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Outdoors

Guide and outfitter exam scheduled

The next guide and outfitter written examination is Saturday, April 5, at 1 p.m. at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department office in Bismarck. Preregistration is required no later than Friday, March 28, by calling the department’s enforcement office at 328-6604. In addition to passing a written exam, qualifications for becoming a guide include a background check for criminal and game and fish violations, certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and standard first aid, and employment by or contract with a licensed hunting outfitter. Hunting outfitter eligibility ...

Watchable Wildlife checkoff available

North Dakotans interested in supporting wildlife conservation programs should look for the Watchable Wildlife checkoff on the state tax form. The state income tax form gives wildlife enthusiasts an opportunity to support nongame wildlife like songbirds and birds of prey, while at the same time contributing to programs that help everyone enjoy all wildlife. The checkoff – whether you are receiving a refund or having to pay in – is a way to voluntarily contribute to sustain this long‑standing program. In addition, direct donations to the program are accepted any time of year.

NASBLA accepting nominations for 2025 officer, educator awards

The 2025 Butch Potts Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award and the 2025 Pamela S. Dillon Boating Educator of the Year Award are now open for nomination submissions. The deadline to submit nominations is March 31. Nominations for the Butch Potts award is open to all commissioned, certified or sworn peace officers authorized by the state to enforce recreational boating safety laws of that state. Boating law administrators should nominate candidates who have made an outstanding contribution to boating safety through enforcement. Educators and volunteers from state and ...

Waterfowl survey numbers not a surprise

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual midwinter waterfowl survey in early January indicated about 88,000 Canada geese and 3,225 mallards in the state. John Palarski, department migratory game bird biologist, said the below average count was expected this year for wintering waterfowl due to cold temperatures in late November and early January leading up to the survey. “The majority of waterfowl that winter in North Dakota can be found along the Missouri River System. Following a record-setting count in 2024, we counted fewer geese and mallards than normal this year, ...

Spring turkey season set

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is offering 8,547 wild turkey licenses for the 2025 spring hunting season, 410 more than last year. Eight of the 21 hunting units have more spring licenses than last year, two have fewer licenses and 11 remain the same. Unit 21 (Hettinger and Adams counties), which has been closed for several years due to a low turkey population because of a lack of quality habitat, has been extended into units 44 and 06 to allow for more opportunities. Spring turkey applicants can apply at the Game and Fish Department website. The deadline for applying ...

Grant expands technical assistance in ND

Audubon Great Plains has announced a $460,136 award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to support the “Expanding Technical Assistance for North Dakota Producers” project. This initiative aims to enhance conservation efforts and provide critical support to producers across North Dakota. The award allows Audubon Great Plains to expand its network by hiring an additionsl range ecologist to increase restoration habitat projects in eastern North Dakota. The project will leverage an additional $461,568 in matching contributions raised by the National Audubon Society, creating ...