NDGF Update

A mountain lion caught in a trap in Billings County over the weekend was fitted with a radio collar and released at the trap site by North Dakota Game and Fish Department staff.

Greg Link, assistant wildlife chief, received a call Saturday night that a trapper had found a mountain lion caught in a foot-hold trap. When department staff arrived, they determined the lion received only minor injuries and appeared to be healthy enough to tranquilize and release. As with any animal that is tranquilized, there is a risk of mortality after it is released, and the department will monitor its conditions in the coming days.

The radio-collared cat is a 1.5-year-old male that weighs 108 pounds. “These animals are difficult to research and monitor, and this was a good opportunity to fit the animal with a collar so we can learn more about cats and their movements,” Link said. “We appreciate the trapper promptly contacting the department. While lions cannot be legally trapped or snared, we realize that incidental trapping of mountain lions can occur.”

This is the first mountain lion radio-collared in North Dakota. Information gathered from monitoring this animal’s movements will supplement other on-going department studies such as the upcoming badlands snow track survey scheduled for this winter, said Dorothy Fecske, department furbearer biologist. “Information from these studies and the collared cougar will add to the knowledge base of mountain lion populations, movements and distributions,” she said. “All this information will be valuable as the department evaluates long-term management options for lions.”

North Dakota’s second mountain lion season closed Nov. 9 after a pre-determined season quota of five cats had been reached.

Muzzleloader Season Opens Dec. 1, Antlerless Licenses Available
North Dakota’s muzzleloader season opens Friday, Dec. 1 at noon, and hunters with a lottery muzzleloader license can hunt white-tailed deer statewide.

In addition, hunters with unfilled second, third or other concurrent season any-antlerless, antlerless whitetail, or antlerless mule deer licenses, are valid. Hunters must use a muzzleloader, adhere to the species printed on the license, and stay in the unit to which the license is assigned.

Doe licenses are still available for hunters who would like to participate in the muzzleloader season. Antlerless deer licenses are available in units 1, 2D, 2E, 2F1, 2H, 2J2, 2K2, 2L, 3F1 and 4F. Again, these remaining licenses must be used in the unit to which the license is assigned.

Hunters can apply online from the state Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. Residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply, and licenses may be purchased throughout the season as long as they are available.

The muzzleloader season continues through Dec. 17.

Game and Fish Reminds Public of Remaining Advisory Board Meetings
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is issuing a reminder for the remaining fall advisory board meetings. Hunters, anglers, trappers, and landowners are invited to attend these public forums to discuss wildlife issues in their area.

Game and Fish Department advisors host public meetings twice each year in their districts. Advisors serve as a liaison between the department and the public in their areas.

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 3 – Counties: Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner
Date: November 27 – 7 p.m.
Host: Cavalier County Gun Club
Location: Cavalier County Courthouse, Langdon
Contact: Rod Howatt, 256-3302
Advisory board member: Tracy Gardner, Devils Lake, 662-5639

District 4 – Counties: Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina and Walsh
Date: November 28 – 7 p.m.
Host: Dakota Prairie Wildlife Club
Location: American Legion, Fordville
Contact: Perry Brintnell, 229-3267
Advisory board member: Ronald Houdek, Tolna, 262-4724

District 5 – Counties: Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele and Traill
Date: November 29 – 7 p.m.
Host: Finley Wildlife Club
Location: City Hall, Finley
Contact: Wayne Beckman, 524-2742
Advisory board member: Loran Palmer, West Fargo, 282-8479

District 6 – Counties: Barnes, Dickey, Foster, Griggs, Logan, LaMoure, McIntosh, Stutsman and Wells
Date: November 30 – 7 p.m.
Host: Gackle Wildlife Club
Location: Gackle Senior Center
Contact: Bryan Batsch, 485-3298
Advisory board member: Rita Greer, Marion, 669-2315

District 8 – Counties: Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope and Stark
Date: December 4 – 7 p.m.
Host: Hettinger Rod and Gun Club
Location: Hettinger Courthouse Community Room
Contact: Bill Ecker, 563-2149
Advisory board member: Wayne Gerbig, Amidon, 879-6353


District 7 – Counties: Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux
Date: December 5 – 7 p.m.
Host: To be announced
Location: Bismarck
Contact: To be announced
Advisory board member: Frank Kartch, Bismarck, 222-4544

Registration Available for Darkhouse Spearers
Individuals who will participate in the upcoming darkhouse spearfishing season can now register online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov, or through any Game and Fish Department office.

