ND GNF Weekley Newsletter 19-Apr-06

[marine_man]

- Paddlefish Snagging Season Opens May 1

- Hunting Guide and Outfitter Test Set for May 6

- Game and Fish Summarizes 2005 Prairie Chicken Hunting Season

Paddlefish Snagging Season Opens May 1

North Dakota’s 2006 paddlefish snagging season is set to open May 1. Regulations are identical to last year, with the snagging season scheduled to run through May 31. However, overall harvest may result in the season closing early.

Legal snagging hours are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. One tag per snagger will be issued.

Snag-and-release of all paddlefish will be required on Mondays and Tuesdays. Those planning to participate during the snag-and-release-only days will need to have in their possession a current season, unused paddlefish snagging tag. Since all snagged fish on the catch-and-release days must be released, the use or possession of gaffs is prohibited on Mondays and Tuesdays.

During the other five days of the week, mandatory harvest of all snagged paddlefish is required. The use or possession of a gaff within one half mile in either direction of the Highway 200 bridge on the Yellowstone River is illegal at any time during the snagging season.

Snagging is legal in all areas of the Yellowstone River in North Dakota, and in the area of the Missouri River lying west of the U.S. Highway 85 bridge to the Montana border, excluding that portion from the pipeline crossing (river mile 1,577) downstream to the upper end of the Lewis and Clark Wildlife Management Area (river mile 1,565).

Maps of the open and closed areas are available at all paddlefish tag vendors, and can be accessed on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department HSOforum at gf.nd.gov.

Cost of a paddlefish tag is $3 for residents and $7.50 for nonresidents. Refer to the 2006-08 North Dakota Fishing Guide for additional information.

Hunting Guide and Outfitter Test Set for May 6

Individuals interested in taking the guide and outfitter written exam are reminded to pre-register by calling the North Dakota Game and Fish Department at 328-6604.

The test is scheduled for Saturday, May 6 at 1 p.m. at the department’s main office in Bismarck. The test is given periodically to anyone interested in becoming a hunting guide or outfitter in the state.

In addition to passing a written exam, qualifications for becoming a guide include a background check for criminal and game and fish violations; certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and standard first aid; and employment by or contract with a licensed hunting outfitter.

Hunting outfitter eligibility requirements include the guide qualifications, as well as an individual must have held a hunting guide license for two years; and must have proof of liability insurance.

Game and Fish Summarizes 2005 Prairie Chicken Hunting Season

A total of 45 prairie chickens and 127 sharp-tailed grouse were taken during the state’s 2005 prairie chicken hunting season, according to statistics released by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

The nine-day October season was open in two units – Grand Forks County (north unit) and the other in southeastern North Dakota (south unit). Fifty resident hunters were awarded licenses in each unit.

Forty-two hunters bagged 25 prairie chickens and 15 sharptails in the north unit, while 45 hunters took 20 prairie chickens and 112 sharptails in the south unit.

Hunters had a season limit of two prairie chickens, and a sharptail limit of three daily and 12 in possession.

From the north unit seven hunters were successful in taking two prairie chickens, 11 hunters were able to bag one, and 24 were unsuccessful. In the south unit, nine hunters took a limit of prairie chickens, two hunters were able to harvest one, and 34 were unsuccessful.

The department received 390 applications – 229 for the north unit and 154 for the south unit.

The application process and 2006 season information will be announced in July.