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News Releases

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

North Dakota Game and Fish Department


News Releases


Pronghorn Applications Due Aug. 11



The deadline to apply for the 2021 pronghorn hunting season is Aug. 11.

Applicants can apply online by visiting the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.

The pronghorn license fee is $30 for 16 and older, and $10 for under 16.

Only North Dakota residents are eligible to apply.

HIP Registration Required for Migratory Bird Hunters



Migratory bird hunters of all ages need to register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, coots, cranes, snipe, doves and woodcock. Hunters must register in each state for which they are licensed to hunt.

Hunters can HIP certify when purchasing a license by visiting the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. In addition, hunters can call 888-634-4798.

Those who registered to hunt during the spring light goose conservation order in North Dakota do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required only once per year.

HIP registration is a cooperative program designed to determine a sample of hunters from which to measure the harvest of migratory birds for management purposes.

Swan Application Deadline Aug. 11



The deadline to submit a swan application is Aug. 11.

Applicants must submit an online application through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov.

North Dakota residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply. The resident swan license is $10, while the nonresident fee is $30.

2020 Upland Game Seasons Summarized



North Dakota’s 2020 pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse and Hungarian partridge harvests were up from 2019, according to statistics compiled by the state Game and Fish Department.

Upland game biologist RJ Gross said the overall harvest was likely because of increased production of upland birds and favorable weather conditions for hunters.

“The increases are largely due to a larger pheasant breeding population and an increase in production of upland game bird chicks across most of the state that we observed during our 2020 spring crowing and late summer roadside counts,” Gross said.

Looking back, Gross said the 2020 spring pheasant crowing counts showed a 15% increase in the breeding population, and roadside counts showed 10% more birds per mile and 17% more broods per mile compared to 2019.

“Combine that with favorable weather conditions late into the hunting season and more hunters on the landscape, you end up with more birds in the bag,” he said.

Last year, 57,141 pheasant hunters (up 14%) harvested 330,668 roosters (up 28%), compared to 50,000 hunters and 256,800 roosters in 2019.

Counties with the highest percentage of pheasants taken were Hettinger, Divide, Bowman, Williams and Morton.

A total of 19,971 grouse hunters (up 43%) harvested 86,965 sharp-tailed grouse (up 153%), compared to 14,000 hunters and 34,300 sharptails in 2019.

Counties with the highest percentage of sharptails taken were Mountrail, Burleigh, Sheridan, Stutsman and Morton.

Last year 16,795 hunters (up 41%) harvested 52,251 Hungarian partridge (up 60%). In 2019, nearly 11,900 hunters harvested 32,600 Huns.

Counties with the highest percentage of Hungarian partridge taken were Mountrail, Morton, McLean, Williams and Divide.

2021 Early Canada Goose Dates Announced



North Dakota’s early Canada goose season dates are set, with bag limits and licensing requirements the same as last year.

Opening day is Aug. 15 in all three zones. Closing dates are Sept. 7 in the Missouri River zone, Sept. 15 in the western zone and Sept. 22 in the eastern zone.

Early Canada goose limits are 15 daily and 45 in possession.

Limits and shooting hours are different from the regular season, while the zone boundaries remain the same. Shooting hours for early Canada goose are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.

Residents need a $5 early Canada goose license and a general game and habitat license. Also, residents 16 and older need a small game license. Nonresidents need only a $50 early Canada goose license, and the license is valid statewide without counting against the 14-day regular season license. Licenses can be purchased online by visiting the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov.

Harvest Information Program certification is required and beginning Sept. 1 a federal duck stamp for hunters 16 and older is needed. Those who HIP registered to hunt the spring light goose conservation order in North Dakota do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required in each state only once per year.

Waterfowl rest areas, closed to hunting during the regular season, are open during the early season. Most land in these rest areas is private, so hunters may need permission to access them.

Hunting of Canada geese in August and early September is intended to reduce local Canada goose numbers, which remain high. Game and Fish is attempting to provide additional hunting opportunities that can increase pressure on locally breeding Canada geese.

Duck Brood Numbers Drop Considerably



State Game and Fish Department biologists expect a fall flight of ducks in North Dakota this fall that will be unfamiliar to many hunters.

