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News Releases

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

North Dakota Game and Fish Department


News Releases


Paddlefish Snagging Harvest Season Canceled



The North Dakota 2020-22 fishing proclamation has been amended and the state Game and Fish Department is canceling the upcoming paddlefish snagging harvest season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the amendment does allow for the possibility of a one-week snag-and-release season May 15-21, which is two weeks later than the normal opening day.

Fisheries chief Greg Power said safety of snaggers, caviar processors and data collection staff are a major concern.

“Paddlefish snaggers concentrate in large numbers in a small area, and often participate in snagging while shoulder to shoulder,” Power said. “There is no realistic way to maintain proper separation.”

Game and Fish is allowing for the possibility of a one-week, snag-and-release season, Power said, because data strongly suggests considerably fewer snaggers will participate.

“The snag-and-release season is considered acceptable as a lower-risk activity for those avid snaggers who just want some time outdoors, usually by themselves,” Power said.

If there is a snag-and-release season, anglers would only need a fishing license. A paddlefish tag would not be required.

The Northstar Caviar fish cleaning, egg processing and boat shuttle operation will not be open this year.

 

State Agencies Promote Benefits of Outdoor Recreation



While the upcoming weekend weather doesn't necessarily remind us of spring, warmer weather is just around the corner. As the days get longer and temperatures rise, people naturally want to head outdoors. But this year it's not business as usual.

North Dakota's outdoors and its health benefits, including stress reduction, lower blood pressure, better sleep, and relief from anxiety, stress, and depression, are likely more important than ever. That's why the North Dakota departments of Parks and Recreation and Game and Fish want to remind citizens who venture outdoors to avoid crowds and practice recommended social distancing.

"We encourage people to get outside and fish and enjoy the outdoors," said Game and Fish Director Terry Steinwand, "but we also need to practice the recommendations for minimizing the risk of spread of the COVID-19 virus."

Especially for anglers at popular shore-fishing locations, Steinwand said a good rule of thumb is that if you can reach out with a fishing rod and touch the person fishing next to you, you're too close. "In other situations, we urge people to follow the 6-foot separation guideline as well," Steinwand added.

The Parks and Recreation Department reported higher than usual traffic at state parks and other locations this past weekend and expected more of the same as the weeks continue. "We have been seeing a lot of users out on the trails and biking around the parks," reports Parks and Recreation Interim Director Ryan Gardner. "We saw a lot of people following proper social distancing rules and being respectful toward the natural landscape."

Both Game and Fish and Parks and Recreation have closed all office buildings to public traffic, but Parks' day-use facilities, including trails and boat ramps, remain open. Parks and Recreation reminds visitors that daily passes can be purchased at the iron rangers, and all annual passes can be purchased online. "We are continuing to work to find ways to let people still enjoy the parks during this time," Gardner stated, "and we also want to remind people that the OHV trails are open for the season."

Game and Fish is also keeping its public outdoor facilities, such as wildlife management areas and fishing waters, open for people to use, but agency staff are keeping an eye on popular shore-fishing areas to assess the level of activity. "We depend on the public's awareness and willingness to cooperate," Steinwand said, "but we'll be monitoring some areas, and if it appears that the recommendations are not being followed, we might have to consider closing those areas because of the risk involved."

Both agencies want to remind users to be mindful while outdoors, stay on marked trails, and if trails are too muddy to use, find another travel route. "If you pack it in, pack it out," both Gardner and Steinwand agreed. "It's important to leave North Dakota's valuable natural resources in the same state in which you found them."

 

Deer Gratis Application Online



Landowners who are interested in a 2020 deer gratis license can start the online-only application process now by visiting the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. The deadline for applying is June 3.

The general deer and muzzleloader lottery applications will be available online in early May, also with a deadline of June 3.

Since 2018 the Game and Fish Department has opened deer gratis applications a month earlier than prior years to allow additional time for online applications for landowners who are busy with spring farm and ranch activities.

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.

Applications must be submitted online using a computer or smartphone. License vendors are unable to process deer gratis applications.

Open Fires Banned on Oahe WMA, Surrounding Areas



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

Bill Haase, wildlife resource management supervisor, said all open burning, including campfires, is banned until further notice on the Oahe Wildlife Management Area along both sides of the Missouri River. While the use of portable grills is allowed, extreme caution is advised due to the heavily vegetated area.

Haase said 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, he said, 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 Bottoms 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.

UPDATE 05/20/2020 - The burn ban will be lifted Friday May 22.

2019 Deer Season Summarized



A total of 57,949 North Dakota deer hunters took approximately 37,250 deer during the 2019 deer gun hunting season, according to a post-season survey conducted by the state Game and Fish Department.

Game and Fish made available 65,500 deer gun licenses last year. Overall hunter success was 64 percent, with each hunter spending an average of 4.3 days in the field.

