ND GNF Duck & Pheasant Outlook

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Waterfowl Season Outlook is Promising

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s May and July waterfowl surveys indicate the upcoming waterfowl season should be improved over last year, according to Mike Johnson, game management section leader. Opening day for North Dakota residents is Sept. 25 for ducks, coots, mergansers and geese. Nonresidents may begin hunting waterfowl in North Dakota Oct. 2.

Johnson said the fall flight of ducks from North Dakota is expected to be up about 20 percent from 2009. The brood index from the Game and Fish Department’s annual mid-July survey was up 14 percent from 2009 and 63 percent above the long-term average. The water index observed during the survey was down 14 percent from last year, but still 28 percent above long-term.

“Prospects for the continental fall duck flight are good, with North Dakota’s contribution well-above the long-term average,” Johnson said. “Also, the continental estimates of May breeding duck numbers indicated that most species were in good shape going into the breeding season. The number of ducks that migrate through North Dakota should be above average.”

In addition, snow goose and Canada goose populations remain high, Johnson mentioned, with large numbers expected to migrate through the state this fall. “Of course, the success of this year’s waterfowl season is highly dependent upon our fall weather and habitat conditions, and the migration patterns they produce,” he said.

Hunters can find additional information on the status of ducks, geese and swans at the Internet HSOforum, flyways.us.

Resident hunters must possess a general game and habitat license and a fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. In addition, hunters age 16 and older must have a small game license and federal duck stamp.

Nonresidents must purchase a nonresident waterfowl license, including the general game and habitat license, and certificate. Hunters age 16 and older must possess a federal duck stamp. Nonresident youth hunters from states that provide a reciprocal licensing agreement for North Dakota residents, qualify for North Dakota resident licenses. See the 2010 North Dakota Waterfowl Hunting Guide for details.

All migratory bird hunters are reminded to register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting. Hunters who purchase a license through the state Game and Fish Department HSOforum (gf.nd.gov) or instant licensing telephone number (800-406-6409) can easily get HIP certified.

Otherwise, hunters must call (888) 634-4798, or access the department’s HSOforum, and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. Those who registered to hunt the spring light goose season or the early Canada goose season in North Dakota do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required only once per year in each state hunted.

Hunters should refer to the waterfowl hunting guide for season regulations including licensing requirements, dates, bag limits, season zones and nonresident hunting zones.

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Pheasant Numbers Rebound from Last Year

North Dakota’s roadside pheasant survey conducted in late July and August revealed the pheasant population is in much better shape than last year, especially in the southern half of the state.

Stan Kohn, upland game management supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, said total pheasants were up 34 percent statewide from last year, brood observations were up 26 percent, and average brood size was up 14 percent. However, pheasant numbers are still down roughly 40 percent from the peak years of 2003-08. The final summary is the result of 277 runs made along 99 brood routes across North Dakota.

This summer’s brood data suggests much better production this spring than in 2008 and 2009. “Good nesting and brooding cover this spring, coupled with improved weather conditions, has increased nesting success and brood/chick survival,” Kohn said. “Consequently, more young birds will be added to the population this fall, improving pheasant numbers, especially in the southern half of the state.”

Statistics from southwestern North Dakota indicate both the number of broods and number of birds observed were up 30 percent from 2009. Observers counted 19 broods and 165 birds per 100 miles. The average brood size was six. “Brood numbers indicate the southwest will have the best pheasant numbers this fall,” Kohn said. “Though survey numbers are not at the level observed during the peak years of the mid 2000s, hunters in the southwest can expect to see good numbers of pheasants.”

Results from the southeast show 10 broods and 76 birds per 100 miles. The average brood size was 5.2. “Hunters should find more pheasants in the southeastern part of the state than last fall, as an increase in the number of broods and birds observed indicates about a 30 percent increase in pheasant numbers,” Kohn said.

Statistics from the northwest indicated seven broods and 48 birds per 100 miles. Average brood size was 5.1. “I expect the northwest will have about the same number of pheasants this fall as last year, as birds observed on the routes were unchanged from 2009 and the number of broods observed increased only 9 percent,” Kohn said.

The northeast district, generally containing secondary pheasant habitat with much of it lacking good winter cover, showed 1.3 broods and 12 birds per 100 miles. Average brood size was 5.36. Both number of birds observed and number of broods recorded were down 30 percent. “This district is not known for its pheasant population, but there will be local areas holding birds,” Kohn said.

The 2010 regular pheasant season opens Oct. 9 and continues through Jan. 2, 2011. The two-day youth pheasant hunting weekend, when legally licensed residents and nonresidents ages 15 and younger can hunt statewide, is set for Oct. 2-3.