09-10-2007, 03:10 PM
Sharptails, Ruffed Grouse and Partridge Seasons Open Sept. 8
When sharp-tailed grouse and Hungarian partridge seasons open Sept. 8, hunters should expect bird numbers similar to last year, but improved vegetation in the state might make it a little harder to find them.
Both bird species came through winter in good shape, based on reports that spring counts were up slightly from last year. "Increased vegetation will provide additional escape cover, so hunters will have to work a little harder to locate birds," said Stan Kohn, North Dakota Game and Fish Department upland game management supervisor.
While the 2007 season opens Sept. 8 for sharptails, partridge and ruffed grouse, sage grouse season does not open until Sept. 24.
The spring sharp-tailed grouse census was up nearly 10 percent statewide, Kohn said, with areas southwest of the Missouri River and the Missouri Coteau region showing the largest increases.
Preliminary results from July and August roadside counts indicate improved numbers in birds and broods per mile, higher average brood size, and an increase in the number of young birds seen on routes compared to adult birds.
Hunters can expect the same for Hungarian partridge. Rural mail carriers saw more partridge per 1,000 miles this spring, and data gathered by biologists on summer roadside counts show the highest number of birds seen per mile of survey in five years in the southwestern and Missouri Coteau portions of the state. However, the central and northeastern sections are down slightly from last year, but still better than two years ago.
Ruffed grouse populations tend to run in 8-10 year cycles. Spring counts in 2006 showed small increases in the number of birds drumming, but 2007 counts were again at the lower end. The Turtle Mountains in Bottineau and Rolette counties and the Pembina Hills area of Cavalier and Pembina counties should provide hunters with the best opportunities this fall.
The sage grouse population should also be similar to last year. "Sage grouse tend to move toward water areas with green vegetation, but these may be hard to find in the southwest," Kohn said.
For further season information and regulations, hunters should consult the North Dakota 2007-08 Small Game Guide.
Sandhill Crane Season Opens Sept. 15
North Dakota's sandhill crane season opens Sept. 15. Hunters are urged to use caution and identify birds to prevent shooting at whooping cranes as they begin their fall migration.
The sandhill crane season is open through Nov. 11 in unit 1 (west of U.S. Highway 281), and through Oct. 21 in unit 2 (east of U.S. Highway 281). Limits are three daily and six in possession in unit 1, and two daily and four in possession in unit 2. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. each day through Nov. 3. Beginning Nov. 4, shooting hours are extended until 2 p.m. each day.
As in past years, prospective hunters need a $5 crane permit. Hunters can apply online, or print out a resident or nonresident application for mailing, at the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. HIP certification is required.
Hunters can also send the permit fee, along with personal information, including height, weight, sex, social security number, date of birth, color of hair and eyes, and hunter education number and state issued, to Crane Permit, NDGF, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501.
Hunters are also asked to report any whooping cranes that they see to: Bismarck-Mike Szymanski (701-328-6360), Long Lake NWR-Paul Van Ningen (701-387-4397), or Crosby-Tim Kessler (701-965-6488).
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend Set Sept. 15-16
North Dakota's two-day youth waterfowl season is Sept. 15-16. Legally licensed resident and nonresident youth waterfowl hunters age 15 and younger may hunt ducks, geese, coots and mergansers statewide.
The daily bag limit and species restrictions for the youth season are the same as for regular duck and goose seasons, and the September Canada goose season. Since the early September Canada goose season overlaps with the youth waterfowl season on Sept. 15, young hunters can harvest five Canada geese Saturday, Sept. 15, but only three on Sunday, Sept. 16.
Youth waterfowl hunters must be HIP certified, youth ages 12 and older need to have passed a certified hunter education course, and a general game and habitat license is required. Hunters age 15 and younger do not need a federal duck stamp.
Hunters who purchase a license through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department can easily get HIP certified.
Otherwise, hunters must call 888-634-4798, or log on to the Game and Fish website at gf.nd.gov, and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate.
Hunters are reminded to HIP register in each state for which they are licensed before hunting migratory game birds.
Shooting hours for the youth waterfowl season are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. An adult at least 18 years of age must accompany the resident youth hunter into the field, and a licensed adult is required to accompany a nonresident youth hunter. The two-day weekend hunt does not count against a nonresident adult hunter's 14-day regular season waterfowl dates.
Youth Deer Hunting Season Opens Sept. 14
North Dakota's youth-only deer hunting season opens for first-time hunters Friday, Sept. 14 at noon, and continues through Sunday, Sept. 23.
The season is statewide, except for restricted licenses and units in western North Dakota. After opening day, hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Solid daylight fluorescent orange vests or coats, and hats are required for all youth deer season hunters and their adult mentors.
Each youth deer hunter must be accompanied by an adult while in the field.
Active Military on Leave Can Hunt Small Game, Fish, Trap Without License
A new law allows some active military personnel to hunt small game, fish or trap in North Dakota without a license.
The 2007 North Dakota state legislature passed a bill that allows a resident who is on leave and on active duty with the United States military to hunt small game, fish or trap during the open season without a license. However, a federal duck stamp is required to hunt waterfowl, and HIP certification is also necessary.
Proof of valid leave papers and a North Dakota operator's license are required.
