Hunters Encouraged to Have Deer Tested for CWD

Wed, 10/30/2024

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will continue its Hunter-Harvested Surveillance program during the 2024 hunting season by sampling deer for chronic wasting disease from select units in the northeastern portion of the state. 

Samples will be tested from deer taken from units 1, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F1, 2K1, 2K2, 2L, 3A4 and 3B2. Outside of this area, hunters can still have their animal tested by taking it to a Game and Fish district office, deer head collection site or by using a self-sampling kit.

CWD is a slow-moving brain disease of deer, moose and elk that can cause population-level impacts under high infection rates.

Hunters are encouraged to drop off heads of adult or yearling deer at collection locations listed on the department’s website at gf.nd.gov. Fawns and head-shot deer cannot be tested. Hunters wishing to keep the heads can bring them to a Game and Fish district office during business hours to have them sampled.

Self-sampling kits are available for hunters who wish to have their deer tested but are unable to drop the head at a collection site. The do-it-yourself kit allows hunters to remove the lymph nodes and ship them to the department’s wildlife health lab for testing.

Results can be expected within four weeks and will be sent to your Game and Fish My Account inbox.

Hunters should note that carcass disposal requirements apply statewide. The entire carcass can be transported outside of the gun unit where it was harvested. If transported out of the gun unit, the carcass waste (material left after processing) must be disposed of via landfill or waste management provider. This requirement does not apply to heads dropped at CWD collection sites, or lymph nodes submitted for CWD surveillance.

More information on CWD is available at the Game and Fish website.

Some Whitetail Hunters Can Seek Refunds

Tue, 10/22/2024

The state Game and Fish Department is allowing hunters with whitetail or “any” deer gun licenses in several units in western North Dakota the option of turning those licenses in for refunds.

Casey Anderson, wildlife chief, said the decision is based on scattered reports of white-tailed deer mortality caused by epizootic hemorrhagic disease that began in late August.

Hunters with antlered whitetail, antlerless whitetail, any antlered and any antlerless licenses, are eligible for refunds in units 3D1, 3D2, 3E1, 4B, 4C, and 4D. Hunters who return their licenses will have their bonus points restored, if applicable, to the same number of points prior to the 2024 deer gun lottery.

“Compared to previous years, this outbreak appears mild and less extensive,” Anderson said. “However, it’s possible that some hunters could notice an impact in localized areas.”

Department staff will continue to monitor reports to determine if licenses in additional units should become eligible for refunds due to the EHD outbreak. Hunters and landowners should report any dead deer along with photos, if possible, to the department through the online wildlife mortality reporting system, at gf.nd.gov/mortality-report.

Before deciding to turn in a license, Anderson urges license holders to make local contacts to find out the extent of mortality in their hunting unit. 

“Most areas within these units have not been heavily affected and a good deer harvest is still needed,” he said. “But a little scouting and a phone call or two will help to make an informed decision.”

License holders who qualify and want a refund must mail their tag, along with a note requesting a refund due to EHD, to the Game and Fish Department’s Bismarck office no later than Nov. 8. Envelopes postmarked Nov. 8 will be accepted.

EHD, a naturally occurring virus that is spread by a biting midge, is often fatal to infected white-tailed deer, while mule deer do not usually die from the disease. Hunters do not have to worry about handling or consuming meat from infected deer because the virus that causes EHD is not known to cause disease in humans. In addition, the first series of hard frosts typically kills the midge that transmits the EHD virus and will slow or halt the spread of the disease.

Fort Totten Angler’s Bullhead Breaks Record

Tue, 10/22/2024

Daniel Wegener’s bullhead caught Sept. 27 broke a state record for the species that’s been in the books for more than 35 years.

The Fort Totten angler reeled in his 4-pound, 9-ounce bullhead from Devils Lake.

The previous record of 4 pounds, 1 ounce was established in 1988 by Riley Zavada, a Wolford angler who was also fishing Devils Lake.

Advisory Board Meetings Announced

Tue, 10/22/2024

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department Advisory Board will host public meetings this fall at eight locations across the state. 

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.

The district 7 meeting in Bismarck will be streamed live on the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov. 

Details on the district 1 meeting will be announced on the department's website as they become available.

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

Date: Oct. 30 – 7 p.m.

Location: American Legion, Memorial Hall, 224 Second Ave. SE, Rugby

Host: Barton Sportsman Club

Contact: Dale Broe, 701-208-1300

Advisory board member: Travis Leier, Velva

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

Date: Nov. 4 – 7 p.m.

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

Host: Dakota Chapter Pheasants Forever 

Contact and advisory board member: Jody Sommer, Mandan, 701-527-2295 

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

Date: Nov. 6 – 7 p.m.

Location: UND, Gorecki Alumni Center, 3501 University Ave., Grand Forks

Host: UND Chapter of The Wildlife Society

Contact: Susan Felege, 701-777-3699

Advisory board member: Karissa Daws, Michigan

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

Date: Nov. 12 – 7 p.m.

