North Dakota Game and Fish Department
The MacLean Bottoms public shooting range and boat ramp located south of Bismarck will be closed for a scheduled volunteer recognition event on Saturday, Aug. 27.
The shooting range will close Friday at 3 p.m., and will resume normal operation on Sunday. The boat ramp will not be usable Saturday only.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department, local wildlife clubs and other sponsors will usher youngsters into fall during the annual Youth Outdoor Festival in Minot.
The event is Thursday, Sept. 1 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Game and Fish Conservation and Outdoors Skills Park on the grounds of the North Dakota State Fair.
Young outdoor enthusiasts will experience a number of activities, including archery, fishing, waterfowl and upland game. Prizes will be awarded and food is provided.
For more information, contact Game and Fish outreach biologist Greg Gullickson at 701-720-1640.
The North Dakota Community Action Sportsmen Against Hunger program is accepting donations of goose meat taken during the early Canada goose season. In addition, the program will accept Canada and light (snow, blue and Ross’s) goose donations during the regular waterfowl season.
Similar to last year, hunters can bring in their goose meat to participating processors after removing the breast meat from the birds at home. Or, hunters may also deliver geese directly from the field to a processor, but identification such as the wing or head must remain attached to the bird until in possession of the processor.
For a list of participating processors in North Dakota, visit the North Dakota Community Action website at www.capnd.org.
Breast meat brought from home without a wing or head attached to the meat must be accompanied by written information that includes the hunter’s name, address, signature, hunting license number, date taken and species and number taken. Information forms are also available at the Game and Fish website at gf.nd.gov/sah.
Hunters will also fill out a brief form so that processors can keep a record on donated goose meat, the same as is required for processing any other type of wild game meat.
Since no goose carcasses or feathers are allowed inside processing facilities, hunters must be able to ensure proper disposal and clean-up of carcasses.
Big game hunters are reminded of requirements for transporting deer, elk and moose carcasses and carcass parts into and within North Dakota as a precaution against the possible spread of chronic wasting disease.
Hunters harvesting a big game animal this fall in North Dakota deer unit 3F2 cannot transport a carcass containing the head and spinal column outside of the unit unless it’s taken to a meat processor within five days of the harvest date. The head can be removed from the carcass and transported outside of the unit if it is to be submitted to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department for CWD surveillance purposes, or to a licensed taxidermist.
If the deer is processed in the field to boned meat, and the hunter wants to leave the head in the field, the head must be legally tagged and the hunter must be able to return to or give the exact location of the head if requested for verification.
In addition, hunting big game over bait is prohibited in deer units 3C west of the Missouri River, 3E1, 3E2, 3F1 and 3F2.
Hunters are prohibited from transporting into or within North Dakota the whole carcass, or certain carcass parts, of deer, elk, moose or other members of the cervid family from areas within states and provinces with documented occurrences of CWD in wild populations, or from farmed cervid operations within states and provinces that have had farmed cervids diagnosed with CWD. Only the following portions of the carcass can be transported:
Hunters should refer to the 2016-17 CWD proclamation on the Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov, for game management units, equivalent wildlife management units, or counties in other states that have had free-ranging deer, moose or elk diagnosed with CWD. Importation of harvested elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer, moose or other cervids from listed areas are restricted.
State Game and Fish Department biologists expect a fall duck flight from North Dakota that is similar to last year, based on observations from the annual mid-July waterfowl production survey.
This year’s brood index came in at 3.89 broods per square mile, which is up 11 percent from last year. The statewide average since the survey began in the 1950s is 2.55 broods per square mile.
Observers also count water areas during the summer survey, and this year’s water index was 35 percent higher than last year. Because of abundant rains in many parts of North Dakota since late May, Game and Fish migratory game bird management supervisor Mike Szymanski said summer wetland conditions are improved over spring conditions.
“It was fairly dry when we did our spring survey, but after that we started to get some good rains that helped improve late nesting and renesting efforts,” Szymanski said. “Wetlands were drying up quickly this spring, but then the rains came. The heavy, often localized rainfall helped keep brood habitat on the map into late summer in many areas.”
Game and Fish biologists conduct a separate survey in September to assess wetland conditions heading into the waterfowl hunting seasons.
Mallards, gadwall and blue-winged teal are the top three duck species that nest in North Dakota, and together they accounted for nearly 80 percent of the broods observed in the summer survey. Mallard brood numbers were up about 15 percent from last year, gadwalls were up about 28 percent, and blue-winged teal broods were down about 5 percent. Blue-winged teal are typically the most prevalent breeding duck in North Dakota.
The Game and Fish summer duck brood survey involves 18 routes that cover all sectors of the state except west and south of the Missouri River. Biologists count and classify duck broods and water areas within 220 yards on each side of the road.
The survey started in the late 1950s, and all routes used today have been in place since 1965.
Women interested in getting hunter education certified prior to the fall hunting season can sign up for a class offered Aug. 17 in Bismarck.
The class will meet from 6-9 p.m. at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s main office. Evening activities include classroom instruction, self-paced internet classes and a written exam. Participants will have two weeks to complete an online portion, take a short exam and print a certificate of completion. On Aug. 31 at 6 p.m., the class will gather at Game and Fish to participate in a group discussion and take the final written exam.
