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:
Tentative 2016 Opening Dates
Season
Tentative Opening Date
Spring Turkey
April 9
Early Canada Goose
August 15
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 Waterfowl, Youth Pheasant
October 1
Pronghorn Gun
October 7
Pheasant, Fall Turkey
October 8
Mink, Muskrat, Weasel Trapping
October 22
Deer Gun
November 4
Deer Muzzleloader
November 25
Camping Restrictions Lifted for Holiday
The State Game and Fish Department will lift the Tuesday-Wednesday no-camping restriction during the week of July 4 on those wildlife management areas in western North Dakota and along Lake Sakakawea that otherwise prohibit camping during those two days of the week.
This waiver will allow overnight camping July 5-6 at Bull Creek in Billings County; Alkali Creek and Spring Creek in Bowman County; Smishek Lake and Short Creek Dam in Burke County; Apple Creek in Burleigh County; Harris M. Baukol in Divide County; Killdeer Mountains in Dunn County; Camels Hump Lake in Golden Valley County; Audubon, Custer Mine, Deepwater Creek, deTrobriand, Douglas Creek and Wolf Creek in McLean County; Beaver Creek and Hille in Mercer County; Crown Butte Lake and Storm Creek in Morton County; Cedar Lake and Speck Davis Pond in Slope County; and McGregor Dam in Williams County.
However, regardless of the holiday, camping is still prohibited every day of the week at the following WMAs: Antelope Creek, Lewis and Clark, Big Oxbow, Ochs Point, Neu’s Point, Overlook, Sullivan and Tobacco Garden in McKenzie County; Van Hook in Mountrail County; and Hofflund and Trenton in Williams County.
In addition, Lewis and Clark and Trenton WMAs are closed from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise unless users are legally engaged in fishing, hunting or trapping.
Glass bottles are prohibited on all WMAs. Other camping restrictions at all WMAs are posted at entry points. Additional WMA rules and regulations are available on the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.
Game Warden Exam Set for Aug. 5, 2016
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has scheduled an examination to select candidates for the position of district game warden. The test is at 10 a.m., Aug. 5, at the department's main office in Bismarck.
Applicants must register to take the exam no later than Aug. 1 by submitting an online application through the North Dakota State Job Openings website.
Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and have a bachelor’s degree at time of hire (tentative hire date is Oct. 1), have a valid driver’s license and a current North Dakota peace officer license, or be eligible to be licensed. Candidates must have excellent interpersonal skills in communications and writing, and must not have a record of any felony convictions.
District game wardens enforce game and fish laws and related regulations in an assigned district and other locations as determined by the department. Wardens normally work alone under varied conditions, at all hours of the day, night and weekends. In addition to law enforcement duties, wardens assist in the areas of public relations, education programs, and hunter and boat safety education.
Salary through training for a district game warden is $3,800 per month. Upon successful completion of training, the monthly salary ranges are $4,260 - $7,100. Wardens also receive the state benefits package, including travel allowance. Uniforms and other equipment are provided.
Boaters Should Check Border State and Provincial ANS Regulations
North Dakota boaters who are traveling to other states or Canadian provinces should check the aquatic nuisance species regulations of their destination to make sure they are in compliance.
While many of North Dakota’s ANS prevention regulations are similar to surrounding states and provinces, State Game and Fish Department ANS coordinator Jessica Howell says there are some subtle differences that could lead to travel interruption or citations depending on the circumstances.
"Removal of all water and vegetation, as well as pulled plugs while traveling, are generally the rule in neighboring states and provinces," Howell said, "but there are some places where 'dry' is also a requirement, meaning no residual water anywhere in the boat."
In addition, mandatory boat inspections may be required based on destination or route taken. For example, Howell said anyone pulling a boat into Canada will likely have it inspected at a border crossing, some states have inspection checkpoints along highways, and some lakes have inspectors at boat ramps. Any boats that are not in compliance will likely get delayed in their travels or be prevented from launching, Howell added.
Boaters should be aware of regulations for not only their destination, but for any states they are traveling through. More information on bordering state and provincial ANS regulations is available at the following web addresses.
All aquatic vegetation must be removed from boats, personal watercraft, trailers and fishing equipment such as fishing poles, bait buckets, lures and waders before leaving a body of water. That means "vegetation free" when transporting watercraft and/or equipment away from a boat ramp, landing area or shoreline. Time out of the water needed to remove aquatic vegetation at the immediate water access area is allowed.
All water must be drained from boats and other watercraft, including bilges, livewells, baitwells and motors before leaving a water body.
All drain plugs that may hold back water must be removed, and water draining devices must be open, on all watercraft and recreational, commercial and construction equipment bilges and confined spaces, during any out-of-water transport of same.
