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Outdoors

Spring turkey hunters’ season successful

Hunter success during the spring turkey hunting season was 49%, according to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. The department issued 8,137 licenses for the 2024 spring season, and a record 6,847 hunters took 3,336 birds, the highest spring harvest on record. RJ Gross, upland game management biologist, said spring turkey hunting success in North Dakota is usually driven by weather. “This year the weather was very mild with no snow on the ground, and that lead to more hunters out on the landscape,” he said. “Also, turkeys had above average production last year, ...

Put your garbage where it belongs

Outdoor recreationists are encouraged to keep it clean this summer by packing out all trash. All garbage, including used fireworks, should be placed in proper trash receptacles. If trash cans aren’t available, or full, dispose of trash at home. It is not uncommon to see garbage piling up around full trash containers. Styrofoam containers are not biodegradable, but are often found wedged in cattails, drifting or washed up on shore. Tires, mattresses and kitchen appliances have found their way to public use areas. This illegal dumping is costly to clean up and takes a significant ...

Fireworks prohibited, camping restrictions lifted for holiday

Outdoor enthusiasts should note that possession or use of fireworks on state wildlife management areas is prohibited. The primary objective of a wildlife management area is to enhance wildlife production, provide hunting and fishing opportunities, and offer other outdoor recreational and educational uses compatible with these objectives. Only activities that would not disrupt the intentions of how these areas are managed are encouraged, and fireworks are not compatible. In addition, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department will lift the Tuesday-Wednesday no-camping restriction for ...

Pronghorn survey begins

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual aerial pronghorn survey will begin Monday, July 1, and is scheduled to be completed within two weeks. During the survey period, small airplanes will sometimes fly low over parts of western North Dakota. The survey determines pronghorn abundance, herd demographics and fawn production. This data is used to set the number of licenses for the fall hunting season.

Pheasant crowing counts up statewide

The number of roosters heard crowing during the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 2024 spring pheasant crowing count survey was up 37% statewide from last year. The primary regions holding pheasants showed 28.8 crows per stop in the southwest, up from 19.5 in 2023; 21.5 crows per stop in the northwest, up from 16.6; and 16 crows per stop in the southeast, up from 12.8. The count in the northeast, which is not a primary region for pheasants, was 5 crows per stop, up from 3.3 last year. Pheasant crowing counts are conducted each spring throughout North Dakota. Observers drive ...

Launching, loading boats

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department encourages boaters to plan accordingly when launching and loading a boat. Here are a few simple reminders to ensure a fluent transition at the ramp. Launching – Don’t pull onto the ramp until your boat is ready to launch. – Prepare for launching in the parking area. Remove covers, load equipment, remove tie downs, attach lines and put in drain plug before backing onto the ramp. – When ready, pull in line to launch. Wait your turn. Be courteous. Loading – Don’t block the loading area with your boat until your tow ...