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Montana’s Fish & Wildlife Commission recently confirmed that some youth who take advantage of the state’s new “apprentice hunter” law will have the opportunity to participate in Montana’s special youth hunts. The apprentice hunter law which was enacted earlier this year by the state Legislature, allows youth 10-17 years of age to obtain a certification to purchase some Montana hunting licenses before completing a hunter education course. Apprentice hunters, however, are required to be accompanied by an adult mentor. Montana’s special you...
With several hunting seasons opening in the coming weeks, hunters are asked to look for the perfect photo opportunity that might just land on the cover of the 2016 Private Land Open To Sportsmen guide. From end-of-day hunting shots, to scenic action or landscape shots, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department wants to feature hunter photos on the 2016 PLOTS cover and elsewhere that showcase North Dakota’s strong hunting heritage. The department’s free PLOTS guide, which highlights walk-in hunting areas across the state, was first pub...
North Dakota’s deer archery season opens Friday, Sept. 4 at noon, and bow hunters are reminded that deer bow licenses and accompanying tags are only available through electronic purchase. Bow hunters can buy a license online at the State Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov; by calling 800-406-6409; or at license vendors in counties that are linked to the Game and Fish Department’s online licensing system. Hunters who purchase bow licenses at an online vendor will receive a tag at the time of purchase; otherwise, hunters who pur...
Hunters are reminded that hunting big game over bait is prohibited on all state owned or managed wildlife management areas, all U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service national wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas, U.S. Forest Service national grasslands, and all North Dakota state school, state park and state forest service lands. The governor’s proclamation relating to chronic wasting disease also includes a provision that prohibits hunting big game over bait on both public and private land in deer unit 3C west of the Missouri River, and al...
The number of anglers buying fishing licenses in North Dakota during the 2014-15 season established a new record in license sales for the third consecutive year. Statistics compiled by the State Game and Fish Department revealed more than 222,000 fishing licenses were sold last year, an increase of 3,000 from 2013-14. Resident license sales were down slightly from last year’s record, but the number of nonresident licenses issued grew by 5,000, establishing a new mark of nearly 65,000. More than 201,000 anglers actively participated, and ice f...
State wildlife officials extended comment an additional 18 days on a proposal to create guidelines for pre- and post-season hunting opportunities to aid in the reduction of some elk populations. The elk “shoulder season” guidelines would allow for developing and proposing elk hunting seasons to improve elk-harvest management in specific locales. Public comment, which was to end last week, was extended to Aug. 28 to allow additional time for review of the proposal. The Fish & Wildlife Commission meeting set for Oct. 8 was also moved from Kal...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is seeking public comment on tentative changes to Montana’s fishing regulations for the 2016 season. The Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the tentative regulations for public comment at the Aug. 6 meeting. Some Eastern Montana fishing regulation proposals include: Ten fish species allowed as live bait in the Eastern and Central Fishing Districts Seven fish species allowed as live bait at Tongue River Reservoir Mandatory paddlefish harvest reporting Paddlefish harvest tag lottery for Fort Peck – Mis...
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. 3 from 5:30-7:30 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...
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 who purchase a license through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s electronic licensing system, gf.nd.gov, or instant licensing telephone number, 800-406-6409, can easily g...
Anglers and boaters using the boat ramp at Sidney Bridge Fishing Access Site need to be advised of a potential drop off at the end of the concrete ramp. River flows have receded to a point that may cause boat trailers to reach the end of the concrete ramp. When the Yellowstone River drops to or below 6,000 cubic feet per second, or a gauge height of 4.4 feet as measured at the USGS Gauging Station at Sidney, the end of the concrete boat ramp can be encountered when backing trailers into the water. Use the following link to access river flow...
BOZEMAN – A new publication from Montana State University Extension is designed to help identify invasive exotic thistles and verify those that are native to Montana. People often think that the only good thistle is a dead thistle. While this can be true for well-known invasive exotic thistles like Canada or musk thistle, some thistles are Montana natives and better off alive than dead due to their beautiful flowers and foliage and the habitat they provide for wildlife. Five exotic thistles a...
Adults and children looking to take a hunter education class in 2015 are reminded to enroll at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov. Hunter education coordinator John Mazur said the majority of classes were held by the end of May. However, he said classes will still be added throughout the year as they become finalized. “Our volunteer instructors will be adding classes, but not nearly as many as we move toward the fall,” Mazur said. “That’s why it is important to monitor our website and to act quickly when a class sui...
Recent hunter education graduates and their families are invited to attend the Brownells/National Rifle Association Day Camp at the Moffit Gun Range on Saturday, July 25. The shooting sports activity runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and includes rifle, shotgun, pistol, muzzleloading and archery target shooting, hunting and safety information and demonstrations. All equipment is provided, along with a free lunch and door prizes. For more information on the day camp contact Jack Kavaney at 701-220-8564, email Missouri Valley Shooting Sports...
