North Dakota waterfowl hunters are reminded that the Missouri River zone Canada goose season closes at 2 p.m. Jan. 1, and the high plains duck and statewide light goose seasons continue on through Jan. 3.
Archery deer, fall turkey, sharp-tailed and ruffed grouse, partridge, pheasant and tree squirrel hunting seasons also continue through Jan. 3, 2016.
More information on the Missouri River zone and high plains duck unit boundaries is available at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov.
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. 10.
Patrick Isakson and Sandra Johnson of Bismarck received the Special Projects award, given to individuals who implemented a successful new project. They were recognized for their efforts with successfully revising the State Wildlife Action Plan. “Completing this effort required extensive coordination and communication responsibilities,” Steinwand said. “The effort and skill displayed in accomplishing this most difficult task is exemplary and worthy of appreciation.”
Russ Kinzler, Riverdale, and Corey Wentland, Bismarck, received the Solid Foundation award, presented to staff who demonstrate exemplary work in their field. Kinzler was recognized for his work with the Missouri River System, while Wentland was noted for his efforts with federal aid and grants. “Russ possesses an incredible work ethic, positive attitude, strong mechanical skills and field expertise, and maintains a great working relationship with angling groups,” Steinwand said. “Corey sifts through mounds of proposals, applications and reports, and has the answers to all the difficult questions.”
Aaron Robinson, Dickinson, 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. Robinson was recognized for his work involved with the proposed listing of the greater sage grouse under the Endangered Species Act. “The coordination effort which Aaron undertook with private landowners, agencies and other states was significant,” Steinwand said.
Wes Erdle and Kyle Hoge of Bismarck were presented with the Innovations award, which recognizes staff for implementing a process to improve department goals and objectives. They were recognized for their statewide efforts in fisheries development projects. “Wes and Kyle are challenged with the unprecedented task of dealing with access issues on a statewide basis, and have tackled these responsibilities with energy and pride,” Steinwand said. “Each project is accomplished to the highest standard.”
Jonathan Tofteland, Bottineau, was named North Dakota’s Boating Officer of the Year. Chief warden Robert Timian said Tofteland’s district boasts one of the most sought-after recreational lakes in the state. “Warden Tofteland spends a great amount of time patrolling in and around Lake Metigoshe by vehicle, boat, snowmobile and ATV,” Timian said. “His enthusiasm for boat and water safety enforcement is readily apparent.”
With winter finally here, a lot of folks are excited to get out and do some ice fishing. Find out what the fishing prospects are for the eastern part of the state this winter from North Dakota Game and Fish staff BJ Kratz, Paul Bailey and Randy Hiltner. The video interview is right here. And if you missed if you didn’t catch last week’s program, check out ice fishing prospects for the western part of the state here.
Eastern North Dakota Ice Fishing Youtube
To learn more about fishing in North Dakota – the regulations, buying a license, contour maps and more, visit the fishing portal on the Game and Fish Department website right here.
Blake Riewer, North Dakota Game and Fish Department district game warden stationed in Grand Forks, is the state’s 2015 Wildlife Officer of the Year. Riewer 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 said Riewer promotes safety by working diligently to be in the right place at the right time.
“Warden Riewer consistently takes on extra duties, which proves his dedication to his chosen profession,” Timian said. “He is constantly trying to improve his skills and tactics, which bodes well for the Department and citizens of North Dakota. He is most deserving of this recognition.”
Dan Halstead, wildlife resource management supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Riverdale, received the agency’s Director’s Award for professional excellence during the Department’s annual meeting Dec. 10 in Bismarck.
Terry Steinwand, Game and Fish director, said Halstead is known for his professional networking, project creativity and resourcefulness. “Dan’s unwavering commitment to the agency and resource are to be commended,” Steinwand said.
Halstead was mentioned for his dedication, eye for detail and management approach. “His aggressive management philosophy includes establishment of high quality food plots, tree and shrub plantings, grass and forb seedings, haying and grazing rotations, as well as the use of prescribed burning to enhance habitat for wildlife production and hunting opportunities,” Steinwand said.
To learn more about fishing in North Dakota – the regulations, buying a license, contour maps and more, visit the fishing portal on the Game and Fish Department website right here.
Winter anglers are reminded that any fish house left unoccupied on North Dakota waters must be made out of materials that will allow it to float.
A popular question this time of year is if campers qualify as legal fish houses. The answer is the same for any structure taken on the ice – if it’s left unattended, it must be able to float; if it’s not able to float, it must be removed when the angler leaves the ice.
Other fish house regulations include:
Anglers should refer to the 2014-16 North Dakota Fishing Guide for other winter fishing regulations.
Mountain lion hunting during the late season in Zone 1 is closed immediately. The zone’s late-season quota of seven was filled after the final cat was taken today.
Zone 1 includes land south of ND Highway 1804 from the Montana border to the point where ND Highway 1804 lies directly across Lake Sakakawea from ND Highway 8, crossing Lake Sakakawea then south along ND Highway 8 to ND Highway 200, then west on ND Highway 200 to U.S. Highway 85, then south on U.S. Highway 85 to the South Dakota border.
The mountain lion season in Zone 2, which is the rest of the state outside Zone 1, has no quota and is open through March 31, 2016.
The Coyote Catalog, a statewide effort designed to connect coyote hunters and trappers with landowners who are dealing with coyotes in their areas, is open for the winter.
A partnership between the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, the Coyote Catalog can be a good way for hunters and trappers to locate new places to go, according to Game and Fish Director Terry Steinwand.
Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring encourages landowners, especially farmers and ranchers who have problems with coyotes, to sign up for the Coyote Catalog. “Hunting and trapping are some of the many tools available to mitigate predator risk,” Goehring said.
This past season, nearly 50 landowners participated in the Coyote Catalog, along with about 650 hunters and trappers.
Landowners can sign up on the NDDA website at www.nd.gov/ndda/coyote-catalog. County and contact information is required.
Hunters and trappers can sign up at the NDGF website, gf.nd.gov.
Anyone who registered for the Coyote Catalog in the past must register again to activate their names on the database.
Throughout the winter, hunters or trappers may receive information on participating landowners, and they should contact landowners to make arrangements.
Goehring and Steinwand said landowners experiencing coyote depredation of livestock should first contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services.
The Coyote Catalog will remain active through March 31, 2016.
For more information, please contact Stephanie Tucker, NDGF, at 701-220-1871;satucker@nd.gov; or Jamie Good, NDDA, at 701-328-2233 or jgood@nd.gov.
