The top outdoors priority changes with the seasons but this word carries over no matter the day, month and time of year. Safety. Summertime in and on the water. Winter ice safety and cold weather. Fall hunting and gun safety. I’ll never tire of reminding hunters the size of a deer, bag of ...
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual fall wetland survey indicates variable wetland conditions for duck hunting throughout the state. Mike Szymanski, department migratory game bird management supervisor, said the statewide estimate of the number of duck hunting wetlands holding water is nearly double last year’s estimate, and almost 30% above the 2003-23 long-term average. The number of wetlands (seasonal and semi-permanent wetlands) counted on the survey was the sixth highest since 2003, but conditions vary widely. The southeast and northwest regions showed declines ...
“When people think about the outdoors, they think of a white-tailed deer, a walleye and a pheasant. There’s a lot more that represents the outdoors, especially here in Ward County,” said Greg Gullickson, a Ward County native who has been with the North Dakota Game & Fish Department for 30 years. Gullickson spends his time working with 14 wildlife clubs, both national and local, that deal with local wildlife and game animals. “Minot is very rich in wildlife clubs, and they all support each other,” Gullickson said. Born in Minot, Gullickson has spent his career in the Ward ...
Since late August, wildlife biologists have been monitoring scattered reports of white-tailed deer found dead in a portion of southwestern North Dakota. Epizootic hemorrhagic disease was confirmed in a number of these cases. “EHD is a viral disease transmitted by biting gnats,” said Dr. Charlie Bahnson, Game and Fish wildlife veterinarian. “We see a low level of EHD most years. It typically stays fairly localized, but every so often it can intensify into a significant die-off. The combined outbreak in 2020 and 2021 was probably the worst in memory, with extensive mortality across ...
Local clubs or communities interested in receiving a grant to update or improve their existing shooting range must have the application in no later than Tuesday, Oct. 1. Shooting range enhancements include berms, benches, target hanger and throwers, storage buildings, sanitary facilities and lighting. To qualify for a grant, clubs must be a nonprofit in good standing with the state, must either own or have a long-term lease on the property, and the range must be open for public use. For more information contact North Dakota Game and Fish.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is asking water recreationists and property owners to check for zebra mussels and other aquatic nuisance species when removing boat lifts, docks and other equipment from state waters. Ben Holen, ANS coordinator, said water recreationists and property owners play a vital role in ANS prevention. Zebra mussels attach to hard surfaces left in the water for long periods of time, first settling in tight spaces and areas that are protected from sunlight, Holen said. Equipment such as boat lifts and docks are high risk vectors for spreading ANS, ...
