Boats Need 2017-19 Registration

Mon, 12/19/2016

North Dakota boat owners are reminded that 2017 is the first year of a new three-year registration period.

Boat registrations can be renewed online by clicking on “buy and apply” at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov. In addition, boat owners should receive their registration mailing in early January.

The price to register motorboats under 16 feet in length, and all canoes, is $18, motorboats from 16 feet to less than 20 feet in length is $36, and motorboats at least 20 feet in length is $45.

The new boat registration cycle begins Jan. 1 and runs through Dec. 31, 2019.

Also, anyone buying a new or used watercraft can generate a 10-day temporary permit online that is valid until the registration is processed.

Boat owners purchasing watercraft from private individuals this winter are reminded to register it in their name. Registering a used watercraft purchased from an individual must include proof of transfer of ownership, such as a photocopy of the previous owner’s registration card, a canceled check or a signed note from the previous owner stating transfer of ownership.

Regulations require the boat number to be in contrasting color to the hull in plain vertical block letters at least 3 inches in height, excluding any border, trim, outlining or shading, and must be maintained in a legible condition so the number is clearly visible in daylight hours. The number must read from left to right, and groups of numbers and letters must be separated by a space or hyphen equivalent in width to the letter “M.”

In addition, a validation sticker issued by the Game and Fish Department must be displayed on the boat within 6 inches of the number toward the rear of the boat. No other numbers should be displayed in this area.

Boat owners who do not receive a renewal notice by the end of January should contact the Game and Fish Department at 701-328-6335, or email ndgf@nd.gov. Many renewals are likely to be returned because some owners who moved within the last three years did not notify the Department with their new address.

Free Ice Fishing Weekend

Mon, 12/19/2016

North Dakota’s free ice fishing weekend is Dec. 31, 2016 and Jan. 1, 2017.

Resident anglers may fish that weekend without a license. All other ice fishing regulations apply.

Those interested in darkhouse spearfishing that weekend must register with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department prior to participating. Registration is available by visiting the Department’s website, gf.nd.gov, or through any Game and Fish office. Legal fish are northern pike and nongame species.

Coyote Catalog Available for Hunters, Landowners

Thu, 12/15/2016

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 coyotes, to sign up for the Coyote Catalog. “Hunting and trapping are some of the many tools available to mitigate predator risk,” Goehring said.

This past season, nearly 40 landowners participated in the Coyote Catalog, along with more than 200 hunters and trappers.

Landowners can sign up on the NDDA website at www.nd.gov/ndda/coyote-catalog. County and contact information is required.

Hunters and trappers can sign up at the NDGF website, gf.nd.gov.

Anyone who registered for the Coyote Catalog in the past must register again to activate their names on the database.

Throughout the winter, hunters or trappers may receive information on participating landowners, and they should contact landowners to make arrangements.

Goehring and Steinwand said landowners experiencing coyote depredation of livestock should first contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services.

The Coyote Catalog will remain active through March 31, 2017.

For more information, contact Stephanie Tucker, NDGF, at 701-220-1871; or Jamie Good, NDDA, at 701-328-2659.

Advisory Board Meeting in Watford City is Set for Dec. 19, Cando Dec. 20

Mon, 12/12/2016

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s district 1 advisory board meeting in Watford City that was originally scheduled for Dec. 5 is now set for Monday, Dec. 19.

In addition, the district 3 advisory board meeting in Cando that was previously rescheduled for Thursday, Dec. 15 is now set for Tuesday, Dec. 20. 

District 1 – Counties: Divide, McKenzie and Williams
Date: Dec. 19 – 7 p.m.
Location: Rough Rider Center, 2209 Wolves Den Parkway, Watford City
Host: Mule Deer Foundation
Advisory board member: Jason Leiseth, Arnegard, 586-3714 

District 3 – Counties: Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner
Date: Dec. 20 – 7 p.m.
Location: Armory, Cando
Host: Cando Gun Club
Advisory board member: Tom Rost, Devils Lake, 350-1424

Fordville, Cando Advisory Board Meetings Postponed

Mon, 12/05/2016

Fordville, Cando Game and Fish Advisory Meetings Postponed

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s advisory board meetings scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 6 in Cando and Fordville have been postponed until Dec. 14 and 20 due to forecasted inclement weather.

Meetings set for tonight in Dickinson and Watford City will go on as scheduled.

The meeting in Fordville is rescheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 14, and Cando is rescheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 20.

District 4 – Counties: Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina and Walsh
Date: Dec. 14 – 7 p.m.
Location: American Legion Club, 208 N. Main St., Fordville
Host: Dakota Prairie Wildlife Club
Contact: Lynn Baier, 331-1074
Advisory board member: Joe Solseng, 317-5009 

District 3 – Counties: Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner
Date: Dec. 20 – 7 p.m.
Location: Armory, Cando
Host: Cando Gun Club
Advisory board member: Tom Rost, Devils Lake, 350-1424

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.

