The Official Newspaper for Foster County
The Official Newspaper for Foster County
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Every hunter, angler and trapper can assess their own past seasons and look forward to the challenges and opportunities of 2024. The director of North Dakota Game and Fish and division chiefs are tasked with understanding and guiding the vested interests of all from Cavalier to Carson, from Crosby to Cayuga. It's a challenge to say the least, but here's a look at some of the issues from Jeb Williams, Department director. Looking back on the past year We had a full six months of winter (2022-23)...
While the deadline for removing permanent fish houses from North Dakota lakes is March 15, the state Game and Fish Department is urging anglers to consider removing their houses early in areas of the state where ice conditions are deteriorating. Given the current long-range weather forecast predicting temperatures well above normal, coupled with a marginal icepack in areas of the state, removing a fish house can be difficult or dangerous. It’s important to check ice thickness, especially this time of year. Ice conditions can vary from region t...
The next guide and outfitter written examination is March 30 at 1 p.m. at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department office in Bismarck. Preregistration is required no later than March 22 by calling the Department’s enforcement office at 701-328-6604. In addition to passing a written exam, qualifications for becoming a guide include a background check for criminal and game and fish violations, certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and standard first aid, and employment by or contract with a licensed hunting outfitter. Hunting o...
January 7 was the official end date for archery deer, pheasant, grouse, partridge and turkey seasons in North Dakota. While squirrel season is open through Feb 29, most of the hunting seasons are over. With spring snow goose officially opening in February and the spring turkey season opening April 13, I need to remind you the next round of hunter education classes begins when the last hunting seasons wrap up. State law requires anyone born after December 31, 1961, to pass a certified hunter...
Outdoor enthusiasts need to be aware of early ice conditions before traveling onto and across North Dakota waters. A few reminders include: • Edges firm up faster than farther out from shore. • Snow insulates ice, which in turn inhibits solid ice formation, hiding cracks, weak and open water areas. • Ice can form overnight, causing unstable conditions. Ice thickness is not consistent, as it can vary significantly within a few inches. • Avoid cracks, pressure ridges, slushy or darker areas that signal thinner ice. The same goes for ice that fo...
If you were born after 1961, are 12 years or older, you must take an in-person or home study certified hunter education course before you can get a firearm or bowhunting license in North Dakota. Individuals interested in taking a hunter education class in 2024 must click on the education link at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. 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 sor...
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual Earth Day Patch Contest is, in part, an effort to heighten the awareness about the environment in North Dakota and beyond. Students who participate will develop a patch design using five colors incorporating an aspect of Earth Day such as environmental awareness, respect Earth, water quality, wildlife, or habitat conservation in North Dakota. The contest is open to students in grades K-12. Winners are chosen from three grade categories (K-4, 5-8 and 9-12). Each winner will receive an outdoor ki...
The first time I felt safe enough to check the ice thickness was Thanksgiving weekend. It wasn't safe yet at 1.5 inches. A week later and it still wasn't. In early December we had 50-plus degree temperatures, making late season pheasant hunters and archery deer hunters smile. The ice anglers pumped their brakes and were frustrated having to wait even longer. The open water fishing in North Dakota in 2023 was record breaking according to Greg Power, fisheries division chief, and hard water...
The Endangered Species Act turned 50 in 2023 I can easily recall in the late 1980s seeing an endangered bald eagle feeding on a deer carcass off the road west of Napoleon in Logan County. Back in those days, if you saw a bald eagle and you could take a picture, you did. At the least you mentally marked the date, time and place and you made sure to phone it in. It was a big deal. While I'm still partial to the site of a bald eagle, it's become rather routine thanks to the amazing recovery of the...
Time seems to move so quickly nowadays and after more than three decades of freelance writing, it’s time to move on to different adventures. This week’s report signals an end of my work with as the creator of the Independent’s Dakota Recreation Report, although I will still continue doing some writing. Thank you, readers, for taking time to check out what’s happening each week, sponsors for supporting it, the Stocks and Amy for understanding that outdoor recreation is important to many North Dakotans, and the people I checked in with on a re...