Orientation/walk in registration for the fall 2015 hunter education course will be August 3rd, 2015 at 6:00 pm at the Eastern Ag Research Center, 1501 North Central Avenue, Sidney, MT. Online registration at http://fwp.mt.gov. Print all related files and bring with to orientation. No late registrations. Youth under 18 must have a parent or guardian present the first night. Students must be 12 years old by January 15, 2016 to register. Class will meet August 10th, 11th 13th and 14th from 6 pm to 9 pm and 8 am to 12 pm on August 15th. Please...
North Dakota’s spring pheasant population index is up 10 percent from last year, according to the State Game and Fish Department’s 2015 spring crowing count survey. Stan Kohn, upland game management supervisor, said the number of roosters heard crowing this spring was up statewide, with increases ranging from about 2 to 12 percent in the primary regions holding pheasants. “A much improved production year for pheasants in spring 2014, coupled with the mild winter, produced a healthy breeding population this spring,” Kohn said. While the spring n...
Statistics from the 2015 spring sharp-tailed grouse census indicate a 22 percent increase in the number of male grouse counted compared to last year. Statewide, 4,346 sharptails were observed on spring dancing grounds this year compared to 3,551 in 2014. Male grouse recorded per square mile increased from 3.4 to 4.2. More than 1,000 square miles were covered. Aaron Robinson, upland game biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Dickinson, said the outlook for the 2015 hunting season is still premature as lek counts are a...
North Dakota’s 2015 pronghorn hunting season is set, with 410 licenses available in three open units, according to Jeb Williams, wildlife chief for the State Game and Fish Department. Along with unit 4-A, which was the only open unit in 2014, units 3B and 4C will hold a limited number of licenses. A total of 250 licenses are available in 4-A, 100 in 3B and 60 in 4C. All licenses are valid for any pronghorn. Similar to last year, the three units will have a season that is split into an early “bow-only” portion, and a later gun/bow season. The b...
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of 3.6 million birds, down 25 percent from last year, primarily due to weather conditions that resulted in an early migration. Migratory game bird supervisor Mike Szymanski said the spring migration was well ahead of normal due to open fields and warm temperatures. “Early migrants such as mallards, pintails and northern shovelers didn’t stay long due to the dry conditions,” Szymanski said. Survey results indicated all species decreas...
North Dakota’s spring ruffed grouse survey indicated a 44 percent population increase statewide compared to 2014, according to Stan Kohn, upland game bird supervisor for the State Game and Fish Department. The number of male grouse heard drumming in the Pembina Hills was up 86 percent from last year, while the Turtle Mountains had a 35 percent increase. No drumming males were heard in McHenry County (J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge), where they have not been heard since 2006. The statewide average number of ruffed grouse drums heard p...
Individuals interested in taking the district game warden or warden pilot exams scheduled for July 17 are reminded to register no later than July 13, by submitting an online application through the North Dakota State Job Openings website. The tests are scheduled for 10 a.m. at the department’s main office in Bismarck. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and have a bachelor’s degree, have a valid driver’s license and a current North Dakota peace officer license, or be eligible to be licensed. Candidates must have excellent inter...
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will host thousands of visitors to its Conservation and Outdoors Skills Park July 17-25 at the State Fair in Minot. Visitors will be treated to an array of activities, exhibits and useful information as the park will be open from 1-7 p.m. daily. Pathways to Hunting, Fishing, Trapping and Archery are major attractions where each outdoor activity is taught to interested kids and adults. Of course, the opportunity to catch a fish brings excitement to the littlest angler. Outreach biologist Greg Gullickson...
It is an uncommon landscape – at once stark, beautiful, imposing and inviting – this Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. Time has left most of it with the same appearance as when the Crow, Blackfeet, Nez Perce and Sioux hunted and did battle here. And while some of the wildlife species have disappeared, notably bison and grizzly bears, others, including elk and bighorn sheep, thrive. The CMR, as it is commonly called, occupies a large swath of Montana's northeast quadrant and is in the...
(Miles City) – With hot, dry weather about to bear down on Montana, campers, hikers and anglers need to be prepared to prevent wildfires statewide. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds everyone who plans to be outdoors to be cautious of fire danger on public and private lands. “If you’re planning to hike, camp, or fish use caution this summer,” said Ron Aasheim, FWP’s spokesman in Helena. “Above all be careful with fire and be prepared to prevent wildfires.” FWP offers these tips to help prevent wildfire: • Carry in vehicles a shovel, bucke...
With higher than normal temperatures forecast this summer–and snowpack runoff depleted a month ahead of schedule–Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is gearing up now to protect fish from the life-threatening stress of low flows and elevated water temperatures. “In many areas we’re seeing stream flows fall below average for this time of year, and some that are the lowest ever recorded,” said Stephen Begley, a water conservation specialist for FWP in Helena. The situation is particularly grim in northwestern Montana. Following the warmest May on re...
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 prohibit camping during those two days of the week. In addition to the other five days of the week, this waiver will allow overnight camping June 30 and July 1 at North Lemmon Lake in Adams County; Bull Creek in Billings County; Alkali Creek and Spring Creek in Bowman County; Smishek Lake and Short Creek Dam in Burke County; Harris M. Baukol...
