Podcasts

lcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boater deaths. Operation Dry Water is a national campaign that seeks to heighten awareness of the dangers of boating while drinking. This year it will run from June 29 through July 1. Learn more in this week's webcast.

This year’s breeding duck surveys have been completed. 2018 is the second year in a row breeding duck counts have been below 3 million since the early 1990s. Learn more in this week’s webcast.

There are over 220 wildlife management areas in North Dakota.  WMAs are used for many recreational activities including fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife watching and more, however their primary purpose is to support wildlife. Spring is a busy time for Department employees on the WMAs. Staff plant food plots, grass, trees and shrubs, start grazing rotations, spray noxious weeds and much more. Learn more in this week's webcast.

Boating season is in full swing. Watch this week's webcast for information on staying safe on the water this summer.

Lowhead dams, some from the late 1800s, can be found across North Dakota. These simple concrete or rock masonry dams were built for various reasons including town water supplies, irrigation, livestock use and recreation. The problem with these dams is that the water flowing over them can cause strong recirculating currents on the downstream side which can trap and drown people. Learn more about these dams and what can be done to mitigate their danger in this week’s webcast.

Applications for the 2018 deer gun season are now available. Apply online at https://gf.nd.gov/buy-apply. The application deadline is June 6. Learn more in this week's webcast.

A number of walleye and northern pike fisheries across the state lack the ability to sustain themselves through natural reproduction. They either lack suitable spawning habitat or have salinity levels that are too high for eggs to successfully hatch. To maintain populations in these important fisheries eggs are collected each spring to be raised in the Garrison Dam and Valley City National Fish Hatcheries then used to restock walleye and northern pike fisheries.

2018 Fishing Report - NE, Red River

Each spring Department fisheries biologists sit down with our webcast host Mike Anderson to discuss the coming open-water fishing season. Today biologists from the Northwest and Southeast Fisheries Districts tell us how the fishing prospects in their areas are shaping up. Next week we’ll hear from biologists in the Northeast Fisheries District and the Red River.

Each spring Department fisheries biologists sit down with our webcast host Mike Anderson to discuss the coming open-water fishing season. Today biologists from the North Central and Southwest Fisheries Districts tell us how the fishing prospects in their areas are shaping up. Next week we’ll hear from biologists in the Northwest and Southeast Fisheries Districts.

Each spring Department fisheries biologists sit down with our webcast host Mike Anderson to discuss the coming open-water fishing season. Today biologists from the South Central Fisheries District and Lake Sakakawea tell us how the fishing prospects in their areas are shaping up. Next week we’ll hear from biologists in the North Central and Southwest Fisheries Districts.

As spring begins to take hold and ice melts our fisheries development staff will start delivering and installing the courtesy docks and fishing piers they've been building over the winter. This year they are planning on also creating 3-4 new boat ramps and on upgrading some of the fish cleaning stations found across the state. Find out more in this week's webcast with fisheries development supervisor Bob Frohlich.

The 2018-2020 fishing regulations take effect April 1. In this week’s webcast fisheries division chief Greg Power talks about some of the noteworthy regulation changes.

Believe it or not, it is time to apply for the 2018 moose, elk and bighorn sheep lotteries! Find out more in this week's webcast.

Did you know that about 85% of all flowering plants rely on insect or mammal pollinators to reproduce? But pollinators across the country are struggling. About 30 percent of bee colonies have been lost in the United States every year since 2006. Monarch numbers are also in severe decline. About 80 or 90 percent of the monarch population has been lost within the past two decades. There are simple steps that all of us can take to help. Learn more in this week’s webcast.

Wildlife research techniques have come a long way over the years, and technology has made gathering data about wild animals more exact and much easier. Everything from airplanes down to tiny transmitters like this one on a grasshopper sparrow allow us to track animal movements, mortality and other information that once was almost impossible to collect. Learn more about some of the technology used in wildlife research in this week's webcast with wildlife division chief Casey Anderson.

