December ND GNF Weekly Newsletter

[marine_man]

Current Ice Conditions Won’t Support Much Weight

North Dakota Game and Fish Department personnel advise winter anglers to remain patient because ice conditions are not yet safe enough to support much weight.

Nancy Boldt, boat and water safety coordinator for the state Game and Fish Department, said even though temperatures remain below freezing, ice is just beginning to form. “We need several more days of temperatures to remain below freezing in order to start producing stable ice,” Boldt said.

Even in the heart of winter ice thickness is not consistent, Boldt mentioned, and can vary considerably within a few inches. “Ice shouldn’t be judged strictly by appearance,” she said.

Winter anglers and trappers need to study ice conditions before marching out on any of North Dakota’s frozen waters. The Game and Fish Department offers this advice:

Be aware on snow-covered ice as snow insulates ice, hampering solid ice formation, and it makes it difficult to check thickness. Snow also hides the blemishes, such as cracked, weak and open water areas.

Avoid cracks, pressure ridges, slushy or darker areas that signal thinner ice. The same goes for ice that forms around partially submerged trees, brush, embankments or other structures.

Remember, ice thickness is not consistent and can vary significantly with a few inches. Ice shouldn’t be judge by appearance alone. Anglers should drill test holes as they make their way out on the lake, and an ice chisel should be used to check ice thickness while moving around.

Daily temperature changes causes ice to expand and contract, affecting its strength.

Visit with locals – other anglers and people at local bait shops – before going on an unfamiliar lake.

The following minimums are recommended for travel on clear-blue lake ice formed under ideal conditions. However, early in the winter it’s a good idea to double these figures to be safe: 4 inches for a group walking single file; 6 inches for a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle; 8-12 inches for an automobile; and 12-15 inches for a pickup/truck.

These tips could help save a life:

Wear a personal flotation device and carry a cell phone.

Carry ice picks or a set of screwdrivers to pull yourself back on the ice if you fall through.

If someone breaks through the ice, call 911 immediately. Rescue attempts should employ a long pole, board, rope, blanket or snowmobile suit. If that’s not possible, throw the victim a life jacket, empty water jug or other buoyant object. Go to the victim as a last resort, but do this by forming a human chain where rescuers lie on the ice with each person holding the feet of the person in front.

To treat hypothermia, replace wet clothing with dry clothing and immediately transport victim to a hospital.

Deadline for Youth Hunting Grant Program is Dec. 31

Wildlife, shooting, civic or fraternal organizations interested in applying for a grant designed to encourage youth hunting participation or training must submit an application to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department by Dec. 31.

Grant funds will help cover event expenses, including promotional printing; event memorabilia such as shirts, caps or vests; ammunition and targets, and eye and ear protection. Grants can also be used for shooting range improvement or development.

Nonprofit organizations registered with the North Dakota Secretary of State’s office to provide public service are eligible to apply. The organization must have officers, a treasury account, liability coverage and private locations to conduct events.

For more information or to receive application materials, contact Nathaniel Umphrey, Game and Fish Department outreach biologist in Bismarck, at 701-328-6332, or by email at [email protected].

[marine_man]

Fish Houses must be Made of Floatable Material

Winter anglers are reminded that fish houses placed on North Dakota waters must be made of floatable materials.

Robert Timian, enforcement chief for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, said that old car bodies or campers, including pull types, fifth wheelers or pop-ups, do not qualify as legal fish houses.

“There are some who think they can use a camper as a fish house,” Timian said. “That is not the case.”

That is not to say a camper can’t be taken on the ice, Timian said. “They can, but they can’t be left on the ice unoccupied,” he added.

Other fish house regulations include:

Fish houses are not required to be licensed.

Fish houses can be constructed of any size.

Occupied structures do not require identification. However, any unoccupied fish house must have the owner’s name, and either address or telephone number, displayed on its outside in readily distinguishable characters at least three inches high.

Fish houses may not be placed closer than 50 feet in any direction to another house without consent of the occupant of the other fish house.

Fish houses shall be removed from all waters by midnight, March 15, of each year.

Portable fish houses can be used after March 15 if they are removed daily.

