07-24-2007, 02:10 AM
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has received a prestigious international award from leaders of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.
Called the National Great Blue Heron Award, it recognizes significant contributions to waterfowl and wetland conservation. Gov. John Hoeven was on hand to accept the award from Paul Schmidt, an assistant director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, last week during a special presentation in Bismarck.
"We're extremely proud of our wildlife, and very proud of the work Game and Fish does," Hoeven told a gathering of NAWMP officials. "All the Game and Fish staff are passionate about what they do, and I think that's why they're so successful with these programs."
Since the North American Waterfowl Management Plan was launched more than 20 years ago, the Game and Fish Department has contributed more than $10 million in matching funds - more than any other nonfederal entity - toward NAWMP projects. In addition, Game and Fish has dedicated one staff position to coordinate waterfowl plan goals for the North Dakota Action Group, a committee of representatives from state and federal agencies as well as private conservation and agricultural organizations.
Because of these efforts, Schmidt said, more than 900,000 acres have been enhanced for waterfowl within 44 different projects in the state. In addition, North Dakota has received more than $20 million in federal grants for those projects, much of which has ended up with farmers and ranchers who voluntarily cooperate on habitat projects.
"Putting together habitat on the ground, that to me represents success," Schmidt said, "and is the kind of partnership and state success that really makes the North American Waterfowl Management Plan come alive."
The award recognizes not only efforts to benefit waterfowl, but also many other migratory bird species that rely on wetlands.
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne wrote in a letter to Gov. Hoeven: "The North American Waterfowl Management Plan success in North Dakota, one of the most important waterfowl breeding areas in North America, is due in large part to the significant leading role that the North Dakota Game and Fish Department has readily assumed. They are extremely deserving of this prestigious award, and you have a heart-felt congratulations and thanks for your support in continuing conservation for all the partners in North Dakota."
Game and Fish Director Terry Steinwand said his agency is proud to receive the award. "It couldn't happen without the support of the governor," he stated.
Pronghorn Season Set, Online Applications Available
North Dakota's pronghorn hunting season has been set and a record 6,095 licenses are available for 2007, an increase of 2,285 from last year. The total consists of 2,445 any-pronghorn licenses and 3,650 doe/fawn licenses.
The state's pronghorn population has fully recovered from the 1997 winter die-off due to a unit-by-unit harvest strategy and a series of extremely mild winters, said Randy Kreil, wildlife chief for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. The result has been good adult survival, excellent fawn recruitment and expanded hunting opportunities.
More than 16,000 square miles, 90 percent of the primary range for pronghorn in the state, were surveyed in late June and early July. Statistics indicate the statewide population increased 20 percent from last year.
"The state's pronghorn population estimate has increased from 12,500 in 2006 to more than 15,000 in 2007," Kreil said. "The population is above the statewide objective."
The 2007 proclamation allows for hunters to purchase additional licenses in specific units if an adequate number of licenses remain after the regular lottery.
Prospective hunters are encouraged to apply online, or print out an application to mail, at the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. Applications will also be available from license vendors by July 27.
The deadline for submitting applications is Wednesday, Aug. 8. Mailed applications must be postmarked before midnight. Hand-delivered applications are due at the department's Bismarck office by 5 p.m. Applications should be mailed early because some post offices use the following day's postmark if received after office hours.
Only North Dakota residents are eligible for pronghorn gun licenses. Archery season is open to residents and nonresidents. Gun season dates are Oct. 5 (noon) - Oct. 21. Pronghorn bow season runs Aug. 31 (noon) - Oct. 7.
Fall Turkey Licenses Remain, Online Apps Available July 25
The 2007 fall wild turkey lottery has been held and more than 3,000 licenses remain in 16 units. Licenses are issued on a first-come, first-served basis to hunters who do not already have a license, or for those who want additional licenses. There is no limit to the number of licenses a person can receive.
Resident and nonresident hunters can apply online, or print out an application to mail, at the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov, beginning July 25. Paper applications will be at license vendors by July 27.
