09-17-2007, 05:10 PM
North Dakota waterfowl hunters should find good hunting opportunities this season. However, hunters are urged to spend time scouting because water conditions typically vary from year-to-year within localized areas.
The 2007 brood index from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's annual mid-July survey was 72 percent above the long-term average, and the water index observed during the survey was up 49 percent from the long-term average.
Additionally, water conditions and duck production in prairie Canada were good this spring, bringing a higher potential for more young birds to move through the state this fall than in recent years, according to Mike Szymanski, migratory game bird biologist for the Game and Fish Department.
Opening day for North Dakota residents is Sept. 22 for ducks, geese, coots and mergansers. Nonresidents may begin waterfowl hunting in North Dakota Sept. 29.
While the outlook appears good, the best opportunities will most likely be found early. Hunters are reminded that 20-30 percent of the breeding population is attributed to blue-winged teal, which are early migrants. "Based on federal estimates, generally less than 10 percent of the total duck harvest in North Dakota is comprised of blue-winged teal," Szymanski said. "Hunters who want to hunt blue-winged teal need to do so early in the season, as most have moved out of the state by early October."
Wetland and weather conditions are important factors that affect duck availability in the fall. Generally speaking, Szymanski mentioned, wetlands in the eastern part of the state are more likely to have water this year, while wetland conditions in the northwest and central parts of the state are poorer and could be more variable.
Variable wetland conditions aren't necessarily a bad thing, Szymanski explained, because it means they are progressing within their natural cycle. "Shallow basins generally are meant to dry up by late summer," he said.
Snow goose and Canada goose populations remain high and large numbers will migrate through the state this fall. "However, hunters may encounter fewer juvenile snow geese, making them more difficult to hunt," Szymanski said.
Conditions in arctic breeding areas were poor this spring and summer, Szymanski said, with many arctic researchers calling it the summer that never came. "Harsh weather conditions can drastically reduce production for arctic nesting geese," he added. "Nonetheless, hunting opportunities for light geese will be mostly dictated by weather patterns."
All migratory bird hunters are reminded to register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting. Hunters who purchase a license through the Game and Fish Department website (gf.nd.gov) or instant licensing telephone number (800-406-6409) can easily get HIP certified.
Otherwise, hunters must call 888-634-4798, or access the department's website, and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. Those who registered to hunt the spring light goose season in North Dakota do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required only once per year in each state that is hunted.
Hunters should refer to the 2007 North Dakota Waterfowl Hunting Guide for season regulations including dates, bag limits and nonresident hunting zones.
The 2007 brood index from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's annual mid-July survey was 72 percent above the long-term average, and the water index observed during the survey was up 49 percent from the long-term average.
Additionally, water conditions and duck production in prairie Canada were good this spring, bringing a higher potential for more young birds to move through the state this fall than in recent years, according to Mike Szymanski, migratory game bird biologist for the Game and Fish Department.
Opening day for North Dakota residents is Sept. 22 for ducks, geese, coots and mergansers. Nonresidents may begin waterfowl hunting in North Dakota Sept. 29.
While the outlook appears good, the best opportunities will most likely be found early. Hunters are reminded that 20-30 percent of the breeding population is attributed to blue-winged teal, which are early migrants. "Based on federal estimates, generally less than 10 percent of the total duck harvest in North Dakota is comprised of blue-winged teal," Szymanski said. "Hunters who want to hunt blue-winged teal need to do so early in the season, as most have moved out of the state by early October."
Wetland and weather conditions are important factors that affect duck availability in the fall. Generally speaking, Szymanski mentioned, wetlands in the eastern part of the state are more likely to have water this year, while wetland conditions in the northwest and central parts of the state are poorer and could be more variable.
Variable wetland conditions aren't necessarily a bad thing, Szymanski explained, because it means they are progressing within their natural cycle. "Shallow basins generally are meant to dry up by late summer," he said.
Snow goose and Canada goose populations remain high and large numbers will migrate through the state this fall. "However, hunters may encounter fewer juvenile snow geese, making them more difficult to hunt," Szymanski said.
Conditions in arctic breeding areas were poor this spring and summer, Szymanski said, with many arctic researchers calling it the summer that never came. "Harsh weather conditions can drastically reduce production for arctic nesting geese," he added. "Nonetheless, hunting opportunities for light geese will be mostly dictated by weather patterns."
All migratory bird hunters are reminded to register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting. Hunters who purchase a license through the Game and Fish Department website (gf.nd.gov) or instant licensing telephone number (800-406-6409) can easily get HIP certified.
Otherwise, hunters must call 888-634-4798, or access the department's website, and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. Those who registered to hunt the spring light goose season in North Dakota do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required only once per year in each state that is hunted.
Hunters should refer to the 2007 North Dakota Waterfowl Hunting Guide for season regulations including dates, bag limits and nonresident hunting zones.