With winter winding down, host Mike Anderson took some time to talk to fisheries division chief Greg Power about how this year’s ice fishing season is progressing.

Snow geese populations grew exponentially from the mid-90s up to the early 2000s creating problems for the habitat where these colony nesting birds breed. In an attempt to control populations a conservation order was put into place allowing hunting outside of the normal migratory game bird treaty days. The spring conservation order in North Dakota begins Feb. 17 and runs through May 13.

Game and fish violations in 2017 were up slightly over 2016. Learn about the common violations seen every year and those of increasing concern, like aquatic nuisance species, in this week's webcast with chief game warden Bob Timian.

The spring turkey season will be April 14 - May 20. There are 5,655 licenses for bearded turkeys available. The application deadline is Feb. 14. Find out more in this week’s webcast.

The National Archery in Schools Program has been going strong in North Dakota since 2003. Currently there are 175 schools in the state that participate in the program with more being added each year. Kids from many of these schools will be competing in the 2018 state tournament in Minot (March 23, 24) where prizes include college scholarship money. Learn more in this week’s webcast.

In addition to ice fishing and trapping, North Dakota offers a variety of different outdoor winter opportunities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and wildlife watching, and North Dakota’s state parks are perfect places to pursue these activities. Learn more about what the parks have to offer in this week’s webcast with the northeast regional manager for the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department, Justin Robinson.

In this week's webcast, Director Terry Steinwand gives a short recap of 2017's challenges and highlights then looks ahead to 2018.

This is the second webcast in our two part ice fishing preview. Find out how the ice fishing season is looking in the eastern half of North Dakota.

Eventually winter will settle over North Dakota and the ice fishing season will begin in earnest. Find out how the season is looking in this two part webcast series. Today’s webcast covers conditions in the western half of the state. Next week’s webcast will cover conditions in the eastern half.

About 25% of fishing in North Dakota is ice fishing, and with ice starting to form on lakes now is a good time to buy your fishing license and review the regulations. In this week’s webcast fisheries division chief Greg Power talks about some of the winter fishing rules and regulations.

In a typical year over 5,000 students will take a hunter education class in North Dakota. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department relies heavily on volunteers to teach these required hunter education classes as well as other classes like trapper education and Hooked on Fishing. Learn more about the Department’s volunteer program in this week’s webcast.

While ice fishing can be a rewarding way to spend your free time during a long North Dakota winter, it can also be a risky activity. Watch this week’s webcast for tips on staying safe on the ice.

The 2017 darkhouse spearfishing season opens December 1. Darkhouse spearfishing for northern pike is allowed on most lakes in the state from December 1 – March 15 each year. A fishing license and darkhouse spearfishing registration are required prior to fishing.  Learn more in this week’s webcast.

Mark your calendar – The 2017 fall advisory board meetings have been scheduled for the last week in November and the first week in December. These public meetings, held each spring and fall, provide citizens with an opportunity to discuss fish and wildlife issues and ask questions of their district advisors and agency personnel. Learn more in this week’s webcast, and find the meeting nearest you.

The 2017 deer gun season starts noon November 10. In this week’s webcast, chief game warden Bob Timian answers some of the common deer season questions hunters have.

There were 54,500 deer tags available this year (10% more than last year). So how is this season looking for those lucky enough to draw a tag? Find out in this week’s webcast with wildlife division chief Jeb Williams.

Over eons, deer have evolved to increase their testosterone production based upon photoperiod. The shortening of days triggers chemical changes in the brain of male deer which in turn cause the production of testosterone. This helps prepare bucks for the mating season. The peak of rut in North Dakota is around November 6 for white-tailed deer and November 18  for mule deer. This timing allows fawns to be born in early June when food is most nutritious for their nursing mothers.

