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News Releases

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

News Releases

2020 Deer Season Summarized

A total of 58,146 North Dakota deer hunters took approximately 39,322 deer during the 2020 deer gun hunting season, according to a post-season survey conducted by the state Game and Fish Department.

Game and Fish made available 68,650 deer gun licenses last year. Overall hunter success was 68%, with each hunter spending an average of 4.8 days in the field.   

Hunter success for antlered white-tailed deer was 67%, and antlerless whitetail was 63%.

Mule deer buck success was 81%, and antlerless mule deer was 83%.

Hunters with any-antlered or any-antlerless licenses generally harvest white-tailed deer, as these licenses are predominantly in units with mostly whitetails. Buck hunters had a success rate of 70%, while doe hunters had a success rate of 69%.

Game and Fish issued 12,130 gratis licenses in 2020, and 9,678 hunters harvested 5,612 deer, for a success rate of 58%.

A total of 1,276 muzzleloader licenses were issued, and 1,093 hunters harvested 481 white-tailed deer (234 antlered, 247 antlerless). Hunter success was 44%.

A total of 30,336 archery licenses (27,041 resident, 3,295 nonresident) were issued in 2020. In total, 26,420, bowhunters harvested 9,911 deer (9,058 whitetails, 853 mule deer), for a success rate of 38%.

The department is in the process of determining recommendations for licenses in 2021. In addition to harvest rates and winter aerial surveys, Game and Fish staff monitor other population indices to determine license numbers, including depredation reports, hunter observations, input at advisory board meetings, and comments from the public, landowners and department field staff.

Paddlefish Snagging Season Opens May 1

North Dakota’s 2021 paddlefish snagging 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.

Legal snagging hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time daily. One tag per snagger will be issued. Snagging is legal in all areas of the Yellowstone River in North Dakota, and in the area of the Missouri River lying west of the U.S. Highway 85 bridge to the Montana border, excluding that portion from the pipeline crossing (river mile 1,577) downstream to the upper end of the Lewis and Clark Wildlife Management Area (river mile 1,565).

Mandatory harvest of all snagged paddlefish is required on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. On these days, all paddlefish caught must be kept and tagged immediately. All paddlefish snagged and tagged must be removed from the river by 7 p.m. of each snagging day. Any fish left at the Confluence fish cleaning caviar operation after 8 p.m. the day they were snagged will be considered abandoned and the snagger is subject to a fine. 

Snag-and-release of all paddlefish is required on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. Participants during snag-and-release-only days need to have in their possession a current season, unused paddlefish snagging tag.

If the paddlefish season closes early because the harvest cap is reached, an extended snag-and-release-only period will be allowed for up to seven days immediately following the early closure, but not to extend beyond May 21. Only snaggers with a current season, unused paddlefish snagging tag are eligible to participate. Only a limited area at the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers downstream to the pipeline crossing (river mile 1,577) is open to this extended season snagging opportunity. For the extended snag-and-release days only, hours for snagging are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT.

Use or possession of gaffs is prohibited on snag-and-release-only days, and, if it occurs, during the snag-and-release extension period.

All paddlefish snaggers must possess a paddlefish tag, in addition to a valid fishing license for anyone age 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 North Dakota 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.

In addition, snaggers who access the area by boat should note the Confluence boat ramp is unusable due to low water.

Addresses and phone numbers of vendors selling tags:

Bismarck Game and Fish Office
100 N. Bismarck Expressway
Bismarck, ND 58501
701-328-6300

Sportsman’s Warehouse
925 32nd Ave. W.
Williston, ND 58801
701-572-2500

Scenic Sports
1201 E. Broadway
Williston, ND 58801
701-572-8696

Runnings Farm and Fleet 
2003 Third Ave. W.
Dickinson, ND 58601
701-483-1226

Rosie's Food and Gas
204 S. Main
Dickinson, ND 58601
701-483-7860

Trenton Rose Express
14627 Highway 1804
Trenton, ND 58553
701-774-8865

Big Boy’s Toys
300 N. Main St.
Watford City, ND 58854
701-842-3301

 

 

Environmental Education Workshop Offered this Summer

The 2021 Collaborative Environmental Education Workshop, featuring Habitats of North Dakota, Project Learning Tree and Project Wild materials, will be held June 15-16 at North Dakota State University in Fargo.