Hunter success for antlered white-tailed deer was 64 percent, and antlerless whitetail was 58 percent.

Mule deer buck success was 78 percent, and antlerless mule deer was 79 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 68 percent, while doe hunters had a success rate of 65 percent.

Game and Fish issued 11,981 gratis licenses in 2019, and 9,767 hunters harvested 5,416 deer, for a success rate of 56 percent.

A total of 1,206 muzzleloader licenses were issued in 2019, and 1,040 hunters harvested 426 white-tailed deer (222 antlered, 204 antlerless). Hunter success was 41 percent.

A total of 27,582 archery licenses (24,902 resident, 2,680 nonresident) were issued in 2019. In total, 21,960 bow hunters harvested 8,978 deer (7,988 whitetails, 990 mule deer), for a success rate of 41 percent.

The department is in the process of determining recommendations for licenses in 2020. 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.

 

Spring Mule Deer Survey Begins April 1



The State Game and Fish Department’s annual spring aerial mule deer survey is set to begin April 1 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. 

 

Missouri River System Boat Ramp Status



Anglers looking to enjoy the nice weather this weekend by fishing open water on the Missouri River System can check the status of boat ramps at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov.

Game and Fish will post ramp status updates as they occur.

Department personnel encourage anglers to wait their turn at boat ramps, practice social distancing and follow other guidelines for minimizing the risk of spread of the COVID-19 virus. 

 

Game and Fish Reminds Anglers to Keep Social Distance



With a pleasant weekend in the forecast and a lot of North Dakotans anxious to do something outside, the State Game and Fish Department reminds anglers to practice social distancing, whether it’s on shore, from a boat or on the ice.

“We encourage people to get outside and fish and enjoy the outdoors,” said Game and Fish Director Terry Steinwand, “but we also need to practice the recommendations for minimizing the risk of spread of the COVID-19 virus.”

Especially for anglers at popular shore-fishing locations, Steinwand said a good rule of thumb is that if you can reach out with a fishing rod and touch the person fishing next to you, you’re too close. “In other situations, we urge people to follow the 6-foot separation guideline as well,” Steinwand added.

Over the next several weeks, Game and Fish will keep an eye on popular shore-fishing areas to assess the level of activity. “We depend on the public’s awareness and willingness to cooperate,” Steinwand said, “but we’ll be monitoring, and if it appears that the recommendations are not being followed, we might have to consider closing access to those high traffic areas because of the risk involved.”

To this point, Game and Fish has not restricted access to its public outdoor facilities such as wildlife management areas and fishing waters, but its office buildings are currently closed to public traffic. “We are continuing to handle phone calls and online traffic,” Steinwand said, “so anyone who needs help or has questions can call or email us.”

 

Hunters Cautioned of Ground Conditions



The spring snow goose migration is in full swing, and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department is asking hunters to be wary of muddy roads and saturated ground conditions when traveling to and from hunting locations.

Game and Fish Department wildlife chief Jeb Williams said goose hunters are encouraged to maintain positive landowner/hunter relations and not drive on soft, muddy roads and trails, and to seek landowner permission before attempting any off-road travel on private land.

The spring light goose conservation order runs through May 10.

Elk, Moose, Bighorn Sheep Apps due March 25



North Dakotan’s who want a chance to hunt elk, moose and bighorn sheep in 2020 are reminded the deadline for submitting applications is March 25.

Applicants 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.

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.

 

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 each spring are part of a population of about 500 birds that are on their way from their 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 Audubon, 701-442-5474, 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.

Game and Fish to Close Offices to Public Access



North Dakota Game and Fish Department offices will close to public access today at 12 p.m. Central Time, due to coronavirus disease health concerns. This includes the main headquarters and district/lab offices in Bismarck, and district offices in Devils Lake, Dickinson, Jamestown, Harvey, Riverdale and Williston.

Game and Fish offices will remain closed until April 6.

Outdoor recreational facilities, including boat ramps that are accessible on the Missouri River, the department’s 229 wildlife management areas, and the pond and nature walk on the outdoor wildlife learning site adjacent to the main office in Bismarck, remain open.

While most Game and Fish staff will work remotely during business hours Monday through Friday, the main telephone line at department offices will be staffed. In addition, district game wardens will conduct daily patrols as regularly scheduled.

For hunters and anglers who are already familiar with Game and Fish, it’s most likely business as usual as all hunting and fishing license purchases, boat registrations and lottery applications are conducted online. For others with questions, visit the Game and Fish website at gf.nd.gov, and search the many links and resources available that provide a user-friendly experience. 

The moose, elk and bighorn sheep application deadline will remain at March 25. Applicants can apply online, or call 800-406-6409.

For questions, comments or concerns, contact your local Game and Fish office, or email ndgf@nd.gov. In addition, stay connected with Game and Fish by following along on FacebookInstagram and YouTube.