Non-Resident Hunting

[AF-1984]

We are looking at planning a trip to North Dakota for some waterfowl hunts this fall. When researching on the HSOforum, I noted the following regulation:

A Nonresident May Not Hunt G&F Lands Oct. 11-17

Nonresidents may not hunt on lands owned or leased by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department,Nonresidents may not hunt on lands owned or leased by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, including State Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and Private Lands Open To Sportsmen (PLOTS), for the first week of pheasant season (October 11-17). This restriction applies to all types of hunting, not just pheasants. This restriction does not apply to lands owned or managed by other state agencies that may be open to hunting, such as state school lands, federal lands that may be open to hunting, such as US Fish and Wildlife Service Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs), or to private lands not enrolled in the G&F PLOTS program.

I am interested in what kind of hunting opportunities exist, other than private land, during this timeframe. Unfortunately, this is one of the weeks that we looked into coming up there. Any help would be greatly appreciated and look forward to any responses.

Thanks.

[marine_man]

Your only options during that time are WPA's...

If you're after Waterfowl during that time you may have luck talking to Private land owners and making it clear that you're only after waterfowl - if you're after pheasants that's usually a different story.

marine_man

[KEN W]

As marine man says.....lots of private land to hunt.You can also hunt all the WPA's that week.Be aware of the end of that week.....Thurs.through Sunday is teachers convention in both ND and Minn.It is when the most hunters are here.

[island guy]

We've been going for a long time. Finding spots to hunt has never been much of a problem. Where we go, north central, finding water has been tough the past couple years and this year will be no different. Very, very dry. Some of the relatives land had sloughs we hunted in the past and now could walk across with tennis shoes. Had not seen that in years. We'll probably pick another area of the state. Scouting ahead of time is always a good idea. We always ask permission even if it is not posted.

[carpshooterdeluxe]

gear up to hunt fields and you'll be fine. otherwise plan on fighting for parking space at the wpa's.

we were up there last year during mea weekend...hunted mostly fields, but spent the first day on a pothole. we had to walk in 1 mile through a wpa to get there. we showed up at 4 am and there were 5 minnesota trucks sitting in the parking lot already. we were on private land and absolutely had a blast with all them boys sending the ducks our way!

[Bryce]

Be ready to knock on doors. Don't be afraid of your non-res plates. Many areas have higher regard for these than the towners, especially if you can converse how you're spending $ into the local economy through hotels and eateries. May well be their close friends establishment.

[Blaze]

especially if you can converse how you're spending $ into the local economy through hotels and eateries.

Bryce, that may work with some, but I think principle is more important than the almighty dollar to most. Some people can take that kind of topic in conversation to be very arrogant and disrespectful like you're doing them a favor and you deserve to hunt their land. We have had our best success just being genuine, talking about the year's crops, how we are respectful of other people's property when we hunt, and how much we enjoy and appreciate coming out to hunt their area.

Just my opinion.

Respectfully,

Blaze

[KEN W]

Oops,I was wrong about teacher's convention.Minn is Oct. 16 and 17.ND is the next week.....Oct. 23 and 24.

[gonefishin11]

Hunter: "What is your favorite type of beer?"

Landowner: "(Insert answer here)"

Hunter: "You will have one on your doorstep tomorrow morning."

This has helped us get permission for the first slough/field in question and usually three of four more when the land owner gets his or her beer. Bring a map because they will often start circling their properties.