Students should register online at the Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov. To register, click on buy and apply, and “online course enrollment” under the hunter education heading. The course number is 2762.
Students who do not have access to the internet and want to sign up for the class can call the hunter education program at 328-6615.
Harvest Information Program registration for all migratory game bird hunters, regardless of age, and a federal duck stamp for waterfowl hunters age 16 and older, are required beginning Sept. 1.
Migratory game birds include ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, coots, cranes, snipe, doves and woodcock. Waterfowl includes ducks, geese, swans, mergansers and coots.
Hunters can HIP certify when they buy a North Dakota license, or add it later through the Game and Fish website at gf.nd.gov, or by calling 888-634-4798 and recording the HIP number on their printed license.
Those who registered to hunt the spring light goose season or early Canada goose season in North Dakota do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required only once per year. However, hunters must HIP register in each state for which they are licensed before hunting migratory game birds.
This year’s 2016-17 federal duck stamp is available for electronic purchase through the department’s website and instant licensing telephone number, or at license vendors registered with the department’s licensing system. Physical stamps are not available at North Dakota license vendors, but they can still be purchased at many U.S. Postal Service offices.
The electronic stamp is a purchase item like any other hunting or fishing license. When the purchase is completed the electronic stamp is valid immediately. The words ‘Federal Duck Stamp’ will be printed on the license certificate, along with an expiration date 45 days from the date of purchase. The actual physical stamp will be sent by postal mail.
The physical stamp is processed and sent by the official duck stamp vendor in Texas, and should arrive to the individual buyer well before the expiration date printed on the electronic license. The physical stamp must remain in possession of the hunter after the 45-day electronic stamp has expired. Individuals who have questions regarding the status of their physical stamp can contact the federal duck stamp vendor customer service number at 800-852-4897.
The federal duck stamp has a fee of $25. In addition, there is another $1.50 added to cover shipping and handling costs of the actual physical stamp.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department advises hunters to be cautious with their dogs around water this time of year, due to potential health hazards associated with blue-green algae.
Late summer and early fall offer prime conditions for blue-green algae growth in many state waters. Ingestion by a hunting dog while perhaps retrieving a bird during the early goose season, or just practicing retrieving, can lead to severe illness and potential death.
Potentially toxic algae blooms occur under conditions of hot, dry weather. Shallow, stagnant water with moderate to high nutrient content provides an optimum environment for algal growth. Water or wind movements often concentrate the algae, and eventually the bloom appears as a blue-green “scum” floating on the water’s surface. The threat diminishes once the weather turns colder.
Hunting dogs shouldn’t drink or swim in discolored water or where algal blooms are apparent. If dogs retrieve in these conditions, they should be rinsed off immediately and shouldn’t be allowed to lick their coat.
For additional information about the effects of blue-green algae blooms on hunting dogs, contact the Animal Health Division, North Dakota Department of Agriculture, at 701-328-2655; or a local veterinarian.
Hunters are reminded to check harvested migratory birds for bands this fall and report their findings.
Information from birds with a federal band should be reported online at www.reportband.gov. In addition, the bird banding lab has a new, mobile friendly reporting site that will aid hunters to report bands via mobile devices. Those without access to the internet can report bands by calling 800-327-2263.
The band number, date and location of each recovery are needed. After the band information is processed, hunters can request a certificate of appreciation, and information about the bird will be returned in an email. Hunters can keep all bands they recover.
Information received from hunters is critical for management of migratory game birds.
North Dakota’s 2016 small game and furbearer regulations are set and most season structures are similar to last year.
Notable changes include:
The overall harvest limit on mountain lions is reduced from 21 to 15, and the early season limit is reduced from 14 to eight. If the early season ends before the season limit is reached, the season could reopen if the late season limit is reached prior to March 25. The late season limit is seven total lions, or three female lions, whichever comes first.
Trappers are no longer required to register with the State Game and Fish Department prior to setting cable devices.
Night vision, electronically enhanced light gathering optics and thermal imaging equipment can be used during the portion of the red fox, gray fox and coyote seasons that is open to night hunting (Nov. 21 – March 15). Spotlights or any other artificial lights are still prohibited.
Prairie chicken and sage grouse seasons will remain closed due to low populations.
In accordance with state law, nonresidents are not allowed to hunt on Game and Fish Department wildlife management areas or conservation PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) areas from Oct. 8-14.
