The next guide and outfitter written examination is April 2 at 1 p.m. at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department office in Bismarck. Preregistration is required no later than March 25 by calling the department’s enforcement office at 701-328-6604.
In addition to passing a written exam, qualifications for becoming a guide include a background check for criminal and game and fish…
Landowners interested in posting private land electronically for the 2022-23 hunting season can log into My Account on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. The deadline for landowners to digitally post land is July 1, which is necessary to produce print material and digital content prior to hunting seasons that begin in August.
The 2021 state legislature passed…
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s enforcement division tallied the number of hunting, angling and boating citations for 2021, and failure to carry a license was the number one violation.
Game wardens issued more than 2,600 citations last year. Counties with the most violations were Ramsey (399), Williams (132) and Benson (125).
The most common violations and number…
North Dakotans interested in supporting wildlife conservation programs are reminded to 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…
Wildlife managers urge outdoor enthusiasts to consider where they recreate during North Dakota’s leanest months to spare already stressed animals that are simply trying to survive the snow and cold.
This advice is especially true this winter as wildlife habitat and available food sources are limited because ongoing drought conditions leading up to winter nearly crippled the development…
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual midwinter waterfowl survey in early January indicated about 81,000 Canada geese in the state.
Andy Dinges, Department migratory game bird biologist, said that number likely would have been higher, but snow and bitterly cold weather in late December undoubtedly pushed some birds south just prior to the survey.
“The number of…
The Earth Day Patch Contest is step one in bringing awareness and develop consciousness about the environmental conditions of our planet and North Dakota. Students who participate will develop a patch design using five colors to incorporate some aspect of Earth Day including environmental awareness, respect for Earth, water quality, wildlife or habitat conservation in North Dakota.
The…
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is offering 7,647 wild turkey licenses for the 2022 spring hunting season, 635 more than last year.
Ten of the 22 hunting units have more spring licenses than last year, one has fewer licenses and 10 remain the same. Unit 21 (Hettinger and Adams counties) is again closed due to lack of turkeys in the unit.
One noteworthy change from…
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 Jan. 31 are considered abandoned property and are subject to removal and confiscation by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
Even though North Dakota’s 2021 hunting seasons have been put to bed, hunter success, or lack thereof, still matters.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has conducted hunter harvest surveys for more than a half-century, using the findings to help manage the state’s wildlife populations. Thousands of surveys are sent annually, and participation is strongly urged because hunter…
Bobcat hunting and trapping in Zone 2 is closed immediately, after the zone’s predetermined harvest limit of eight has been reached. Zone 2 is the area east of U.S Highway 83.
The bobcat season in Zone 1 has no harvest limit and is open through March 15.
If you were born after 1961, are 12 years or older, you must take a certified hunter education course before you can get a firearm or bowhunting license in North Dakota.
Understanding this, especially if you have your sights set on hunting in fall, now is not the time to drag your feet.
“In some of our communities, especially our smaller communities, there's only one course a…
Winter anglers must clean up the ice after fishing. This not only applies to trash, but fish as well.
It is not only unsightly, but it is illegal to leave fish, including minnows used for bait, behind on the ice. According to state fishing regulations, when a fish is caught, anglers must either immediately release the fish unharmed, or reduce them to their daily possession.
It…
North Dakota Game and Fish Department fisheries biologists are encouraging ice anglers to keep fish caught from deep waters.
Catch-and-release fishing, no matter the time of year, is discouraged for fish caught in 30 feet or more, because fish reeled in from those depths have a greater chance of dying if released.
Fish caught in deep water won’t likely survive because of the…
North Dakota’s river otter trapping season is closed immediately. The statewide season’s predetermined harvest limit of 25 has been reached.
Only North Dakota residents were eligible to participate, with a season limit of one otter per trapper.
Wes Erdle, fisheries development project manager for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Bismarck, 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 Erdle and his crew are responsible for all new boat ramps undertaken by the department, and he is solely responsible…
Andrew Dahlgren, North Dakota Game and Fish Department district game warden stationed in Edgeley, is the state’s 2021 Wildlife Officer of the Year and Boating Officer of the Year.
Dahlgren was honored recently by Shikar-Safari Club International, a private conservation organization that annually recognizes outstanding wildlife officers in each state. In a nomination letter sent to…
North Dakota Game and Fish Department director Jeb Williams recently honored employees with performance-based awards. Williams presented the following with special recognition awards during the department’s virtual staff meeting in December.
Todd Caspers, fisheries biologist, Devils Lake, was recognized for his efforts in the fisheries management of Devils Lake, Stump Lake, Lake…
The 2022 North Dakota OUTDOORS calendar is available for ordering online at the state Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.
The calendar features outstanding color photographs of North Dakota wildlife and scenery, and includes season opening and application deadline dates, sunrise-sunset times and moon phases.
Calendars are also available via mail order. Send $3 for each…
North Dakota’s free ice fishing weekend is Dec. 25-26.
Resident anglers may fish that weekend without a license. All other winter fishing regulations apply.
Fishing regulations and information on fishing waters is available on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website at gf.nd.gov.