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

Canada Goose Season Closes Dec. 21, Others to Follow

Late season hunters still have time to get out in the field and enjoy North Dakota’s deer, waterfowl, upland game, turkey, small game and furbearer opportunities.

The season for Canada geese closes Dec. 21, while high plains duck hunting continues through Dec 30.

Archery deer, sharp-tailed and ruffed grouse, partridge, pheasant and tree squirrel hunting seasons continue through Jan. 6, 2008.

The fall wild turkey season is open until Jan. 13, 2008.

Bobcat, mink and weasel hunting and trapping, muskrat trapping, and the mountain lion season in Zone 2 is open through March 9, 2008.

Fox, coyote, raccoon, badger and beaver hunting and trapping are open year-round.

2008 North Dakota OUTDOORS Calendar Available

The 2008 North Dakota OUTDOORS calendar is available for $3 at the state Game and Fish Department’s Bismarck office.

The calendar features outstanding color photographs of North Dakota wildlife and scenery, and includes season opening and application deadline dates, sunrise-sunset times and moon phases.

To order by mail, send $3 plus $1 postage for each calendar to: Calendar, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095.

The calendar is printed as North Dakota OUTDOORS December issue. Subscription rates are $10 for one year or $20 for three.

[marine_man]

Tentative 2008 Season Opening Dates Announced

To help North Dakota hunters prepare for hunting seasons in 2008, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department annually provides its best estimate for opening dates for the coming year.

Dates become official when approved by governor’s proclamation. Tentative opening dates for 2008 include:

Spring Crow

March 15

Spring Turkey

April 12

Paddlefish Snagging

May 1

Fall Crow

August 9

Deer and Pronghorn Bow

August 29

Dove, September Goose

September 1

Sharptail, Hun, Ruffed Grouse, Squirrel

September 13

Youth Deer

September 19

Youth Waterfowl, Sandhill Crane

September 20

Early Resident Waterfowl

September 27

Pronghorn Gun

October 3

Youth Pheasant, Regular Waterfowl

October 4

Pheasant, Fall Turkey

October 11

Deer Gun

November 7

Deer Muzzleloader

November 28

Registration Available for Hunter Education Classes

Individuals interested in taking a hunter education class in 2008 can register online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s HSOforum.

Access the Game and Fish home page at gf.nd.gov, click on the online services tab, and “online course enrollment” under the hunter education heading. Classes are listed by city, and can also be sorted by start date. To register for a class, click on “enroll” next to the specific class, and follow the simple instructions. Personal information is required.

Jim Carter, hunter education supervisor, said students may sign up for only one course. “If a situation arises where a person cannot attend a course, the student should go back in and delete their registration,” Carter said. “It is important to do this so the class can be filled by another interested person.”

The entire list of classes for 2008 is not yet available, and only those that are finalized are listed on the HSOforum. Classes will be added as they are finalized.

Those who do not have access to the Internet and want to sign up for a class can call the hunter education office in Bismarck at 328-6615.

Hunter education courses are free. State law requires anyone born after Dec. 31, 1961 to pass a certified hunter education course to hunt in the state. Hunter education is mandatory for youth who are turning 12 years old, and children can take the class at age 11.

Spiritwood Lake Opens to Darkhouse Spearfishing Jan. 1

Spiritwood Lake in Stutsman County opens to darkhouse spearfishing Jan. 1. All other lakes where darkhouse spearfishing is allowed opened Dec. 1.

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

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

Burkett Named Game and Fish Employee of the Year

Bruce Burkett, commercial and investigations supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, received the Director’s Award for 2007 during the department’s annual meeting Dec. 6 in Bismarck.

Terry Steinwand, director, said Burkett was challenged with creating an entirely new method of regulating guides and outfitters after the state legislature revised the law in 2003. “He has since assisted in establishing an advisory board, written new administrative rules, created a test and testing procedure, developed policy and conducted statewide informational meetings,” Steinwand said.

Burkett was also recognized for his investigation skills, including developing policy and providing training on how investigations should be conducted.

