Paddlefish Snagging Season Opens May 1

Mon, 04/15/2024

North Dakota’s paddlefish season opens May 1, and is scheduled to continue through May 21. However, depending on the overall harvest, an early in-season closure may occur with a 24-hour notice issued by the state Game and Fish Department.

Paddlefish tags are available for purchase online at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov, at license vendors, and during business hours at Game and Fish Department offices in Bismarck, Dickinson, Jamestown, Devils Lake, Lonetree (Harvey) and Williston. Snaggers buying tags online have the option to have the tag mailed or can stop at a district office and pick it up during business hours. Those purchasing a tag at a vendor or having it mailed should plan accordingly and allow for a few days for delivery.

All paddlefish snaggers must possess a paddlefish tag, in addition to a valid fishing license for anyone 16 and older. Cost of a paddlefish tag is $10 for residents and $25.50 for nonresidents. Lost or destroyed tags will not be replaced.

The Game and Fish Department will allow camping during the open paddlefish season at Lewis and Clark Wildlife Management Area Pumphouse and at Neu’s Point WMA. However, no roads or gates will be open at Neu’s Point, therefore camping is allowed in the small Neu’s Point parking lot, and the rest of the WMA for walk-in access. All other WMA regulations apply. Outdoor enthusiasts are urged to be aware of the current fire index.

For more information on the paddlefish snagging season, snaggers should refer to the Game and Fish website.

Tagging Studies Offer Insight into Fisheries

Mon, 04/15/2024

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will be conducting numerous tagging studies on walleye populations across the state over the next several years to gain a better understanding of how anglers are utilizing these fisheries.

This year, walleye tagging efforts will occur at Coal, Twin, Coe and West Napoleon lakes. These studies will provide information that will enable the Department fisheries managers to provide the best fisheries possible for the state’s anglers to enjoy.

Anglers will play a vital role in these studies and are encouraged to report any tagged fish they encounter by logging in to their Game and Fish account or using the “tagged fish reporting” feature on the Department’s website gf.nd.gov.

Earth Day Patch Contest Winners

Mon, 04/15/2024

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department announced the winners of the 2024 Earth Day Patch Contest. Over 2,000 students from 100 schools entered this year’s contest.

Winners in three age categories are Ella Haagenson, Leeds (K-4); Isla Anderson, St. Johns Academy, Jamestown (5-8); and Deegan Kierschemann, Barnes County North, Wimbledon (9-12). Haagenson’s design was chosen as the overall winner and will be made into the 2024 Earth Day patch. 

Youth and adults who participate in cleaning up public lands receive the 2024 patch to celebrate Earth Day and their service. Projects that qualify for the Earth Day patch include refuse pick-up on local, state or federal properties and landscaping on public property including planting trees, bushes and pollinator plants. 

Groups participating in the service projects are encouraged to take the following precautions to ensure their safety: keep young people away from highways, lakes and rivers and only allow older participants to pick up broken glass or sharp objects. 

Participants are asked to contact Sherry Niesar at 701-527-3714 or sniesar@nd.gov to receive a patch.

Fourth Consecutive Record Count of Bighorn Sheep

Mon, 04/08/2024

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 2023 bighorn sheep survey, completed by recounting lambs in March, revealed a record 364 bighorn sheep in the grasslands of western North Dakota, up 5% from 2022 and 16% above the five-year average. The count surpassed the previous record of 347 bighorns in 2022.

Altogether, biologists counted 106 rams, 202 ewes and 56 lambs. Not included are approximately 40 bighorn sheep in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and bighorns introduced to the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in 2020.

Big game biologist Brett Wiedmann was pleased to see an increase in the survey for the sixth consecutive year.

The northern badlands population increased 5% from 2022 and was the highest count on record. The southern badlands population dropped to its lowest level since bighorns were reintroduced there in 1966.

“We were encouraged to see a record count of adult rams, and adult ewes and lambs were near record numbers,” Wiedmann said. “Unlike the population declines observed in most other big game species following the severe winter of 2022-23, the increase in the bighorn population was attributable to two factors: higher than expected survival of adults and lambs during the extreme winter conditions of 2022, and better than anticipated lamb production and survival during 2023. Basically, bighorn sheep are incredibly hardy animals that can thrive during North Dakota’s most frigid winters.”

Department biologists count and classify all bighorn sheep in late summer, and then recount lambs the following March as they approach one year of age to determine recruitment.

Currently, about 490 bighorns make up the populations managed by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, National Park Service and the Three Affiliated Tribes Fish and Wildlife Division, just shy of the benchmark of 500 bighorns in the state.

A bighorn sheep hunting season is tentatively scheduled to open in 2024.The status of the season will be determined Sept. 1, following the summer population survey.

Game and Fish issued six licenses in 2023 and all hunters were successful in harvesting a ram.