Location: LRSC, Chautauqua Room, 1801 College Dr. N., Devils Lake

Host: Devils Lake Tourism

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

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

Date: Nov. 19 – 7 p.m.

Location: Economic Development Corp, 13 E. Divide, Bowman

Host: Rob Brooks

Contact and advisory board member: Rob Brooks, Rhame, 701-440-8952

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

Date: Nov. 20 – 7 p.m.

Location: City Hall, 241 Langer Ave. N., Casselton

Host: Cass County Wildlife Club

Contact: Gabe Kost, 701-212-8260

Advisory board member: Doug Madsen, Harwood

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

Date: Nov. 26 – 7 p.m.

Location: VCSU, Rhoades Science Center, Room 203, 101 College St., Valley City 

Host: VCSU Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society

Contact: Bob Anderson, 605-695-1344

Advisory board member: Cody Sand, Ashley

District 1 – Divide, McKenzie and Williams counties

Date: to be announced

Location: to be announced

Host: to be announced

Contact: to be announced

Advisory board member: Beau Wisness, Keene

Permit Required to Possess Dead Deer

Mon, 10/14/2024

A permit is required before taking possession of a dead deer. Only shed antlers can be possessed without a permit.

Permits are free and available from North Dakota Game and Fish Department game wardens and local law enforcement offices.

In addition, hunters should properly dispose of dead deer. Carcass waste cannot be left on public property, including roadways, ditches or wildlife management areas.

If transported outside of its respective gun unit, carcass waste must be disposed of via landfill or waste management provider. This requirement does not apply to heads dropped off at chronic wasting disease collection sites, or lymph nodes submitted for CWD surveillance.

Order 2025 OUTDOORS Calendars

Mon, 10/14/2024

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is taking orders for its North Dakota OUTDOORS calendar, the source for all hunting season and application dates for 2025. Along with color photographs of North Dakota’s wildlife and outstanding scenery, it also includes sunrise-sunset times and moon phases.

Calendars must be ordered online by visiting the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.

The calendar is the North Dakota OUTDOORS magazine’s December issue, so current subscribers will automatically receive it in the mail.

Hunters, Recreationists Asked to be Aware of Fire Conditions

Tue, 10/08/2024

State wildlife and outdoor recreation agency officials said a weekend of historic fires in western North Dakota delivered a stark reminder to hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts about the need to be acutely aware of dry conditions while recreating outdoors.

While the need to be aware of the daily fire index is standard for hunters and state park visitors in North Dakota in fall, it’s especially true now considering the conditions and the fact that many hunters will be in the field for the pheasant season opener and hundreds of campers will visit North Dakota state parks this weekend.

“While hunters are always our eyes and ears in North Dakota’s rural areas in fall, it will be especially true this weekend with the highly anticipated pheasant season opening,” said Jeb Williams, North Dakota Game and Fish Department Director. “We encourage hunters who spot a fire caused by whatever means to report the situation immediately to law enforcement officials. We also encourage hunters to carry fire extinguishers, shovels, water and other tools. And it goes without saying to extinguish and discard smoking materials appropriately, not from a vehicle.”

Williams added that individuals who are not trained firefighters should not attempt to fight a fire that is out of control.

“Anyone recreating outdoors is asked to remain vigilant as dry conditions and wildfire risk remains high,” said North Dakota Parks and Recreation Director Cody Schulz. “We are grateful for the numerous first responders, local officials, and landowners for their efforts to battle these wildfires, and we encourage everyone that if they see something – a spark that ignites nearby grasses, or smoke in any vegetation or trees – to say something immediately by calling 9-1-1.”

An elevated fire danger index in most counties will likely influence outdoor activities. The most current wildfires and fire danger index can be found at NDResponse.gov. Conditions can change daily depending on temperature, wind and precipitation forecasts.

For those recreating outdoors this fall:

• Be aware of current burn restrictions.
• Make sure your chains aren't dragging when hauling boats, campers or trailers.
• Don't drive or park vehicles on dry grass - this includes OHVs.
• Never leave campfires unattended and be sure they are completely extinguished.

The daily rural fire danger index is issued by the National Weather Service to alert the public to conditions that may be conducive to the accidental starting or spread of fires. In addition, county governments have the authority to adopt penalties for violations of county restrictions related to burning bans. These restrictions apply regardless of the daily fire danger index and remain in place until each county’s commission rescinds the ban.

PLOTS Regulations

Mon, 09/30/2024

Hunting small game, waterfowl, furbearers or big game by nonresidents is prohibited by state law on Private Land Open To Sportsmen acreage and state wildlife management areas from Oct. 12-18, the first seven days of the pheasant season. However, nonresidents can hunt on PLOTS land they own during that week.

In addition, leaving equipment on PLOTS overnight, such as tree stands, blinds, decoys, firearms, archery equipment, or trail cameras, is not allowed without written permission from the landowner.

Permission from the landowner is always required for motorized vehicle access on PLOTS, such as for setting decoys in a field, unless specifically designated on the PLOTS sign.

