The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will continue its Hunter-Harvested Surveillance program during the 2025 hunting season by sampling deer for chronic wasting disease from select units in the northwestern portion of the state.
Samples will be tested from deer taken from units 3A1, 3A2, 3A3, 3B1, 3B2, 4A, 4B and 4C. Outside of this area, hunters can still have their animal tested by taking it to a Game and Fish district office, deer head collection site or by using a self-sampling kit.
Hunters are encouraged to drop off heads of adult or yearling deer at collection locations listed on the department’s website at gf.nd.gov. Fawns and head-shot deer cannot be tested. Hunters wishing to keep the heads can bring them to a Game and Fish district office during business hours to have them sampled.
Self-sampling kits are available for hunters who wish to have their deer tested but are unable to drop the head at a collection site. The do-it-yourself kit allows hunters to remove the lymph nodes and ship them to the department’s wildlife health lab for testing.
Results can be expected within four weeks and will be sent to your Game and Fish My Account inbox.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department Advisory Board will host public meetings this fall 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.
2025 Fall Advisory Board Public Meeting Schedule
District
Board Member
Date/Time
Host
Location
Contact Person
District 1
Nathan Hovde
Monday, November 17, 7 p.m. CT
McKenzie County Sportsman’s Club
McKenzie County Sportsman’s Club (2306 121X Ave NW)
Nathan Hovde, 701-580-0314
District 2
Travis Leier
Wednesday, October 29, 7 p.m. CT
Goosefest
Kenmare Fire Hall (617 Central Ave N), Kenmare
Scott Ness, 701-240-3855
District 3
Edward Dosch
Wednesday, November 5, 7 p.m. CT
Lake Region Anglers
Lake Region State College (1801 College Dr, Chautauqua Rm), Devils Lake
Cory Everson, 701-351-0648
District 4
Karissa Daws
Wednesday, November 12, 7 p.m. CT
Dakota Prairie Wildlife Club
Fordville American Legion (208 Main St N), Fordville
Lynn Baier, 701-331-1074
District 5
Doug Madsen
Tuesday, October 28, 7 p.m. CT
Buffalo Wildlife Club
Buffalo Community Center (409 Main St), Buffalo
Dalen Grieger, 701-799-2141
District 6
Jordan Svenningsen
Wednesday, November 19, 7 p.m. CT
Stutsman County Wildlife Club
North Dakota Farmers Union (1415 12th Ave SE), Jamestown
Jordan Svenningsen, 701-840-2254
District 7
Jody Sommer
Monday, November 3, 7 p.m. CT
Turtle Lake Wildlife Club
Turtle Lake Wildlife Club (724 15th Ave NW), Turtle Lake
Jody Sommer 701-527-2295
District 8
Rob Brooks
Monday, November 24, 7 p.m. MT
Medora Grazing Association
AmericInn Hotel and Conference Center (75 E River Rd S)
Rob Brooks, 701-440-8952
Game and Fish Monitoring EHD-related Mortality
The state Game and Fish Department is allowing hunters with whitetail or “any” deer gun licenses in five units in western North Dakota the option of turning those licenses in for refunds.
Hunters with antlered whitetail, antlerless whitetail, any antlered and any antlerless licenses, are eligible for refunds in units 3E1, 3F1, 3F2, 4E and 4F. Hunters who return their licenses will have their bonus points restored, if applicable, to the same number of points prior to the 2025 deer gun lottery.
Mason Ryckman, wildlife health biologist, said the decision is based on scattered reports of white-tailed deer mortality caused by epizootic hemorrhagic disease that began in early September.
“This outbreak appears mild,” Ryckman said. “We see a low level of EHD most years. It typically stays fairly localized, but every so often it can intensify into a significant die-off. The combined outbreak in 2020 and 2021 was probably the worst in memory, with extensive mortality across much of western North Dakota. Similar to 2024, we’re nowhere close to that level, but we have received around 20 reports, primarily focused across Bowman and Adams counties. We’re hopeful that the few nights with temperatures in the 20s this past week helped slow things down, but it typically takes a series of hard frosts to kill the gnats and completely end an outbreak.”
