ND GNF Newsletter 29-Aug-06

[marine_man]

Hunters Urged to Exercise Caution, Pay Attention to Fire Danger Index

Despite recent rains and cooler temperatures over much of the state, the fire danger in North Dakota remains high and could influence hunter activities as archery, dove and early goose seasons open over the Labor Day weekend.

State Game and Fish Department officials remind hunters to use extra caution to prevent fires, and also urge hunters to keep up with the daily Rural Fire Danger Index, as temperature and wind forecasts can restrict some outdoor activities. In addition, the U.S Forest Service has established additional restrictions on some national grasslands in North Dakota that will remain in place regardless of daily weather conditions.

Some counties also have imposed restrictions beyond those indicated by North Dakota Rural Fire Danger guidelines.

“Hunters have a very good record of not starting range fires during their hunting activities,” said Terry Steinwand, director of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. “In fact, having that many eyes in the field may actually reduce the probability of large fires.”

Steinwand said hunters should also carry a cell phone in the vehicle, along with shovels, fire extinguishers, extra water and heavy fabric for putting out accidental fires. However, Steinwand cautioned, individuals who are not trained firefighters should not attempt to fight a fire that is out of control. Instead, contact the nearest fire department immediately.

The daily fire danger index is issued by the National Weather Service to alert the public to conditions that may be conducive to accidental starting or spread of fires. The index can change from day to day depending on temperature, wind and precipitation forecasts. If the index reaches the EXTREME category, the following guidelines apply:

Open burning is prohibited.

Off-road travel with a motorized vehicle is prohibited, except for people engaged in a trade, business or occupation where it is required.

Smoking is restricted to inside of vehicles, places of habitation and areas cleared to mineral soil.

The daily fire danger index can reach into the extreme category when the NWS daily forecast calls for hot temperatures and high winds.

Information on current fire danger indexes is available through the NWS Internet site at www.crh.noaa.gov/data/BIS/RFDBIS, the Game and Fish Department's HSOforum at gf.nd.gov/, or county sheriff offices.

The state legislature in 2005 gave county governments the authority to adopt penalties for violations of county restrictions related to burning bans. As of Aug. 27, more than 20 counties had banned open burning, which includes campfires. These restrictions apply regardless of the daily fire danger index, and will remain in place until each county’s commission rescinds the ban.

Hunters or anglers who want to find out about fire-danger-related restrictions in a particular county should contact that county’s sheriff’s department.

On the Little Missouri and Cedar River national grasslands in the North Dakota, the U.S. Forest Service is prohibiting any kind of fire, and has closed two-track prairie trails to motor vehicle travel. Two-track prairie trails can be characterized as roads having a native surface and grass growing between the wheel tracks. These restrictions are also not affected by changes in the daily fire danger index. The restrictions do not apply on the Sheyenne National Grasslands in southeastern North Dakota.

More information is available on the Dakota Prairie Grasslands HSOforum at http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/dakotaprairie/; or from the Dakota Prairie Grasslands supervisor's office, Bismarck at 701-250-4443.

Pronghorn Licenses Remain

The 2006 pronghorn lottery has been held and only unit 4-A has doe/fawn licenses remaining. Licenses are issued on a first-come, first-served basis, and are available only to hunters who have not been issued a license for this year, according to Carrie Whitney, licensing supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Unit 4-A is the far southwestern corner of the state, and is bordered on the west by Montana, south by South Dakota, east by U.S. Highway 85, and north by U.S. Highway 12. A total of 86 licenses are available for the early season (Oct. 6-15), and 130 remain for the late season (Oct. 13-22).

Hunters who do not have a license can apply by accessing the department’s HSOforum, gf.nd.gov. Hunters may also request an application by calling the department’s Bismarck office at 701-328-6300.

Only North Dakota residents are eligible for pronghorn gun licenses.

Swan Hunt Lottery Held, Licenses Remain

The 2006 swan lottery has been held and more than 500 licenses remain. These licenses will be issued only as a first license, reports Carrie Whitney, licensing supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Hunters who do not have a license can apply online at the department’s HSOforum, gf.nd.gov. Hunters may also request an application by calling the department’s Bismarck office at 701-328-6300.

The statewide tundra swan hunting season is Sept. 30 – Dec. 10. North Dakota residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply. The fee is $5 for residents and $25 for nonresidents.

Sharptails, Ruffed Grouse and Partridge Seasons Open Sept. 9

Sharp-tailed grouse and partridge hunters should find more birds in the field this fall compared to last year, according to Jerry Kobriger, upland game management supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Dickinson.

“It does not appear as though drought conditions have affected production to any great degree,” Kobriger said.

The season opens Sept. 9 for sharptails, partridge and ruffed grouse. Sage grouse season does not open until Sept. 25.

The final tally on sharptails this spring was an increase of nearly 10 percent over last year on a statewide basis, Kobriger said, with the areas southwest of the Missouri River and the Missouri Coteau region showing the largest increases.

Preliminary results from surveys this summer indicate improved numbers over last year in birds and broods per mile of survey, in addition to a higher average brood size and an increase in the number of young birds seen on routes compared to adult birds. “All these factors translate into more birds this fall and a better season,” Kobriger said.

This year’s buffaloberry crop is spotty, Kobriger added, with good berries in some locations, and none in others. “However, sometimes the good spots are not far removed from the poor spots,” he said.

Likewise, all indicators point to a better gray or Hungarian partridge crop this year. Rural mail carriers saw an increase from eight to nearly 12 partridge per 1,000 miles of census effort. Data gathered by biologists on summer survey routes show the highest number of birds seen per mile of survey in five years in the southwestern and Missouri Coteau portions of the state. However, the central and northeastern sections of the state are down slightly from last year, Kobriger said, but still above the level seen two years ago.

Ruffed grouse populations tend to run in 8-10 year cycles, and 2004 appeared to be at the lower end. The Turtle Mountains in Bottineau and Rolette counties and the Pembina Hills area of Cavalier and Pembina counties should provide hunters with the best opportunities this fall.

The sage grouse population should be similar to last year, but if dry conditions persist, Kobriger said birds may be harder to find. “They tend to move toward water areas with green vegetation, but these may be hard to find,” he said.

For further season information and regulations, hunters should consult the North Dakota 2006-07 Small Game Guide.

HIP Certification Required for Migratory Bird Hunters

As early Canada goose, mourning dove, sandhill crane and regular waterfowl seasons open in September, migratory game bird hunters are reminded to register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting in North Dakota this fall.

HIP certification is required for all migratory bird hunters, regardless of age, before hunting ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, coots, cranes, snipe, doves or woodcock.

Hunter compliance is essential in order to obtain reliable national and regional estimates of annual harvest of all migratory game bird species. These estimates provide information biologists need to make sound decisions concerning hunting seasons, bag limits and population management.

Hunters who purchase a license through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Bismarck office, HSOforum (gf.nd.gov), or instant licensing telephone number (800-406-6409) can easily get HIP certified.

Otherwise, hunters must call 888-634-4798, or log on to the Game and Fish HSOforum, and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate.

Hunters are reminded to HIP register in each state for which they are licensed before hunting migratory game birds.