“The result of all this is a much improved system to regulate a large commercial activity which has direct impact on wildlife resources and the public access to them,” Steinwand said. “Bruce’s efforts have resulted in North Dakota coming to the forefront on a national level as a place that takes the illegal commercial taking of wildlife as serious business and aggressively seeks out and prosecutes those who commit those violations.”

Knutson Named Wildlife Officer of the Year

Chris Knutson, North Dakota Game and Fish Department district game warden stationed in Devils Lake, is the state’s 2007 Wildlife Officer of the Year. Knutson was honored recently by the Shikar-Safari Club International, a private conservation organization that annually recognizes outstanding wildlife officers in each state.

In a nomination letter sent to Shikar-Safari, chief warden Robert Timian noted that Knutson’s district includes Devils Lake, the second largest body of water in North Dakota, and his knowledge of the lake has proven to be a valuable asset not only in his boating, hunting and fishing law enforcement efforts, but also in search and rescue events. “Many times warden Knutson has navigated through rough waters of Devils Lake, mainly at night, to locate lost or overdue boaters,” Timian said.

On one particular occasion, Timian mentioned, Knutson was called out to locate two duck hunters who had capsized their skiff and were up to their necks in water-filled waders in a backwater cattail sough connected to the big lake. With the aid of a GPS, Knutson guided the search and rescue boat over a sandbar to the slough where the hunters, almost hypothermic, were found and rescued.

“Warden Knutson is professional, fair and even-handed in the way that he deals with violators and the public in general,” Timian continued. “His rapport with the public and co-workers is one of his greatest assets.”

Game and Fish Recognizes Employee Efforts

North Dakota Game and Fish Department Director Terry Steinwand recently honored a number of employees with performance-based awards. Steinwand presented the following awards at the department’s annual staff meeting Dec. 6.

· Devils Lake fisheries personnel Randy Hiltner, Phil Miller and Lynn Schlueter received the Special Projects award, given to an individual or group who either successfully completed a project of short duration, or implemented a successful new project. They were recognized for their work in keeping carp out of Devils Lake. “In August local staff were involved in an intensive effort monitoring and eradicating areas where carp may have had made their way over the divide,” Steinwand said. “This has proven to be an extremely challenging endeavor, and they have done an outstanding job meeting these ongoing challenges.”

· Mike Anderson and Tom Jensen, Bismarck, were presented with the Innovations award, which recognizes staff for implementing a process to improve department goals and objectives. Anderson and Jensen developed and produced a weekly online webcast in 2007. “The webcast has been successful in using the Internet to distribute timely Game and Fish news and information in a new way that complements the department’s traditional communications and outreach media efforts,” Steinwand said.

· Tonya Kukowski, Jamestown, received the Solid Foundation award, presented to an employee or group who demonstrate exemplary work in the administrative, technical or support field. According to Steinwand, Kukowski is a proficient and effective office manager. “She is very instrumental in the daily operations of our Jamestown field office,” Steinwand said. “She coordinates everything from office scheduling to maintenance of service contracts. She is always willing to help with any task.”

· Lynn Schlueter, Devils Lake, received the Public Outreach award, presented to an employee for showing a significant effort, ability, or accomplishment in interacting with the public while promoting the department’s programs. Schlueter is the biologist primarily responsible for the management of aquatic nuisance species. “As ANS rules are becoming established, Lynn has ventured into every aspect of public outreach, making sure all forums of media are aware of ongoing issues,” Steinwand said. “He has chaired the ANS committee, and has done a wonderful job of communicating with other agencies and the public on this important issue.”

Ken Skuza, district game warden, Riverdale, received the 2007 National Association of State Boating Law Administrators Officer of the Year award for North Dakota. Each state in NASBLA selects a person for a national award. Among the criteria for receiving the award is boating activity in regards to law enforcement, education, search and rescue, outreach and training. Skuza is responsible for boat safety enforcement activities on more than 100 miles of Lake Sakakawea, as well as numerous smaller lakes in his district. Nancy Boldt, boat and water safety coordinator said, “Officer Skuza is more than willing to assist other officers with enforcing boating laws and conducting investigations in other districts. He routinely volunteers to assist with boat safety enforcement duties, and his devotion to the job has certainly made the lakes in North Dakota a safer place for users to enjoy.”