ND GNF Weekley Newsletter 31-Jul-06

[marine_man]

2006 Small Game and Furbearer Regulations Proposed

North Dakota’s 2006 small game and furbearer regulations have been proposed and most season structures and bag limits are similar to last year, according to Randy Kreil, wildlife chief for the state Game and Fish Department.

A second experimental mountain lion season will run statewide from Sept. 1 through March 11, 2007, or until a season quota of five lions has been met. If the quota is reached, the season will close immediately. The quota includes only one mountain lion per hunter per season.

“The number of confirmed mountain lion sightings in the state has grown significantly in the past two years, most likely as a result of increased immigration from South Dakota and Montana,” Kreil said.

Any mountain lion other than kittens (lions with visible spots), or females accompanied by kittens, may be taken during the season. No hunting or pursuing with dogs will be allowed until Jan. 1, 2007.

The mountain lion season is open only to North Dakota residents. A furbearer or combination license is required. Any mountain lion that is taken must be reported to the Game and Fish Department within 12 hours, Kreil said, and the entire animal must be submitted for analysis. Legally taken animals will be returned to the hunter following analysis.

Small game and waterfowl licensing details are similar to last year.

Annually, the opening date of pheasant season is the second Saturday in October, which falls on Oct. 14 this year. “The calendar changes from year-to-year, and the second Saturday can range anywhere from Oct. 8-14,” Kreil said.

The legislatively approved youth pheasant hunting season will continue for a second year. Legally licensed residents and nonresidents ages 12-16 may hunt pheasants statewide Oct. 7-8.

Only North Dakota residents are permitted to hunt waterfowl from Sept. 23-29. Nonresidents will be allowed to hunt waterfowl in North Dakota beginning Sept. 30. Other waterfowl season details will be finalized in mid-August in the waterfowl amendment to the small game and furbearer proclamation.

In accordance with state law, nonresidents are not allowed to hunt on Game and Fish Department wildlife management areas or conservation PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) areas from Oct. 14-20.

Hunters should refer to the North Dakota 2006-07 Small Game and Furbearer guides (available early August) for more details on small game and furbearer seasons. Waterfowl regulations will be available toward the end of August.

Species

Opens

Closes

Daily Limit

Poss Limit

Crows (fall)

Aug. 12

Oct. 22

No limit

No limit

Crows (spring)

March 17

April 29

No limit

No limit

Early Canada goose

Sept. 1

Sept. 15

5

10

Mourning doves

Sept. 1

Oct. 29

15

30

Mountain lion

Sept. 1

March 11

1

1

Hungarian partridge

Sept. 9

Jan. 7

3

12

Sharp-tailed grouse

Sept. 9

Jan. 7

3

12

Ruffed grouse

Sept. 9

Jan. 7

3

12

Sandhill crane (unit 1)

Sept. 16

Nov. 12

3

6

Sandhill crane (unit 2)

Sept. 16

Oct. 22

2

4

Snipe

Sept. 16

Nov. 26

8

16

Woodcock

Sept. 23

Nov. 5

3

6

Sage grouse

Sept. 25

Sept. 27

1

1

Tundra swan (2,200 lottery licenses)

Sept. 30

Dec. 10

1

1

Prairie chicken (100 lottery permits)

Oct. 14

Oct. 22

2

2

Pheasants

Oct. 14

Jan. 7

3

12

Swan Hunt Applications Available

Applications for North Dakota’s 2006 tundra swan licenses are available and the deadline for submitting an application is Aug. 16.

North Dakota residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply. Interested hunters can print out an application for mailing, or submit a lottery application online at the state Game and Fish Department HSOforum, gf.nd.gov. Regular license fees apply and no service charge is added.

Applications are also available from Game and Fish offices, county auditors and license vendors, or by calling 800-406-6409. A service fee is added for license applications made over the phone.

The statewide tundra swan hunting season is Sept. 30 – Dec. 10. A total of 2,200 licenses are available. Successful applicants will be issued a tag to take one swan during the season. Since swans are classified as waterfowl, nonresidents may hunt them only during the period their nonresident waterfowl license is valid.