Paddlefish Tags Online

Mon, 04/08/2024

North Dakota’s paddlefish snagging season opens May 1, and snaggers should be aware of the sale and distribution of paddlefish tags.

Paddlefish tags are available for purchase online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov, at license vendors, and during business hours at Game and Fish Department offices in Bismarck, Dickinson, Jamestown, Devils Lake, Lonetree (Harvey) and Williston.

Snaggers buying tags online have the option to have the tag mailed or can stop at a district office and pick it up during business hours.

Snaggers purchasing a tag at a vendor or having it mailed should plan accordingly and allow for a few days for delivery.

Game and Fish Pays $762,000 in Property Taxes

Mon, 04/08/2024

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department recently paid more than $762,000 in taxes to counties in which the department owns or leases land. The 2023 in-lieu-of-tax payments are the same as property taxes paid by private landowners.

The Game and Fish Department manages more than 200,000 acres for wildlife habitat and public hunting in 51 counties. The department does not own or manage any land in Traill or Renville counties.

Following is a list of counties and tax payments received.

Advisory Board Meetings Announced

Thu, 04/04/2024

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department Advisory Board will host public meetings this spring at eight locations across the state.

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.

District 3 – Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner counties

Date: April 15 – 7 p.m.

Location: Community Center, 38 Forrest St., Rock Lake

Host: Lakeview Seed/AG365

Contact: Brock Mitchell, 701-550-9996

Advisory board member: Edward Dosch, Devils Lake

District 4 – Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina and Walsh counties

Date: April 16 – 7 p.m.

Location: Good Friends Bar and Café Meeting Room, 220 Towner Ave., Larimore

Host: KEM Roughriders

Contact/advisory board member: Karissa Daws, Michigan, 701-270-1524

District 7 – Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux counties

Date: April 17 – 7 p.m.

Location: City Hall, 146 Main St. E., Hazen

Host: Hazen Sportsmen’s Club 

Contact: Sheldon Cieslak, 701-870-0053

Advisory board member: Jody Sommer, Mandan 

District 2 – Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville and Ward counties

Date: April 18 – 7 p.m.

Location: Verendrye Electric, 1225 Hwy 2 Bypass E., Minot

Host: Souris River Basin Longbeards

Contact: D.J. Randolph, 701-720-2134

Advisory board member: Travis Leier, Velva

District 6 – Barnes, Dickey, Foster, Griggs, Logan, LaMoure, McIntosh, Stutsman and Wells counties

Date: April 22 – 7 p.m.

Location: American Legion, 34 First Ave. NE, LaMoure 

Host: James River Sportsman Club

Contact/advisory board member: Cody Sand, Ashley, 701-535-1071

District 5 – Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele and Traill counties

Date: April 23 – 7 p.m.

Location: Silver Lake Recreation Area Pavilion, 9571 135th Ave. SE, Forman

Host: Rutland Sportsman Club

Contact: Brian Ciesynski, 701-403-3085

Advisory board member: Doug Madsen, Harwood

District 1 – Divide, McKenzie and Williams counties

Date: April 24 – 7 p.m.

Location: Fairgrounds, 519 53rd St. E., Building C, Williston 

Host: Missouri Basin Bowmen

Contact/advisory board member: Beau Wisness, Keene, 701-421-8814

District 8 – Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope and Stark counties

Date: April 25 – 7 p.m.

Location: Pheasant Café and Lounge, 206 Brown Ave., Mott

Host: Pheasant Café and Lounge

Contact/advisory board member: Rob Brooks, Rhame, 701-440-8952

Report Bald Eagle Nest Sightings

Mon, 04/01/2024

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is asking for help locating active bald eagle nests.

Conservation biologist Sandra Johnson said the department is looking for locations of nests with eagles present, not individual eagle sightings.

Eagles lay eggs in early to mid-March, which hatch about a month later. Johnson said it’s easy to distinguish an eagle nest because of its enormous size.

Nearly 350 active bald eagle nests can be found in 47 of the 53 counties in the state. Historically, Johnson said nests were found along river corridors, but that’s not the case today, as bald eagles will nest in trees in the middle of pastures, fields or anywhere near a food source.

Nest observations should be reported online at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov. Observers are asked not to disturb the nest, and to stay a safe distance away. Johnson said foot traffic may disturb the bird, likely causing the eagle to leave her eggs or young unattended.

Deer Gratis Application Online

Mon, 04/01/2024

Landowners interested in a 2024 deer gratis license must apply online by visiting the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. The deadline for applying is June 5.

General deer and muzzleloader lottery applications will be available online in early May, also with a deadline of June 5. 

Gratis applicants who have previously applied online will automatically have their land description forwarded to this year’s application. However, any changes with land descriptions from last year’s application must be made prior to submitting the 2024 application.