Mike Szymanski, Department migratory game bird management supervisor, said based on observations from the annual mid-July duck production survey, the 2021 fall flight is anticipated to be down 36% from last year, and similar to the 1970, 1979 and 1994 fall flights.

“Hunters should expect waterfowl hunting to be difficult in North Dakota this year, with the lone bright spot being Canada goose hunting. Nonetheless, localized concentrations of ducks, geese and swans will materialize throughout the hunting season as birds migrate through the state,” Szymanski said. “Hunters should take advantage of early migrants like blue-winged teal during the first two weeks of the season. We won’t be able to depend on local duck production to the extent that we have in the past.”

Drought has severely impacted breeding duck habitats across North Dakota. Breeding conditions varied from very poor to fair, and the wetland index declined by 80%.

While 2.9 million ducks were estimated during the Department’s 74th annual breeding duck survey in May, Szymanski said then that behavioral cues suggested breeding efforts by those ducks would be low.

He was correct.

“Conditions are not good statewide and, after a high count in 2020, the decline in wetlands counted represented the largest one-year percentage-based decline in the 74-year history of the survey,” he said. “Overall, this year’s breeding duck index was the 48th highest on record, down 27% from last year, but still 19% above the long-term average.”

The number of broods observed during the Department’s July brood survey dropped 49% from last year’s count and 23% below the 1965-2020 average. While the number of broods observed is the lowest since 1994, the count this year was still 62% above the 1965-1993 average. The average brood size was 6.46 ducklings, down 4% from last year’s estimate.

The 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 mid-1950s, and all routes used today have been in place since 1965.

Game and Fish biologists will conduct a separate survey in mid-September to assess wetland conditions heading into the waterfowl hunting season.

“At this point, we are not overly concerned about undue negative impacts of the harvest on ducks during this season, but we’ll re-evaluate the situation during the federal regulations process,” Szymanski said. “One year of drought won’t be a disaster for ducks, but we could have issues if these conditions continue into next year.”

2021-22 Small Game, Waterfowl, Furbearer Regulations Set



North Dakota’s 2021 small game, waterfowl and furbearer regulations are set, and most season structures are similar to last year.

Noteworthy items include:

  • Opening day for ducks, geese, coots and mergansers for North Dakota residents is Sept. 25. Nonresidents may begin hunting waterfowl in North Dakota Oct. 2.
  • The prairie chicken and sage grouse seasons remain closed due to low populations.
  • Pre-charged pneumatic air guns are legal for taking beaver, raccoon, bobcat, red fox, gray fox, coyote and badger.
  • The season on bobcat is split into two zones.
  • Harvest limit for otters increased to 25.
  • In accordance with state law, nonresidents are not allowed to hunt in Game and Fish Department wildlife management areas or Private Land Open To Sportsmen areas from Oct. 9-15. Exception: nonresidents hunting on PLOTS land they own.

Hunters and trappers can find the North Dakota 2021-22 Hunting and Trapping Guide, which includes upland game, migratory game bird and furbearer/trapping regulations and other information, by visiting the state Game and Fish Department's website, gf.nd.gov. Printed guides will be available at vendor locations in mid-August.

For a complete listing of opening and closing dates, and daily and possession limits, refer to the table on pages 4-5 of the guide.

Swan Hunt Applications



Hunters interested in applying for a 2021 swan license can submit an online application through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov.

North Dakota residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply. The resident swan license is $10, while the nonresident fee is $30. The deadline for applying is Aug. 11.

The statewide tundra swan hunting season opens Oct. 2. 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.

All swan hunters, regardless of age, are required to have a general game and habitat license when applying. In addition, nonresidents must have a waterfowl license, and residents 16 and older need a small game or combination license. 

Pronghorn Hunting Season Set, Apply Online



North Dakota’s 2021 pronghorn hunting season is set, with 1,720 licenses available in 15 open units.

Applicants can apply online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. The deadline for submitting applications is Aug. 11.

Bruce Stillings, big game management supervisor for the Game and Fish Department, said license numbers are down slightly from last year, when the department allocated 1,790 licenses.

“Doe/fawn licenses will be issued in unit 3B for the first time in several years to address areas of high pronghorn density and provide additional hunting opportunities,” Stillings said.

