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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., Tuesday, Jan. 12 at the agency’s main office in Bismarck. The purpose and explanation of the proposed rule change is as follows: Chapter 30-03-06-05 – Water prohibited. Currently all drain plugs must be removed from all watercraft and recreational, commercial and construction equipment bilges and confined spaces when entering the state or leaving the Red Riv...
Winter anglers are reminded that any fish house left unoccupied on North Dakota waters must be made out of materials that will allow it to float. A popular question this time of year is if campers qualify as legal fish houses. The answer is the same for any structure taken on the ice – if it’s left unattended, it must be able to float; if it’s not able to float, it must be removed when the angler leaves the ice. Other fish house regulations include: Fish houses do not require a license. Occupied structures do not require identification. Howev...
The Coyote Catalog, a statewide effort designed to connect coyote hunters and trappers with landowners who are dealing with coyotes in their areas, is open for the winter. A partnership between the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, the Coyote Catalog can be a good way for hunters and trappers to locate new places to go, according to Game and Fish Director Terry Steinwand. Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring encourages landowners, especially farmers and ranchers who have problems with...
To help North Dakota hunters prepare for hunting seasons in 2016, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department annually provides its best estimate for opening dates for the coming year. Dates become official when approved by governor’s proclamation. Tentative opening dates for 2016 include: Spring Turkey - April 9 Dove - September 1 Deer and Pronghorn Bow, Mountain Lion - September 2 Sharptail, Hun, Ruffed Grouse, Squirrel - September 10 Youth Deer - September 16 Youth Waterfowl - September 17 Early Resident Waterfowl - September 24 Regular W...
North Dakota anglers are encouraged to refer to the 2014-16 North Dakota Fishing Guide or the State Game and Fish Department’s website for winter fishing regulations. In addition, anglers can visit the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov, for an extensive list of fishing questions and answers. Some winter fishing regulations include: A maximum of four poles is legal for ice fishing. However, when fishing a water body where both open water and ice occur at the same time, an angler is allowed a maximum of four poles, of which no more than two p...
North Dakota waterfowl hunters are reminded the statewide duck and white-fronted goose seasons close Dec. 6. However, duck hunting in the high plains unit reopens Dec. 12 and continues through Jan. 3, 2016. In addition, the season for Canada geese closes Dec. 24, except for the Missouri River Zone, which closes Jan. 1, 2016. Light goose hunting closes statewide Jan. 3, 2016. Archery deer, fall turkey, sharp-tailed and ruffed grouse, partridge, pheasant and tree squirrel hunting seasons continue through Jan. 3, 2016....
North Dakota continues to produce a record number of anglers, and many are anxious to get on the ice and enjoy a favorite pastime. With that in mind, winter anglers are reminded to consider ice conditions before traveling onto and across North Dakota waters. State Game and Fish Department enforcement Chief Robert Timian said this winter should provide plenty of opportunities for anglers, as long as Mother Nature cooperates. “Access to area lakes shouldn’t be an issue with the lack of snow, but that can change in a hurry,” Timian said. “As o...
Students interested in taking a hunter education class in 2016 should visit the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov for a statewide list of courses. Many classes will be added over the next several weeks, and the rest will be added throughout the year as they are finalized. To register, click on the online services tab, and “online course enrollment” under the hunter education heading. Classes are listed by city, and can also be sorted by start date. To register for a class, click on “enroll” next to the specific class,...
Mountain lion hunting during the early season in Zone 1 closed Nov. 22 with six of 14 cats taken. The late season in Zone 1, with a quota of seven, runs Nov. 23 through March 31, 2016, or until the quota is filled. In addition to other legal methods, the late season allows mountain lions to be pursued with dogs. The late season quota in Zone 1 filled early last year, so hunters are advised to check for updates by visiting the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov. Zone 1 includes land south of ND Highway 1804 from the...
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department reminds deer hunters to find their license and check it for accuracy. Every year the Game and Fish Department’s licensing section receives last-minute inquiries from hunters who can’t find their license. When that happens, it’s difficult to try to get a replacement license in time for the season opener. Another reason to check the license now is to make sure the unit and species is what was intended. Deer hunters in need of a replacement license can print out a duplicate (replacement) license appli...
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s law enforcement division recently conducted check stations on boats coming into the state in an effort to ensure compliance with aquatic nuisance species laws and regulations. Robert Timian, enforcement chief, said check stations on Interstate 94 and U.S. Highway 2 revealed the majority of hunters and anglers are keeping their equipment free of unwanted species. “Our main focus was directed toward duck hunters trailering boats,” Timian said. “All total, there were less than a handful of individ...
Motorists are reminded to watch for deer along roadways, especially this time of year, because juvenile animals are dispersing from their home ranges. October through early December is the peak period for deer-vehicle accidents. Motorists are advised to slow down and exercise caution after dark to reduce the likelihood of encounters with deer along roadways. Most deer-vehicle accidents occur primarily at dawn and dusk when deer are most often moving around. Motorists should be aware of warning signs signaling deer are in the area. When you see...