Hunters should refer to the North Dakota 2016-17 Small Game and Furbearer guides (available mid-August) for more details on small game and furbearer seasons. Printed waterfowl guides will be available in early September.
|
Species |
Opens |
Closes |
Daily Limit |
Poss Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Early Canada Goose |
Aug. 15 |
Sept. 15 (Sept. 7 Missouri River Zone) |
15 |
45 |
|
Crows (fall) |
Aug. 20 |
Nov. 7 |
No limit |
No limit |
|
Mountain lion zone 1 early (zone limit 8) |
Sept. 2 |
Nov. 20 (or when zone limit is reached) |
Season limit of 1 per hunter |
|
|
Mountain lion zone 1 late (zone limit 7 or 3 females) |
Nov. 21 |
March 31 (or when zone limit is reached) |
Season limit of 1 per hunter |
|
|
Dove |
Sept. 1 |
Nov. 29 |
15 |
45 |
|
Mountain lion zone 2 |
Sept. 2 |
March 31 |
Season limit of 1 per hunter |
|
|
Hungarian partridge |
Sept. 10 |
Jan. 8 |
3 |
12 |
|
Sharp-tailed grouse |
Sept. 10 |
Jan. 8 |
3 |
12 |
|
Ruffed grouse |
Sept. 10 |
Jan. 8 |
3 |
12 |
|
Tree squirrels |
Sept. 10 |
Jan. 8 |
4 |
12 |
|
Sandhill crane unit 1 |
Sept. 17 |
Nov. 13 |
3 |
9 |
|
Sandhill crane unit 2 |
Sept. 17 |
Nov. 13 |
2 |
6 |
|
Snipe |
Sept. 17 |
Dec. 4 |
8 |
24 |
|
Woodcock |
Sept. 24 |
Nov. 7 |
3 |
9 |
|
Tundra swan |
Oct. 1 |
Jan. 1 |
Season limit of 1 per hunter (license issued by lottery) |
|
|
Pheasants |
Oct. 8 |
Jan. 8 |
3 |
12 |
|
Weasel trapping |
Oct. 22 |
March 15 |
||
|
Mink, Muskrat trapping |
Oct. 22 |
May 10 |
||
|
Fisher trapping |
Nov. 21 |
Nov. 27 |
Season limit of 1 per trapper |
The online application for North Dakota’s 2016 tundra swan license lottery is available on the State Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov. The deadline for applying is Aug. 17.
Applicants can also apply by calling 800-406-6409. A service fee is added for license applications made by phone.
North Dakota residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply. The resident swan license is $10, while the nonresident fee is $30.
The statewide tundra swan hunting season is Oct. 1 – Jan. 1, 2017. A total of 2,200 licenses are available. Successful applicants will receive a tag to take one swan during the season. Since swans are classified as waterfowl, nonresidents may hunt them only during the period their nonresident waterfowl license is valid.
North Dakota’s 2016 waterfowl season is set, with the season framework similar to last year.
Opening day for North Dakota residents is Sept. 24 for ducks, geese, coots and mergansers. Nonresidents may begin hunting waterfowl in North Dakota Oct. 1. The season for swans opens Oct. 1 for both residents and nonresidents.
Hunters may take six ducks per day with the following restrictions: five mallards of which two may be hens, three wood ducks, three scaup, two redheads, two pintails and two canvasbacks. Similar to last year, hunters can take an additional two blue-winged teal from Sept. 24 through Oct. 9. The daily limit of five mergansers may include no more than two hooded mergansers. For ducks and mergansers, the possession limit is three times the daily limit.
The hunting season for Canada geese in the Missouri River zone will close Dec. 30, while the remainder of the state will close Dec. 22. The season for whitefronts closes Dec. 4, while the season on light geese is open through Jan. 1, 2017. Shooting hours for all geese are one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. each day through Nov. 5. Beginning Nov. 6, shooting hours are extended until 2 p.m. each day.
Extended shooting hours for all geese are permitted from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset on Saturdays and Wednesdays through Nov. 23, and on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays from Nov. 24 through the end of each season.
The bag limit for Canada geese during the regular season is eight daily and 24 in possession, except in the Missouri River zone where the limit is five daily and 15 in possession.
The daily limit on whitefronts is three with nine in possession, and light goose is 50 daily, with no possession limit.
The early Canada goose season will open Aug. 15 and continue through Sept. 15, except in the Missouri River Zone where the season ends Sept. 7. The early Canada goose season has a limit of 15 daily and 45 in possession.
The special youth waterfowl hunting season is Sept. 17-18. Legally licensed residents and nonresidents 15 years of age or younger can hunt ducks, coots, mergansers and geese statewide. Youth hunters must have a general game and habitat license and a fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. A licensed adult of at least 18 years of age must accompany the youth hunter into the field.
Nonresidents have the option of buying either a statewide waterfowl license or one with zone restrictions. Nonresidents who designate zones 1 or 2 may hunt that zone for only one seven-day period during the season. Nonresident hunters who chose to hunt in zone 1 or 2 and wish to use the full 14 consecutive days allowed, must use the other seven days in zone 3. Hunters in zone 3 can hunt that zone the entire 14 days.
In accordance with state law, nonresidents are not allowed to hunt on North Dakota Game and Fish Department wildlife management areas or conservation PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) areas from Oct. 8-14.
Hunters who do not HIP certify when they buy a North Dakota license, can add it later through the Game and Fish website at gf.nd.gov, or by calling 888-634-4798 and recording the HIP number on their printed license. Those who registered to hunt North Dakota’s spring light goose season or early Canada goose season do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required in each state only once per year.
Hunters should refer to the 2016 North Dakota Waterfowl Hunting Guide for further details on the waterfowl season. Paper copies will be at license vendors in early September.