Other scheduled meetings are as follows.

District 8 – Counties: Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope and Stark
Date: Dec. 5 – 7 p.m.
Location: La Quinta Inn & Suites, Dickinson
Host: Mule Deer Foundation
Contact: Arnold Karsky, 290-9754
Advisory board member: Dwight Hecker, Fairfield, 575-4952

District 1 – Counties: Divide, McKenzie and Williams
Date: Dec. 5 – 7 p.m.
Location: Rough Rider Center, 2209 Wolves Den Parkway, Watford City
Host: Mule Deer Foundation
Advisory board member: Jason Leiseth, Arnegard, 586-3714

District 2 – Counties: Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville and Ward
Date: Dec. 12 – 7 p.m.
Location: Berthold Sportsmen Club, 210 Main St., Berthold
Host: Berthold Sportsmen Club
Contact: Joe Lautenschlager, 721-1882
Advisory board member: Robert Gjellstad, Voltaire, 338-2281

District 5 – Counties: Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele and Traill
Date: Dec. 12 – 7 p.m.
Location: American Legion (south of Lake Elsie), Hankinson
Host: Hankinson American Legion
Contact: Terry Puetz, 640-3294
Advisory board member: Duane Hanson, West Fargo, 367-4249

District 6 – Counties: Barnes, Dickey, Foster, Griggs, Logan, LaMoure, McIntosh, Stutsman and Wells
Date: Dec. 13 – 7 p.m.
Location: The Bunker, 1520 3rd St. SE, Jamestown
Host: United Sportsmen
Contact: Larry Kukla, 320-4182
Advisory board member: Joel Christoferson, Litchville, 973-4981

District 7 – Counties: Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux
Date: Dec. 13 – 7 p.m.
Location: North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Bismarck         
Host: North Dakota Natural Resources Trust
Contact: Keith Trego, 220-0978
Advisory board member: Dave Nehring, Bismarck, 214-3184

Fish House Regulations

Mon, 12/05/2016

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. However, any unoccupied fish house must have the owner’s name, and either address or telephone number, displayed on its outside in readily distinguishable characters at least three inches high.
• Fish houses may not be placed closer than 50 feet in any direction to another house without consent of the occupant of the other fish house.
• All unoccupied fish houses must be removed from all waters after midnight, March 15.

Anglers should refer to the 2016-18 North Dakota Fishing Guide for other winter fishing regulations.

Tentative 2017 Season Opening Dates

Mon, 12/05/2016

To help North Dakota hunters prepare for hunting seasons in 2017, 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 2017 include:

Spring Turkey - April 8

Deer and Pronghorn Bow, Dove, Mountain Lion - September 1

Sharptail, Hun, Ruffed Grouse, Squirrel - September 9

Youth Deer - September 15

Youth Waterfowl - September 16

Early Resident Waterfowl - September 23

Regular Waterfowl - September 30

Pronghorn Gun - October 6

Youth Pheasant - October 7

Pheasant, Fall Turkey - October 14

Mink, Muskrat, Weasel Trapping - October 28

Deer Gun - November 10

Deer Muzzleloader - December 1 

Winter Anglers Reminded of New Regulations

Mon, 11/28/2016

Anglers fishing North Dakota waters this winter are reminded of new regulations implemented since last year.

• The statewide possession limit for bluegill, yellow perch and white bass has been reduced from 80 to 40 each.
• Sweet Briar Dam and Braun Lake are now open to darkhouse spearfishing, while Larimore Dam and Wood Lake are closed to darkhouse spearers.
• Materials used to mark holes must be in possession of anglers and spearers as soon as a hole greater than 10 inches in diameter is made in the ice. In the past, anglers could search for materials used for markers after making holes.
• Fishing poles must be easily visible and within a maximum distance of 150 feet of a participating angler.
• All unoccupied fish houses must be removed from all waters after midnight March 15.
• North Dakota residents can fish for free during a free fishing weekend Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

North Dakota anglers are encouraged to refer to the 2016-18 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. 

Berthold, Hankinson, Jamestown, Bismarck Advisory Board Meetings Postponed

Mon, 11/28/2016

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s advisory board meetings scheduled for tonight and tomorrow in Berthold, Hankinson, Jamestown and Bismarck have been postponed two weeks due to inclement weather.

The meetings in Berthold and Hankinson are rescheduled for Monday, Dec. 12; and Bismarck and Jamestown are rescheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 13.

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

Date: Dec. 12 – 7 p.m.

Location: Berthold Sportsmen Club, 210 Main St., Berthold

Host: Berthold Sportsmen Club

Contact: Joe Lautenschlager, 721-1882

Advisory board member: Robert Gjellstad, Voltaire, 338-2281

District 5 – Counties: Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele and Traill

Date: Dec. 12 – 7 p.m.

