North Dakota Outdoors and beyond

Biologists are hopeful that as releases from Garrison Dam are ramped down in the weeks to come, far fewer of all species will be lost. In particular, the potential loss of smelt is a larger concern. “The smelt population in Lake Sakakawea has increased substantially in recent years and is currently spread throughout much of the reservoir due to abundant coldwater habitat,” Fryda said. “While we may lose some smelt through the intake structure, the entire population in Lake Sakakawea is not confined to a small area near the dam. Hopefully, what smelt are lost in the next six weeks will not adversely affect the population.”

Pronghorn Population Remains Low, NDGF Recommends No Season

North Dakota Game and Fish Department biologists recently completed the 2011 pronghorn population survey, which revealed the statewide population is 30 percent lower than last year. Therefore, the Game and Fish Department is recommending the pronghorn hunting season remain closed in 2011.

Bruce Stillings, big game supervisor in Dickinson, said three severe winters with high adult mortality rates followed by poor fawn production has dropped the statewide population estimate to approximately 4,500 pronghorn. Until last year when the population fell to 6,500 pronghorn, the statewide population had been at or above 10,000 animals since 2003, including two years with more than 15,000.

“Our numbers are declining with few young animals observed due to poor production in 2009 and 2010,” Stillings said. “To make matters worse, production this year was the lowest documented since biologists began surveying in the late 1950s.”

The aerial survey is flown in late June/early July after young-of-the-year are born and visible. Five airplanes covered more than 11,000 square miles of aerial transects within pronghorn habitat.

Survey results indicate the population in the western Bowman and southern Slope management regions are doing the best, while pronghorn in the northern badlands and northern Slope areas are in the poorest condition. Pronghorn in all management regions are well-below population objectives.

Northern Great Plains pronghorn are susceptible to dramatic population declines due to extreme winter conditions, Stillings said. The last three years have been a worst case scenario for pronghorn in North Dakota, similar to 1977-79 when three consecutive severe winters hit the region, resulting in closed seasons from 1978-1981.

“The last thing pronghorn needed was another severe winter,” Stillings said. “A much needed mild winter would increase adult survival and leave females in good condition for fawning.”

Biologists will continue to monitor pronghorn numbers in the future, and will reopen the season when the population returns to a level capable of withstanding a harvest.

The 2011 pronghorn season will be closed to both gun and archery hunters. Applicants who have accumulated preference points will maintain their current points.

New State Record Buffalo Caught

Keith Huschka’s catch on June 19 is the first entry on North Dakota’s list of state record fish in 2011. The Dickinson angler caught a 54-pound buffalo from the Heart River in the tail waters of Heart Butte Dam.

The 42-inch fish broke the old record of 51 pounds, 4 ounces taken by Joshua Bartz of Bismarck from the Missouri River in 2009.

Deer License Application Deadline Extended a Week

Because of flooding issues around the state, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department has extended the deer license application deadline by a week, from June 8 to June 15. Governor Jack Dalrymple signed an amendment to the deer proclamation this morning, approving the extension.

“So many people around the state have had other things on their minds recently,” Game and Fish Director Terry Steinwand said. “Adding a week to the deer application period may help some hunters catch up.”

The extra week should not cause much of a delay to the deer license lottery drawing, which typically takes place about the first week of July.

This is the first time that Game and Fish has extended the deer application deadline. “The circumstances we’re dealing with are unprecedented for this time of year,” Steinwand said. “We hope it’s the last time something like this comes up.”

Hunters are encouraged to apply online at the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.

The deadline applies to muzzleloader, regular gun, gratis and nonresident landowner, and youth antlered mule deer applications (specifically for antlered mule deer in units 3B1, 3B2, and 4A-4F).

Hunters who choose not to apply online can print out an application to mail at the Game and Fish Department website. Applications are also accepted by calling (800) 406-6409, and paper forms are available at county auditors, license vendors and Game and Fish offices.

Anyone mailing applications to the Game and Fish Department is advised to mail early because some post offices use the following day’s postmark for mail received after regular hours. The department’s online application feature will be deactivated June 15 at midnight.

A study of white-tailed deer in the Wing-Tuttle area has provided North Dakota Game and Fish Department biologists with invaluable information.

Bill Jensen, Department big game biologist, said research focuses on seasonal movements, mortality factors, habitat use, population biology and other management questions.

The study involved radio-collaring 62 adult females. In addition, four adult males, eight female fawns and six male fawns were ear-tagged. “We contacted area landowners in the fall of 2009 to let them know what we would be doing,” Jensen said.

In mid-February 2010, 48 deer were fitted with collars and tagged, and another 14 were collared this past winter. As of April 1, South Dakota State University graduate student Brian Schaffer has made more than 3,700 relocations of these radio-collared deer.

Some of the information biologists have obtained centers on general movement, and Jensen said the average distance deer move from summer to winter habitat is 3.8 miles. “The farthest a deer traveled was 17 miles, and the flip side of that is some didn’t move much as they stayed in the immediate vicinity of where they were collared,” he said.

