Volunteers recognized

Minot and area residents were among volunteers for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department recently recognized for their service at the annual banquet in Bismarck.

Those recognized included:

30 Years – Darris Olson, Bowbells; and Larry Viall, Epping.

25 Years – Corinne Engen, Anamoose; Jeremy Haugen, Max; Chris Pulver, Stanley; and Wayne Stanley, Minot.

20 Years – Daniel Duchscherer, Towner; Justin Hughes, Minot; Rick Tischaefer, Butte; and Charles Wilkinson, Garrison.

15 Years – Mark Crosby, Bowbells; Kendon Faul, McClusky; Richard Lehmann, Towner; Roger Longnecker, New Rockford; Melanie Nelson, Harvey; and Antoine Smith, New Town.

5 Years – Dan Brown, Williston; Penny Brown, Williston; Travis Dalby, Surrey; Kody Faul, McClusky; Matthew Liebel, Williston; Barbara Martin, Anamoose; Andrea Martinez, New Town; Alicia Randall, Minot; John Reimche, Bottineau; and Rachel Spear, Drake.

Paddlefish snagging season opens May 1

North Dakota’s paddlefish season opens Friday, May 1, and is scheduled to continue through May 21. However, depending on the overall harvest, an early in-season closure may occur with a 24-hour notice issued by the state Game and Fish Department.

Paddlefish tags are available for purchase online at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov, and during business hours at Game and Fish Department offices in Bismarck, Dickinson, Jamestown, Devils Lake and Williston. Snaggers buying tags online should plan accordingly and allow a few days for delivery.

All paddlefish snaggers must possess a paddlefish tag, in addition to a valid fishing license for anyone 16 and older. Lost or destroyed tags will not be replaced.

The Game and Fish Department will allow camping during the open paddlefish season at Lewis and Clark Wildlife Management Area Pumphouse and at Neu’s Point WMA. However, no roads or gates will be open at Neu’s Point, therefore camping is allowed in the small Neu’s Point parking lot, and the rest of the WMA for walk-in access. All other WMA regulations apply.

Snaggers are urged to be aware of the current fire index. Information, including restrictions, on current fire danger indexes is available at NDResponse.gov.

For complete paddlefish snagging regulations, snaggers should contact the Game and Fish Department.

Educator workshops scheduled

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is sponsoring professional development for educator workshops this summer in Bismarck and Dickinson.

“Using the Visual Arts to Teach Life Science” will be held June 9-10 at the Game and Fish office, Bismarck. The workshop will emphasize North Dakota resources, environment and wildlife through hands-on lessons educators can implement in their classrooms. It will include discussions on classroom and curriculum integration, identification of local resources and field trips to demonstrate the use of natural areas as classrooms. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to experiment with different media, including clay, water, pastel and colored pencil. No previous art experience is required.

“Pollinators in the Classroom” will be held June 17-18 at Dickinson State University, Dickinson. This workshop will explore pollinators, what they are, where they live, life cycles, importance, and how you can make a difference. The workshop will include hands-on activities educators can use in their classrooms and demonstrations of classroom curriculum integration. Students will receive a copy of the “Urban Pollinator Program Curriculum,” and should come prepared for walking field trips in the area.

Both workshops are suitable for educators teaching K-12. All materials are included. For registration information, contact curriculum specialist Sherry Niesar at 701-527-3714.