NDGNF Weekly Newsletter for April

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Game and Fish Sponsors Earth Day Project

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is celebrating Earth Day by sponsoring a clean-up day on state-owned or managed lands in April and May.

Any school, Girl Scout, Boy Scout, 4-H club or youth organization participating in cleaning up public lands during April and May will receive a specifically designed conservation patch, said Nathaniel Umphrey, outreach biologist.

Groups taking part in clean-up activities should 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.

“This project shows how important it is to keep clean habitats for our fish and wildlife resources,” Umphrey said.

Last winter the department sponsored a contest for students ages 6-18 to design a North Dakota Earth Day Patch. Winners in the three age categories were Amber Maria Jordan of Bismarck (6-9), Madeleinne Zacher of Parshall (10-13), and Remington Zacher of Parshall (14-18). Remington’s design was chosen the overall winner, and will be used on this year’s Earth Day patch.

Interested participants are asked to call Bill Jensen (328-6637) or Nathaniel Umphrey (328-6332) to receive a reporting form for their project.

Hunting Guide and Outfitter Test Set for May 19

The next guide and outfitter written examination is Saturday, May 19 at 1 p.m. at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department 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.

Interested individuals are required to preregister by calling the Game and Fish Department’s enforcement office at 328-6604.

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Whooping Cranes Migrating Through North Dakota, 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 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. 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 and report colored bands which may occur on one or both legs. 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.

All Eight Game and Fish Advisory Board Meetings Set

All eight North Dakota Game and Fish Department district advisory board meetings for this spring have been set and outdoor enthusiasts are invited to attend these public forums to discuss fish and wildlife issues in their area.

Game and Fish Department advisors host public meetings twice each year in their districts. Advisors serve as a liaison between the department and the public in their areas.

Any person who requires an auxiliary aid or service must notify the contact person at least five days prior to the scheduled meeting date.

District 5 – Counties: Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele and Traill

Date: April 10 – 7 p.m.

Host: Southeast Area Sportsmen’s Club

Location: City Hall, Rutland

Contact: Richard Anderson, 724-3617

Advisory board member: Loran Palmer, West Fargo, 282-8479

District 6 – Counties: Barnes, Dickey, Foster, Griggs, Logan, LaMoure, McIntosh, Stutsman and Wells

Date: April 11 – 7 p.m.

Host: Barnes County Wildlife Club

Location: VFW Club, Valley City

Contact: Perry Kapaun, 845-1117

Advisory board member: Rita Greer, Marion, 669-2315

District 8 – Counties: Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope and Stark

Date: April 17 – 7 p.m.

Host: Medora Grazing Association

Location: Masonic Lodge, Belfield

Contact and advisory board member: Wayne Gerbig, Amidon, 879-6353

District 1 – Counties: Divide, McKenzie and Williams

Date: April 18 – 7 p.m.

Host: McKenzie County Farm Bureau

Location: American Legion basement, Watford City

Contact and advisory board member: Merle Jost, Grassy Butte, 863-6727

District 2 – Counties: Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville and Ward

Date: April 19 – 7 p.m.

Host: Pheasants for the Future

Location: Grand International Inn, Minot

Contact: Jason Foss, 839-0213

Advisory board member: Richard Anderson, Willow City, 366-4625

District 3 – Counties: Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner

Date: April 23 – 7 p.m.

Host: Turtle Mountain Wildlife Club

Location: City Hall, Dunseith

Contact: Mike Peterson, 263-3191

Advisory board member: Tracy Gardner, Devils Lake, 662-5639

District 4 – Counties: Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina and Walsh

Date: April 24 – 7 p.m.

Host: Pekin Rod and Gun Club

Location: Community Club, Pekin

Contact: David Morken, 296-4484

Advisory board member: Ronald Houdek, Tolna, 262-4724

District 7 – Counties: Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux

Date: April 25 – 7 p.m.

Host: Central Morton Sportsmen

Location: Central Morton Sportsmen Club House, New Salem

Contact: Wayne Hoger, 843-7566

Advisory board member: Frank Kartch, Bismarck, 222-4544

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CWD Test Results All Negative

North Dakota deer and elk populations remain free of chronic wasting disease, according to test results recently received by the state Game and Fish Department.

Last fall, North Dakota hunters submitted samples for testing from 2,993 wild deer, 37 elk and four moose collected during the 2006 hunting season. All those samples tested negative, said Erika Butler, Game and Fish Department wildlife veterinarian.

Samples for CWD testing were sent to the Wyoming State Veterinary Lab last December. “We are always hopeful that this will be the outcome,” Butler said. “We will continue to be aggressive. In addition to testing any suspect animals throughout the year, we plan to continue our hunter-harvest surveillance in the fall.”