Fall Mule Deer Survey Begins

Mon, 09/30/2024

The state Game and Fish Department’s annual fall aerial mule deer survey is set to begin Oct. 14 in western North Dakota. Weather permitting, the survey takes about two weeks to complete.

During the survey period, people could notice low-flying small airplanes over some parts of the badlands.

Game and Fish biologists have completed aerial surveys of the same 24 badlands study areas since the 1950s. The survey is used to collect mule deer population data for monitoring demographic trends, such as buck-to-doe and fawn-to-doe ratios.

Historical Look at Waterfowl in North Dakota

Mon, 09/30/2024

The storied past of waterfowl in North Dakota is uniquely revealed in the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s publication, “The Duck Factory – A History of Waterfowl in North Dakota.”

Certainly of interest to waterfowlers and other outdoor enthusiasts, the 213-page, full color, soft-cover publication is authored by Mike Jacobs and Erik Fritzell. The book traces the history of waterfowl species and their habitats in North Dakota.

“The Duck Factory” is an important story because of North Dakota’s longtime and continuing contribution to the world of migratory birds, said Mike Szymanski, Department migratory game bird management supervisor. 

“North Dakota is the most important state for breeding ducks,” he added. “The contribution of ducks from North Dakota into the fall flight is unmatched by any other state, and its importance to duck hunters cannot be understated. Describing the history of waterfowl in North Dakota was a story that we felt was certainly worth telling.”

The book is sold only online for $24.99, including shipping, on the Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov, by clicking on Buy and Apply, and then Shop.

Motorists Watch for Deer

Mon, 09/30/2024

Motorists should watch for deer along roadways this time of year as juvenile animals disperse from their home ranges.

October through early December is the peak period for deer-vehicle accidents. Motorists are advised to slow down and exercise caution after dark to reduce the likelihood of encounters with deer. Most deer-vehicle accidents occur primarily at dawn and dusk when deer are most often moving around.

When you see one deer cross the road, look for a second or third deer to follow. Also, pay attention on roadways posted with Deer Crossing Area caution signs.

Deer-vehicle accidents are at times unavoidable. If an accident does happen, law enforcement authorities do not have to be notified if only the vehicle is damaged. However, if the accident involves personal injury or other property damage, then it must be reported.

In addition, a permit is required before taking possession of a roadkill deer. Permits are free and available from game wardens and local law enforcement.

A few precautions can minimize chances of injury or property damage in a deer-vehicle crash. 

• Always wear your seat belt.
• Don’t swerve or take the ditch to avoid hitting a deer. Try to brake as much as possible and stay on the roadway. Don’t lose control of your vehicle or slam into something else to miss the deer. You risk less injury by hitting the deer.
• If you spot deer ahead, slow down immediately and honk.

Wetland Conditions Vary for Duck Hunting

Fri, 09/27/2024

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual fall wetland survey indicates variable wetland conditions for duck hunting throughout the state.

Mike Szymanski, Department migratory game bird management supervisor, said the statewide estimate of the number of duck hunting wetlands holding water is nearly double last year’s estimate, and almost 30% above the 2003-23 long-term average. 

The number of wetlands (seasonal and semi-permanent wetlands) counted on the survey was the sixth highest since 2003, but conditions vary widely.

The southeast and northwest regions showed declines from last year and are 31 and 43% below average, respectively. Conditions are drying up in the northwestern part of the state and hunters should expect wetlands with wide mud margins in that region. The north central (up 84%), northeast (up more than 200%), and south central (up 26%) regions showed big improvements from last year and are well above their long-term averages. 

“We came out of winter pretty dry, but fairly consistent rains started in late-April, helping wetland conditions rebound in many areas,” Szymanski said. “However, precipitation really dropped quickly in some areas, bringing drought conditions to the western third of the state by mid-September. The eastern two-thirds of the state continued to have abundant rainfall, and some localized areas, especially in the north central and northeast regions, received deluge recently creating areas that are still very wet. As a result, conditions within wetlands on the survey were highly variable. Also of note is that wetland conditions improved substantially after spring migration occurred, so we have a lot of water out there right now, particularly in the north central and northeast, that wasn’t really associated with breeding activity this spring.” 

Rainfall patterns were spotty, Szymanski added, and while much of the state got a lot of rain over the late spring and summer, some localized areas received much more than others. Hunters should expect wetland conditions east of U.S. Highway 83 to be quite variable as a result. 

“The quality of waterfowl hunting in North Dakota is largely determined by weather conditions and migration patterns,” he said. “North Dakota saw meager duck production in most regions of the state this year and somewhat low numbers of ducks in the state during late summer. This will lead to spotty hunting opportunities that will vary at small, local scales. Hunters will really need to do their scouting to find the better opportunities. As always, our wetland conditions are highly dynamic, and hunters should look at areas they plan to hunt as they may have changed quite a bit from last year.”

Hunters need to be cautious of soft areas in fields and roads from recent rains, but at the same time be cautious of tall, dried vegetation that could be a fire hazard. 

The fall wetland survey is conducted in mid-September to provide an assessment of conditions duck hunters can expect.