Transportation of fish in or on ice is allowed.
Live aquatic bait or aquatic vegetation may not be transported into North Dakota.
All legal live aquatic organisms used by anglers, including legal baitfish (fathead minnows), amphibians (salamanders and frogs), invertebrates (crayfish and leeches) and insects must be purchased and/or trapped in North Dakota.
Anglers may not transport live bait in water away from the Red River (Class I ANS infested waters). All water must be drained from bait buckets as anglers leave the shore, or remove their boat from the water. Anglers must properly dispose of unused bait away from the river, as dumping bait in the water or on shore is illegal.
In all other waters not infested with Class I ANS species, anglers can transport live bait in water in containers of five gallons or less in volume.
National Campaign Focuses on Boating Under Influence
North Dakota Game and Fish Department law enforcement personnel will participate in a national campaign designed to reduce the number of boaters operating under the influence.
Operation Dry Water runs June 24-26, and involves having an increased enforcement presence on the water.
"It’s an effort to raise awareness about the dangers associated with boating under the influence," said enforcement division operations supervisor Jackie Lundstrom. "With the assistance of some county and federal agencies, we will have additional officers on the water at different times of the day, especially in high traffic areas."
Water safety is a major enforcement issue for the Game and Fish Department, as the number of anglers, boaters, jet skiers and other recreationists has continued to grow during the past decade.
"With that said, our main focus is to ensure safety by providing a larger enforcement presence," Lundstrom said. "Our goal is to heighten awareness that driving a boat under the influence is the same as driving your vehicle under the influence. If you know you are too intoxicated to operate your motor vehicle, then you should not be operating your boat."
Operation Dry Water is coordinated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard and local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
Fireworks Prohibited on Wildlife Management Areas
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department reminds citizens that possession or use of fireworks on state wildlife management areas is prohibited.
The primary objective of a wildlife management area is to enhance wildlife production, provide hunting and fishing opportunities, and offer other outdoor recreational and educational uses. Only activities that would not disrupt the intentions of how these areas are managed are encouraged, and a fireworks display is not compatible.
Excessive noise and commotion that come with fireworks disturbs wildlife, and their explosive nature is a potential source of wildfires. Chances of a wildfire developing are greatly enhanced when explosives, such as fireworks, come in contact with tall grasses in rural areas.
A complete list of the WMA regulations is available on the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.
Spring Breeding Duck Numbers Tallied
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of 3.4 million birds, down 5 percent from last year.
“The spring migration was well ahead of normal as open fields and warm temperatures allowed early migrants to pass quickly through the state,” said migratory game bird supervisor Mike Szymanski.
Survey results indicated all species, except ruddy ducks (up 19 percent) and gadwall (up 4 percent), decreased from their 2015 estimates, while shovelers remained unchanged. Mallards were down 9 percent, pintails down 17 percent and canvasbacks down 18 percent. However all species, with the exception of pintails and canvasbacks, were above the long-term average (1948-2015).
Szymanski said the number of temporary and seasonal wetlands was substantially lower than last year, with the spring water index down 50 percent.
“However, conditions coming out of May into June were much wetter than what we observed during the week of the survey,” Szymanski added. “Frequent rains have since filled many wetlands that are beneficial for breeding ducks.”
The water index is based on basins with water, and does not necessarily represent the amount of water contained in wetlands or the type of wetlands represented.
Szymanski said the July brood survey will provide a better idea of duck production and insight into expectations for this fall. “The total breeding duck index is still in the top 20 all time, so there is still a lot of potential for good production this year,” he added. “Hopefully improved wetland conditions since the May survey will carry through into increased wetland availability for duck broods.”
BOW Program Announces Schedule
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program is announcing its schedule for 2016.
A new paddleboarding event is set for July 7 at Harmon Lake in Morton County. Participants will experience an evening on the water using a stand-up paddleboard. Equipment and gear is included in the $30 registration fee. Register online at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.
The annual summer workshop is Aug. 5-7 at Lake Metigoshe State Park, Bottineau. Participants may take several programs including archery, canoeing, introduction to firearms, fly-fishing, basic shotgunning, hiking, plant identification and trapping. Workshop fees of $100 cover instruction, program materials, use of equipment, all meals and lodging. Registration information is available on the Game and Fish website.
A canoe trip is scheduled Sept. 10-11 at Lake Metigoshe State Park. The two-day workshop will include instruction and significant time on the water. Workshop fees of $75 include instruction, use of equipment, meals and lodging. Prior paddling experience is recommended. Registration for this event will open in late June.
BOW workshops are designed primarily for women with an interest in learning skills associated with hunting, fishing and outdoor endeavors. Although open to anyone age 18 or older, the workshops are tailored primarily to women who have never tried these activities or who are beginners hoping to improve their skills.
