Baiting of Big Game Prohibited in Five North Dakota Deer Units

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is reminding deer hunters that hunting over bait is

prohibited in deer units 3C west of the Missouri River, 3E1, 3E2, 3F1 and 3F2.

Hunting over bait is defined as the placement and/or use of bait(s) for attracting big game and other wildlife to a specific location for the purpose of hunting. Baits include but are not limited to grains, minerals, salts, fruits, vegetables, hay or any other natural or manufactured foods. The designation does not apply to the use of scents and lures, water, food plots, standing crops or livestock feeds used in standard practices.

In addition to the units where hunting over bait is no longer allowed on either private or public land, hunting over bait is also not allowed on most other public land through the state, including state wildlife management areas; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service national wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas; U.S. Forest Service national grasslands; and all North Dakota state school, state park and state forest service lands.

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Deer Deaths Possible Indicator of EHD

Map of USA with North Dakota highlighted (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Wildlife biologists believe recent reports of white-tailed deer deaths in western North Dakota could indicate the presence of epizootic hemorrhagic disease.

Dr. Dan Grove, State Game and Fish Department wildlife veterinarian, said the reports have characteristics similar to previous EHD events, and initial necropsy results on a freshly dead deer from Burleigh County indicate the potential presence of EHD.

“Deer losses to EHD occur periodically,” Grove said. “Sometimes the incidents are isolated and affect few animals, and in other cases the disease is spread over a large geographic region.”

As of Aug. 28, less than 20 dead deer have been reported to the department in three counties – Bowman, Grant and Burleigh. However, the typical range where EHD is found in North Dakota is southwest of the Missouri River, and in large outbreaks most counties in this region are affected. 

Game and Fish is urging bow hunters and elk hunters in the field in early September to report any observations of dead deer, Grove said, and to report locations quickly so biologists can gauge distribution and severity. “To isolate the EHD virus, the animal cannot have been dead for more than 24 hours,” he added.

Information needed from each report is the species, age, sex and location. “It would be nice if we could get the legal description of the land, or a GPS coordinate, and a photograph if possible,” Grove said. “At the very least, we will need the number of miles and direction from the closest town.” 

EHD primarily affects white-tailed deer, and is most noticeable in western North Dakota when high whitetail populations combine with a hot and humid late summer and early fall. Most deer that die from this are infected before the first hard frost, which kills the biting midges that spread the disease, Grove said.

The last time North Dakota had significant deer deaths from EHD was 2011.

EHD causes dehydration and a high body temperature, causing deer to seek water prior to death. Other clinical and behavior symptoms may include respiratory distress; swelling of head, neck, and tongue; lesions on tongue and roof of mouth; indifference to humans; and in later stages, hemorrhaging from body orifices.

EHD is not a danger to humans. However, hunters should not shoot or consume a deer if it appears sick.

Hunters should report any dead deer observations to the Game and Fish Department at ndgf@nd.gov, or (701) 328-6351. 

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Iowa Commission Approves Changes to Fall Hunting Seasons

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Changes to Iowa’s waterfowl, deer and furbearer seasons, were approved during the April 12 meeting of the Natural Resource Commission of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The season proposals will be available for public comment in May prior to a public hearing on May 23.

Approved changes to the waterfowl regulations include a three zone, two season split with the Missouri River zone as the new third zone, and reduced Canada goose zone boundaries in some areas.

Changes to the resident deer hunting seasons this fall include reducing the county antlerless quotas by 13,000 in 20 counties, eliminating the November antlerless deer season, and shortening the January antlerless season by one week.

Approved changes to furbearer regulations include increasing the bobcat quota from 350 to 450 and river otter quota from 650 to 850.

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North DakotaLate-Season Hunting Opportunities End Soon

Image via Wikipedia

Late-season hunters still have time to get out in the field and enjoy North Dakota’s deer, waterfowl, upland game, turkey, small game and furbearer opportunities.

The season for Canada geese closes Dec. 22, except for the Missouri River Zone, which closes Dec. 30. The Missouri River Zone was created in 2008 to provide additional late season Canada goose hunting opportunities without reducing harvest in areas where crop depredation by Canada geese is a problem. Following the close of the regular Canada goose season, more than 95 percent of Canada geese in the state are within the Missouri River Zone, which has little Canada goose depredation within its boundaries.

Light goose hunting also closes statewide Dec. 30.

High plains duck hunting runs Dec. 10 through Jan. 1, 2012.

Archery deer, fall turkey, sharp-tailed and ruffed grouse, partridge, pheasant and tree squirrel hunting seasons continue through Jan. 8, 2012.

Bobcat, mink and weasel hunting and trapping are open through March 11, 2012. The mountain lion season in zone 2 is open through March 31, 2012.

Muskrat hunting and trapping close May 6, 2012, with trapping restrictions beginning March 12.

Fox, coyote, raccoon, badger and beaver hunting and trapping are open year-round.

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North Dakota: Popular Hunting Areas Affected by Flood

Image via Wikipedia

More than half of 72,000 wildlife management area acres along the Missouri River that were once a haven for wildlife and a destination for hunters will likely be devoid of each this fall.

North Dakota Game and Fish Department biologists say nearly 40,000 acres – some of the most pristine public hunting lands in the state – have suffered from months of flooding.

Jeb Williams, wildlife resource management supervisor in Bismarck, said 15,000 acres of the Oahe Wildlife Management Area have been inundated with water, essentially making it swampland that is at least temporarily unattractive to wildlife.