Samples in 2006 were collected from hunter-harvested deer taken from all deer hunting units in the state. “Our volunteer cooperation is overwhelming,” Butler said. “We couldn’t achieve our goals without their help. Hunters, meat processors, taxidermists, and the assistance from other agencies are vital in this process.”

Since 2002, nearly 8,500 North Dakota deer and 147 elk have tested negative for CWD. To date, CWD has not been diagnosed in wild or farmed deer or elk in North Dakota.

Chronic wasting disease affects the nervous system of members of the deer family and is always fatal. Scientists have found no evidence that CWD can be transmitted naturally to humans or livestock.

Paddlefish Snagging Season Opens May 1, Regulations Adjusted

North Dakota’s paddlefish snagging season opens May 1 and is scheduled to continue through the end of the month. However, the season has closed early the last three seasons, leaving some people left holding paddlefish tags without ever wetting a line in the Yellowstone or Missouri rivers.

That will change as an adjustment to the two-year fishing proclamation will allow an option of snag-and-release-only for up to seven days after the regular season closes, or until May 31, whichever comes first.

For several years, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and its counterpart in Montana have instituted a harvest cap of 1,000 paddlefish in each state. Paddlefish snaggers in North Dakota reached that overall harvest quota the past two years in about mid-May.

Because of the ongoing drought, low flows in early May in the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers have concentrated fish, making them more susceptible to snaggers the last few years. As a result of the higher rate of harvest, the department had to close the seasons early.

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

Snag-and-release of all paddlefish will be required on Mondays and Tuesdays. Those planning to participate during snag-and-release-only days will need to have in their possession a current season, unused paddlefish snagging tag. Use or possession of gaffs is prohibited on Mondays and Tuesdays, and, if it occurs, during the snag-and-release extension period. During the other five days of the week, mandatory harvest of all snagged paddlefish is required.

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). If there is an extended snag-and-release period, only a limited area at the confluence will be open to this extended season snagging opportunity.

Cost of a paddlefish tag is $3 for residents and $7.50 for nonresidents.

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New State Record Smallmouth Bass Caught

Bruce Elberg’s catch on April 14 is the first entry on North Dakota’s list of state record fish since 2005. The Burlington angler reeled in a 6-pound, 13-ounce smallmouth bass from Lake Darling.

The 19 and one-quarter inch fish broke the old record of 5 pounds, 15 ounces taken by Roger Haugen of Jamestown in 2003 at Spiritwood Lake.

A new state record smallmouth from Lake Darling is not a total surprise, according to Greg Power, fisheries chief with the state Game and Fish Department. “Although big smallmouth bass in Lake Darling are not common, the heaviest smallmouth registered with the department’s Whopper program last year did come from there,” Power said.

Smallmouth bass opportunities throughout North Dakota have increased dramatically, Power mentioned, as a result of new introductions and stocking efforts that began about 15 years ago. “Today, most lakes and reservoirs in which smallmouth bass were introduced now have self-sustaining populations,” he said.

In the past four years, more than 50 smallmouth bass of at least four pounds and a handful over five pounds were entered in the Whopper Club (three pound minimum) from 15 different North Dakota fisheries.

Although some people harvest big smallmouth bass, Power said most anglers continue to practice catch-and-release. In the past four years, more than 450 catch-and-release reports have been recorded.

To qualify for the department’s Catch and Release Club, a smallmouth bass must measure 16 inches.

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Workshop Set Aug. 10-12

Women at least 18 years old who want to learn more about outdoor activities are encouraged to participate in the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Workshop Aug. 10-12 at Lake Metigoshe State Park, Bottineau.

Applications are now being accepted and enrollment is limited to 100 participants. The cost is $120 with an Aug. 1 registration deadline.

The workshop, sponsored by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, offers 26 different seminars, each of which lasts more than three hours.

Classes are held outdoors, and each session contains 45 minutes of lecture with the remainder dedicated to hands-on instruction. Each session has room for 12 women. Participants are limited to four sessions.

New classes offered this workshop include basic knot tying, dragonflies and butterflies, and GPS treasure hunt. Other classes include fishing and fly-fishing, bird identification, plant identification, canoeing, predator calling, decoy carving, archery and shotgunning.

Participants will stay in dorms and must provide their own bedding and towels. All camp facilities are handicap accessible. Equipment will be provided unless noted in the course description.

The University of North Dakota Professional Development for Educators has approved the workshop for one continuing education college credit upon completion, submission of an essay and the fee for credit.

To receive an information brochure and enrollment form, contact Nancy Boldt, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095 or call 701-328-6312, or visit the Game and Fish HSOforum at gf.nd.gov.