More information is available by contacting Brian Schaffer at 701-328-6312.
Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest is now open, and the deadline for submissions is Sept. 30.
The contest has categories for nongame and game species, as well as plants/insects. An overall winning photograph will be chosen, with the number of place winners in each category determined by the number of qualified entries.
Contest entries are limited to digital files submitted on disk or via email. Contestants are limited to no more than five entries. Photos must have been taken in North Dakota.
By submitting an entry, photographers grant permission to Game and Fish to publish winning photographs in North Dakota OUTDOORS magazine, and on the Department’s website, gf.nd.gov.
Photo disks should be sent to Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest, C/O Patrick T. Isakson, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095.
Send emailed digital photos to photocontest@nd.gov. Photographers will need to supply the original image if needed for publication.
Photo disks will not be returned. All entries must be accompanied by the photographer’s name, address, phone number and email address if available. Other information such as photo site location and month taken are also useful.
Handle Fish with Care
North Dakota’s open water fishing season has many anglers hoping to land that elusive trophy fish. While hooking a wall-mounter is important for some anglers, others simply enjoy the thrill and return the fish back into the water.
Catch-and-release is effective only if released fish are handled carefully. The following precautions will enhance the likelihood of a released fish remaining healthy:
Fish should be caught from depths less than 30 feet.
Land the fish quickly. If possible, don’t play the fish to exhaustion while attempting to bring it in.
A needle-nose pliers or similar tool should be used to remove the hook.
When removing the hook, don’t squeeze the fish or hold it by its eye sockets, and avoid contact with the gills.
If the fish is hooked deep, cut the line close to the mouth.
If possible, hold the fish in the water while preparing it for release, including while handling it to remove the hook.
Don’t throw the fish into the water. When releasing it, place it into the water and move it slowly back and forth until it becomes acclimated.
USFWS Says Moose May Warrant Future Protection
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that a subspecies of moose found in North Dakota and three other states could warrant federal protection. The finding opens a full status review by the USFWS to determine whether moose could be listed under the Endangered Species Act. State Game and Fish Department officials emphasize the finding merely initiates a status review of moose in the Upper Midwest, and it will not affect any current state regulations in the foreseeable future.
The announcement concerns the population of the moose subspecies found only in the Midwest, including Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin in addition to North Dakota.
Jeb Williams, Game and Fish Department wildlife division chief, said the Department will be providing data to show that the state’s moose population has been doing quite well for years.
Williams mentioned if data on North Dakota's moose population had been considered in the petition's finding, it's possible the state's moose population would have been excluded from the process.
“This can be a long and confusing process, but North Dakotans need to understand that nothing will change in the interim and we believe our moose population will continue to do well,” Williams said.
Currently the state’s highest moose densities are found in the northwest, while numbers in what was once considered traditional habitat in the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills, remain low. Overall, the statewide population is stable to increasing.
North Dakota held its first moose hunting season in 1977 and 10 licenses were made available to hunters. The season has run uninterrupted since then.
For 2016, the Game and Fish Department allocated 202 moose licenses, up 70 from 2015.
The Department continues to monitor moose that die from causes other than hunting, to determine any effects of disease and to gain a better understanding of why they died.
In addition, a three-year moose research study is ongoing in the Kenmare area and on the Missouri River bottoms southeast of Williston. The research is focusing on annual survival, cause-specific mortality, reproduction rates, annual and season movements and home range use, as well as seasonal habitat selection.
Summer Safety on the Water
Failure to wear a personal flotation device is the main reason people lose their lives in water recreation accidents.
North Dakota law requires all children ages 10 and younger to wear a personal flotation device while in boats of less than 27 feet in length. The law also requires all personal watercraft users to wear a life jacket, as well as anyone towed on skis, tubes, boards or other similar devices.
Water users should make sure to wear life jackets that are the appropriate size, and in good condition. It is also important that children wear a PFD while swimming.
Water skiers and tubers should wear a life jacket with four nylon straps rather than one with a zipper, because straps are stronger than zippers upon impact with water. Anglers or persons paddling a canoe should opt for a PFD that is comfortable enough to wear for an entire outing.
Water skiers and tubers are reminded it takes three to ski and tube. When a person is towed on water skis or a similar device, an observer other than the operator is required on the vessel.
Swimmers should know the water’s depth as serious injuries can occur from diving into water. Large objects hidden below the water’s surface can lead to significant injury.
North Dakota boaters also are reminded that marine VHF radios are an important part of boat safety that should not be improperly used by operators. These radios are intended for boat operators who are in distress and facing an emergency situation.
North Dakota Game and Fish Department