Spring Mule Deer Survey Begins

Mon, 03/25/2024

The state Game and Fish Department’s annual spring aerial mule deer survey is set to begin April 2 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. 

Game and Fish Volunteers Recognized

Mon, 03/25/2024

Volunteer instructors for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department were recently recognized at the annual banquet in Bismarck.

Richard Bahm, Mandan, was recognized as Hunter Education Instructor of the Year.

Thirty-year service awards were presented to Mark Biel, Bismarck; Jeff Bjugstad, Wahpeton; Patsy Crooke, Mandan; Darrell Ekberg, Manvel; Gary Ertmann, Devils Lake; Theodore Hoberg, Grand Forks; Vernon Laning, Stanton; Robert Martin, Jamestown; Francis Miller, Mandan; and Kenneth Retzlaff, Ellendale.

Recognized for 25 years of service were William Bahm, Almont; Mark Engen, Anamoose; Mark Entzi, Watford City; Daryl Heid, Center; Matthew Herman, Ashley; Leon Hiltner, Wales; Michael Hinrichs, Bismarck; Del Houghton, Steele; Lynn Kieper, Bismarck; Curtis Miller, Tioga; Marvin Neumiller, Washburn; Craig Roe, Kindred; Douglas Sommerfeld, Lisbon; Tim Stiles, Fairmount; Cindie Van Tassel, Breckenridge, Minn.; and Paul Vasquez, Grand Forks.

Honored for 20 years of service were Mark Fisher, Devils Lake; Glen Hauf, Makoti; Jonathan Hughes, Minot; Morris Hummel, Coleharbor; Terry Kassian, Wilton; Keith Kinneberg, Wahpeton; Jacqueline Martin, Anamoose; Dale Patrick, Jamestown; Andrew Robinson, Minot; Thomas Rost, Devils Lake; Scott Thorson, Towner; and Matthew Veith, Bismarck.

Fifteen-year service awards were presented to Mark Berg, Nortonville; Troy Enga, Berthold; Cassie Felber, Towner; Christopher Krenzel, Harvey; Andrew Majeres, Garrison; Phil Mastrangelo, Mandan; Dale Miller, Grandin; Michael Ness, Carrington; Mike Redmond, Ray; and Dustin Roeder, Menoken.

Ten-year active instructors recognized were Troy Anderson, Dickinson; Michael Bahm, Mandan; Craig Blomster, Leeds; Jamey Boutilier, Zap; Jennifer Ekberg, Grand Forks; Jason Forster, Lidgerwood; William Harkness, Leeds; Connie Jorgenson, Devils Lake; Dennis Lakoduk, Minot; Krista Lundgren, Kulm; Bruce Nielsen, Valley City; Dean Rustad, Ray; Kori Schantz, Underwood; and Daniel Sem, Minot.

Recognized for five years of service were John Arman, Bismarck; Austin Barnhart, Dickinson; Joel Bohm, Mohall; Kody Helland, Kathryn; Kolten Helland, Kathryn; Troy Jespersen, Grenora; Jayar Kindsvogel, Center; Kellen Latendresse, Minot; Jason Lura, Carrington; Jeff Myers, Ryder; David Randall, Minot; Brad Sage, Mandaree; Kevin Streitz, Minot; Arnold Tow, Tioga; Ryan Walker, Fargo; Adam Westphal, Starkweather; Jordan Yellowbird, Garrison; and Anna Walker, Williston.

Two-year active instructors recognized were Adrienne Arndt, Killdeer; Anthony Awender, Reeder; Andrew Bartholomaus, Gackle; Mitchell Broadwell, Valley City; Lynn Burgard, Bismarck; Brady Carpenter, Minot; Travis Dalby, Surrey; Ryan Dotzenrod, Wyndmere; Trevor Dressler, Halliday; Tyson Follman, York; Joseph Hirschfeld, Dickinson; Dale Holand, Park River; Brooks Holmen, Powers Lake; Jack Hushka, Dickinson; Sally Kittelson, Hoople; Justin Knudson, Portland; Cody Krause, Carrington; Brock Larson, Bismarck; Trevor Levenseller, Reynolds; Clint Lindemann, Enderlin; John Loomis, Bismarck; Andrea Martinez, New Town; Cailey Meier, Richardton; Jonathan Metz, Gackle; Ryan Powers, Bismarck; Alicia Randall, Minot; Jay Roemmich, Spiritwood; Tom Six, Steele; Gerald Sletmoe, Casselton; and Chad Wimer, Coleharbor.

Elk, Moose, Bighorn Sheep Apps Due

Mon, 03/25/2024

Elk, moose and bighorn sheep applications must be submitted online before midnight, March 27.

Applicants can apply by visiting My Account at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov.

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.