NDGF Newsletter - August 17

[Swany]

Avian Influenza Surveillance Continues

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will continue to test wild birds for early detection of highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza.

A total of 200 samples from live birds will be taken in conjunction with duck banding efforts in August and September, and 400 samples from hunter-harvested ducks will be collected in September and October. Geese will not be tested because they aren’t known carriers of the virus.

Hunters may be asked by a Game and Fish Department employee if their ducks can be sampled. Sampling only takes a few minutes and does not damage birds.

In addition, department biologists will conduct morbidity and mortality surveillance of any unusual bird die-offs or illnesses through October.

Avian influenza testing efforts began nationwide in 2006, and all samples for the highly pathogenic H5N1 subtype have tested negative.

 

Dove Season Opens Sept. 1, Hunters Reminded of HIP

North Dakota’s dove season opens statewide Sept. 1, and hunters are reminded to register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting.

The daily limit is 15 and possession limit is 30. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. The season is open through Oct. 30.

All dove hunters must possess a fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate and a general game and habitat license, regardless of age. In addition, hunters ages 16 and older need a small game license.

Hunters who purchase a hunting license through the state Game and Fish Department’s electronic licensing system (gf.nd.gov) or instant licensing telephone number at (800) 406-6409 can easily get HIP certified.

Otherwise, hunters can access the department’s website, or call (888) 634-4798 and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate.

Those who registered to hunt the spring light goose season in North Dakota do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required only once per year. However, hunters must HIP register in each state for which they are licensed before hunting migratory game birds.

 

Fall Turkey Licenses Available

Fall turkey hunters still have the opportunity to purchase additional turkey licenses for this fall. Remaining licenses are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Hunters are allowed a maximum of 15 licenses for the fall season.

Resident and nonresident hunters can apply online, or print out an application to mail, at the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov. Paper applications are available at license vendors.

The fall turkey season runs from Oct. 10 – Jan. 10, 2010.

Licenses remain for the following units: Unit 03, Benson and Ramsey counties and a portion of Pierce County; Unit 13, Dunn County; Unit 17, portions of Billings and Golden Valley counties north of Interstate 94; Unit 44, Slope County; Unit 45, Stark County; Unit 51, Burke County and portions of Renville, Bottineau and Ward counties; and Unit 99, Mercer and Oliver counties.

 

Landowner-Sportsman Council to Meet Aug. 25

The North Dakota Landowner-Sportsman Council has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday, Aug. 25. The meeting will be held at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, in Bismarck. Meeting time is 7:30 p.m.

Any person who requires an auxiliary aid or service must notify Doug Howie, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, at (701) 328-6333 prior to the scheduled meeting date.