Advisory Meetings Set

Open Fires Banned on Oahe WMA
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is prohibiting open burning this spring on property managed south of Bismarck and Mandan, as a means to reduce potential for wildfires on a heavily wooded recreation area along the Missouri River, according to Jeb Williams, wildlife resource management supervisor.

All open burning, including campfires, is banned until further notice on the Oahe Wildlife Management Area along both sides of the Missouri River. Oahe WMA covers more than 16,000 acres along Lake Oahe south of Bismarck-Mandan, in portions of Burleigh, Emmons, and Morton counties. Burning restriction signs are posted at all entrances to the WMA.

Because of the combination of high use by anglers, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts, and heavy vegetative fuel loads along this river property, these woodlands are exceptionally prone to wildfires prior to spring green-up.

Record Number of Deer Taken During 2006 Deer Gun Season
While the number of deer gun licenses issued in 2006 was not a record, more deer than ever were taken during last fall’s season, according to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual harvest survey.

The department allocated 143,500 deer gun licenses in 2006. Survey data reveals more than 100,000 deer were taken during the gun season, and combined with bow, muzzleloader and youth seasons, the harvest was more than 110,000 deer, according to Randy Kreil, wildlife chief.

The overall hunter success rate of 76 percent was the same as in 2005 and about average over the past 15 years.

Hunter success for antlered and antlerless white-tailed deer was approximately 76 percent each.

Mule deer buck success was 82 percent, while mule deer doe hunters had a success rate of 86 percent.

Bow hunters had a success rate of 42 percent, and 75 percent of the deer harvested by bow hunters were adult bucks.

Muzzleloader season hunters had a success rate of 44 percent.

The success rate by young hunters during the nine-and-a-half day youth season increased slightly to 53 percent.

Department biologists are in the process of determining the number of deer licenses that will be recommended in the 2007 deer proclamation, which will be sent to the governor’s office for approval the end of April.

Game and Fish Department biologists determine deer license numbers by evaluating hunter harvest data, deer survey data, deer-vehicle collision reports, depredation reports, and comments from the public, landowners and department field staff.

WMA Users Reminded of Public Use Regulations
While some hearty North Dakotans cherish the state’s winter chill, others anticipate spring’s reprieve and the outdoor opportunities that lie ahead.

A popular springtime activity involves looking for and observing wildlife, and a standard destination is state wildlife management areas. With that in mind, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department reminds outdoor enthusiasts of public use regulations.

“We encourage people to get out and use our public lands, and to look at the habitat and watch for the wildlife they support,” said Nathaniel Umphrey, outreach biologist. “But we also want people to be aware of the public use regulations designed to protect the primary purpose of these areas, which is hunting, fishing and wildlife production.”

A complete list of the WMA regulations is available by contacting the Game and Fish Department at 701-328-6300, or email ndgf@nd.gov. WMA use regulations are also available on the Game and Fish website at www.gf.nd.gov.

Some of the regulations include:

· Unless otherwise designated, the use of motorized vehicles is restricted to constructed roads, well-worn trails, and parking areas normally used for passenger cars.

· Watercraft cannot be left unattended unless it is used on a daily basis.

· Littering or the disposal of waste material is prohibited, except in garbage containers where provided.

· Property may not be removed without a permit from the Game and Fish Department.

· Commercial enterprise, including guiding, is prohibited except by lease or permit from the Game and Fish Department.

· Camping for longer than 10 consecutive days is prohibited.

· Group activities involving more than 25 people require a permit issued by the Game and Fish Department.

· Training of bird and gun dogs is prohibited April 1 through Aug. 15.

· Glass containers are prohibited.

· Fireworks, model rocket engines, or combustible or explosive materials are prohibited.

· Baiting wildlife for any purpose is prohibited.

Game and Fish Advisory Board Meetings Announced
Anglers, hunters, trappers and landowners are invited to attend this spring’s North Dakota Game and Fish Department advisory board meeting in their area. These public meetings, held twice each year, provide citizens with an opportunity to discuss wildlife issues and ask questions of their district advisors and Game and Fish Department personnel.

There are eight Game and Fish Department advisors, each representing a multi-county section of the state. The governor appoints them to four-year terms to serve as a liaison between the department and public.

Any person who requires an auxiliary aid or service must notify the contact person at least five days prior to the scheduled meeting date.

District 5 – Counties: Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele and Traill
Date: April 10 – 7 p.m.
Host: Southeast Area Sportsmen’s Club
Location: City Hall, Rutland
Contact: Richard Anderson, 724-3617
Advisory board member: Loran Palmer, West Fargo, 282-8479

District 6 – Counties: Barnes, Dickey, Foster, Griggs, Logan, LaMoure, McIntosh, Stutsman and Wells
Date: April 11 – 7 p.m.
Host: Barnes County Wildlife Club
Location: VFW Club, Valley City
Contact: Perry Kapaun, 845-1117
Advisory board member: Rita Greer, Marion, 669-2315

District 8 – Counties: Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope and Stark
Date: April 17 – 7 p.m.
Host: Medora Grazing Association
Location: Masonic Lodge, Belfield
Contact and advisory board member: Wayne Gerbig, Amidon, 879-6353

District 1 – Counties: Divide, McKenzie and Williams
Date: April 18 – 7 p.m.
Host: To be announced
Location: To be announced
Contact and advisory board member: Merle Jost, Grassy Butte, 863-6727

District 2 – Counties: Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville and Ward
Date: April 19 – 7 p.m.
Host: Pheasants for the Future
Location: Minot (location in Minot to be announced)
Contact: Jason Foss, 839-0213
Advisory board member: Richard Anderson, Willow City, 366-4625

District 3 – Counties: Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner
Date: April 23 – 7 p.m.
Host: Turtle Mountain Wildlife Club
Location: City Hall, Dunseith
Contact: Mike Peterson, 263-3191
Advisory board member: Tracy Gardner, Devils Lake, 662-5639

District 4 – Counties: Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina and Walsh
Date: April 24 – 7 p.m.
Host: Pekin Rod and Gun Club
Location: Community Club, Pekin
Contact: David Morken, 296-4484
Advisory board member: Ronald Houdek, Tolna, 262-4724

District 7 – Counties: Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux
Date: April 25 – 7 p.m.
Host: To be announced
Location: New Salem (location in New Salem to be announced)
Contact and advisory board member: Frank Kartch, Bismarck, 222-4544