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 2016. Along with outstanding color photographs of North Dakota wildlife and scenery, it also includes sunrise-sunset times and moon phases. To order, send $3 for each, plus $1 postage, to: Calendar, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095. Be sure to include a three-line return address with your order, or the post office may not deliver...
The State Game and Fish Department will continue its Hunter-Harvested Surveillance program during the 2015 hunting season, by sampling deer for chronic wasting disease and bovine tuberculosis from 17 units in North Dakota. In addition, all moose and elk harvested in the state are eligible for testing. Samples from hunter-harvested deer taken in the western portion of the state will be tested from units 3A1, 3A2, 3A3, 3B1, 3B2, 3D1, 3D2, 3E1, 3E2, 3F1, 3F2, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 4F. Every head sampled must have either the deer tag attached, or...
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is reminding deer hunters to keep in mind the Sportsmen Against Hunger program this fall. While this year’s deer proclamation allows only one deer gun license per hunter, families with more than one license might want to consider donating a deer to this worthy cause. In addition, hunters with an archery and muzzleloader license can help as well. The list of participating processors is available on the Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov, and the Sportsmen Against Hunger link at the North D...
Every year the North Dakota Game and Fish Department receives questions from deer hunters who want to clarify rules and regulations. Some common questions are listed below. Hunters with further questions are encouraged to call the Game and Fish Department at 701-328-6300, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekdays, or access the department’s website, gf.nd.gov. What licenses do I need for deer gun season? A fishing, hunting, and furbearer certificate, the general game and habitat stamp or a combination license, and the deer license. Gratis license hol...
North Dakota Game and Fish Department district game warden Keenan Snyder is seeking information on several illegal-taking-of-wildlife incidents over the last month in the Williston and Watford City areas. Anyone with information on the following incidents is asked to call the Report All Poachers telephone number at 800-472-2121, or contact Snyder at 701-770-1072. RAP is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any of these individuals. Sept. 10 – a headless whitetail buck was found at Demicks Lake. S...
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s law enforcement division recently conducted check stations on boats coming into the state in an effort to ensure compliance with aquatic nuisance species laws and regulations. Robert Timian, enforcement chief, said check stations on Interstate 94 and U.S. Highway 2 revealed the majority of hunters and anglers are keeping their equipment free of unwanted species. “Our main focus was directed toward duck hunters trailering boats,” Timian said. “All total, there were less than a handful of individ...
North Dakota Game And Fish Department Fisheries Biologists Have Evaluated Fish Spawning And Stocking Success Across The State. Fisheries management section leader Scott Gangl said Lake Sakakawea produced good catches of Walleye and Yearling Perch. “We had a good hatch on Perch in 2014, and our guys were still seeing a lot of those in the nets this year,” Gangl said. “Our Walleye catch was above average with a combination of stocking and natural reproduction. Smelt numbers aren’t compiled yet, but other forage fish remain fairly stable when co...
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department reminds deer hunters to find their license and check it for accuracy. Every year the Game and Fish Department’s licensing section receives last-minute inquiries from hunters who can’t find their license. When that happens, it’s difficult to try to get a replacement license in time for the season opener. Another reason to check the license now is to make sure the unit and species is what was intended. Deer hunters in need of a replacement license can print out a duplicate (replacement) license appli...
North Dakota’s two-day youth pheasant season is Oct. 3-4. Legally licensed residents and nonresidents ages 15 and younger may hunt roosters statewide. Resident youth hunters, regardless of age, must possess a fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate and general game and habitat license. Nonresident youth hunters from states that provide a reciprocal licensing agreement for North Dakota residents qualify for North Dakota resident licenses. Otherwise, nonresident youth hunters must purchase a nonresident small game license. Shooting hours a...
The 43,275 deer gun licenses that were allocated by proclamation for the 2015 hunting season have all been issued, according to Randy Meissner, licensing manager for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Meissner said according to state law, the number of deer gun licenses issued, including those licenses issued as gratis, cannot exceed the number of licenses authorized by the governor’s proclamation. The deer gun season opens Friday, Nov. 6 at noon central time. Archery licenses can still be purchased through the end of the bow season o...
North Dakota’s roadside pheasant survey conducted in late July and August indicates total birds and number of broods are up statewide from 2014. Stan Kohn, upland game management supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, said the survey shows total pheasants are up 30 percent from last year. In addition, brood observations were up 23 percent, while the average brood size was up 9 percent. The final summary is based on 259 survey runs made along 105 brood routes across North Dakota. “Our late summer roadside counts indicate phe...
North Dakota’s pronghorn lottery has been held and individual results are available online at the State Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov. A total of 410 licenses were available in units 3B, 4A, and 4C. Over 6,500 applications, including 144 gratis, were received. Unsuccessful applicants who submitted their application online or through the department’s 800 licensing telephone number will receive a refund back to their credit card. Individuals who submitted paper applications will receive a refund check....
Adults and children looking to take a hunter education class in 2015 are reminded to enroll at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov. Hunter education coordinator John Mazur said the majority of classes were held by the end of May. However, he said classes will still be added throughout the year as they become finalized. “Our volunteer instructors will be adding classes, but not nearly as many as we move toward the fall,” Mazur said. “That’s why it is important to monitor our website and to act quickly when a class sui...
