ND Refuges Open Land For Late Season Hunters

Several National Wildlife Refuges in North Dakota will open all or portions of their lands to late season upland bird hunting on November 25, 2002. Hunters may take hungarian partridge, sharp-tailed grouse and pheasant in most of these late hunts, but some refuges hold a pheasant-only season. The late opening dates follow the closure of the state's deer gun season and the departure of most waterfowl.

Hunters are required to use nontoxic shot while hunting on a refuge, and must follow state regulations such as those on bag limits. The seasons close January 5, 2003. Refuge managers encourage hunters to stop or call for information on areas open for these special hunts, and they remind them that they could encounter muzzleloader or archery deer hunters.

Arrowwood NWR, Pingree, North Dakota; pheasants, grouse and partridge. There are high numbers of grouse and an improved outlook for both pheasants and partridge. Maps and leaflets are available at the headquarters and at the entrance to the auto tour route. There is a closed area near the headquarters. Phone 701-285-3341.

Audubon NWR, Coleharbor, North Dakota; pheasant, grouse and partridge. Good population of pheasant, but very few grouse and partridge. Hunters must walk in from the refuge boundary. Other regulations are spelled out in leaflets available at the headquarters and at parking lots located on the refuge boundary. Phone 701-442-5474.

Des Lacs NWR, Kenmare, North Dakota; pheasant, grouse and partridge. Grouse and partridge numbers have improved, and some pheasants are being seen. Maps and leaflets are available at the refuge headquarters. Phone 701-385-4046.

Lake Alice NWR, Penn, Portions have been open for all three species, but other areas will now open for pheasant. Bird numbers are fair to poor, and much of the refuge is flooded. Hunters should first call the Devils Lake Wetland Management District office. Phone 701-662-8611.

Lake Zahl NWR, Zahl, North Dakota; pheasant, grouse and partridge. Fair numbers of pheasants, some grouse, but very few partridge. Hunters must park at the boundary and walk in. Maps and leaflets are available at a kiosk, as well as at the Zahl elevator and the Crosby Wetland Management District office. Phone 701-965-6488.

Long Lake NWR, Moffit, North Dakota; pheasant, grouse and partridge. It looks like another good year for pheasant hunters. The grouse population is up slightly, but not many partridge can be found. Maps and leaflets are available at the refuge headquarters. Phone 701-387-4397.

Lostwood NWR, Stanley, North Dakota; pheasant, grouse and partridge. There are high grouse numbers, but not many pheasants, and probably not enough partridge to hunt. Walk-in access only. Maps and leaflets are available at the refuge office. Phone 701-848-2722.

J. Clark Salyer NWR, Upham, North Dakota; pheasant, grouse and partridge. Fair numbers of grouse can be found, some pheasants, but few partridge. Hunters can park in designated parking areas at the nine public hunting sites. Maps and leaflets are available at headquarters and at the kiosk. Phone 701-768-2548.

Tewaukon NWR, Cayuga, North Dakota; pheasant only. This also includes the Sprague Lake Unit southwest of Rutland. Outlook is good. Hunters can park in one of the designated areas and walk in. Maps and leaflets are available at refuge headquarters and at kiosks. Phone 701-724-3598.

Upper Souris NWR, Berthold, North Dakota; pheasant, grouse and partridge. Good numbers of grouse, but they are very wary. Partridge population is on the increase, with larger brood sizes, but hunters will have to work. Pheasant numbers are extremely low. Hunters must park at the refuge boundary and walk in. Stop at refuge headquarters or one of the kiosks for maps and leaflets. Phone 701-468-5467.

The above information was compiled by the USFWS.