November NDGNF Weekly Newsletter

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Sign up for Weekly Webcast Update

News release subscribers now have the option to add another North Dakota Game and Fish Department update by email.

Outdoors Online is a weekly video news broadcast available exclusively on the Game and Fish Department’s HSOforum, gf.nd.gov. The program is hosted and produced by Tom Jensen and Mike Anderson, the department’s national award-winning video team.

An email reminder alerting subscribers of the current week’s video news broadcast will be sent out each Thursday. To subscribe to the free weekly message, access the department HSOforum’s multimedia page.

Each webcast will focus on current news and issues that appeal to people who hunt, fish, trap and enjoy North Dakota’s outdoors. Each week Jensen will host a studio guest, and also keep viewers up-to-date on what they need to know to better enjoy their outdoor activities.

Hunter-Harvested Deer Surveillance Efforts Continue

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will continue its Hunter-Harvested Surveillance program during the 2007 hunting season by sampling deer from units in the eastern third of the state. In addition, all moose and elk harvested in the state, regardless of hunting units, are eligible for sampling.

Samples from hunter-harvested deer will be tested for chronic wasting disease and bovine tuberculosis from units: 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F1, 2F2, 2G, 2G1, 2G2 and 2L. Participating hunters whose deer have been sampled will have their names entered in a drawing for five muzzleloaders and 100 Sagen Saws. Winners will be randomly selected and notified by the end of December.

Hunters are encouraged to drop off deer heads at locations in: Brocket, KO Bar; Cavalier, Ugly’s Tavern; Devils Lake, Game and Fish Department district office; Fargo, Mills Fleet Farm; Fordville, Waldo’s Bar; Forest River, Tom’s Lounge; Grand Forks, Ted’s Taxidermy; Gwinner, Johnnie B’s Bar and Grill; Hannaford, Remedy Bar; Jamestown, Game and Fish Department district office; Munich, Dave’s Joint; Nekoma, Pain Reliever; Rock Lake, Cahill’s Pub; Walhalla, North Dakota Forest Service; and Wolford, Corregidor Bar.

Every head sampled must have either the deer tag attached, or a new tag can be filled out with the license number, deer hunting unit and date harvested attached. Skull caps and antlers can be removed. Fawns will not be tested.

CWD 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. To date, CWD has not been diagnosed in wild or farmed deer or elk in North Dakota.

The Game and Fish Department continues to sample the entire state over a three-year period. Animals in central North Dakota are scheduled for testing in 2008, while the western third of the state is scheduled for 2009.

Survey Shows Mule Deer Trend Continues

North Dakota’s mule deer population remains in good shape, based upon aerial observations during the state Game and Fish Department’s fall reproduction survey.

Bruce Stillings, big game biologist, Dickinson, said two primary indicators – ratio of fawns-per-doe, and bucks-per-doe – were near long-term averages. The fawn-to-doe ratio was .88 fawns per doe, and the buck-to-doe ratio was .42 bucks per doe.

Observers who accompanied pilots in fixed-wing planes counted 2,126 mule deer during the October survey, which encompassed 21 study areas and 265.5 square miles in western North Dakota. Each spring, biologists survey the same study areas to determine a population index.

Surveys continue to indicate a population with stable recruitment and good numbers of adult bucks, Stillings said. “The badlands mule deer population continues to move in the right direction.”

Three Lakes Closed to Fall, Winter Fishing

Anglers are reminded that three North Dakota lakes have recently closed to fishing until next spring.

McDowell Dam (Burleigh County), Lightning Lake (McLean County), and Kettle Lake (Williams County) are closed to fishing from Nov. 1 through March 31.

Anglers should refer to the 2006-08 North Dakota Fishing Guide for further regulations.

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Ice Fishing Tournaments Require 30-Day Notice

Organizers planning ice fishing tournaments or contests are reminded to submit an application to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department at least 30 days prior to the start of the event.

The 30-day advance notice allows for review by agency staff to ensure no negative impacts will result from the proposed tournament.

Organizers are asked to contact the Game and Fish Department at 328-6349 for additional information.

Refuges Open to Late-Season Upland Game

Several national wildlife refuges in North Dakota will open to late-season upland game bird hunting the day after deer gun season closes.

Arrowwood, Audubon, Des Lacs, J. Clark Salyer, Lake Alice, Lake Zahl, Long Lake, Lostwood, Tewaukon (pheasants only), and Upper Souris NWRs open Nov. 26.