Location: American Legion (south of Lake Elsie), Hankinson

Host: Hankinson American Legion

Contact: Terry Puetz, 640-3294

Advisory board member: Duane Hanson, West Fargo, 367-4249

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

Date: Dec. 13 – 7 p.m.

Location: The Bunker, 1520 3rd St. SE, Jamestown

Host: United Sportsmen

Contact: Larry Kukla, 320-4182

Advisory board member: Joel Christoferson, Litchville, 973-4981

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

Date: Dec. 13 – 7 p.m.

Location: North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Bismarck         

Host: North Dakota Natural Resources Trust

Contact: Keith Trego, 220-0978

Advisory board member: Dave Nehring, Bismarck, 214-3184 

Register to Darkhouse Spearfish

Mon, 11/28/2016

All individuals who participate in darkhouse spearfishing must first register online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov, or through any Game and Fish Department office.

Two notable changes from last year related to spearing are that materials used to mark holes must be in possession of anglers and spearers as soon as a hole greater than 10 inches in diameter is made in the ice.

In addition, Sweet Briar Dam and Braun Lake are now open to darkhouse spearfishing, while Larimore Dam and Wood Lake are closed to darkhouse spearers.

North Dakota’s darkhouse spearfishing season opens on most state waters Dec. 1. The season extends through March 15. Legal fish are northern pike and nongame species.

Darkhouse spearing is allowed for all residents with a valid fishing license and for residents under age 16. Nonresidents may darkhouse spearfish in North Dakota if they are from states that offer the same privilege for North Dakota residents.

North Dakota residents who do not have a fishing license may spear during the winter free fishing weekend Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, but they still need to register to spear.

Last year, a record 4,328 participants registered to darkhouse spearfish, an increase of nearly 1,000 from 2014.

All waters open to hook and line fishing are open to darkhouse spearing except:

• East Park Lake, West Park Lake, Lake Audubon – McLean County
• Heckers Lake – Sheridan County
• Larimore Dam – Grand Forks County
• McClusky Canal
• New Johns Lake – Burleigh County
• Red Willow Lake – Griggs County
• Wood Lake – Benson County

Anglers and spearers should refer to the 2016-18 North Dakota Fishing Guide for more information. 

Late-Season Hunting Opportunities End Soon

Mon, 11/28/2016

North Dakota waterfowl hunters are reminded the statewide duck and white-fronted goose seasons close Dec. 4. However, duck hunting in the high plains unit reopens Dec. 10 and continues through Jan. 1, 2017.

In addition, the season for Canada geese closes Dec. 22, except for the Missouri River Zone, which closes Dec. 30. Light goose hunting closes statewide Jan. 1, 2017.

Archery deer, fall turkey, sharp-tailed and ruffed grouse, partridge, pheasant and tree squirrel hunting seasons continue through Jan. 8, 2017.

Ice Awareness for Hunters, Anglers

Mon, 11/28/2016

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is urging winter anglers and late-season hunters to use extreme caution when venturing out on ice until the state has experienced a prolonged period of subfreezing temperatures.  

Heavy snow and wind accompanying a late November snowstorm over parts of the state are creating slush in many lakes, which is typically not as solid when it freezes, compared to a water surface that freezes under calm conditions with no precipitation.

Ice thickness is never consistent, especially early in winter, and can vary significantly on the same body of water. Edges become firm before the center.

A few reminders include:

• Snow insulates ice, which in turn inhibits solid ice formation, and hides cracks, weak and open water areas.
• Avoid cracks, pressure ridges, slushy or darker areas that signal thinner ice. The same goes for ice that forms around partially submerged trees, brush, embankments or other structures.
• Ice thickness is not consistent and can vary significantly even in a small area. Ice shouldn’t be judged by appearance alone. Anglers should drill test holes as they make their way out on the lake, and an ice chisel should be used to check ice thickness while moving around.
• Daily temperature changes cause ice to expand and contract, affecting its strength.
• The following minimums are recommended for travel on clear-blue lake ice formed under ideal conditions. However, early in the winter it’s a good idea to double these figures to be safe: 4 inches for a group walking single file; 6 inches for a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle; 8-12 inches for an automobile; and 12-15 inches for a pickup/truck.

 These tips could help save a life:

• Wear a personal flotation device and carry a cell phone.
• Carry ice picks or a set of screwdrivers to pull yourself back on the ice if you fall through.
• If someone breaks through the ice, call 911 immediately. Rescue attempts should employ a long pole, board, rope, blanket or snowmobile suit. If that’s not possible, throw the victim a life jacket, empty water jug or other buoyant object. Go to the victim as a last resort, but do this by forming a human chain where rescuers lie on the ice with each person holding the feet of the person in front.
• To treat hypothermia, replace wet clothing with dry clothing and immediately transport victim to a hospital.