Breaking News

Outdoors

Spring breeding duck numbers tallied

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 75th annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of nearly 3.4 million birds, up 16% from last year. Migratory game bird supervisor Mike Szymanski said the index was the 23rd highest on record and stands 38% above the long-term (1948-2021) average. Indices for most individual species, with the exception of green-winged teal, gadwall, wigeon and blue-winged teal, increased from 2021. Mallards were up 58% from 2021 and represented the 25th highest count on record. The ruddy duck index increased 157%, shovelers and ...

Deer application deadline Wednesday

The deadline for submitting applications for the 2022 deer gun season is Wednesday. Applicants for regular deer gun, gratis, youth and muzzleloader can apply online through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website at gf.nd.gov. A general game and habitat license is required when applying for a deer license. If the applicant has not already purchased one for the 2022-23 season, the license will be added to their cart at checkout. The applicant has the option of having the general game and habitat license refunded if their deer license is not drawn in the lottery. ...

Leave baby animals alone, watch for deer

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department offers a simple message to the well-intentioned who want to pick up and rescue what appear to be orphaned baby animals this time of year: don’t touch them. Whether it is a young fawn, duckling, cottontail rabbit or a songbird, it is better to leave them alone. Often, young animals are not abandoned or deserted, and the mother is probably nearby. Young wildlife are purposely secluded by adults to protect them from predators. Anytime a young wild animal has human contact, its chance of survival decreases significantly. It’s illegal to ...

Hunt continues for North Prairie Life and Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports

In collaboration with Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports and Scheels of Minot, North Prairie Life is premiering its second movie “Grit 2” on Thursday, May 26, at Oak Park Theater in Minot, with a 7 p.m. start time. The group leaders, Aaron Esquibel and DJ Randoph, have spent the last three ...

Scholarships available for students

The North Dakota Game Wardens Association, Ray Goetz Memorial Fund and Report All Poachers are sponsoring two $600 scholarships for graduating high school seniors or current higher education students interested in majoring in wildlife law enforcement or a related field. Applicants must be North Dakota residents, be in good academic standing and have an interest in wildlife law enforcement or a related field. Scholarships will be awarded in fall upon proof of enrollment. Applications are available by contacting the North Dakota Game Warden’s Association, ndgamewardens@gmail.com. ...

Spring mule deer survey complete

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department completed its annual spring mule deer survey in May, and results indicate western North Dakota’s mule deer population is 13% higher than last year and 34% above the long-term average. Biologists counted 2,923 mule deer in 298.8 square miles during this year’s survey. The overall mule deer density in the badlands was 9.8 deer per square mile. Big game management supervisor Bruce Stillings said he is encouraged with current mule deer densities across the badlands. “The spring index was higher than 2021 despite having very poor fawn ...