Breaking News

Outdoors

Game and Fish monitoring avian influenza outbreak

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is monitoring a mortality event involving Canada geese along the Missouri River and Nelson Lake in Oliver County. Testing of carcasses has indicated that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is the likely cause. Carcasses have been reported where large congregations of geese occur near open water. The virus can cause high levels of sickness and death in free ranging waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors. Cases of HPAI are commonly detected in North Dakota as waterfowl migrate through and winter in the state. The Game and Fish Department asks ...

Electronic posting system for private land available

Landowners interested in posting private land electronically for the 2025-26 hunting season is available on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website. Landowners who have a profile on the Game and Fish Department’s mobile application have an option this year to communicate with hunters using their cellphone app. A link will be available for hunters to send a request to the individual posting the land. The deadline to digitally post land is July 1, which enables Game and Fish to produce print material and digital content prior to hunting seasons that begin in ...

Game and Fish seeks contractors for work on private lands

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department encourages businesses to add their names to a list of available contractors to perform habitat work on Private Land Open To Sportsmen program lands across the state. PLOTS is an agreement between the department and private landowners to open their lands to walk-in hunting. The department also encourages private landowners to establish or enhance habitat on PLOTS land with grass plantings, food plots and so on. However, if a landowner does not have the necessary equipment for the work, a contractor is usually needed. There is a shortage of ...

Guide and outfitter exam scheduled

The next guide and outfitter written examination is Saturday, April 5, at 1 p.m. at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department office in Bismarck. Preregistration is required no later than Friday, March 28, by calling the department’s enforcement office at 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 outfitter eligibility ...

Watchable Wildlife checkoff available

North Dakotans interested in supporting wildlife conservation programs should look for the Watchable Wildlife checkoff on the state tax form. The state income tax form gives wildlife enthusiasts an opportunity to support nongame wildlife like songbirds and birds of prey, while at the same time contributing to programs that help everyone enjoy all wildlife. The checkoff – whether you are receiving a refund or having to pay in – is a way to voluntarily contribute to sustain this long‑standing program. In addition, direct donations to the program are accepted any time of year.

NASBLA accepting nominations for 2025 officer, educator awards

The 2025 Butch Potts Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award and the 2025 Pamela S. Dillon Boating Educator of the Year Award are now open for nomination submissions. The deadline to submit nominations is March 31. Nominations for the Butch Potts award is open to all commissioned, certified or sworn peace officers authorized by the state to enforce recreational boating safety laws of that state. Boating law administrators should nominate candidates who have made an outstanding contribution to boating safety through enforcement. Educators and volunteers from state and ...