Midnight tonight is the spring turkey deadline for North Dakota. Apply online at www.gf.nd.gov

Spring Light Goose Licenses Available

Light goose hunters planning to hunt during North Dakota’s spring season can purchase a license online at the state Game and Fish Department’s website. The season opens Feb. 16 and continues through May 5.

Residents can hunt during the spring season by having last fall’s 2012-13 bird licenses. Otherwise, hunters will need to purchase either a 2013-14 combination license; or a small game, and general game and habitat license.

Nonresidents, regardless of age, need a 2013 spring light goose season license. The cost is $50 and the license is good statewide. Nonresidents who hunt the spring season remain eligible to buy a fall season license. The spring season does not count against the 14-day fall hunting season regulation.

A federal duck stamp is not required for either residents or nonresidents.

Licenses are available only from the Game and Fish Department’s Bismarck office, the department’s website at gf.nd.gov, or by calling (800) 406-6409.

Availability of food and open water dictate when snow geese arrive in the state. Early migrants generally start showing up in the southeast part of the state in mid-to-late March, but huntable numbers usually aren’t around until the end of March or early April. If this winter’s mild weather conditions continue, light geese could arrive earlier than normal.  However, movements into and through the state will depend on available roosting areas and the extent of the snow line.

Hunters must obtain a new Harvest Information Program registration number before venturing out into the field. The HIP number can be obtained online or by calling (888) 634-4798. The HIP number is good for the fall season as well, so spring hunters should save it to record on their fall license.

The Game and Fish Department will provide hunters with migration updates once geese have entered the state. Hunters can access the department’s website, or call (701) 328-3697, to receive generalized locations of bird sightings in North Dakota until the season ends or geese have left the state. Migration reports will be updated periodically during the week.

The spring season is only open to light geese – snows, blues, and Ross’s. Species identification is important because white-fronted and Canada geese travel with light geese. The season is closed to whitefronts, Canada geese, swans and all other migratory birds.

Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. There is no daily bag limit or possession limit. Electronic and recorded calls, as well as shotguns capable of holding more than three shells, may be used to take light geese during this season.

There are no waterfowl rest areas designated for the spring season. Hunters should note that private land within waterfowl rest areas closed last fall may be posted closed to hunting.

Nontoxic shot is required for hunting all light geese statewide. Driving off established roads and trails is strongly discouraged during this hunt because of the likelihood of soft, muddy conditions, and winter wheat that is planted across the state.

To maintain good landowner relations, hunters are advised to seek permission before hunting on private lands or attempting any off-road travel during this season. Sprouted winter wheat is considered an unharvested crop. Therefore, hunting or off-road travel in winter wheat is not legal without landowner permission.

All regular hunting season regulations not addressed above apply to the spring season. For more information on regulations refer to the 2013 Spring Light Goose Hunting Regulations and the 2012 North Dakota Waterfowl Hunting Guide.

The state Game and Fish Department is offering 5,930 wild turkey licenses for the spring hunting season, an increase of 135 from last year. The increase is a result of better production and chick recruitment.

Seven of the 22 hunting units have more spring licenses than in 2012, while 12 remain the same. Unit 21 (most of Hettinger and Adams counties) is again closed in 2013 due to lack of turkeys in the unit.

Successful spring turkey applicants must purchase a 2013-14 hunting license, as last year’s 2012-13 licenses expire March 31. In addition to the spring turkey license, hunters must have a fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate, and a general game and habitat license. Also, hunters ages 16 and older must possess a small game license, or combination license.

First-time spring turkey hunters ages 15 or younger are eligible to receive one spring license valid for the regular hunting season in a specific unit. To be eligible, the youth hunter must be 15 or younger on opening day of spring turkey season, and have never received a spring turkey license in North Dakota.

Spring turkey applicants can apply online at the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. Applications can also be submitted by calling (800) 406-6409.

Application forms will also be available by Feb. 1 at most license vendors, county auditors and Game and Fish offices. The deadline for applying is Feb. 13. Online or phone applications must be logged before midnight that day.

Spring turkey licenses are available only to North Dakota residents. The spring turkey season opens April 13 and continues through May 19.

Coyote Catalog Connects Landowners with Hunters, Trappers

Contact: Terry Steinwand, Game and Fish Director, (701) 328-6305

The state Agriculture and Game and Fish departments have launched a cooperative project to connect coyote hunters and trappers with landowners who would like to reduce coyote populations in their area.