The recently completed aerial survey indicated the pronghorn population is down 8% from last year. The fawn-to-doe ratio was 52 fawns per 100 does, down from 61 fawns per 100 does last year. The buck-to-doe ratio of 34 bucks per 100 does remains stable and above the population objective, Stillings said.

Each unit will once again have a season that is split into an early bow-only portion, and a later gun/bow season.

The bow-only portion of the season is from Sept. 3 (noon) – Sept. 26. Anyone who draws a license can hunt pronghorn with a bow in the unit printed on the license. 

From Oct. 1 (noon) – Oct. 17, hunters who still have a valid license can use legal firearms or archery equipment, and again must stay in the assigned unit.

Only North Dakota residents are eligible to apply for a pronghorn license. Hunters who have accumulated bonus points and choose not to apply this year will not lose their points, but will not accrue a point for next year. However, hunters who do not want a license in 2021 have the option to purchase a bonus point on the application. 

The pronghorn license fee is $30 for ages 16 and older, and $10 for under age 16. Applicants for a pronghorn lottery license must be at least 12 years of age on or before December 31, 2021.

Guide and Outfitter Exam Scheduled



The next guide and outfitter written examination is Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department office in Bismarck. Preregistration is required no later than Sept. 3 by calling the Department’s enforcement office at 701-328-6604.

In addition to passing a written exam, qualifications for becoming a guide include a background check for criminal and game and fish violations, certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and standard first aid, and employment by or contract with a licensed hunting outfitter.

Hunting outfitter eligibility requirements include the guide qualifications, as well as an individual must have held a hunting guide license for two years and must have proof of liability insurance.

The test is given periodically to anyone interested in becoming a guide or outfitter in the state.

Habitats of North Dakota is Online for Educators



Educators, do you need additional professional development credits? If the answer is yes, Habitats of North Dakota is offering five online-only courses through North Dakota State University.

Select one or all Wetlands, Badlands, Riparian, Woodlands and Prairie habitats, with each one credit. Work at your own pace and develop a list of concepts and a lesson plan that will implement the key concepts into an existing curriculum.

In addition, students are responsible for reading and reviewing text, video and supplementary materials for each habitat guide. Courses are suitable for educators K-12.

Comprehension and critical thinking questions are incorporated throughout each of the texts. Each unit also includes vocabulary and review sections. The material meets the state life science standards for grades 3-6 and North Dakota Studies standards for grade 4. Examples of implementation projects are provided for each Habitat course.

Online classes are Aug. 15 – Sept. 30, and Oct. 15 – Nov. 30. The NDSU course fee is $50 per credit payable upon registration at https://www.ndsu.edu/dce/k-12/k12_listing.

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

First-Come, First-Served Deer Gun Licenses Available July 28



More than 6,000 antlerless deer licenses are still available in 18 units for North Dakota’s 2021 deer gun season. These licenses will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis beginning July 28 at 8 a.m. Central Time. Residents and nonresidents who have not already received a lottery or landowner license are eligible to apply online by visiting the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.

Hunters who want to purchase additional licenses will be able to Aug. 18 at 8 a.m. Central Time. At that time, any remaining antlerless licenses will be issued as a concurrent season license, which can be used during the archery season with a bow; the deer gun season with a bow, rifle or muzzleloader; or during the muzzleloader season with a muzzleloader. However, youth who are under age 14 (at the end of the calendar year) will be issued a concurrent season license for archery only.

There is no limit on the number of concurrent season licenses a hunter can purchase.

Hunters with concurrent season licenses are restricted to the type of antlerless deer printed on the license and must stay in the unit to which the license is assigned. 

Available Licenses

Unit

Type

Available

2H

Any doe

64

3A1

Any doe

811

3B1

Whitetail

105

3B2

Whitetail

190

3B2

Mule deer

120

3B3

Whitetail

500

3C

Whitetail

454

3D1

Whitetail

129

3D2

Whitetail

168

3E1

Whitetail

147

3E2

Any doe

19

3E2

Whitetail

179

3F1

Any doe

138

3F1

Whitetail

397

3F2

Any doe

1090

3F2

Whitetail

794

4A

Whitetail

29

4B

Whitetail

77

4C

Whitetail

29

4D

Whitetail

43

4E

Whitetail

83

4F

Whitetail

360

4F

Mule deer

170