Outdoor notes: *Ice is never completely safe. Avoid areas with vegetation, moving water, pressure ridges, and springs. Check conditions as you go along on the ice and don’t move around at night. *Dec. 21: West Canada Goose Zone closes. *Dec. 25: Have a wonderful Christmas. *Dec. 29: Missouri River Canada Goose Zone and light goose seasons closes. Fishing: *Devils Lake elevation, Dec. 12: 1,449.23 feet above mean sea level (MSL). *Stump Lake elevation: 1,449.16 MSL. *Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,839.55 MSL; 17,200 cubic feet per second average (...
Bismarck, N.D. – North Dakota’s snowmobile season opened on Dec. 1, but several conditions must be met before the state’s 2,800 miles of snowmobile trails are open, groomed and ready for travel. Adequate snow cover of four inches must be on the ground to allow for trail packing and grooming. Signs must be put in place, and to travel across wetland areas the ice must be thick enough to support the weight of trail groomers. The public is encouraged to download the free Snowmobile North Dakota interactive trail map mobile app to view updat...
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department annually provides its best estimate for opening dates to help hunters prepare for hunting seasons. Dates become official when approved by governor's proclamation. Tentative opening dates for 2024 include: • Spring Turkey: April 13 • Deer and Pronghorn Bow, Mountain Lion: Aug. 30 • Dove: Sept. 1 • Youth Deer: Sept. 13 • Sharptail, Hun, Ruffed Grouse, Squirrel, Youth Waterfowl: Sept. 14 • Early Resident Waterfowl: Sept. 21 • Regular Waterfowl: Sept. 28 • Pronghorn Gun: Oct. 4 • Youth Pheasant: Oct. 5...
Nonprofit organizations eligible to receive big game hunting licenses in 2024 must have the application submitted to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department no later than Jan. 1. North Dakota state law provides direction for the Game and Fish director to allocate big game hunting licenses to eligible organizations. Under this directive, up to two elk, moose and pronghorn licenses, and 10 white-tailed deer licenses, can be issued to organizations for fundraising. Eligible organizations must be exempt from federal income taxation under section...
Outdoor notes: *Current ice conditions on many lakes aren’t conducive for access. Ice is never completely safe. Avoid areas with vegetation, moving water, pressure ridges, and springs. Check conditions as you go along on the ice and don’t move around at night. *Dec. 9: High Plains Duck season now open. Refer to N.D. Game & Fish Dept. regulations for open zone description. *Dec. 13: Registration opens for Feb. 9 – 11, 2024 WOW, Wild Outdoor Women, Lake Metigoshe State Park. Go to the N.D. Parks & Recreation Dept. website, (parkrec.nd.gov) and c...
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department and North Dakota Department of Agriculture are again opening the Coyote Catalog, a statewide effort designed to connect hunters and trappers with landowners dealing with coyotes in their areas. Landowners can sign up on the Department of Agriculture website, nd.gov/ndda/. Hunters and trappers can sign up at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov. Anyone who registered for the Coyote Catalog in the past must register again to activate their name on the database. Throughout winter, hunters or trappers may...
Educators interested in applying for the Urban Pollinator Program must apply by Jan. 10. The program was created to assist educational organizations in developing urban pollinator gardens. Elementary, middle, and high schools, special education schools, colleges, and educational clubs are eligible to apply. Limited spots are available. Go to gf.nd.gov/education/urban-pollinator-program for more information....
Outdoor notes: *Current ice conditions on any lakes aren’t conducive for access. Ice is never completely safe. Avoid areas with vegetation, moving water, pressure ridges, and springs. Check conditions as you go along on the ice and don’t move around at night. *Dec. 9: High Plains Duck season opens. Refer to N.D. Game & Fish Dept. regulations for open zone description. *Dec. 16: East Canada Goose Zone season closes. *Dec. 17: Muzzleloader deer season closes. Fishing: *Devils Lake elevation, Nov. 28: 1,449.22 feet above mean sea level (MSL). *St...