Qualified military personnel are asked to contact the state Game and Fish Department for additional details.
When sharp-tailed grouse and Hungarian partridge seasons open Sept. 8, hunters should expect bird numbers similar to last year, but improved vegetation in the state might make it a little harder to find them.
Both bird species came through winter in good shape, based on reports that spring counts were up slightly from last year. "Increased vegetation will provide additional escape cover, so hunters will have to work a little harder to locate birds," said Stan Kohn, North Dakota Game and Fish Department upland game management supervisor.
While the 2007 season opens Sept. 8 for sharptails, partridge and ruffed grouse, sage grouse season does not open until Sept. 24.
The spring sharp-tailed grouse census was up nearly 10 percent statewide, Kohn said, with areas southwest of the Missouri River and the Missouri Coteau region showing the largest increases.
Preliminary results from July and August roadside counts indicate improved numbers in birds and broods per mile, higher average brood size, and an increase in the number of young birds seen on routes compared to adult birds.
Hunters can expect the same for Hungarian partridge. Rural mail carriers saw more partridge per 1,000 miles this spring, and data gathered by biologists on summer roadside counts show the highest number of birds seen per mile of survey in five years in the southwestern and Missouri Coteau portions of the state. However, the central and northeastern sections are down slightly from last year, but still better than two years ago.
Ruffed grouse populations tend to run in 8-10 year cycles. Spring counts in 2006 showed small increases in the number of birds drumming, but 2007 counts were again at the lower end. The Turtle Mountains in Bottineau and Rolette counties and the Pembina Hills area of Cavalier and Pembina counties should provide hunters with the best opportunities this fall.
The sage grouse population should also be similar to last year. "Sage grouse tend to move toward water areas with green vegetation, but these may be hard to find in the southwest," Kohn said.
For further season information and regulations, hunters should consult the North Dakota 2007-08 Small Game Guide.
Sandhill Crane Season Opens Sept. 15
North Dakota's sandhill crane season opens Sept. 15. Hunters are urged to use caution and identify birds to prevent shooting at whooping cranes as they begin their fall migration.
The sandhill crane season is open through Nov. 11 in unit 1 (west of U.S. Highway 281), and through Oct. 21 in unit 2 (east of U.S. Highway 281). Limits are three daily and six in possession in unit 1, and two daily and four in possession in unit 2. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. each day through Nov. 3. Beginning Nov. 4, shooting hours are extended until 2 p.m. each day.
As in past years, prospective hunters need a $5 crane permit. Hunters can apply online, or print out a resident or nonresident application for mailing, at the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. HIP certification is required.
Hunters can also send the permit fee, along with personal information, including height, weight, sex, social security number, date of birth, color of hair and eyes, and hunter education number and state issued, to Crane Permit, NDGF, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501.
Hunters are also asked to report any whooping cranes that they see to: Bismarck-Mike Szymanski (701-328-6360), Long Lake NWR-Paul Van Ningen (701-387-4397), or Crosby-Tim Kessler (701-965-6488).
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend Set Sept. 15-16
North Dakota's two-day youth waterfowl season is Sept. 15-16. Legally licensed resident and nonresident youth waterfowl hunters age 15 and younger may hunt ducks, geese, coots and mergansers statewide.
The daily bag limit and species restrictions for the youth season are the same as for regular duck and goose seasons, and the September Canada goose season. Since the early September Canada goose season overlaps with the youth waterfowl season on Sept. 15, young hunters can harvest five Canada geese Saturday, Sept. 15, but only three on Sunday, Sept. 16.
Youth waterfowl hunters must be HIP certified, youth ages 12 and older need to have passed a certified hunter education course, and a general game and habitat license is required. Hunters age 15 and younger do not need a federal duck stamp.
Hunters who purchase a license through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department can easily get HIP certified.
Otherwise, hunters must call 888-634-4798, or log on to the Game and Fish website at gf.nd.gov, and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate.
Hunters are reminded to HIP register in each state for which they are licensed before hunting migratory game birds.
Shooting hours for the youth waterfowl season are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. An adult at least 18 years of age must accompany the resident youth hunter into the field, and a licensed adult is required to accompany a nonresident youth hunter. The two-day weekend hunt does not count against a nonresident adult hunter's 14-day regular season waterfowl dates.
Youth Deer Hunting Season Opens Sept. 14
North Dakota's youth-only deer hunting season opens for first-time hunters Friday, Sept. 14 at noon, and continues through Sunday, Sept. 23.
The season is statewide, except for restricted licenses and units in western North Dakota. After opening day, hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Solid daylight fluorescent orange vests or coats, and hats are required for all youth deer season hunters and their adult mentors.
Each youth deer hunter must be accompanied by an adult while in the field.
Active Military on Leave Can Hunt Small Game, Fish, Trap Without License
A new law allows some active military personnel to hunt small game, fish or trap in North Dakota without a license.
The 2007 North Dakota state legislature passed a bill that allows a resident who is on leave and on active duty with the United States military to hunt small game, fish or trap during the open season without a license. However, a federal duck stamp is required to hunt waterfowl, and HIP certification is also necessary.
Proof of valid leave papers and a North Dakota operator's license are required.
Qualified military personnel are asked to contact the state Game and Fish Department for additional details.