law also requires all personal…

In conjunction with North Dakota’s Free Fishing Weekend, the state Game and Fish Department is holding a special event for potential fishing education volunteers on Saturday, June 3 at the agency’s Bismarck headquarters office.

“We are looking for volunteers for a variety of programs,” Jeff Long, Game and Fish fishing education coordinator said. “We will have some current volunteers…

North Dakota boaters are reminded to exercise patience and plan accordingly when heading to a lake or river this summer.

The state Game and Fish Department receives a number of complaints every year about overly aggressive behavior at boat ramps. A few simple reminders will help ensure a fluent…

North Dakotans who want to give fishing a try are reminded they can fish for free June 3-4.

That is the state’s Free Fishing Weekend, when all residents age 16 and over can fish any North Dakota water without a license. Residents age 15 and under do not need a fishing license at any time of year…

Outdoor water recreationists are gearing up for another season on the open water. With that in mind, boaters and anglers are once again reminded to help prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species in North Dakota.

State Game and Fish Department ANS coordinator Jessica Howell…

For the sixth consecutive year, North Dakota early Canada goose season hunters bagged more than 36,000 birds, according to a recent harvest estimate released by the state Game and Fish Department. This is the combined harvest from the August Canada goose management take, and the September Canada goose hunting season.

For the second time in less than three weeks, a North Dakota bow fisherman has set a new state record.

Derek Larson, Mandan, arrowed a new record buffalo on May 5 to follow up a new record common carp taken by Derek Barnick of Tappen on April 21.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has set its summer schedule of conservation workshops for educators.

Visual Arts Approach to Teaching Life Science – June 6-7, Bismarck. Participants will experiment with clay, water, pastel and colored pencil, while emphasizing North Dakota resources,…

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department emphasizes a simple message to well-intentioned humans who want to pick up and rescue what appear to be orphaned baby animals this time of year – don’t touch them. Whether it is a young fawn, duckling, cottontail rabbit or a songbird, it is better to just leave them alone.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will hold a public hearing to address proposed rule changes to North Dakota Administrative Code Title 30. The hearing is scheduled for 1:15 p.m., Thursday, June 15 at the agency’s main office in Bismarck.

The purpose and explanation of the proposed rule…

North Dakota’s 2017 deer season is set with 54,500 licenses available to hunters this fall, 5,500 more than last year.

The number of licenses available for 2017 includes 2,750 for antlered mule deer, an increase of 200 from last year; 1,022 for muzzleloader, an increase of 94 from last year; and 245 restricted youth antlered mule deer, an increase of 20 from last year.

Game and…

 

The state Game and Fish Department reminds anglers that live white suckers are not legal baitfish anywhere in North Dakota, except for the Bois de Sioux and Red rivers.

Although anglers can use live white suckers on the Bois de Sioux and Red rivers and tributaries up to the first vehicular bridge, they are illegal elsewhere. Fathead minnows, sticklebacks and creek…

 

Confiscated hunting and fishing equipment will be sold Saturday, May 20 at the North Dakota Wildlife Federation’s Report All Poachers auction in Minot. The auction is scheduled for 12 noon at the North Dakota State Fair Center’s 4-H hall.

Auction items can be viewed beginning at 10 a.m. Items include more than 60 rifles, shotguns and handguns; fishing equipment, bows,…