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Ground Conditions Warrant Extra Precaution

Even though early April moisture seemed to help with dry conditions by initiating early green-up, fire conditions on any given day can still be extremely high.

Greg Link, assistant wildlife chief with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, says extra precaution still is warranted, especially in southwest and south central North Dakota.

“While much of the state received a steady amount of moisture, it takes awhile for new green growth to replace old, dry, residual vegetation that makes up the majority of landscape in spring,” Link said. ”This is especially true in areas where anglers, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts like to recreate.”

Because of highly variable weather patterns including frequent high winds and increased outdoor human activity, North Dakota experiences a distinct spring fire season every year prior to green-up.

“This time of the year is ideal for wildfires, with half of all fires in a year taking place during this time period,” Link said. “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.”

The daily fire danger index is issued by the National Weather Service to alert citizens to conditions that may be conducive to spread of 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.

Game and Fish Recaps Legislation

While the 2007 legislative session didn’t have nearly the number of hunting and fishing related bills as in 2005, North Dakota Game and Fish Department officials were busy just the same.

“We had a handful of bills going right to the end,” said Director Terry Steinwand, noting the session lasted through April 25, 78 days from commencement. “We feel good about the outcome.”

In all, lawmakers considered 39 bills regarding hunters, anglers and the state’s natural resources. In 2005, 58 such bills were introduced, more than in any other session.

New laws take effect Aug. 1, unless otherwise noted. More information on all 39 bills is available on the Game and Fish Department HSOforum, gf.nd.gov.

Following is a list of bills that passed and were to be signed into law by Governor John Hoeven.

HB 1146 – Effective through July 31, 2009, the right of access to land for hunting may not be severed from the surface estate. Also, provides for the legislative council to study issues related to the severance of hunting access from the surface estate, and to report findings and recommendations to the next legislative assembly.

HB 1184 – Allows an individual to possess a handgun while hunting with a crossbow or bow and arrow.

HB 1195 – Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, only the last four digits of an applicant's social security number have to be printed on a paper application.

HB 1289 – Allows the Minnesota-Wisconsin Chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep to hold either a raffle or an auction of one bighorn sheep license.

HB 1311 – Allows the governor, by proclamation, to establish a pheasant hunting season for youth. Also, has the Game and Fish Department studying hunter education requirements and hunter safety for all ages of hunters, and report findings and recommendations to the legislative council by July 1, 2008.

HB 1402 – Makes available annually up to eight deer and four pronghorn licenses to one organization that sponsors hunting trips to terminally ill children.

HB 1515 – Establishes a Private Land Open To Sportsmen biomass demonstration project, a biomass incentive and research program, and a fund in the state treasury for biomass incentive and research.

SB 2017 – Appropriates $57,861,111 for the Game and Fish Department for the biennium beginning July 1, 2007, and ending June 30, 2009. Includes $100,000 to be used on activities to encourage youth hunting. Also, has the Department studying the recruitment and retention of hunters in North Dakota and report findings to the legislative council before Dec. 31, 2008.

SB 2058 – Allows the Game and Fish Department to transfer land to adjacent landowners around Golden Lake.

SB 2059 – Eliminates the $5 fee for a permit to propagate, domesticate, or possess protected wildlife. (The permit is still required through the North Dakota Board of Animal Health.)

SB 2147 – Allows nonresidents to continue to hunt during the early September Canada goose season in Sargent and Richland counties without counting against the 14-day waterfowl license.

SB 2201 – Gives the hunter educators association one pronghorn license per year for a raffle.

SB 2250 – Allows first-time spring wild turkey applicants ages 15 and younger to receive a wild turkey license.

SB 2251 – Makes available to the National Wild Turkey Federation one spring wild turkey license per year for a raffle or auction.

SB 2293 – Allows a resident who is on leave and on active duty with the United States military to hunt small game, fish or trap during the season without a license.

HCR 3044 – A concurrent resolution directing the legislative council to study how the state might pursue additional uses of Lake Sakakawea and Missouri River waters for such beneficial purposes as domestic and industrial uses, recreation, fish and wildlife, and irrigation; and how the state, to enhance its use of the lake and river, might promote congressional review of the 1944 Flood Control Act and a reexamination by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers of the way in which it manages the Missouri River System.

SCR 4016 – A concurrent resolution urging Congress to direct the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to address and rectify the problems caused by the accumulation of sediment in the Missouri River main stem reservoirs.

SCR 4037 – A concurrent resolution urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to coordinate annually with the Game and Fish Department to ensure that adequate shoreline fishing areas along Lake Sakakawea and Lake Oahe are available to satisfy the recreational needs of the citizens of North Dakota.