North Dakota Outdoors: The lure of late season roosters

As North Dakota's cherished deer gun hunting season opens and closes in November, thousands of hunters end their hunting activities within the regular season's 16.5 days.

While the majority of pheasant hunters point toward late October and early November as their preferred time frame for chasing roosters, a couple factors would give good reason to keep the shotgun handy deep into December.

First of all, when the opening high of the first few weeks of season wanes, congestion of hunters seems to decrease. The longer the season wears on, the fewer hunters you'll see braving colder temperatures and more winter-type conditions.

Even though the roosters get edgy, many hardy souls will milk every last day from the season until it closes in early January. The same goes for sharp-tailed grouse and Hungarian partridge, each providing quality hunting opportunities, but getting on top of birds late in the season can be a challenge.

One last note on upland game hunting. Many national wildlife refuges provide late season upland game hunting opportunities. Check with your local refuge office to obtain maps for specific open and closed areas for pheasant and sharp-tailed grouse.

The fall turkey season extends until Jan. 5, and if you're inclined, the squirrel season is open through Feb. 28.

And don't forget late season Canada goose hunting. Providing that weather conditions haven't significantly worsened, December goose hunting provides one last crack at giant Canada geese. Though cold, wind and snow can pose a significant obstacle, many hunters relish this opportunity.

Finally, the end of the regular deer gun season is not the end of deer hunting. Archery season extends to Jan. 5.

Early December doesn't have to be down times for hunters or others wishing to spend a few more days outside. And don't worry if you're burned out on hunting. Spearfishing is open and a few weeks of freezing weather may have you putting the shotgun away, and getting geared up for another winter of hard water fishing.

One last note for those planning a fishing tournament for next summer and ice fishing contests this winter. Tournaments may not occur without first obtaining a valid permit from the department. Organizers are reminded to submit an application along with fishing tournament regulations to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department at least 30 days prior to the start of the event.