Pheasant Season Opens Oct. 14, Good Conditions Expected
If the weather cooperates and temperatures remain mild, pheasant hunters can expect a season similar to 2005, according to Stan Kohn, upland game bird biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

"We could be on target to match, if not exceed, last year's harvest of 809,000 roosters," Kohn said. "It should be a good pheasant hunting season in North Dakota this fall."

Based on roadside brood count information gathered during late July and August, the 2006 pre-hunt pheasant population is up 37 percent from last year. Brood observations statewide were up 41 percent from last year, and average brood size was essentially the same as in 2005.

"The large number of broods increased the number of young observed, and that, coupled with the large number of adults in the population, will make for a high number of birds in the fall population," Kohn said.

Average brood size was down slightly from last year in the southwest and south central portions of the state, Kohn said, but hunters should not notice a change in the fall population from a year ago. "This was somewhat expected in these parts because of drought conditions may have affected young survival," he added. "However, the large number of broods observed in these regions will likely override the decrease in the number of young in the broods."

The northwestern portion of the state should see much improved pheasant hunting over 2005, Kohn predicted, and the northeast will also see pretty good pheasant hunting conditions, especially in those counties right north of the interstate.

Parts of the southwest will see pheasant hunting similar to 2005, Kohn said, with many areas supporting more birds than last year. "The drought may have caused some problems with chick survival, but the large number of broods observed will cover the effects of this and hunting should be quite good," he said.

Kohn said hunters in the southeast should have another good pheasant hunting season. "Some areas will be similar to last year, but many parts of the district will have much improved pheasant hunting," he added. "Personnel are reporting many birds in the fields, especially in those counties bordering South Dakota."

The 2006 regular pheasant season opens Oct. 14 and continues through Jan. 7, 2007. Limits are three roosters daily and 12 in possession. Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset each day. Hunters should refer to the North Dakota 2006-07 Small Game Guide for regulations.

North Dakota's two-day youth pheasant season is Oct. 7-8, when legally licensed residents and nonresidents 12-16 years of age may hunt roosters statewide. Shooting hours, the daily bag limit, licensing requirements, and all other regulations for the regular pheasant season apply. Since the season is intended for youth ages 12-16, all hunters need to have passed a certified hunter education course. An adult at least 18 years of age must accompany the youth hunter in the field.

Hunters are reminded that Private Land Open To Sportsmen acreage and state wildlife management areas are open to hunting by resident hunters only from Oct. 14-20. Nonresidents, however, can still hunt those days on other state owned and federal lands, or private land.

New Practice Available to Landowners Improves Duck Nesting Habitat
A new duck nesting habitat practice (CP37) that enrolls wetlands and associated uplands into the Conservation Reserve Program is available to landowners after Oct. 1.

CP37, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Services Agency, allocates 100,000 acres in five states - Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota and North Dakota. North Dakota received 40,000 of the 100,000 acre allocation.

"Land may be enrolled in CRP under this practice on a continuous basis until the 100,000 acre allocation is reached," said Kevin Kading, private land section leader for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. "There is no restriction on the total acreage one landowner may enroll in CP37."

Eligible land includes cropland within areas identified as having greater than or equal to 25 breeding duck pairs per square mile. To be eligible, the land must include wetlands and adjacent upland acreage. Up to 10 acres of adjacent upland acreage can be enrolled for every one acre of wetland. CRP contracts can be for a period of 10 to 15 years.

All wetlands on enrolled acres must be restored to their natural state, Kading said. FSA will provide 75 percent of the cost of restoring hydrology. In addition, FSA will also provide cost share for up to 50 percent of the cost to establish appropriate nesting cover.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will provide up to 50 percent of the cost of grass seed, as well as additional incentives for landowners who allow public access through the Department's Private Land Open To Sportsman program. Other partners, such as Ducks Unlimited and the Natural Resources Trust, will also provide incentives to landowners enrolling land into the new practice.