This is an educational workshop for teachers, environmental educators or anyone who wishes to learn more about the outside world. The five North Dakota habitats (wetlands, badlands, prairie, woodlands and riparian) will be studied, including their location, plants and animals and the importance of each habitat. The North Dakota Habitats, Project Learning Tree and Project WILD curriculums will be used as textbooks for this course. Explore topics like species diversity, invasive species, wildlife migration and adaptations.

The workshop will be interactive and fast paced, with hands-on activities. Lessons will be project based and correlated to academic standards. Different instructional methods will be used to reach all learning styles. Be prepared for outdoor walking field trips and activities, weather permitting. All supplies are provided.

One graduate credit is available through North Dakota State University. Register for the workshop at www.ndsu.edu/dce//k-12/info/18147.

For more information, contact Sherry Niesar at 701-527-3714 or at sniesar@nd.gov.

Men Convicted in Poaching Case

A months-long investigation into the poaching of about 10, and possibly more, whitetail bucks in Barnes County beginning in 2019 ended in the conviction of four men.

“We charged them with the only ones that we could prove, which was right around 10 bucks,” said Greg Hastings, North Dakota Game and Fish Department warden in Jamestown and lead investigator in the case. “We suspected there were more deer taken, but we honestly don’t know.”

The four men were Jakob Ashline and Payne Drake, both of Valley City, and Calvin Bjornson and Ryan Rudolph, both of Spiritwood.

The convictions included, among other penalties, many misdemeanors, fines and fees:

  • Ashline – 15 A misdemeanors; nine B misdemeanors; $7,900 in fines, fees and restitution; 53 days in jail; and loss of hunting/fishing/trapping privileges for 10 years.
  • Drake – One A misdemeanor; eight B misdemeanors; $850 in fines and fees; and loss of hunting/fishing/trapping privileges for two years.
  • Bjornson – Two A misdemeanors; one B misdemeanor; and $4,750 in fines and fees.
  • Rudolph – Four A misdemeanors; two B misdemeanors; $2,635 in fines, fees and restitution; and loss of hunting/fishing/trapping privileges for two years.

In addition, Ashline forfeited two rifles and a spotlight; Rudolph forfeited one rifle and has to complete 100 hours community service; and Drake has to complete 80 hours of community service. 

Beginning in October 2019, Department wardens began by investigating a buck shot near Valley City that had its antlers removed. Within a week, another buck, also missing its antlers, was discovered in nearly the same location. No meat was removed from either carcass and left to rot.

Mark Pollert, Department warden supervisor in Jamestown, said more suspicious, dead deer were reported to wardens later that fall, most near the Sheyenne River Valley from Lake Ashtabula to Kathryn. In two cases, antlers had been removed from the deer in the same manner and the carcasses left to waste.

In December 2019, game wardens, with assistance of warden pilot Jeff Sieger of Bismarck, conducted a night flight in hopes of developing suspects. That night, warden Michael Sedlacek of Fargo became involved in a ground pursuit of a vehicle that appeared to be illegally shining wildlife.

The vehicle eventually got stuck in the snow and the shining suspects, who were not involved in the same case with the four eventually convicted men, were apprehended with the assistance of other wardens and law enforcement personnel. During an interview with the suspects, wardens discovered a photo of a large whitetail buck, which lead to additional investigations.

“Catching those guys shining deer landed us a photo of a poached deer we’d been hearing about and got us to digging further,” Hastings said.

Lots of digging followed.

“Like I’ve said multiple times, it was a lot of work, a lot of investigating,” Hastings said.

Wardens spent countless hours conducting interviews, served several warrants and collected evidence for safekeeping and DNA analysis.

Assisting Hastings with much of the investigation was warden Andrew Dahlgren of Edgeley. Seven wardens from the southeastern part of the state were involved in varying degrees in the complicated case, Pollert said.

“This investigation was highly complex and involved hundreds of warden hours to successfully complete,” said Scott Winkelman, Game and Fish Department enforcement division chief. “It really shows the excellent work our game wardens do on a daily basis. The entire investigation is a terrific example of how the public, game wardens and the State’s Attorneys can work together to protect North Dakota’s wildlife.” 