Department staff will continue to monitor reports to determine if licenses in additional units should become eligible for refunds due to the EHD outbreak. Hunters and landowners should report any dead deer along with photos, if possible, to the department through the online wildlife mortality reporting system, at gf.nd.gov/mortality-report.
“It is important to make note of the location and the approximate number of animals found,” Ryckman said. “In some cases, we may need to collect samples off fresh carcasses, so it is important to notify the department as soon as possible.”
Before deciding to turn in a license, the department urges license holders to make local contacts to find out the extent of mortality in their hunting unit as most areas within these units have not been heavily affected.
License holders who qualify and want a refund must mail their tag, along with a note requesting a refund due to EHD, to the Game and Fish Department’s Bismarck office no later than Nov. 7. Envelopes postmarked Nov. 7 will be accepted.
EHD, a viral disease transmitted by biting gnats, primarily affects white-tailed deer but other big game species are susceptible. The virus is not a danger to humans; however, hunters should not shoot or consume a deer that appears sick.
Historical Look at Waterfowl in North Dakota
The storied past of waterfowl in North Dakota is uniquely revealed in the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s publication, “The Duck Factory – A History of Waterfowl in North Dakota.”
Certainly of interest to waterfowlers and other outdoor enthusiasts, the 213-page, full color, soft-cover publication is authored by Mike Jacobs and Erik Fritzell. The book traces the history of waterfowl species and their habitats in North Dakota.
The book is sold only online for $24.99, including shipping, on the Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov, by clicking on Buy and Apply, and then Shop.
Zebra Mussel Eradication Plan for Smishek Lake
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department, in cooperation with state and federal partners and local stakeholders, have finalized a plan to eradicate zebra mussels from Smishek Lake.
“This decision was not an easy one, but we feel this plan is absolutely necessary to protect the downstream waters of Lake Sakakawea and lakes in northwestern North Dakota from zebra mussels,” said Ben Holen, aquatic nuisance species coordinator. “Generally, eradication is not a feasible option, but in this case, we believe we have a very good opportunity to eliminate zebra mussels from Smishek Lake.”
During the week of Oct. 13, Game and Fish Department staff will apply an EPA-registered copper-based molluscicide called EarthTecQZ. This product, when applied safely, will cause mussel mortality while sustaining other aquatic life. After the treatment, Game and Fish, and Department of Environmental Quality personnel, will monitor copper concentrations in Smishek Lake. In late fall or early winter, Game and Fish will also consider dewatering some of Smishek Lake and, if needed, pursue a secondary treatment with EarthTecQZ in spring 2026.
The ramp will be closed on the day of treatment (Oct. 13-17) and signs will be placed around the lake.
Fall Mule Deer Survey Begins
The state Game and Fish Department’s annual fall aerial mule deer survey is set to begin Oct. 13 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 survey is used to collect mule deer population data for monitoring demographic trends, such as buck-to-doe and fawn-to-doe ratios.
Order 2026 OUTDOORS Calendars
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is taking orders for its North Dakota OUTDOORS calendar, the source for all hunting season and application dates for 2026. Along with color photographs of North Dakota’s wildlife and outstanding scenery, it also includes sunrise-sunset times and moon phases.
The calendar is the North Dakota OUTDOORS magazine’s December issue, so current subscribers will automatically receive it in the mail.
Zebra Mussels Discovered in Smishek Lake
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has confirmed the presence of invasive zebra mussels in Smishek Lake, Burke County, after detecting zebra mussel veligers in routine plankton tow net samples.
Ben Holen, Department aquatic nuisance species coordinator, said subsequent follow-up sampling found additional adult mussels in the lake.
The 195-acre lake is a popular recreation destination located 4.8 miles north of Powers Lake.