Landowners interested in this new practice should contact their county FSA office or the North Dakota Game and Fish Department for more information.

Permit Required to Possess Protected Wildlife
The recent death of a black bear along Interstate 94 in western North Dakota has raised questions regarding possession of protected animals, according to officials at the state Game and Fish Department.

The bear, observed in numerous locations in Morton, Mercer and Oliver counties prior to Sept. 15, was found dead in the interstate ditch by a passing motorist. The motorist loaded up the bear and brought it to the Game and Fish Department's district office in Dickinson.

While a well-intended action, Game and Fish Department enforcement chief Bob Timian reminds citizens that a permit is required to possess any protected wildlife.

One type of permit is a hunting or fishing license that allows legal take of fish and game. Outside of that, Timian said, people need to contact the Game and Fish Department before taking possession of a dead animal they run across.

Since black bears are classified as a protected furbearer in North Dakota, that rule applies in this instance, but it also applies to deer or any other roadkills, or dead animals found away from roadways. "The first thing to do is to contact a game warden or department office," Timian stressed. "Just picking an animal up and hauling it away is not legal."

In many cases, Timian said, by following the proper procedure an individual may be able to keep the animals they find. The Game and Fish Department's first interest, as is the case with the bear, is whether the animal might be needed for scientific or educational purposes, Timian said.

Secondly, Timian added, Game and Fish officials might want to investigate the scene of a dead animal, especially away from roadways, to determine if there was any illegal activity or disease involved. "It's not that people can't have anything," Timian said, "in most cases we just want to verify what killed the animal before it's moved. That information may be of value to us."

For the bear incident, the state is not going to issue a citation to the individual involved, Timian said, and will allow him to keep the bear hide. The remainder of the bear will be used for scientific and educational purposes.

"He didn't know he wasn't supposed to move the animal, but he did the right thing by bringing it in to us," Timian stated. "It's a good opportunity for us to remind people that there is a process for obtaining a permit to possess protected animals, even if it's obviously a roadkill."

Fall Turkey, Swan, Deer Licenses Remain
Interested turkey, swan and deer hunters still have time to purchase a license for 2006.

As of Sept. 18, more than 650 fall turkey licenses remain in four units. Licenses are issued on a first-come, first-served basis to hunters who do not already have a license, or for those who want additional licenses.

Turkey licenses remain for the following units: Unit 04, portions of Billings and Golden Valley counties south of Interstate 94; Unit 13, Dunn County; Unit 17, portions of Billings and Golden Valley counties north of Interstate 94; and Unit 99, Mercer and Oliver counties.

The fall wild turkey season opens Oct. 14 and continues through Jan. 14, 2007.

Hunters who do not have a swan license for the 2006 hunting season still have an opportunity to purchase one, as 50 were still available as of Sept. 18. Remaining swan licenses will be issued only as a first license. The fee is $5 for residents and $25 for nonresidents.

The statewide tundra swan hunting season is Sept. 30 - Dec. 10.

Nearly 20,000 antlerless deer licenses are available to hunters who don't already have a license, or for those who want additional licenses. Doe licenses are still available in units 1, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F1, 2G, 2H, 2I, 2J2, 2K1, 2K2, 2L, 3A4, 3B1, 3B3, 3E1, 3E2, 3F1, 3F2, 4E and 4F.

These remaining licenses - and doe licenses that have already been issued and are printed with second, third or additional concurrent season designations - can be used during any open season:

bow season with a bow; the deer gun season with a bow, rifle, or muzzle-loader; or during the muzzle-loader season with a muzzle-loader. Hunters must stay in the unit to which the license is assigned.

The archery season is open through Jan. 7, 2007; the regular deer gun season opens at noon Nov. 10 and continues through Nov. 26; and the muzzle-loader season opens at noon Dec. 1 and continues through Dec. 17.

Resident and nonresident fall turkey, swan and deer hunters can apply online at the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. Applications are also available by calling the department's Bismarck office at 701-328-6300.

