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Outdoors briefly

State’s pronghorn season set for 2015

North Dakota’s 2015 pronghorn hunting season is set, with 410 licenses available in three open units, according to Jeb Williams, wildlife chief for the State Game and Fish Department.

Along with unit 4-A, which was the only open unit in 2014, units 3B and 4C will hold a limited number of licenses. A total of 250 licenses are available in 4-A, 100 in 3B and 60 in 4C. All licenses are valid for any pronghorn.

Similar to last year, the three units will have a season that is split into an early “bow-only” portion, and a later gun/bow season.

The bow-only portion of the season is from noon Sept. 4-27. Anyone who draws a license can hunt pronghorn with a bow in the unit printed on the license. From noon Oct. 2-8, hunters who still have a valid license can use legal firearms or bow equipment, and again must stay in the assigned unit.

Survey results indicated the number of pronghorn in the primary range was similar to last year, Williams said.

Only North Dakota residents are eligible to apply for a 2015 pronghorn license. Williams said people who have accumulated bonus points and choose not to apply this year will not lose their points. Applicants can apply online at the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. The pronghorn license fee is $30, and the deadline for submitting applications is Aug. 5.

Breeding duck numbers tallied

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of 3.6 million birds, down 25 percent from last year, primarily due to weather conditions that resulted in an early migration.

Migratory game bird supervisor Mike Szymanski said the spring migration was well ahead of normal due to open fields and warm temperatures. “Early migrants such as mallards, pintails and northern shovelers didn’t stay long due to the dry conditions,” Szymanski said.

While the spring water index showed a decrease of 47 percent from 2014, Szymanski said frequent rains in the weeks following the survey have since filled many wetlands and ditches. He added that the July brood survey will provide a better idea of duck production and insight into expectations for this fall.

“Our observations to date indicate that production will again be high across the state due to improved water conditions since the survey and increased wetland availability for brood production,” he said.

Ruffed grouse numbers improve

North Dakota’s spring ruffed grouse survey indicated a 44 percent population increase statewide compared to 2014, according to Stan Kohn, upland game bird supervisor for the State Game and Fish Department.

The number of male grouse heard drumming in the Pembina Hills was up 86 percent from last year, while the Turtle Mountains had a 35 percent increase. No drumming males were heard in McHenry County (J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge), where they have not been heard since 2006.

The statewide average number of ruffed grouse drums heard per best stop was 0.94, up from last year’s count of 0.65. The last year statewide spring drumming counts were higher than 2.0 was in 1999.

Outdoors briefly

Refuge haying permit available

The Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge will open several areas for haying this year. A public drawing will be held on Monday, July 27, at 3 p.m. to select permittees for haying. You must be 18 years of age or older and a bona fide rancher or farmer in need of hay for your own livestock to be eligible for the drawing. The cost for the hay is $20.40/acre. The hay may not be traded, sold or given away. For additional information, please contact Tom Pabian, Refuge Manager, at 468-5467 or stop by the refuge headquarters between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Game and Fish at State Fair

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will host thousands of visitors to its Conservation and Outdoors Skills Park July 17-25 at the State Fair in Minot.

Visitors will be treated to activities, exhibits and useful information. The park will be open from 1 to 7 p.m. daily. Pathways to Hunting, Fishing, Trapping and Archery are major attractions where each outdoor activity is taught to interested kids and adults.

Outreach biologist Greg Gullickson said the Conservation and Outdoors Skills Park is a really good stop for the entire family to learn about the outdoors, and to participate in activities that might just turn a youngster and others on to hunting and fishing in North Dakota.

“In addition to some great hands-on outdoor learning opportunities, we offer a live fish display, furbearer exhibit and native prairie plantings,” Gullickson said, while also mentioning numerous shade trees and picnic tables provide visitors a chance to rest and enjoy the surroundings.

Two information centers staffed by Game and Fish Department personnel bookend the Conservation and Outdoors Skills Park, which is located on the north end of the grounds near the All Seasons Arena. Admittance is free.