Licenses remain for the following units: Unit 03, portions of Benson, Towner, Pierce and Ramsey counties, 150 licenses; Unit 04, portions of Billings and Golden Valley counties south of Interstate 94, 132; Unit 06, Bowman County, 25; Unit 13, Dunn County, 511; Unit 15, Emmons County, 95; Unit 17, portions of Billings and Golden Valley counties north of Interstate 94, 837; Unit 19, Grant and Sioux counties and a portion of Morton County, 30; Unit 25, McHenry County and portions of Pierce and Ward counties, 223; Unit 27, McKenzie County, 324; Unit 30, portion of Morton County, 203; Unit 31, Mountrail County, 29; Unit 44, Slope County, 92; Unit 45, Stark County, 101; Unit 51, Burke County and portions of Renville, Bottineau and Ward counties, 109; Unit 98, Burleigh and McLean counties, 124; and Unit 99, Mercer and Oliver counties, 258.
Fishing Statistics Positive in 2006
Despite North Dakota's low water levels and dry climate last year, fishing license statistics showed positive results. In 2006, residents and nonresidents purchased more than 170,000 North Dakota fishing licenses, and including children, about 200,000 people fished state waters.
Fishing has long been a popular pastime for North Dakota residents. "Most families have one or more members who fish and virtually every North Dakota resident has a family member or close friend who fish," said Greg Power, North Dakota Game and Fish Department fisheries division chief. "In 2006, more than one in four residents, 15 years or older, bought a fishing license and on average spent parts of 19 days fishing."
The three big fisheries in North Dakota include Lake Sakakawea, Devils Lake and the Missouri River/Lake Oahe. Numerous small lakes and rivers played a large role for anglers as well. "While Devils Lake and the Missouri River System are important, North Dakota's 300 small lakes, reservoirs and rivers account for nearly 50 percent of all fishing effort and are very important locally," Power said. "Fishing is good not only for walleye, but for northern pike, large and smallmouth bass, catfish, trout and panfish."
While license sales are up from 2005, license sales have been consistently good since rebounding in the mid-1990s. The number of nonresidents coming to North Dakota to fish is also on the rise. "Over a 20-year period, we've seen an increase in nonresident fishing effort in the state," Power said.
The current numbers reflect anglers' enjoyment of fishing in North Dakota. "The state has a strong tradition and heritage of fishing and the statistics speak for themselves," Power said. "The respectable level of license sales can be attributed to a number of events and actions, but most importantly we have decent water levels across most of the state and good to very good fishing."
Called the National Great Blue Heron Award, it recognizes significant contributions to waterfowl and wetland conservation. Gov. John Hoeven was on hand to accept the award from Paul Schmidt, an assistant director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, last week during a special presentation in Bismarck.
"We're extremely proud of our wildlife, and very proud of the work Game and Fish does," Hoeven told a gathering of NAWMP officials. "All the Game and Fish staff are passionate about what they do, and I think that's why they're so successful with these programs."
Since the North American Waterfowl Management Plan was launched more than 20 years ago, the Game and Fish Department has contributed more than $10 million in matching funds - more than any other nonfederal entity - toward NAWMP projects. In addition, Game and Fish has dedicated one staff position to coordinate waterfowl plan goals for the North Dakota Action Group, a committee of representatives from state and federal agencies as well as private conservation and agricultural organizations.
Because of these efforts, Schmidt said, more than 900,000 acres have been enhanced for waterfowl within 44 different projects in the state. In addition, North Dakota has received more than $20 million in federal grants for those projects, much of which has ended up with farmers and ranchers who voluntarily cooperate on habitat projects.
"Putting together habitat on the ground, that to me represents success," Schmidt said, "and is the kind of partnership and state success that really makes the North American Waterfowl Management Plan come alive."
The award recognizes not only efforts to benefit waterfowl, but also many other migratory bird species that rely on wetlands.
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne wrote in a letter to Gov. Hoeven: "The North American Waterfowl Management Plan success in North Dakota, one of the most important waterfowl breeding areas in North America, is due in large part to the significant leading role that the North Dakota Game and Fish Department has readily assumed. They are extremely deserving of this prestigious award, and you have a heart-felt congratulations and thanks for your support in continuing conservation for all the partners in North Dakota."
Game and Fish Director Terry Steinwand said his agency is proud to receive the award. "It couldn't happen without the support of the governor," he stated.
Pronghorn Season Set, Online Applications Available
North Dakota's pronghorn hunting season has been set and a record 6,095 licenses are available for 2007, an increase of 2,285 from last year. The total consists of 2,445 any-pronghorn licenses and 3,650 doe/fawn licenses.