“This area south of Bismarck-Mandan has been extremely popular with deer and pheasant hunters, because it provides some of the best wildlife habitat in the state,” Williams said. “But this year’s flood has changed the dynamics dramatically.”

There are 20-plus WMAs from Williston to south of Bismarck on the Missouri River System, and many were entirely or partially flooded through spring and summer.

Kent Luttschwager, wildlife resource management supervisor in Williston, said hunters will have to adapt this fall, as wildlife populations that have called the Missouri River bottoms home are now displaced because of high water.

“Lewis and Clark WMA is popular with hunters because it offers some of the most prolific wildlife habitat in the region,” Luttschwager said. “But exceptional wildlife habitat has been covered in water for several months.”

Dan Halstead, wildlife resource management supervisor in Riverdale, said the spillway channel running through Riverdale WMA near Garrison Dam was originally 30 yards wide, but is nearly 200 yards wide today.

“But this area was only covered in water for maybe a week as the water quickly made its way back into the channel,” Halstead said. Because of this, he said access is gradually coming around, and will continue to improve through September.

“We are going to have some vegetation issues, but the river bottoms in this area is in better condition than Bismarck and Williston, just because of the prolonged effects of overland flooding in those areas,” Halstead said.

While no one can predict how much property will be lost to this year’s record flood, Luttschwager said it will take time to recover.

North Dakota: Flooding Affects Shooting Ranges, Moffit to Hold Public Sight-in Days

Image via Wikipedia

High water and the after-effects of flooding along the Missouri River will likely keep some public shooting ranges closed throughout the fall.

MacLean Bottoms range south of Bismarck, Wilton Mine range near Wilton, and Lewis and Clark range south of Williston are all closed until further notice.

Schmidt Bottoms range south of Mandan and Riverdale Wildlife Management Area range near Riverdale remain open.

To alleviate congestion in the Bismarck-Mandan area, the Bismarck-Mandan Rifle and Pistol Association, in cooperation with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, will host several public sight-in days over the next two months at their club shooting range near Moffit.

Jon Hanson, Game and Fish Department hunter education and range grant coordinator, said area residents are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity, especially with MacLean Bottoms and Wilton ranges closed due to flooding.

“The only public range available in the area is at Schmidt Bottoms south of Mandan,” Hanson said. “It is relatively small, and will most likely be crowded as hunting season approaches.”

To help minimize traffic at Schmidt Bottoms, Hanson said BMRPA has agreed to provide opportunities for the general public. In addition to a public sight-in weekend already scheduled for Oct. 1-2 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.), public shooters are invited to BMRPA Sept. 9, 4-7 p.m.; Sept. 23, 4-7 p.m.; Sept. 24, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Oct. 14, 4-7 p.m.; Oct. 22, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; and Oct. 29, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Shooters must abide by club rules, Hanson said, which are listed on the BMRPA website,bmrpa.org. “All participants are asked to respect the property, in addition to other shooters,” Hanson said.

The BMRPA club range is located near Moffit at 13839 262 St. SE. GPS coordinates are N 46°39′5.4″ W -100°22′30.7″. A printable map with directions is available on the BMRPA website.

Shooters sighting in firearms should always wear hearing and eye protection, keep their gun pointed in a safe direction, keep fingers off the trigger until ready to shoot, keep guns unloaded until ready to use, and identify the target and know what is beyond.

NORTH DAKOTA: East River Deer

South Dakota east of the Missouri River comprises the East River Deer area. This is rolling farmland divided by two major river drainages, the James and the Big Sioux. Whitetails abound throughout the area, with mule deer mixed in near the central part of the state.
Nonresidents may apply beginning in early October for unsold licenses.

• Season Dates:
  East River Deer - Nov. 19, 2011 - Dec. 4, 2011 

Deadline - Sept. 2 

East River Deer Application

North Dakota Special Missouri River Bottom Deer Hunt on Hold

Image via Wikipedia Flooding along the Missouri River north and west of Bismarck has prompted the State Game and Fish Department to put an experimental deer herd reduction hunt on hold.

The agency was going to start issuing up to 200 special antlerless licenses on Aug.1, but Department officials have postponed that process due to uncertainties over habitat condition and deer availability after floodwaters recede.

“This experimental season was designed to reduce deer numbers on private land in a relatively small area,” Randy Kreil, Game and Fish wildlife division chief said. “We had good support from landowners who were committed to hosting hunters, but most of them are dealing with flooding issues. Our agency and the landowners feel it’s better to wait a year and hope that normal conditions will return.”

The experimental season was set up so Game and Fish could match interested hunters with participating landowners. Randomly selected hunters would need to secure written permission from landowners before Game and Fish would issue a special license. The special antlerless licenses would have been valid in all open seasons with the appropriate firearm or archery equipment within the designated unit.

The experimental hunt area included land west of River Road and State Highway 1804, north and west of Bismarck, with Wilderness Cover Road near Pioneer Park as the southern boundary and 149th Ave. NW (north of Double Ditch Indian Village) as the northern boundary. During the regular deer season, much of this area is not open to hunting with centerfire rifles.

While Game and Fish will not issue special licenses, the experimental hunt area is still open to archery and gun hunting for those with appropriate bow or firearm season licenses.

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North Dakota Deer Hunters: Get Ready to Start Planning!

Image via Wikipedia

North Dakota's Deer Season Set, Apps Available by Mid-May

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.