Fur harvester class scheduled in Bismarck

The North Dakota Cooperative Fur Harvester Education Program is sponsoring a fur harvester education class in Bismarck for anyone interested in trapping or hunting furbearers. The course is scheduled for Aug. 18, 20 and 22. The event is free and takes 16 hours to complete over a three-day period. For more information contact John Paulson at 471-2178.

Hunting guide, outfitter test set

The next guide and outfitter written examination is Aug. 15 at 1 p.m. at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department office in Bismarck. The test is given periodically to anyone interested in becoming a hunting guide or outfitter in the state. Interested individuals are required to preregister by calling the Game and Fish Department’s enforcement office at 328-6604.

Outdoors briefly

Spring pheasant count tops last year

North Dakota’s spring pheasant population index is up 10 percent from last year, according to the State Game and Fish Department’s 2015 spring crowing count survey.

Stan Kohn, upland game management supervisor, said the number of roosters heard crowing this spring was up statewide, with increases ranging from about 2 to 12 percent in the primary regions holding pheasants.

“A much improved production year for pheasants in spring 2014, coupled with the mild winter, produced a healthy breeding population this spring,” Kohn said.

While the spring number is a positive indicator, Kohn said it does not predict what the fall population will look like. Brood surveys, which begin in mid-July and are completed by September, provide a much better estimate of summer pheasant production and what hunters might expect for a fall pheasant population.

Kohn mentioned a higher breeding population is good for production if the weather cooperates and nesting habitat is available. “This spring’s weather hasn’t been ideal, but I don’t think it has been a cause for major concern yet either,” he said.

Of concern, according to Kohn, is the continued loss of Conservation Reserve Program acres, variable commodity prices and native grassland conversion. “All of this affects the amount of nesting and brood rearing habitat on the landscape, and as we lose grassland habitat we lose ground nesting bird populations,” Kohn said.

2015 spring sharptail census looks good

Statistics from the 2015 spring sharp-tailed grouse census indicate a 22 percent increase in the number of male grouse counted compared to last year.

Statewide, 4,346 sharptails were observed on spring dancing grounds this year compared to 3,551 in 2014. Male grouse recorded per square mile increased from 3.4 to 4.2. More than 1,000 square miles were covered.

Aaron Robinson, upland game biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Dickinson, said the outlook for the 2015 hunting season is still premature as lek counts are a metric of population trends and not a reliable predictor of hunter success.

“Preliminary observations indicate good residual cover for a favorable hatch, but this is heavily influenced by timing, duration, location of severe precipitation and low temperatures,” Robinson said.

An indication of the fall season won’t be known until completion of brood surveys in late summer.

Game warden, warden pilot exams set July 17

Individuals interested in taking the district game warden or warden pilot exams scheduled for July 17 are reminded to register no later than July 13, by submitting an online application through the North Dakota State Job Openings website.

The tests are scheduled for 10 a.m. at the department’s main office in Bismarck.

Cross Ranch State Park celebrates 50th

Cross Ranch State Park celebrates the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department’s 50th anniversary on Saturday, July 11, with a day full of activity starting at 12:30 p.m.

To kick off the celebration, visitors should gather at the River Peoples Visitor Center and festival area for musical entertainment, guest speakers, and partake in free hot dogs, brats, chips and the specially made 50th anniversary S’mores ice cream and refreshments. The guest speakers include NDPRD Director Mark Zimmerman, Park Manager Eric Lang and Planning and Development Division Manager Jesse Hanson. Kristie Goldade is providing the musical entertainment.

There is a guided hike along the Matah Interpretive Trail at 3 p.m. From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. the 50th anniversary Scavenger Hunt takes place. At 7 p.m., at the amphitheater, the history of Cross Ranch is the topic followed by North Dakota State Park Trivia. Horse-drawn wagon rides will be provided throughout the day.

Great Western Expo and Frontier Army Day

The second Great Western Expo is taking place at Fort Abraham Lincoln on Saturday, July 11, followed by Frontier Army Day, Sunday July 12. Admission to the Great Western Exposition is $10 per person.Admission for Frontier Military Days is $6 per adult and $4 per student with a $5 vehicle fee.

Starting at $3.75/week.

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