Many of you will be receiving hunting survey’s from the Department this fall. Information gathered from these surveys plays a critical role in determining harvest limits for the next year. Learn more in this week’s webcast.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease and chronic wasting disease both impact deer populations here in North Dakota. EHD is caused by a virus transferred by midges, and CWD is caused by a prion. Both kill infected deer. CWD is very persistent in the environment and has been found in the south central part of the state. North Dakota has a voluntary CWD surveillance program. Hunters are asked to participate by dropping off deer heads at collection sites (https://gf.nd.gov/wildlife/diseases/cwd/surveillance).

Each year towards the end of summer fisheries personnel are out on our lakes and rivers conducting fish reproduction surveys. These surveys are designed to help evaluate stocking success and natural reproduction, information used in future management planning. So how are things looking in our waters this year? Find out in this week’s webcast with fisheries management section leader Scott Gangl.

Pheasant observations during this year’s roadside surveys were down 61% from last year. In this week’s webcast, wildlife division chief Jeb Williams discusses why pheasant numbers are down and what to expect during this fall’s hunting season.

With the May breeding survey showing the overall duck population in North Dakota to be down about 15 percent and with drought impacting the state this summer, how is the fall waterfowl season actually shaping up? Find out in this week’s webcast with waterfowl biologist Mike Szymanski.

Fall is a busy time for our fisheries staff. Crews are out doing  reproduction surveys, collecting salmon eggs to raise at the Garrison hatchery, stocking a few more lakes and working on fisheries improvement projects. Learn more about what the fisheries division is working on in this week’s webcast.

What should you do if you witness a hunting or fishing violation? The Report All Poachers program provides numbers you can call (701-328-9921 or 1-800-472-2121) any time day or night to report hunting or fishing violations. You can remain anonymous if you choose. Learn more on this week’s webcast with chief game warden Bob Timian.

Find out how the rough start to winter last year and the drought this summer have impacted our upland game bird populations and our hunting season prospects in this week’s webcast with upland game biologist RJ Gross.

It is starting to feel like fall and trapping seasons are right around the corner. Find out what changes have been made to furbearer regulations since last year and how the upcoming seasons are shaping up in this week’s webcast with furbearer biologist Stephanie Tucker.

Operation Dry Water is a national campaign to raise awareness of boating and drinking. Statewide, law enforcement will be concentrating on education about and enforcement of boating drinking safety and laws. Operation Dry Water is the last day of June 30th through July 2nd.

Fish stocking is critical for recreational fishing in North Dakota. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department stocked almost 250 lakes last year. Find out more about the stocking program in this week’s webcast with fisheries division chief Greg Power.

The results of the crowing counts are in. Find out how the pheasant population in the state is faring in this week’s webcast with upland game biologist RJ Gross.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Conservation and Outdoor Skills Park at the State Fair is located near the north central edge of the fairgrounds and open daily during the fair from 1-7 p.m. Visitors can stop by to fish or try their hand at the air rifle and archery ranges. There are also several displays to explore including a furbearer exhibit, a live fish display, native prairie plantings and more. Stop by for a visit while you’re at the North Dakota State Fair!

Lake Sakakawea has some very deep, cold water that is unused by most fish, so in 1970 the Department began stocking salmon in the lake. Now, each year from about mid-July through August, anglers can enjoy some great salmon fishing in Lake Sakakawea. Learn more about the lake’s salmon and the salmon stocking program in this week’s webcast.

The annual aerial pronghorn survey was completed last week. The survey showed a drop in the state’s pronghorn population, but also the highest fawn to doe ratio since 2002. So what does that mean for this year’s hunting season and ongoing population management goals? Find out in this week’s webcast with big game supervisor Bruce Stillings.

The early Canada goose season is almost here. This season is used to help control resident populations of Canada geese that can cause depredation problems for farmers if left unchecked. The season starts August 15. Find out more in this week's webcast.

For the last 20 years the Private Land Open To Sportsmen program has been helping to provide critical habitat and quality hunting opportunities in North Dakota. Learn more about PLOTS in this week’s webcast.