Wardens thanked citizens for reporting the suspicious activities that lead to the investigations. Thanks also to the Barnes County Sheriff’s office and the North Dakota Highway Patrol for their assistance. And special thanks to the Barnes County State’s Attorney’s office for their dedication in prosecuting the case.

Moose and Elk Lotteries Held, Bighorn Sheep in September

North Dakota’s moose and elk lotteries have been held, and individual results are available by visiting My Account at the state Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov.

A total of 19,126 applications were received for bighorn sheep, 23,023 for elk and 26,035 for moose.

While in My Account, successful applicants must pay for a moose and/or elk license. In addition, a 2021-22 general game and habitat license, or combination license, is required. The moose/elk license will be mailed after the required hunting licenses are purchased.

The bighorn sheep lottery is scheduled in September, after summer population surveys are completed and total licenses are determined. Once the lottery is held, successful applicants will be contacted to select a hunting unit.

Fisheries Division Celebrates Area Landowners

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department honored several Emmons County area landowners in April for their cooperation in providing boating and fishing access to Rice Lake and construction of a carp barrier to keep the undesirable species from getting into the popular Emmons County fishery.

While this annual certificate of appreciation is typically given to an entity, park board or club, this year it was given to these individuals because their support demonstrates how local cooperation can positively influence area fishing lakes and recreation areas, said Bob Frohlich, Game and Fish Department fisheries development supervisor.

The cooperating landowners in the Rice Lake access project include Mark and Jean Hollaar; Todd Nieuwsma; Allen Nieuwsma; Gordon and Debra Van Boven; and Kenneth Nieuwsma. Cooperating in the carp barrier project were Dale Nieuwsma and Duane Nieuwsma.

“These efforts exemplify the long-standing cooperation with North Dakota landowners, providing valuable fishing opportunities for the public for years to come,” Frohlich said.

Big Walleye Certified as State Record

A 16-pound, 6-ounce walleye caught March 13 by Dickinson angler Jared Shypkoski is the new state record, according to North Dakota Game and Fish Department personnel.

Shypkoski reeled in the 33-inch fish in the Eckroth Bottoms area of upper Lake Oahe.

The previous record of 15 pounds, 13 ounces was taken in 2018 by Neal Leier of Bismarck, approximately 30 miles upstream on the Missouri River near the Fox Island boat ramp.

Advisory Board Meetings Announced

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department Advisory Board will host its public meetings on site this spring at eight locations across the state. In addition, the district 7 meeting in Bismarck will be streamed live on the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.

Attendance will be limited at the eight locations due to physical distancing guidelines. Those unable to attend in-person will be able to view and participate in the April 26 livestream event.

For the statewide livestream, questions can be submitted in advance at ndgflive@nd.gov, or via live chat during the meeting. 

 

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

Date: April 27 – 7 p.m.

Location: Elks, 425 Highway 2 W., Devils Lake

Host: Lake Region Anglers

Contact and advisory board member: Edward Dosch, 701-351-4202, Devils Lake 

 

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

Date: April 20 – 7 p.m.

Location: Van Jones American Legion Post, Rhame

Host: Brooks Ranch

Contact and advisory board member: Rob Brooks, 701-279-5896, Rhame

 

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

Date: April 19 – 7 p.m.

Location: Berthold Sportsmen Club, 214 Main St., Berthold

Host: Berthold Sportsmen Club

Contact: Charlie Monson, 701-226-6546

Advisory board member: Travis Leier, Velva

 

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

Date: April 20 – 7 p.m.

Location: Kulm City Hall, First Ave. SW and First St. SW, Kulm

Host: Kulm Rod and Gun Club

Contact: Dustin Mahin, 701-830-9919

Advisory board member: Cody Sand, Ashley

 

District 1 – Divide, McKenzie and Williams counties

Date: April 26 – 7 p.m.

Location: Community Center, Main St., Grassy Butte

Host: North Dakota Houndsmen Association

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

 

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

Date: April 19 – 7 p.m.

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

Host: Richland Wildlife Club

Contact: Wayne Beyer, 701-642-2811

Advisory board member: Duane Hanson, West Fargo

 

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

Date: April 27 – 7 p.m.