The state's pronghorn population has fully recovered from the 1997 winter die-off due to a unit-by-unit harvest strategy and a series of extremely mild winters, said Randy Kreil, wildlife chief for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. The result has been good adult survival, excellent fawn recruitment and expanded hunting opportunities.
More than 16,000 square miles, 90 percent of the primary range for pronghorn in the state, were surveyed in late June and early July. Statistics indicate the statewide population increased 20 percent from last year.
"The state's pronghorn population estimate has increased from 12,500 in 2006 to more than 15,000 in 2007," Kreil said. "The population is above the statewide objective."
The 2007 proclamation allows for hunters to purchase additional licenses in specific units if an adequate number of licenses remain after the regular lottery.
Prospective hunters are encouraged to apply online, or print out an application to mail, at the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. Applications will also be available from license vendors by July 27.
The deadline for submitting applications is Wednesday, Aug. 8. Mailed applications must be postmarked before midnight. Hand-delivered applications are due at the department's Bismarck office by 5 p.m. Applications should be mailed early because some post offices use the following day's postmark if received after office hours.
Only North Dakota residents are eligible for pronghorn gun licenses. Archery season is open to residents and nonresidents. Gun season dates are Oct. 5 (noon) - Oct. 21. Pronghorn bow season runs Aug. 31 (noon) - Oct. 7.
Fall Turkey Licenses Remain, Online Apps Available July 25
The 2007 fall wild turkey lottery has been held and more than 3,000 licenses remain in 16 units. Licenses are issued on a first-come, first-served basis to hunters who do not already have a license, or for those who want additional licenses. There is no limit to the number of licenses a person can receive.
Resident and nonresident hunters can apply online, or print out an application to mail, at the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov, beginning July 25. Paper applications will be at license vendors by July 27.
Licenses remain for the following units: Unit 03, portions of Benson, Towner, Pierce and Ramsey counties, 150 licenses; Unit 04, portions of Billings and Golden Valley counties south of Interstate 94, 132; Unit 06, Bowman County, 25; Unit 13, Dunn County, 511; Unit 15, Emmons County, 95; Unit 17, portions of Billings and Golden Valley counties north of Interstate 94, 837; Unit 19, Grant and Sioux counties and a portion of Morton County, 30; Unit 25, McHenry County and portions of Pierce and Ward counties, 223; Unit 27, McKenzie County, 324; Unit 30, portion of Morton County, 203; Unit 31, Mountrail County, 29; Unit 44, Slope County, 92; Unit 45, Stark County, 101; Unit 51, Burke County and portions of Renville, Bottineau and Ward counties, 109; Unit 98, Burleigh and McLean counties, 124; and Unit 99, Mercer and Oliver counties, 258.
Fishing Statistics Positive in 2006
Despite North Dakota's low water levels and dry climate last year, fishing license statistics showed positive results. In 2006, residents and nonresidents purchased more than 170,000 North Dakota fishing licenses, and including children, about 200,000 people fished state waters.
Fishing has long been a popular pastime for North Dakota residents. "Most families have one or more members who fish and virtually every North Dakota resident has a family member or close friend who fish," said Greg Power, North Dakota Game and Fish Department fisheries division chief. "In 2006, more than one in four residents, 15 years or older, bought a fishing license and on average spent parts of 19 days fishing."
The three big fisheries in North Dakota include Lake Sakakawea, Devils Lake and the Missouri River/Lake Oahe. Numerous small lakes and rivers played a large role for anglers as well. "While Devils Lake and the Missouri River System are important, North Dakota's 300 small lakes, reservoirs and rivers account for nearly 50 percent of all fishing effort and are very important locally," Power said. "Fishing is good not only for walleye, but for northern pike, large and smallmouth bass, catfish, trout and panfish."
While license sales are up from 2005, license sales have been consistently good since rebounding in the mid-1990s. The number of nonresidents coming to North Dakota to fish is also on the rise. "Over a 20-year period, we've seen an increase in nonresident fishing effort in the state," Power said.
The current numbers reflect anglers' enjoyment of fishing in North Dakota. "The state has a strong tradition and heritage of fishing and the statistics speak for themselves," Power said. "The respectable level of license sales can be attributed to a number of events and actions, but most importantly we have decent water levels across most of the state and good to very good fishing."