A total of 16 radio-collared deer have died; one from starvation, four were harvested by hunters, three from vehicles, two from predation and six from undetermined causes. “The two confirmed deaths by coyote predation had been observed on deer with prior physical problems,” Jensen said. “Both of these deer were in very poor physical condition, one with an injured front leg and one with a fractured hind leg. These two were observed in progressively declining physical condition for four to six weeks prior to their death. This shows the value of having someone visually monitor the condition of deer.”

Schaffer was able to monitor the reproductive performance of 36 radio-collared adult females during the summer and fall of 2010; 26 were observed with one fawn and 10 had two fawns. Visual observations were not made on the remaining 12 does and their reproductive performance is unknown.

The study will continue through December, with a final report expected next summer.

A public awareness campaign held annually in May emphasizes the need for boaters to wears life jackets.

Nancy Boldt, boat and water safety coordinator for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, said this year’s National Safe Boating Week is May 21-27. “This annual week-long event reinforces the importance of personal flotation devices,” Boldt said. “Facts prove there is no safety substitute for wearing a life jacket while recreating on public waters.”

Failure to wear a PFD is the main reason people lose their lives in boating accidents. Boldt said each year, about 700 people nationwide die in boating-related accidents. Nearly 70 percent are caused by drowning, and eight of 10 victims were not wearing a life jacket.

North Dakota law requires Coast Guard approved PFDs in the following circumstances:

• On watercraft less than 16 feet in length, one wearable PFD must be on board for each person.
• Anyone being towed on water-skis, surfboard, or a similar device must wear a PFD.
• No person may operate or permit the operation of a personal watercraft without each person on board wearing a PFD.
• Watercraft of 16 feet or longer must have one wearable PFD for each person on board, and one throwable flotation device.
• On any vessel less than 27 feet in length, all persons 10 years of age or younger must wear a properly fastened, Coast Guard approved PFD.

Boaters are reminded to test life jackets for serviceability and fit. All straps and buckles must be intact and there should be no rips or tears in the fabric.

A new boating access site on the southeast side of Devils Lake, along with several other access sites around the lake, are being worked on and should be ready for activity by early summer, according to Bob Frohlich, fisheries development supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

The new access area along ND Highway 20 on the south end of Black Tiger Bay is an alternative to the Black Tiger Bay Recreation Area, which is no longer operable because rising water has topped the county road leading to the popular boat landing and camping area. Because of the flooded road, Game and Fish and State Parks and Recreation can no longer maintain the site, and have removed roadside directional signs.

Fortunately, the new access site is in the same general area, and Game and Fish personnel are working diligently to develop an access road and turnaround area, a 32-foot-wide poured cement ramp, courtesy docks and large parking area.

In addition, work at five other boat ramps around the lake is scheduled for completion by Memorial Day, if weather permits, Frohlich said. “Devils Lake has risen to a record elevation,” Frohlich added. “Since the ice went out we’re doing everything we can to keep current ramps usable or develop new ones.”

Spring work so far includes:

• Pelican Lake will have a temporary slide-in metal ramp constructed on the north side of Highway 19, just east of the junction of old Highway 281. A more permanent site farther east is scheduled for completion later this summer.
• Six Mile Bay (Schwab) turnaround and approach area were raised in early-May to elevation 1,458 feet above mean sea level. The ramps will also be extended to that elevation and will be done one at a time so one ramp is open at all times. “There isn’t much slope above 1,458, so that may be as far up as we can raise this site,” Frohlich said. “In addition, the high water levels have collapsed the septic system for the fish cleaning station. We are exploring other options to keep the station open and for getting rid of the waste.”
• The department is currently working on construction of a high-water ramp immediately north of the existing Creel Bay (Lakewood) ramp site.
• Work is also underway to raise the East Bay parking area and boat ramps to elevation 1,461 msl. That site will be closed while construction is underway.
• The Minnewaukan dump ground site is under water, but the department is pursuing development of a new boating access site to the south on Round Lake, which is connected to Devils Lake. Construction will begin by mid-May. Benson County officials are working with the Federal Highway Administration for approval to breach the old Highway 281 roadbed, which would greatly facilitate access to the main lake.

In addition to these ramps, Spirit Lake Casino ramp is operational. However, Henegar Landing (Dike Area) is closed this summer due to raising the dike that protects the city.

Grahams Island State Park is expected to remain open this summer, but the park is not taking reservations and camping is on a first-come, first-served basis. Those planning on using the park should call ahead (701-766-4015) for road conditions, camping availability and whether the ramp is useable. The Game and Fish Department’s appropriations bill includes a $400,000 grant to the Parks and Recreation Department for costs associated in raising the elevation of the access road from ND Highway 19.

Walleye, northern pike and white bass populations are all in very good shape, Frohlich said, and should continue to provide great fishing opportunities for years to come.

Anglers and boaters can access the Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov, throughout the summer to find the current status of Devils Lake boat ramps.

Paddlefish Snagging Season Closed to Additional Harvest

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department announced today that the state’s 2011 paddlefish snagging harvest season has been closed to protect the paddlefish population level.

