ND GNF Weekley Newsletter 12-Apr-06

[marine_man]

- Fargo Meeting Scheduled to Seek Comment on Migratory Bird Hunting

- Outdoor Enthusiasts Cautioned to be Aware of Dry Conditions

- Whooping Crane Sightings Should be Documented

Fargo Meeting Scheduled to Seek Comment on Migratory Bird Hunting

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public comments to help guide the development of a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) on the hunting of migratory birds. Several public meetings are scheduled around the country, including April 19 in Fargo at 7 p.m. at the Best Western Doublewood Inn, 3333 13th Avenue South.

Mike Johnson, migratory game bird management supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, urges both North Dakotans and residents of surrounding states to attend. “Since the meeting is regional we hope to see people from across North Dakota and from out-of-state. In the Upper Midwest, the next closest meeting is in Bloomington, Minnesota,” Johnson said.

Johnson hopes many wildlife groups and individuals attend the meeting to provide comments and suggestions. “Receiving input from the public is an important part of this SEIS process,” Johnson said.

Federal and state agencies, as well as the private citizens, will be able to present their views on the scope and substance of the SEIS, options or alternatives to be considered, and important management issues.

In particular, the FWS would like to receive comments on harvest management alternatives for migratory game birds, limiting the scope of the assessment to sport hunting, and including basic regulations.

“Writing an EIS on migratory bird hunting requires a major effort and will likely take several years to complete,” Johnson said. “Because final rules resulting from the EIS will affect hunting for years to come it is important that hunters pay attention to the EIS process and provide comments at the scoping meeting and on the draft when it becomes available.”

In addition to public meetings, written comments may also be submitted, and are due by May 30, 2006. Comments should be directed to Chief, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, MS MBSP-4107-ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240. Comments may also be sent by fax to (703) 358-2217 or by e-mail to [email protected].

Outdoor Enthusiasts Cautioned to be Aware of Dry Conditions

North Dakota Game and Fish Department officials are cautioning outdoor enthusiasts to be cognizant of dry conditions this spring in much of the state, especially south central North Dakota.

Dead vegetation and high winds make this time of year highly susceptible to wildfires, said Greg Link, assistant wildlife chief for the state Game and Fish Department. Because of highly variable weather patterns and increased outdoor human activity, North Dakota experiences a distinct spring fire season every year prior to green-up.

“April wildfires make up nearly half of any given year’s fires,” Link said. “With that in mind, it is important to pay attention to the daily rangeland fire danger index, and to follow the appropriate measures when planning camping or other outdoor activities.”

Burleigh, Emmons, Kidder, Morton and Sheridan counties have temporarily instituted burn bans until further notice. The ban was implemented due to abnormally dry conditions in the region and the growing frequency of rural fires in recent weeks.

The daily fire danger index is issued by the National Weather Service to alert the public to conditions that may be conducive to accidental fires. The index can change from day to day depending on temperature, wind and precipitation forecasts. If the index reaches the VERY HIGH or EXTREME category, people should refrain from burning outdoors.

The rangeland fire danger index is available through the NWS internet site at www.crh.noaa.gov/data/BIS/RFDBIS, or the county sheriff’s office.

Whooping Crane Sightings Should be Documented

Whooping cranes, one of North America’s most endangered birds, have started their spring migration and are making their way through North Dakota. Anyone seeing these rare birds as they head through the state is asked to report sightings so the birds can be tracked.

Whooping cranes stand about five feet tall and have a wingspan of about seven feet from tip to tip. They are white with black wing tips, which are visible only when the wings are outspread. In flight they extend their long necks straight forward, while their long, slender legs extend out behind the tail. Whooping cranes typically migrate singly, or in groups of 2-3 birds, and may be associated with sandhill cranes.

Anyone sighting whoopers should not disturb them, but record the date, time, location, and the birds' activity. Observers should also look closely for colored bands which may occur on one or both legs and record those colors and on which leg they occur. Young whooping cranes were marked during 1975-1988 with colored leg bands to help determine their identity.

Whooping crane sightings should be reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office at 701-387-4397, the state game and fish department's main office in Bismarck at 701-328-6300, or to local game wardens around the state. Reports help biologists locate important whooping crane habitat areas, monitor marked birds, determine survival and population numbers, and identify times and migration routes.