My guess is that most deer hunters don't tire of the "Turdy Point Buck" tune on the radio until the backside of deer season. For a change, though, I'd sure enjoy listening to a refrain about hunting antlerless deer in North Dakota. Then again, doe hunting doesn't quite get the credit it deserves. In fact, when stories of deer seasons past bounce around like an empty pop can in the box of a pickup, odds are you won't hear many recollections about "the time Todd got that doe down in the slough bot...
Outdoor notes: *Deer hunters need to beware of carcass and licensing transportation regulations. *Beware of the potential for thin ice on wetlands and lakes when hunting, including when bird hunting with dogs. *Please park out of the way of other vehicles and farm equipment on prairie roads and trails. *Nov. 27: N.D. Game & Fish Dept. public advisory meeting, Esmond Fire Hall, 7 p.m. *Nov. 27: Mountain lion Late Season Zone 1 opens. *Nov. 29: Dove season closes. *Dec. 1: Muzzleloader deer season opens. *Dec. 3: High and Low Plains Duck seasons...
Outdoor notes: *Deer hunters need to beware of carcass and licensing transportation regulations. *Beware of the potential for thin ice on wetlands and lakes when hunting, including when bird hunting with dogs. *Please park out of the way of other vehicles and farm equipment on prairie roads and trails. *Nov. 23: Happy Thanksgiving. *Nov. 26: Deer gun season closes. *Nov. 26: Mountain lion Zone 1 season closes. *Nov. 27: N.D. Game & Fish Dept. public advisory meeting, Esmond Fire Hall, 7 p.m. *Nov. 27: Mountain lion Late Season Zone 1 opens....
Outdoor notes: *Beware of the potential for thin ice on wetlands and lakes when hunting, including when bird hunting with dogs. *Please park out of the way of other vehicles and farm equipment on prairie roads and trails and avoid tearing up them up with muddy conditions across much of the state. *Nov. 18: Ducks Unlimited & Pekin Rod & Gun Club wild game feed, Pekin Community Center, 5 p.m. *Nov. 23: Happy Thanksgiving. *Nov. 26: Deer gun season closes. *Nov. 26: Mountain lion Zone 1 season closes. *Nov. 27: N.D. Game & Fish Dept. public...
North Dakota’s deer gun season, arguably the state’s most anticipated and celebrated hunting season, opens Nov. 10 at noon Central time. The Game and Fish Department’s standardized opening day of North Dakota’s deer gun season is determined by the calendar and always opens the Friday immediately preceding Veterans Day, Nov. 11. This is to ensure that the opening day of North Dakota’s deer gun season does not occur on the federal holiday. The last time the opener of the 16½-day season fell on the second weekend in November and ran through Th...
Outdoor notes: *Please park out of the way of other vehicles and farm equipment on prairie roads and trails. *Nov. 6: Fall crow season closes. *Nov. 10: Deer gun season opens. *Nov. 12: Sandhill crane season closes. *Nov. 18: Ducks Unlimited & Pekin Rod & Gun Club wild game feed, Pekin Community Center, 5 p.m. Fishing: *Devils Lake elevation, Oct. 31: 1,499.35 feet above mean sea level (MSL). *Stump Lake elevation: 1,449.34 MSL. *Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,840.06 MSL; 16,900 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases....
Outdoor notes: *Please park out of the way of other vehicles and farm equipment on prairie roads and trails. *Nov. 6: Fall crow season closes. *Nov. 10: Deer gun season opens. Fishing: *Devils Lake elevation, Oct. 24: 1,499.33 feet above mean sea level (MSL). *Stump Lake elevation: 1,499.28 MSL. *Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,840.06 MSL; 17,100 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases. *N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: No reports from Devils Lake or east-central area lakes. Weather permitting, anglers finding...