The 2010-12 fishing proclamation allows for the Game and Fish Department director to close the snagging season early if it appears more than 1,000 paddlefish will be harvested. If the season had remained open through the intended closing date of May 31, the harvest cap of 1,000 fish would have been exceeded substantially, putting additional pressure on the existing population.

An additional snag-and-release season will run for a seven-day period from Wednesday, May 18 through Tuesday, May 24. Effective Wednesday, May 18 snag-and-release is legal only in that area of the Missouri River starting on the north shore from the Confluence boat ramp then east (downstream) one-half mile, and that area of the Missouri River starting on the south shore from the Confluence with the Yellowstone River then east (downstream) one-half mile. Both areas have boundary signs.

Paddlefish snaggers with an unused paddlefish tag can continue snagging, but must release all fish immediately. Snaggers who already used their tag on a harvested paddlefish are not allowed to participate in the additional snag-and-release period. For potential new snaggers, existing paddlefish tag vendors still have tags available for sale during this additional snag-and-release season.

Paddlefish snagging is allowed only from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (CDT) during each day of the additional seven-day season. No gaffs may be used.

Results from North Dakota’s spring sage grouse survey indicate the number of strutting males observed remains well below management objectives. Therefore, the sage grouse hunting season will remain closed in 2011.

Aaron Robinson, North Dakota Game and Fish Department upland game bird biologist, said biologists counted a record low 63 males on 12 active strutting grounds. Last year, 66 males were counted on 15 active leks in the southwest.

“Given the increased population in sharp-tailed grouse this year in the southwest, we were expecting the same by sage grouse,” Robinson said.

The number of males counted on leks each spring has gradually declined since 2000. In 2008, spring counts dropped dramatically throughout North Dakota’s sage grouse range. The specific cause of the decline was unknown, but West Nile virus was suspected. There is no indication that hunting has caused a decline in the population.

“Our numbers are declining at a consistent rate of about 5 percent a year,” Robinson said.

Sage grouse management in North Dakota has followed a specific plan developed by a diverse group of participants. The plan outlines hunting harvest objectives for the species with a recommendation that the hunting season close if the spring census indicates fewer than 100 males in the population. If the spring breeding population increases above 100 males, Game and Fish Department biologists will evaluate if a hunting season is plausible given the threats facing the species in North Dakota.

Sage grouse are North Dakota’s largest native upland game bird. They are found in extreme southwestern North Dakota, primarily in Bowman and Slope counties.

North Dakota’s 2011 deer season is set with 109,950 licenses available to hunters this fall, 6,825 fewer than last year and the lowest since 2001.

Randy Kreil, wildlife chief for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, said a continued reduction in deer numbers was evident in nearly all of North Dakota, except for some prairie units in the southwest.

“Declining deer numbers are indicative of three successive difficult winters resulting in high deer mortality and extremely low reproductive success,” Kreil said. “This, combined with nearly a decade of aggressive deer management when large numbers of antlerless licenses were issued in many units, lowered the state’s deer population down to, or in some units below, management goals.”

Available deer licenses by unit will either remain the same or slightly decrease, with the exception of some units in the southwest where deer populations remain above management objectives and winter mortality was least evident.

As a result, landowners in the southwest requested an early doe season in an effort to ensure an adequate harvest. Therefore, the 2011 deer proclamation offers a special herd reduction gun season for antlerless deer in units 3E1, 3E2, 3F1, 3F2 and 4F. Antlerless license holders can hunt with a gun in their respective unit from Sept. 23 through Oct. 7, in addition to the regular deer gun season.

A special herd reduction season is implemented in an area north of Bismarck along the Missouri River. A total of 200 antlerless licenses are available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Aug. 1. Interested hunters must provide written permission from a landowner in the area before a license is issued. These licenses are valid in all open seasons with the appropriate firearm or archery equipment, with the exception of centerfire rifles which are not allowed in this area for public safety reasons.

The mule deer population in the badlands also felt the bite of three severe winters, with survey numbers 23 percent below last year and 38 percent below 2007. As a result, significantly fewer mule deer licenses are available in 2011.

The number of licenses available for 2011 includes 4,550 for mule deer, a decrease of 2,725 from last year; 2,108 for muzzleloader, down 82 from last year; and 250 restricted youth antlered mule deer, a decrease of 70 from last year. The number of nonresident any-deer archery licenses will decrease to 682 in 2012.

North Dakota’s 2011 deer gun season opens Nov. 4 at noon and continues through Nov. 20. Online applications for the regular deer gun, youth, muzzleloader, and resident gratis and nonresident landowner seasons will be available by mid-May through the Game and Fish Department’s website at gf.nd.gov. Also, paper applications will be at vendors throughout the state the week of May 16. The deadline for applying is June 8.

Kreil recommends hunters turn in applications for the first lottery because last year all but three units were sold out, and licenses for this year are reduced even further.

Total deer licenses are determined by harvest rates, aerial surveys, deer-vehicle collision reports, depredation reports, hunter observations, input at advisory board meetings, and comments from the public, landowners and department field staff.