ND GNF Updates

[marine_man]

North Dakota’s NASP State Archery Tournament Scheduled in Bismarck

The state Game and Fish Department invites all North Dakota schools participating in the National Archery in the Schools Program to register for the annual state tournament. The 2012 tournament is held April 13-14 at the VFW Sports Center in Bismarck.

Schools can enter teams and individuals in the following grade level divisions: elementary (4-6), middle (7-8), and high school (9-12). Teams must have 16-24 members, with a minimum of five from each gender. If smaller schools wish to form a team, archers may participate up one grade division for team competition, but still be considered in their true division for the individual category.

Small schools of 100 students or fewer (all grades combined) may also assemble teams from NASP schools in the same town, county or district. Schools that cannot form a team may register students for individual competition.

Recognition will be given to the top placing team in each division, the top five males and females in each division, and the top scoring male and female regardless of division. Top scoring individuals are given early registration and receive priority in flights for the national tournament, held May 10-11 in Louisville, Ky.

For more information regarding the tournament, schools should contact Jeff Long, NASP State Coordinator, by email at [email protected], or call (701) 328-6322. To learn more about the archery in the schools program, visit the NASP HSOforum at nasparchery.com.

Spring Turkey Season Opens April 14, Licenses Remain

North Dakota’s spring turkey season opens Saturday, April 14 and continues through May 20.

Hunters are reminded a 2012-13 hunting license is required, as last year’s 2011-12 licenses expired March 31. In addition to the spring turkey license, hunters must have a fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate, and a general game and habitat license. Also, hunters ages 16 and older must possess a small game license, or combination license.

The governor’s proclamation allows a maximum of two licenses per hunter. Licenses remain in unit 06 (Bowman County) and unit 31 (Mountrail County).

These first-come, first-served licenses are available online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s HSOforum, gf.nd.gov, or call (701) 328-6300 to request an application. Only North Dakota residents are eligible to apply.

Game Warden Exam Set for May 17

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has scheduled an examination to select candidates for the position of district game warden. The test is at 10 a.m., May 17, at the department's main office in Bismarck.

Applicants must register to take the exam by submitting a letter of intent to chief game warden Robert Timian, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501‑5095. Letters of intent must be submitted before 5 p.m., May 14.

Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and have a bachelor’s degree. Other requirements are a current North Dakota peace officer license, or eligibility for a license, and a valid driver’s license. Candidates must have excellent interpersonal skills in communications and writing, and must not have a record of any felony convictions.

Game wardens enforce game and fish laws and related regulations in an assigned district and other locations as determined by the department. Wardens normally work alone under varied conditions, at all hours of the day, night and weekends. In addition to law enforcement duties, wardens assist in the areas of public relations, education programs, and hunter and boat safety education.

Game warden duties also require the ability to perform physically demanding tasks involving lifting and carrying large, heavy objects, walking and running over uneven terrain and tolerating adverse weather and other environmental conditions.

Selection procedures following the test may include an evaluation of the application, a structured oral interview, background and reference checks, and psychological and medical examinations.

The salary for beginning game wardens through training is $3,000 per month. Upon successful completion of training, the salary is $3,550. Wardens also receive the state benefits package, including travel allowance. Uniforms and other equipment are provided.

Game and Fish Sponsors Earth Day Project

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is once again celebrating Earth Day by sponsoring youth clean-up days on public-owned or managed lands in April and May.

Each member of a school, Girl Scout, Boy Scout, 4-H club or youth organization who participates in cleaning up public lands during April and May will receive a specifically designed conservation patch.

Last winter the Game and Fish Department sponsored a contest for students ages 6-18 to design a North Dakota Earth Day Patch. Winners receiving a pair of Nikon 8x40 binoculars in the three age categories were Maddie Hosek of Bismarck (6-9), Enya Agard of Selfridge (10-13), and Sarah Morris of Regan (14-18). Hosek’s design was chosen the contest winner, and will be used on this year’s Earth Day patch.

Groups participating in the Earth Day project are encouraged to take the following precautions to ensure safety: keep young people away from highways, lakes and rivers; and only allow older participants to pick up broken glass.

Interested participants are asked to contact Pat Lothspeich at 328-6332 to receive a reporting form for their project.

New Length Requirement for Walleye in Some Southeast Lakes

Anglers fishing in southeastern North Dakota are reminded of a new length requirement when fishing for walleye.

The 2012-14 fishing proclamation includes a 14-inch minimum walleye length restriction on six lakes in southeastern North Dakota – Alkali Lake, Buffalo Lake and Tosse Slough in Sargent County; and Lake Elsie, Lueck Lake and West Moran Lake in Richland County.

Anglers should refer to the 2012-14 North Dakota Fishing Guide for all open water and winter fishing regulations.