Contact refuge headquarters for map leaflets designating closed areas and other restrictions: Arrowwood (701) 285-3341; Audubon (701) 442-5474; Des Lacs (701) 385-4046; J. Clark Salyer (701) 768-2548; Lake Alice (701) 662-8611; Lake Zahl (701) 965-6488; Long Lake (701) 387-4397; Lostwood (701) 848-2722; Tewaukon (701) 724-3598; and Upper Souris (701) 468-5467.

Hunters are reminded that use of nontoxic shot is required on all U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands. State regulations found in the North Dakota 2007-08 Small Game Guide apply. Seasons for pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian partridge and ruffed grouse close statewide on Jan. 6, 2008.

National wildlife refuges are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Portions of each refuge are closed to hunting.

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Muzzleloader Season Opens Nov. 30, Antlerless Licenses Available

North Dakota’s muzzleloader deer season opens at noon Friday, Nov. 30 and continues through Dec. 16. Hunters with a lottery muzzleloader license can hunt white-tailed deer statewide.

In addition, unfilled second, third or other concurrent season any-antlerless, antlerless whitetail, or antlerless mule deer licenses are still valid, but only in the unit to which the license is assigned. Hunters with these licenses must use a muzzleloader and hunt only the species printed on the license.

Doe licenses are still available in units 1, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F1, 2J2, 2K2, 2L, 3F1 and 4F for hunters who would like to participate in the muzzleloader season. These licenses must be used with a muzzleloader in the assigned unit.

Hunters can apply online from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department HSOforum, gf.nd.gov. Residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply. Licenses may be purchased throughout the season as long as they are available.

Darkhouse Spearfishing Opens Dec. 1

Darkhouse spearfishing participants are advised to stay off state waters in early December as ice conditions will be marginal at best.

Nancy Boldt, boat and water safety coordinator for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, said ice is just beginning to form. “It might look solid enough around the edges, but it is going to be awhile before ice conditions are strong enough to support weight,” Boldt said.

North Dakota’s darkhouse spearfishing season opens on a number of lakes Dec. 1 – with the exception of Jan. 1 for Spiritwood Lake – and continues through Feb. 29.

All individuals who participate in darkhouse spearfishing must register with the Game and Fish Department. Registration is available at the department’s HSOforum, gf.nd.gov, or through any Game and Fish Department office.

Darkhouse spearfishing is allowed for all residents with a valid fishing license, and those under the age of 16. Nonresidents from states that allow North Dakotans to darkhouse spearfish can participate in North Dakota with a valid fishing license. Of neighboring states, only Minnesota does not allow nonresident darkhouse spearfishing.

Other regulations include:

Legal fish are northern pike and nongame species.

A spear is counted as a pole (line) while darkhouse spearfishing.

Pneumatic or rubber band powered spear guns are not allowed.

When a darkhouse is moved or a hole larger than 12 inches in diameter is left in the ice, the hole must be adequately marked with a natural object (such as a tree branch or tumbleweed) visible from a minimum of 150 feet.

No size limit on ice hole in lakes where darkhouse spearing is allowed. However, hook and line fishing is legal only in holes no larger than 12 inches in diameter.

Legal live baitfish, with the exception of white sucker, and artificial lures can be used as decoys.

Daily/possession limits are the same as for hook and line fishing.

Lakes open to darkhouse spearing are South Eckelson, Barnes County; Devils Lake, Benson/Ramsey counties; Silver Lake, Benson County; Powers Lake, Burke County; Rice Lake, Emmons County; Juanita Lake, Foster County; Sibley Lake, Griggs County; Lake Etta/Alkaline Lake complex, Horsehead Lake and Round Lake, Kidder County; Flood Lake and Diamond Lake, LaMoure County; Beaver Lake and West Napoleon Lake, Logan County; Buffalo Lodge Lake, McHenry County; Coldwater Lake and Dry/Goose Lake, McIntosh County; Stanley Reservoir, Mountrail County; Lake Laretta and Stump Lake, Nelson County; Cavanaugh Lake, Lake Irvine, Morrison Lake and Sweetwater Lake, Ramsey County; Grass Lake, Richland County; Carpenter Lake, Island Lake and School Section Lake, Rolette County; Buffalo Lake, Sargent County; Coal Mine Lake, Sheridan County; Mallard Marsh, Spiritwood Lake and Sunday Lake, Stutsman County; Cottonwood Lake and Tioga Reservoir, Williams County; Lake Sakakawea from Garrison Dam to U.S. Highway 85 bridge at Williston and all tributaries upstream to the first vehicular crossing; and Lake Oahe from the South Dakota border to MacLean Bottoms boat ramp and all tributaries upstream to the first vehicular crossing.