Deer Liceneses Available First Come First Serve, other NDGNF News

[marine_man]

First-come, First-served Deer Licenses Issued Sept. 14

More than 8,000 antlerless deer gun licenses are still available after the North Dakota Game and Fish Department recently completed its third lottery drawing. These remaining licenses will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Sept. 14. There is no limit to the number of licenses a hunter can receive.

Hunters will be able to apply online, or print out an application to mail, at the Game and Fish Department HSOforum, gf.nd.gov. Paper applications will also be available from Game and Fish offices, county auditors and license vendors. Hand delivered applications will not be processed at the department while the applicant waits. Residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply.

Remaining antlerless licenses in units 3E1, 3E2, 3F1, 3F2 and 4F can be used during the special herd reduction season (Sept. 23 – Oct. 7).

Additional concurrent season doe licenses 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. These licenses must be used for antlerless deer only, and hunters must stay in the unit to which the license is assigned.

In addition, hunters ages 14 and 15 who have special youth season licenses may purchase additional concurrent season doe licenses to use during the youth season.

The archery season opens Sept. 2, youth deer Sept. 16, regular deer gun Nov. 4 and muzzleloader Nov. 25.

Hunters Asked to Cooperate in PLOTS Survey

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is asking hunters to complete a short survey immediately after hunting on selected tracts of land enrolled in the department’s Private Land Open To Sportsmen program.

Kevin Kading, private land section leader, said the survey will involve about 50 PLOTS tracts statewide. “We will have these survey points on various types of PLOTS tracts so we can hopefully gain a better understanding of what our hunters are looking for in the PLOTS program,” Kading said.

Because PLOTS tracts can involve many different types of lands, Kading said they all offer their own unique hunting opportunities for wildlife species such as pheasants, waterfowl and deer. “We have to find that right balance of what hunters are looking for and use our hunter dollars in the most responsible way we can,” Kading said.

The postcard-sized survey will be placed on a PLOTS sign at the entrance of the tract. Hunters are asked to complete the survey and place them in the drop box.

Grouse Hunters Encouraged to Submit Wing Envelopes

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is asking grouse hunters for help with bird management by simply collecting some feathers and sending in wing envelopes this fall.

Wing data allows biologists to monitor production, reconcile bird counts and get a better understanding of the harvest ratio of males to females, and juveniles to adults.

Instructions for submitting wing data are printed on the envelope.

Hunters interested in receiving wing envelopes should contact the Game and Fish Department’s main office in Bismarck at (701) 328-6300, or email [email protected]. In addition, Game and Fish district offices have a supply of wing envelopes for distribution.

Deer Season for Youth Ages 12-15 Opens Sept. 16

Friday, Sept. 16 at noon signals the start of a nine-and-a-half day deer hunting season for youth ages 12-15.

Licensed youth ages 12 and 13 are allowed to hunt statewide, but only for antlerless white-tailed deer. Deer hunters age 14 or 15 with a “youth season” license can hunt statewide for any deer, except for restricted licenses and units in western North Dakota.

In addition, 14- and 15-year-olds with special “youth season” licenses can use additional concurrent season antlerless deer licenses during this youth deer season. Hunters must follow the unit and species restrictions listed on the license.

After opening day, hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Solid daylight fluorescent orange vests or coats, and hats are required for all young hunters and their adult mentors.

Each youth deer hunter must be under direct supervision of an adult while in the field.

In addition to the deer license, hunters must possess a general game and habitat license and hunting certificate.

The youth deer season closes Sunday, Sept. 25.

Youth Waterfowl is Sept. 17-18, License Required

North Dakota’s two-day youth waterfowl season is Sept. 17-18. Legally licensed resident and nonresident youth waterfowl hunters age 15 and younger may hunt ducks, geese, coots and mergansers statewide.

The daily bag limit and species restrictions for the youth season are the same as for regular duck and goose seasons.

Resident and qualifying nonresident youth waterfowl hunters must possess a general game and habitat license and a fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. Nonresidents from states that do not provide a reciprocal licensing agreement for North Dakota residents must purchase the entire nonresident waterfowl license package.

In addition, all youth hunters must be Harvest Information Program certified, and youth ages 12 and older need to have passed a certified hunter education course. Hunters age 15 and younger do not need a federal duck stamp.

Hunters who purchase a license through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department can easily get HIP certified. Otherwise, hunters must call (888) 634-4798, or log on to the Game and Fish HSOforum at gf.nd.gov, and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate.

Shooting hours for the youth waterfowl season are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. An adult at least 18 years of age must accompany the resident youth hunter into the field, and a licensed adult is required to accompany a nonresident youth hunter. The two-day weekend hunt does not count against a nonresident adult hunter’s 14-day regular season waterfowl dates.

Sandhill Crane Season Opens Sept. 17

North Dakota’s sandhill crane season opens Sept. 17. Hunters are urged to use caution and identify birds to prevent shooting at whooping cranes as they begin their fall migration.

The sandhill crane season is open through Nov. 13 in unit 1 (west of U.S. Highway 281), and through Oct. 23 in unit 2 (east of U.S. Highway 281). Limits are three daily and six in possession in unit 1, and two daily and four in possession in unit 2. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. each day through Nov. 5. Beginning Nov. 6, shooting hours are extended until 2 p.m. each day.

In addition to other licenses required, prospective hunters need a $5 crane permit. Hunters can apply online, or print out a resident or nonresident application for mailing, at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department HSOforum, gf.nd.gov. Harvest Information Program certification is required. To get HIP certified, access the department’s HSOforum, or call (888) 634-4798.

Hunters can also send the permit fee, along with personal information, including height, weight, social security number, date of birth, color of hair and eyes, and hunter education number and state issued, to Crane Permit, NDGF, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501.

Upcoming Events:

Sept: 7: Canada geese early season Missouri River Zone closes.

9: Youth sight-in day, BMRPA Moffit Range.

10: Sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian partridge, ruffed grouse and tree squirrel seasons open.

15: Canada geese early season closes.

16: Youth deer (ages 14 and 15) and antlerless white-tailed deer seasons (ages 12 and 13) open.

17: Sandhill crane season opens.

17: Snipe season opens.

17-18: Youth waterfowl season.

[TylerS]

Not many tags left in my unit. You can bet I'll be logging on early in the day to get my two doe tags before they run out!!