2010 ND Small Game Seasons Set

[marine_man]

2010 Small Game and Furbearer Regulations Set

North Dakota’s 2010 small game and furbearer regulations have been set and most season structures and bag limits are similar to last year. The only significant changes involve closing the prairie chicken season and increasing the mountain lion quota.

The combination of the past two severe winters and wet springs has reduced the prairie chicken population by up to 50 percent. Spring booming counts on leks, an index to male abundance, have shown a gradual decrease in the number of males each spring.

The mountain lion season opens statewide Sept. 3 and continues through March 31, 2011. Zone 1 will have a season quota of 10 lions, an increase of two from last year.

Other small game and waterfowl licensing details are similar to last year.

Only North Dakota residents are permitted to hunt waterfowl from Sept. 25 – Oct. 1. Nonresidents will be allowed to hunt waterfowl in North Dakota beginning Oct. 2. Other waterfowl season details will be finalized in mid-August in the waterfowl amendment to the small game and furbearer proclamation.

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. 9-15.

Hunters should refer to the North Dakota 2010-11 Small Game and Furbearer guides (available mid-August) for more details on small game and furbearer seasons. Waterfowl regulations will be available in early September.