Smishek Lake is now considered a Class I ANS infested water. Emergency rules will go into effect immediately to prohibit the movement of water away from the lake, including water for transferring bait. Notices will be posted at lake access sites. With input from partners, the Game and Fish Department is currently evaluating containment and treatment options on Smishek Lake to minimize the spread of zebra mussels in the region.
Zebra mussels are just one of the nonnative aquatic species that threaten our waters and native wildlife. After using any body of water, people must remember to follow North Dakota regulations:
Remove aquatic vegetation before leaving the water access and do not import into North Dakota.
Drain all water before leaving the water access.
Remove drain plugs and devices that hold back water and leave open and out during transport.
Do not import aquatic bait into the state. For Class I ANS infested waters, aquatic bait cannot be transported away from the water. In all other areas, bait must be transported in a container that holds 5 gallons or less. Remember that it is illegal to dump unused bait on shore or into the lake.
All docks, lifts and related equipment must be dried and left out of water for at least 21 days before being placed in another water.
In addition to North Dakota regulations, Game and Fish strongly recommends:
Avoid mooring your watercraft in zebra mussels infested waters.
Clean – remove plants, animals and excessive mud prior to leaving a water access.
Drain – drain all water prior to leaving a water access.
Dry – allow equipment to dry completely before using again or disinfect.
North Dakota’s sandhill crane season opens Sept. 20 and runs through Nov. 16.
Limits are three daily and nine in possession in unit 1 (west of U.S. Highway 281), and two daily and six in possession in unit 2 (east of U.S. Highway 281). Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 2 p.m. each day, with extended shooting hours to sunset on Saturdays and Wednesdays beginning Sept. 27 through the end of the season.
Hunters are urged to use caution and identify birds to prevent shooting at endangered whooping cranes as they begin their fall migration.
In addition to other licenses required, resident hunters need a $10 crane permit, while nonresidents need a $30 permit. Hunters can buy a license online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.
Harvest Information Program certification is required. To get HIP certified, access the Game and Fish website.
Free Fishing Weekend
North Dakota residents who want to give fishing a try can fish for free June 7-8.
That is the state’s free fishing weekend, when all residents 16 and older can fish any North Dakota water without a license. Residents 15 and younger do not need a fishing license at any time of year.
The weekend provides a great opportunity to try fishing for the first time or take someone new.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department removed the open fire ban on Oahe Wildlife Management Area. However, this area still falls under county burn restrictions.
Oahe WMA covers more than 16,000 acres along the Missouri River south of Bismarck and Mandan within Burleigh, Emmons and Morton counties.
ANS Awareness Week
May 4-10 is Aquatic Nuisance Species Awareness Week in North Dakota in an effort to raise public understanding of the preventative steps recreationists need to follow to stop the introduction and spread of ANS in the state’s waterways.
ANS are nonnative plants, animals or pathogens that can affect the ecology of our lakes and rivers and the economic and recreational value of those waterways.
Ben Holen, state Game and Fish Department ANS coordinator, said ANS awareness week is comprised of state and federal agencies highlighting the ongoing efforts taking place in North Dakota.
“The pathways of ANS introductions are vast, so it is important to relay ANS awareness across diverse platforms to reach many unique water users,” he said. “Raising awareness is a collaborative approach among partners and conscientious citizens.”
North Dakota currently has low numbers of aquatic nuisance species. Other than zebra mussels, just a few invasive plants and animals – curly leaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, flowering rush, and grass, bighead, silver and common carp – are found in some state waters.
To fight the introduction and spread of unwanted invasives, Holen said some of the shared burden falls on water users. The Game and Fish Department encourages anglers, pleasure boaters and others to clean, drain and dry all equipment after every use. Clean and remove all plants or animals from watercraft or equipment prior to leaving any recreational area. Drain and remove water from all equipment prior to exiting designated access points. Not draining water can be extremely hazardous and may cause negligent transportation of ANS to various locations. Afterwards, verify that all equipment is completely dry before using again.
North Dakota Game and Fish Department