North Dakota’s darkhouse spearfishing season opens on a number of state waters Dec. 1 – with the exception of Spiritwood Lake which opens Jan. 1 – and continues through Feb. 28. Legal fish are northern pike and nongame species, such as carp.

Darkhouse spearing is allowed for all residents with a valid fishing license, and those under the age of 16. Nonresidents from states that allow North Dakotans to participate in darkhouse spearfishing can darkhouse spearfish in North Dakota with a valid fishing license. Of neighboring states, only Minnesota does not allow nonresident darkhouse spearfishing.

Other regulations include:
-All participants must register.
-A spear is counted as a pole (line) while darkhouse spearfishing.
-Pneumatic or rubber band powered spear guns are not allowed.
-When a dark house is moved or a hole larger than 12 inches in diameter is left in the ice, the hole must be adequately marked with a natural object (such as a tree branch or tumbleweed) visible from a minimum of 150 feet.
-No size limit on ice hole in lakes where darkhouse spearing is allowed. However, hook and line fishing is legal only in holes no larger than 12 inches in diameter.
-Legal live baitfish, with the exception of white sucker, and artificial lures can be used as decoys.
-Daily/possession limits are the same as for hook and line fishing.
-Six lakes have been added to the list of lakes open to darkhouse spearing: South Eckelson, Barnes County; Sibley Lake, Griggs County; Stump Lake, Nelson County; Lake Irvine, Ramsey County; -Island Lake, Rolette County; and Sunday Lake, Stutsman County. Other lakes where darkhouse spearfishing is allowed are Devils Lake, Benson/Ramsey counties; Silver Lake, Benson County; Powers Lake, Burke County; Rice Lake, Emmons County; Juanita Lake, Foster County; Lake Etta/Alkaline Lake complex, Horsehead Lake, and Round Lake, Kidder County; Flood Lake and Diamond Lake, LaMoure County; Beaver Lake and West Napoleon Lake, Logan County; Buffalo Lodge Lake, McHenry County; Coldwater Lake and Dry/Goose Lake, McIntosh County; Stanley Reservoir, Mountrail County; Lake Laretta, Nelson County; Cavanaugh Lake, Morrison Lake, and Sweetwater Lake, Ramsey County; Grass Lake, Richland County; Carpenter Lake and School Section Lake, Rolette County; Buffalo Lake, Sargent County; Coal Mine Lake, Sheridan County; Mallard Marsh and Spiritwood Lake, Stutsman County; Cottonwood Lake and Tioga Reservoir, Williams County; Lake Sakakawea from Garrison Dam to Highway 85 bridge at Williston; and Lake Oahe from the South Dakota border to McLean Bottoms boat ramp.

Late-Season Upland Game Opportunities Available on Refuges
Several national wildlife refuges in North Dakota will soon open to late-season upland game bird hunting.

Arrowwood, Audubon, Des Lacs, J. Clark Salyer, Long Lake, Lostwood, Tewaukon (pheasants only), and Upper Souris NWRs open Nov. 27.

Hunters are reminded that use of non-toxic shot is required on all U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands. State regulations found in the North Dakota 2006-07 Small Game Guide apply. Seasons for pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian partridge and ruffed grouse close statewide on Jan. 7, 2007.

National wildlife refuges are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Portions of each refuge are closed to hunting. Contact refuge headquarters for map leaflets designating closed areas and other restrictions: Arrowwood (701) 285-3341; Audubon (701) 442-5474; Des Lacs (701) 385-4046; J. Clark Salyer (701) 768-2548; Long Lake (701) 387-4397; Lostwood (701) 848-2722; Tewaukon (701) 724-3598; and Upper Souris (701) 468-5467.