The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is informing landowners about a series of Conservation Reserve Program workshops hosted by Pheasants Forever. These workshops are intended for landowners interested in learning more about the CRP general signup, which began on Dec. 1, 2015 and ends Feb. 26, 2016.

Game and Fish Department private lands biologists, Pheasants Forever farm bill biologists, and other conservation partners will discuss ways that landowners can improve their odds of enrolling land into CRP, as well as additional resources for cost-share assistance and other incentives, including the Private Land Open to Sportsmen or PLOTS program. Following a short presentation, biologists and other conservation partners will be available to discuss options one-on-one with landowners.

Landowners who are not able to attend any of the sessions but are interested in further program information can call the Game and Fish Bismarck office at 701-328-6300; or email ndgf@nd.gov.

Workshop dates and contacts are listed below:

Feb. 2 – Forman, USDA Service Center, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Jordan Croatt, 701-680-8713

Feb. 3 – Lisbon, Ransom County Fairgrounds, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Jordan Croatt, 701-680-8713

Feb. 4 – Wahpeton, USDA Service Center, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Jordan Croatt, 701-680-8713

Feb. 4 – Devils Lake, USDA Service Center, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Brandon Meyer, 701-710-1496

Feb. 9 – Center, Civic Center, 10 a.m.; Justin Edwards, 712-292-0510

Individuals interested in taking a hunter education class in 2016 are reminded to register early as most classes are held the first few months of the calendar year.

To register for a hunter education course, students need to sign up online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov. Many classes will be added over the next several weeks, and the rest will be added throughout the year as they are finalized.

To register, click on the online services tab, and “online course enrollment” under the hunter education heading. Classes are listed by city, and can also be sorted by start date. To register for a class, click on “enroll” next to the specific class, and follow the simple instructions. Personal information is required.

Those who do not have access to the Internet and want to sign up for a class can call the hunter education program in Bismarck at 701-328-6615.

Individuals interested in receiving a notice by email when each hunter education class is added can click on the “subscribe to news alerts” link found below the news section on the department’s home page. Check the box labeled “hunter education class notification” under the education program updates.

In addition, SMS text notifications of new classes can be sent directly to a cell phone. To subscribe to this feature, simply text “NDGF HunterClass” to 468311.

State law requires anyone born after December 31, 1961 to pass a certified hunter education course to hunt in the state. Hunter education is mandatory for youth who are turning 12 years old, and children can take the class at age 11.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is informing landowners about a series of Conservation Reserve Program workshops hosted by Pheasants Forever. These workshops are intended for landowners interested in learning more about the CRP general signup, which began on Dec. 1, 2015 and ends Feb. 26, 2016.

Game and Fish Department private lands biologists, Pheasants Forever farm bill biologists, and other conservation partners will discuss ways that landowners can improve their odds of enrolling land into CRP, as well as additional resources for cost-share assistance and other incentives, including the Private Land Open to Sportsmen or PLOTS program. Following a short presentation, biologists and other conservation partners will be available to discuss options one-on-one with landowners.

Landowners who are not able to attend any of the sessions but are interested in further program information can call the Game and Fish Bismarck office at 701-328-6300; or email ndgf@nd.gov.

Workshop dates and contacts are listed below:

Jan. 26 – Hazen, D’Andreas Hot Stuff Pizza, 1-3 p.m.; Justin Edwards, 712-292-0510

Jan. 26 – Ellendale, USDA Service Center, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Jordan Croatt, 701-680-8713

Jan. 28 – New Salem, Fairgrounds, 1-3 p.m.; Justin Edwards, 712-292-0510

Feb. 2 – Forman, USDA Service Center, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Jordan Croatt, 701-680-8713

Feb. 3 – Lisbon, Ransom County Fairgrounds, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Jordan Croatt, 701-680-8713

Feb. 4 – Wahpeton, USDA Service Center, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Jordan Croatt, 701-680-8713

Feb. 4 – Devils Lake, USDA Service Center, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Brandon Meyer, 701-710-1496

Feb. 9 – Center, Civic Center, 10 a.m.; Justin Edwards, 712-292-0510

Registration for 2016 hunter education classes is in full swing. In North Dakota persons born after 1961 must have completed a hunter education course prior to obtaining a firearm or bow hunting license. In this video, Department hunter education supervisor John Mazur discusses these classes and explains how to find and sign up for a class near you.