Proclamation Establishes Deer and Elk Transportation Guidelines
A proclamation establishing guidelines for transporting deer and elk carcasses and carcass parts into North Dakota has been sent to the Governor's office for consideration, according to Greg Link, assistant wildlife chief for the state Game and Fish Department.

The proclamation provides transportation and importation guidelines for white-tailed deer, mule deer and elk as a precaution against the possible spread of chronic wasting disease into the state.

Hunters are not allowed to transport into North Dakota the whole carcass, or certain carcass parts, of deer or elk from areas within states or provinces with documented occurrences of CWD in wild populations and private game farms.

CWD affects the nervous system of white-tailed deer, mule deer and elk and is always fatal. To date, CWD has not been diagnosed in wild or farmed deer or elk in North Dakota, but has been found in a growing number of locations across North America in recent years.

Scientists have found no evidence that CWD can be transmitted naturally to humans or livestock.

Hunters taking white-tailed deer, mule deer or elk from areas documented with CWD are allowed to transport the following portions of the carcass:

• Meat that is cut and wrapped either commercially or privately.
• Quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached.
• Meat that has been boned out.
• Hides with no heads attached.
• Clean (no meat or tissue attached) skull plates with antlers attached.
• Antlers with no meat or tissue attached.
• Upper canine teeth, also known as buglers, whistlers or ivories.
• Finished taxidermy heads.

The following game management units, equivalent wildlife management units, or counties have had deer or elk diagnosed with CWD, and only the carcass parts listed above from harvested elk, white-tailed and mule deer in these units will be allowed into North Dakota.

• Colorado - Game Management units 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 36, 37, 38, 51, 59, 84, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 102, 109, 161, 171, 181, 191, 211, 214, 231, 301, 391, 421, 441, 461, 521, 591, 951.
• Illinois - Counties of Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, DeKalb, and Ogle.
• Kansas - Deer Management Unit 1.
• Nebraska - Upper Platte, Platte, Plains, Sandhills, Buffalo and Pine Ridge units, which include the counties of Cheyenne, Kimball, Sioux, Scotts Bluff, Morrill, Sheridan, Box Butte, Dawes, Banner, Cherry, Hall, Deuel, Grant, Arthur.
• New Mexico - White Sands Missile Base (GMU 19) and GMU 34.
• Saskatchewan - Wildlife Management Zone 11, 12, 13, 14, 25, 46, 47, 50, 68 South and Fort a la Corne Wildlife Management Unit.
• South Dakota - Prairie units WRD-21A, WRD-27A, WRD-27B; and Black Hills units BHD-BH1, BHD-BD3, BHD-BD4.
• Utah - 8 North Slope ( Daggett County), 9 Vernal- Diamond Mountain ( Duchesne County), 16Central Mountains ( Utah and Sanpete counties), and 13 La Sal Mountains (Grand and San Juan counties).
• Wisconsin - any deer registered with a Wisconsin DNR Red Registration Tag from the area designated as the Disease Eradication Zone including deer management zones 70-CWD, 70A-CWD, 70B-CWD, 70C-CWD, 70D-CWD, 71-CWD, 73E-CWD, 75A-CWD, 75C-CWD, 75D-CWD, 76-CWD, 76M-CWD, 77A-CWD, 77B-CWD, and 77C-CWD.
• Wyoming - Deer Hunt areas 6, 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 22, 30, 33, 34, 41, 55, 57, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67,70, 73, 74, 75, 76, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 88, 89, 158, 164 or Elk Hunt areas 5, 6, 7, 125.

Additional units may be added as necessary, Link said, and the public will be informed of any dditional areas through the Game and Fish Department's website, gf.nd.gov.

Because each state has its own set of rules and regulations, hunters should contact the state in which they will hunt to obtain more information. "All hunters must comply with regulations in the state they are hunting," Link said. "These regulations do not supersede existing regulations."