Called the “Coyote Catalog,” the project creates an online database similar to what the North Dakota Game and Fish Department has used for the past several years to match deer hunters with farmers/ranchers who wanted to reduce deer populations on their land.

Registration

• ·      Landowners can sign up via the North Dakota Department of Agriculture’s website at http://www.nd.gov/ndda/coyote-catalog. Required information includes county and contact information.
• ·      Hunters and trappers can sign up at the Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov.

Landowners will receive information on hunters interested in hunting and/or trapping in their county and will need to make the initial contact with prospective hunters.

“We’re pleased to have a collaborative project such as this with the Department of Agriculture, that is meant to provide a service to match those who want to hunt or trap coyotes, and those who may have a problem with coyotes on their land,” said Game and Fish Department Director Terry Steinwand. “This type of system has worked well in getting those landowners with deer and hunters together and we believe this can work equally as well.”

Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring says, “This is a critical issue for livestock producers, especially entering calving and lambing season. There is a high risk of incidence when you have a high population of coyotes. This program is a great and effective partnership between our agencies, and certainly between our state’s landowners and hunters and trappers.”

The Coyote Catalog will remain active through March 31, and then start up again next winter.

Sign Up for Winter BOW

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program has a few openings available for a one-day winter workshop Jan. 26 at Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Darling, and a three-day workshop Feb. 22, 23 and 24 at Lake Metigoshe State Park, Bottineau.

A darkhouse spearfishing class is offered for $50 at Upper Souris.

Dog sledding, snowshoeing, winter survival, darkhouse spearfishing, and cross-country skiing are classes available at Lake Metigoshe. Cost of the workshop is $135.

Women interested in the workshops are encouraged to register online at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov. Those interested should sign up immediately, as each class is limited to 12 participants. Preregistration with payment is required. Equipment and snacks will be provided.

More information is available by contacting Nancy Boldt at (701) 328-6312, Brittany Fish at (701) 527-3075, or emailndgf@nd.gov.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will have 180 any-deer bow licenses available to nonresidents in 2013. Similar to last year and pending the final proclamation, antlerless mule deer may not be legal to harvest within a large area of western North Dakota.

The deadline for applying is March 1. A lottery will be held if more applications are received than licenses available. If licenses remain after March 1, they will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants can apply together as a party. A separate check is required for each application.

The nonresident any-deer bow application is available at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov. The application must be printed and sent in to the department.

The number of nonresident any-deer bow licenses available is 15 percent of the previous year’s mule deer gun license allocation. The Game and Fish Department issued 1,200 antlered mule deer licenses in the 2012 deer gun lottery.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has scheduled an examination to select candidates for the position of district game warden. The test is at 10 a.m., Jan. 18, at the department’s main office in Bismarck.

Applicants must register to take the exam by submitting a letter of intent to chief game warden Robert Timian, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501 5095. Letters of intent must be submitted before 5 p.m., Jan. 17.

Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and have a bachelor’s degree. Other requirements are a current North Dakota peace officer license, or eligibility for a license, and a valid driver’s license. Candidates must have excellent interpersonal skills in communications and writing, and must not have a record of any felony convictions.

Game wardens enforce game and fish laws and related regulations in an assigned district and other locations as determined by the department. Wardens normally work alone under varied conditions, at all hours of the day, night and weekends. In addition to law enforcement duties, wardens assist in the areas of public relations, education programs, and hunter and boat safety education.

Game warden duties also require the ability to perform physically demanding tasks involving lifting and carrying large, heavy objects, walking and running over uneven terrain and tolerating adverse weather and other environmental conditions.

Selection procedures following the test may include an evaluation of the application, a structured oral interview, background and reference checks, and psychological and medical examinations.

The salary for beginning game wardens through training is $3,200 per month. Upon successful completion of training, the salary is $3,785 – $6,309 per month. Wardens also receive the state benefits package, including travel allowance. Uniforms and other equipment are provided.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has scheduled an examination to select candidates for the position of district game warden. The test is at 10 a.m., Jan. 18, at the department’s main office in Bismarck.

Applicants must register to take the exam by submitting a letter of intent to chief game warden Robert Timian, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501 5095. Letters of intent must be submitted before 5 p.m., Jan. 17.

Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and have a bachelor’s degree. Other requirements are a current North Dakota peace officer license, or eligibility for a license, and a valid driver’s license. Candidates must have excellent interpersonal skills in communications and writing, and must not have a record of any felony convictions.

Game wardens enforce game and fish laws and related regulations in an assigned district and other locations as determined by the department. Wardens normally work alone under varied conditions, at all hours of the day, night and weekends. In addition to law enforcement duties, wardens assist in the areas of public relations, education programs, and hunter and boat safety education.

Game warden duties also require the ability to perform physically demanding tasks involving lifting and carrying large, heavy objects, walking and running over uneven terrain and tolerating adverse weather and other environmental conditions.

Selection procedures following the test may include an evaluation of the application, a structured oral interview, background and reference checks, and psychological and medical examinations.

The salary for beginning game wardens through training is $3,200 per month. Upon successful completion of training, the salary is $3,785 – $6,309 per month. Wardens also receive the state benefits package, including travel allowance. Uniforms and other equipment are provided

North Dakota hunters are reminded that several national wildlife refuges open to late-season upland game bird hunting the day after the 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.

However, portions of each refuge are closed to hunting. Hunters should 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.

National wildlife refuges are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Hunters are reminded that use of nontoxic shot is required on all USFWS lands. State regulations found in the North Dakota 2012-13 Small Game Guide apply. Seasons for pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian partridge and ruffed grouse close statewide on Jan. 6, 2013.

Advisory Board Meetings Set

Outdoor enthusiasts are invited to attend a North Dakota Game and Fish Department advisory board meeting in their area.

These public meetings, held each spring and fall, provide citizens with an opportunity to discuss fish and wildlife issues and ask questions of their district advisors and agency personnel.

The governor appoints eight Game and Fish Department advisors, each representing a multi-county section of the state, to serve as a liaison between the department and public.

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

Date: November 26 – 7 p.m.

Location: 110 Main Street, Sheyenne

Host: Wild Things Taxidermy Shop

Contact: Greg Kolstad, 996-2282

Advisory board member: Tom Rost, Devils Lake, 662-8620

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

Date: November 26 – 7 p.m.

Location: Game and Fish Headquarters, Bismarck

Host: Lewis and Clark Wildlife Club

Contact: Mike McEnroe, 224-8335

Advisory board member: Frank Kartch, Bismarck, 516-2156

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

Date: November 27 – 7 p.m.

Location: Mountrail County Fair Building, Stanley

Host: Rolling Plains Sportsmen’s Club

Contact: Chris Pulver, 628-4242

Advisory board member: Robert Gjellstad, Voltaire, 338-2281

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

Date: November 27 – 7 p.m.

Location: Canad Inn, Grand Forks

Host: Grand Forks County Wildlife Federation

Contact: John French, 218-230-9101

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

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

Date: November 28 – 7 p.m.

Location: Community Center, Hankinson

Host: Hankinson Wildlife Club

Contact: Dave Paulson, 640-8391

Advisory board member: Loran Palmer, Wahpeton, 274-8826

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

Date: November 28 – 7 p.m.

Location: 528 21^st Street West, Dickinson

Host: Whiting Petroleum Company

Contact and advisory board member: Dwight Hecker, Fairfield, 575-4952

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

Date: November 29 – 7 p.m.

Location: Gladstone Inn, Jamestown

Host: Stutsman County Wildlife Club

Contact: Dave Brandt, 320-2055

Advisory board member: Joel Christoferson, Litchville, 973-4981

District 1 – Counties: Divide, McKenzie and Williams

Date: November 29 – 7 p.m.

Location: J.D. Electric, Crosby

Host: Crosby Area Sportsmen and Landowners

Contact: J.D. Nygaard, 965-6436

Advisory board member: Jason Leiseth, Arnegard, 586-3714

With the 12noon Friday deer opener rapidly coming my phone and ‘work’ load continues to ramp up. It’s ironic the times I’d like to push out more information blogging, the less opportunity I have. But that’s life. The accountant with a blog would love to have more time during the April 15th tax deadline, the political expert would’ve loved 25 hours in a day this week as well. You get the picture.

The bottom line going towards the season is 1) plan ahead for the weather and the hunt 2) put safety as number one in your planning and hunt 3) please take a step back to appreciate the unique and special 2012 deer season. The tradition and heritage of hunting in North Dakota is made over generations and do your part to keep the old traditions alive and don’t be afraid to forge new traditions.