ND Outdoors Weekly Webcast Hunter Education

To find an upcoming class click here.

More information may also be found at http://gf.nd.gov/education/hunter-education.

have you read?

The January issue of North Dakota Outdoors magazine is available FREE online right now. It’s highlighted a look back at North Dakota Outdoors for the year of 2015.  Statistics compiled by the Game and Fish Department revealed more than 222,000 fishing licenses were sold last year, an increase of 3,000 from 2013-14. Resident license sales were down slightly from last year’s record, but the number of nonresident licenses issued grew by 5,000, establishing a new mark of nearly 65,000.

Ron Wilson details the Migratory Bird Hunting Frameworks.  Starting with the 2016-17 hunting seasons, according to the USFWS announcement, the previous two-cycle regulatory practice is now compressed into a single, annual process.

Check these stories and more for free in the full January issue available right here or here http://gf.nd.gov/publications

The Conservation Reserve Program is open for general signup from Dec 1, 2015 until Feb 26, 2016. Workshops will be held across the state by Pheasants Forever to help landowners improve their odds of being accepted into the program.

Additional resources for cost share assistance and other incentives including the PLOTS program will also be discussed at these workshops.  Learn more about CRP and these workshops in this week’s webcast with Department private lands program section leader Kevin Kading.

Also see http://gf.nd.gov/private-land-programs/crp-and-other-programs/workshops for more information.

North Dakota citizens with an interest in supporting wildlife conservation programs are reminded to look for the Watchable Wildlife checkoff on the state tax form.

The state income tax form gives wildlife enthusiasts an opportunity to support nongame wildlife like songbirds and birds of prey, while at the same time contributing to programs that help everyone enjoy all wildlife.

The checkoff – whether you are receiving a refund or having to pay in – is an easy way to voluntarily contribute to sustain this long‑standing program. In addition, direct donations to the program are accepted any time of year.

To learn more about Watchable Wildlife program activities, visit the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is informing landowners about a series of Conservation Reserve Program workshops hosted by Pheasants Forever. These workshops are intended for landowners interested in learning more about the CRP general signup, which began on Dec. 1, 2015 and ends Feb. 26, 2016.

Game and Fish Department private lands biologists, Pheasants Forever farm bill biologists, and other conservation partners will discuss ways that landowners can improve their odds of enrolling land into CRP, as well as additional resources for cost-share assistance and other incentives, including the Private Land Open to Sportsmen or PLOTS program. Following a short presentation, biologists and other conservation partners will be available to discuss options one-on-one with landowners.

Landowners who are not able to attend any of the sessions but are interested in further program information can call the Game and Fish Bismarck office at 701-328-6300; or email ndgf@nd.gov.

Workshop dates and contacts are listed below:

Jan. 19 – Hettinger, NDSU Research Extension Center, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Rachel Bush, 701-403-4853

Jan. 19 – Regent, American Legion, 3:30 – 5 p.m.; Rachel Bush, 701-403-4853

Jan. 26 – Hazen, D’Andreas Hot Stuff Pizza, 1-3 p.m.; Justin Edwards, 712-292-0510

Jan. 26 – Ellendale, USDA Service Center, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Jordan Croatt, 701-680-8713

Jan. 28 – New Salem, Fairgrounds, 1-3 p.m.; Justin Edwards, 712-292-0510

Feb. 2 – Forman, USDA Service Center, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Jordan Croatt, 701-680-8713

Feb. 3 – Lisbon, Ransom County Fairgrounds, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Jordan Croatt, 701-680-8713

Feb. 4 – Wahpeton, USDA Service Center, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Jordan Croatt, 701-680-8713

Feb. 4 – Devils Lake, USDA Service Center, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Brandon Meyer, 701-710-1496

Feb. 9 – Center, Civic Center, 10 a.m.; Justin Edwards, 712-292-0510 

Each January, Game and Fish Department biologists participate in the Mid-winter Waterfowl Survey.

This survey is a cooperative effort that surveys waterfowl populations in the US and parts of Canada and Mexico.

The survey, conducted since 1935, provides information on waterfowl population statuses and distribution.

Learn more about this survey from department migratory game bird management supervisor Mike Szymanski.

Watch the video by clicking here or here: http://gf.nd.gov/publications/television/outdoors-online-webcast

Mid Winter Waterfowl Survey