Monthly Archives: February 2021

Scholarships Available for Students

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The North Dakota Game Wardens Association and the Ray Goetz Memorial Fund are sponsoring scholarships for graduating high school seniors or current higher education students interested in majoring in wildlife law enforcement or a related field.

Applicants must be North Dakota residents, be in good academic standing and have an interest in wildlife law enforcement or a related field. Scholarships will be awarded in fall upon proof of enrollment.

Applications are available by contacting the North Dakota Game Warden’s Association, ndgamewardens@gmail.com. Applications must be received no later than May 31.

North Dakota Game and Fish Violations Tallied

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The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s enforcement division has tallied the number of hunting, angling and boating citations for 2020, and failure to carry a license was the number one violation.

 Game wardens issued more than 2,600 citations last year. Counties with the most violations were Ramsey (320), Williams (163) and McKenzie (128). 

The most common violations and number issued were:

  • Boating (659): inadequate number of personal flotation devices (261); use of unlicensed/unnumbered boat (138); and failure to display boat registration (108).
  • Licensing (515): failure to carry license (306) and hunting/fishing/trapping without proper license (182).
  • Small game (377): using shotgun capable of holding more than three shells (96) and exceeding limit (68).
  • Fishing (315): aquatic nuisance species violations (84) and exceeding limit (65).
  • Miscellaneous (227): criminal trespass (76); minor in possession (46); and possession of a controlled substance (33).
  • General (226): hunting on posted land without permission (72); loaded firearm in vehicle (59); and use of motor vehicle in restricted area (47).
  • Big game (170): illegal taking/possession of big game (72); tagging violations (17); and failure to wear fluorescent orange (15).
  • Wildlife management areas/refuge (165): PLOTS access violations (60) and failure to obey posted regulations (57).
  • Furbearer (21): use/possession of illegal snares (8) and harassing with motor vehicle (6).

 While wardens issued more than 2,600 citations in 2020, that number hardly compares to the number of people who were contacted by wardens and no citations were issued. These license checks, boating safety inspections, public safety calls, wildlife issues, the list goes on, are as important as the number of citations issued.

 For instance, between Sept. 1, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2020, there were nearly 12,000 contacts made by game wardens and about 1,000 citations issued.

 A summary of 2020 violations is printed in the Game and Fish Department’s February issue of North Dakota OUTDOORS.

Spring Light Goose Conservation Order

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North Dakota’s spring light goose conservation order opens Feb. 20 and continues through May 9.

Residents must have a valid current season 2020-21 (valid through March 31) or 2021-22 (required April 1) combination license; or a small game, and general game and habitat license. Resident youth under age 16 only need the general game and habitat license. The 2021-22 license is available for purchase beginning March 15.

Nonresidents need a 2021 spring light goose conservation order license. The cost is $50 and is valid statewide. Nonresidents who hunt in spring remain eligible to buy a fall season license. The spring license does not count against the 14-day fall waterfowl hunting season regulation.

In addition, nonresident youth under age 16 can purchase a license at the resident fee if their state has youth reciprocity licensing with North Dakota.

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

Resident and nonresident licenses are available online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov, or by calling 800-406-6409.

Hunters must register annually with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting in each state. The HIP number can be obtained online, or by calling 888-634-4798. The HIP number obtained for North Dakota’s spring conservation order is also valid for North Dakota’s fall hunting season.

The spring conservation order 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 conservation order is closed to whitefronts, Canada geese, swans and all other migratory birds.

For more information on regulations refer to the 2021 Spring Light Goose Hunting Regulations and the North Dakota 2020-21 Hunting and Trapping Guide.

Paddlefish Snagging Season Expected

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North Dakota Game and Fish Department officials anticipate a normal paddlefish snagging season in 2021, unless COVID-19 safety concerns deem the activity unsafe.

 The season in 2020 was canceled because of pandemic concerns.

 The Game and Fish Department will further update those interested in the paddlefish snagging season, which is scheduled to open on May 1, on the status of the season.

Hunter Education Classes

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Individuals interested in taking a hunter education class in 2021 must click on the education link at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.

Hunter education coordinator Brian Schaffer said students wanting to take an in-person class are reminded to register early, as most classes are held the first few months of the calendar year.

“We are holding traditional classes once again, and social distancing guidelines must be followed such as wearing masks and sanitizing, but we are able to gather and teach some of our classes,” Schaffer said. “In combination with our ability to start meeting again through traditional classes, we’re also going to increase our efforts with home study courses this year, as we did in 2020. We learned a lot from the experiences last year and we’ve improved the content.”

To register for a class, click on “enroll” next to the specific class, and follow the simple instructions. Personal information is required. Classes are listed by city and can also be sorted by start date. Classes will be added throughout the year as they become finalized.

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

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

State law requires anyone born after Dec. 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. Children who turn age 11 during the calendar year can take the class.