Location: Pekin Rod and Gun Club, 2950 ND Highway 1, Pekin 

Host: Pekin Rod and Gun Club

Contact: David Morten, 701-296-4484

Advisory board member: Bruce Ellertson, Lakota

 

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

Date: April 26 – 7 p.m.

Location: Game and Fish Main Office, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck 

Host: North Dakota Wildlife Federation

Contact: John Bradley, 701-390-7196

Advisory board member: Dave Nehring, Bismarck

Record Count of Bighorn Sheep

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 2020 bighorn sheep survey, completed by recounting lambs in March, revealed a record 322 bighorn sheep in western North Dakota, up 11% from 2019 and 13% above the five-year average. The count surpassed the previous record of 313 bighorns in 2008.

Altogether, biologists counted 97 rams, 170 ewes and 55 lambs. Not included are approximately 40 bighorn sheep in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and bighorns recently introduced to the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.

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

“The increase in the 2020 count reflects lessening effects of bacterial pneumonia that was detected in 2014,” Wiedmann said.

The northern badlands population increased 13% from 2019 and was the highest count on record. The southern badlands population declined again to the lowest level since 1999.

“We were encouraged to see the count of adult rams increase after declining the last four years, and adult ewes were at record numbers,” Wiedmann said. “Most encouraging was a record lamb count corresponding with a record recruitment rate.”

Game and Fish 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.

Department staff, in conjunction with biologists from the Three Affiliated Tribes Fish and Wildlife Division, also reported that the bighorn sheep that were translocated in January 2020 from Rocky Boy’s Reservation in Montana to the Fort Berthold Reservation performed exceptionally well their first year in the state. Only one adult ewe died but 19 lambs were recruited. Consequently, the population increased from 30 to 48 in the first year.

There are currently more than 400 bighorn sheep among populations managed by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, the National Park Service and the Three Affiliated Tribes Fish and Wildlife Division. Wiedmann said the last confirmed native bighorn sheep in North Dakota was killed in 1905, and Theodore Roosevelt reported that bighorns were scarce by the time he hunted them during the 1880s.

“So, it’s likely there are more bighorns today than before North Dakota’s statehood in 1889,” he added. “It really illustrates the historical significance of this year’s count.”

A bighorn sheep hunting season is tentatively scheduled to open in 2021.The status of the bighorn sheep season will be determined Sept. 1, after the summer population survey is completed.

Game and Fish issued six licenses in 2020 and all hunters were successful in harvesting a ram.

Game and Fish Offices Open to Public Access

North Dakota Game and Fish Department offices, except for Riverdale, are open to public access after being closed to walk-in traffic since last spring due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Riverdale office will remain closed to walk-in traffic since it does not have an administrative assistant. Individuals will need to call ahead and make an appointment or contact the Bismarck office for assistance.

Following the North Dakota Smart Restart guidelines, outdoor enthusiasts must sign in upon entering for contact tracing purposes, and face coverings are recommended.

Hunters and anglers are reminded that all hunting and fishing license purchases, boat registrations and lottery applications are conducted online, including gratis deer applications. In addition, licenses can be purchased at more than 140 vendor locations throughout the state.

For more hunting, fishing, trapping and boating information, visit the Game and Fish website at gf.nd.gov. 

Deer Gratis Application Online

Landowners interested in a 2021 deer gratis license can apply online by visiting the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. The deadline for applying is June 2.

General deer and muzzleloader lottery applications will be available online in early May, also with a deadline of June 2. 

Gratis applicants who have previously applied online will automatically have their land description carried forward to this year’s application. However, any changes with land descriptions from last year’s application must be made prior to submitting the 2021 application.

Applications must be submitted online using a computer or smartphone. License vendors are unable to process deer gratis applications.

Game Warden Exam Set for June 11

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has scheduled an examination to select district game warden candidates. The test is at 10 a.m., June 11, at the department's main office in Bismarck.

Applicants must register no later than June 8 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, have a valid driver’s license and a current North Dakota peace officer license, or be eligible to be licensed. Candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive background check 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 $4,300 per month. For more information, see the district game warden job announcement on the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.