FBO PRESS RELEASE...NORTH DAKOTA GAME AND FISH

Meetings Set for Input on Pheasant Season.

BISMARK, ND - The North Dakota Game and Fish Advisory Board has scheduled a series of public meetings to gather input on a proposal to open the 2002 pheasant hunting season a week earlier than the traditional opening date. Board members will also take testimony on hunting access and nonresident hunter issues.

The eight meetings are set during the first two weeks in March, one in each Game and Fish Department Advisory Board member district. The advisory board and Game and Fish Director Dean Hildebrand will use the input to formulate a recommendation for Governor John Hoeven.

For more than a decade, pheasant season has opened the second Saturday in October. For 2002, the second Saturday is Oct. 12. The Game and Fish proposal is to open pheasant season Oct. 5.

Governor Hoeven and Hildebrand announced the special meetings earlier this week, citing a need to address concerns over the potential new opening date. The opening date does not become official until Governor Hoeven signs the small game proclamation, which usually occurs in late July.

"These meetings provide an opportunity for North Dakota citizens to tell us how they feel about a new pheasant season opener," Hildebrand said.

The meetings will follow a formal public hearing format. Time will be allotted for both pro and con testimony, based on the number of interested individuals appearing.

Following is a listing of the dates, times and locations for the special advisory board meetings.

Monday, March 4 - Minot, Minot City Auditorium, Room 2001, 7 p.m. District 2 Advisory Board member: Gary Melby, Bowbells, 701-377-2803.

Tuesday, March 5 - Dickinson, Knights of Columbus Club, 7 p.m. MT. District 8 Advisory Board member: Jerry Jeffers, Rhame, 701-279-5885.

Wednesday, March 6 - Williston, MDU Building basement, 7 p.m. District 1 Advisory Board member: Merle Jost, Grassy Butte, 701-863-6727.

Friday, March 8 - Elgin, Elgin Community Center, 7 p.m. MT. District 7 Advisory Board member, Duane Schatz, Elgin, 701-584-2937.

Monday, March 11 - Devils Lake, Devils Lake Memorial Building, 7 p.m. Advisory Board member: Barbara Ash, Devils Lake, 701-662-3989.

Tuesday, March 12 - Jamestown, Gladstone Inn, 7 p.m. District 6 Advisory Board member: Rita Greer, Marion, 701-669-2315.

Wednesday, March 13 - Grand Forks, Grand Forks Herald Community Room, 7 p.m. District 4 Advisory Board member: Richard Price, Tolna, 701-262-4782.

Thursday, March 14 - Casselton, Spirit of Life Center, St. Leo's Catholic Church, 7 p.m. District 5 Advisory Board member: Ken Toop, Casselton, 701-347-4960.


AGENDA FOR PHEASANT SEASON OPENING DATE SPECIAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETINGS

To receive public input concerning the opening date of the 2002 pheasant season and input on access and non-resident hunter issues. The North Dakota Game and Fish Advisory Board and the Game and Fish Director will utilize the input to formulate a recommendation to Governor John Hoeven.

Format:

1. A formal hearing format will be used.
   
   
2. Time will be allotted for pro and con opinions.
   
   
3. Each speaker will be allotted a specific amount of time to address issues based on the number of interested individuals appearing.
   

Agenda:

• 7:00 Opening remarks and a summary of issue.
  
  
• 7:15 Favorable testimony on opening the season this year one week early on a trial basis (Oct. 5, 2002).
  
  
• 7:45 Favorable testimony on opening the pheasant season on the traditional date of Oct. 12, 2002.
  
  
  
• 8:15 Break
  
  
• 8:30 Input regarding access and non-resident issues.
  
  
• 9:00 Adjourn