2006 Waterfowl Regulations Set 091106
North Dakota 's 2006 waterfowl season has been set. Opening day for North Dakota residents is Sept. 23 for ducks, geese, coots and mergansers. Nonresidents may begin hunting waterfowl in North Dakota Sept. 30.

The daily bag limit for ducks has changed from previous years. Hunters may take five per day with the following restrictions: two scaup, two redheads, two wood ducks; and only one from the following group: one hen mallard, or one pintail, or one canvasback. For example, if you take a hen mallard, you cannot take a pintail or canvasback. For ducks, the possession limit is twice the daily limit.

The daily limit of five mergansers may include no more than two hooded mergansers.

The hunting season for Canada geese and light geese will close Dec. 21, and the season for whitefronts closes Dec. 3. Shooting hours for all geese shall be one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. each day through Oct. 28. Beginning Oct. 29, shooting hours are extended until 2 p.m. each day.

Extended shooting hours for Canada geese and white-fronted geese are permitted on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with shooting hours on those days from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

The daily bag limit for Canada geese during the regular season is three, with six in possession. White-fronted goose daily limit is two, with four in possession, and light goose limit is 20 daily, with no possession limit.

The special youth waterfowl hunting season is Sept. 16-17. Legally licensed residents and nonresidents 15 years of age or younger can hunt ducks, coots, mergansers and geese statewide. A licensed adult at least 18 years of age must accompany the youth hunter into the field. The daily bag limit and species restrictions are the same as for regular duck and goose seasons.

Season regulations include three nonre sident waterfowl zones that were used in 2005, or the option for nonresidents to purchase a statewide license. Nonresidents who designate zones 1 or 2 may hunt that zone for only one 7-day period during the season. Nonre sident hunters who have chosen to hunt in zone 1 or 2 and wish to use the full 14 consecutive days allowed must use the other 7 days in zone 3. Hunters in zone 3 can hunt that zone the entire 14 days.

In accordance with state law, nonresidents are not allowed to hunt on Game and Fish Department wildlife management areas or conservation PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) areas from Oct. 14-20.

All waterfowl hunters must register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting. Hunters purchasing a license from the department's Bismarck office, website (gf.nd.gov), or instant licensing telephone number (800-406-6409) can easily get a HIP number.

Otherwise, hunters must call 888-634-4798, or log on to the Game and Fish website, provide the registration information, and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. Those who HIP registered to hunt the spring light goose season do not have to register again, as it is required only once per year.

Hunters should refer to the 2006 North Dakota Waterfowl Hunting Guide for further details on the waterfowl season.

Wear a Life Jacket if Hunting from a Boat Set
Duck hunters hunting from a boat this fall are urged to wear a properly fitted life jacket to help prevent an unnecessary tragedy, warns Nancy Boldt, boat and water safety coordinator for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Nationwide last year, 18 hunters - none in North Dakota - lost their lives in boating accidents. "Capsizing and falls overboard are the most common types of fatal boating accidents of hunters," Boldt said. "This is directly related to the lack of stability of small boats."

Boldt suggests not overloading the boat, and making sure the boat is properly loaded and balanced before hitting the water. "Trouble generally starts before the boat even leaves the shore, because of too many people and too much equipment in one boat," she added. "When you have a number of hunters, with all their decoys, ammunition, guns and dogs, the boat can easily become unbalanced, especially if the wind comes up."

And fall in North Dakota often brings sudden changes in the weather. "Changes in wind conditions and the weather happen quickly, causing rough, choppy waters which can easily capsize a small, overloaded boat," Boldt said.

Sudden immersion in cold water can cause problems ranging from hyperventilation to heart attacks. "You get a feeling of helplessness upon entering the water," Boldt said. "Wearing a life jacket reduces the panic, allowing a hunter to deal with life threatening loss of body heat caused by cold-water exposure."

Hunters tend to not wear a life jacket because of the mindset that life jackets are uncomfortable and too bulky. "But now, h unting jackets can be bought with the life jacket as part of the jacket, as well as many inflatables that will only inflate if they are submerged in water," Boldt said.