NDGF Newsletter - August 16

[Swany]

Dove Season Opens Sept. 1, Hunters Reminded of HIP

North Dakota’s dove season opens statewide Sept. 1, and hunters need 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.

 

Project to Keep Carp from Devils Lake Begins in Fall

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is funding a small project in Cavalier County to keep carp in the Pembina River drainage from entering the Devils Lake basin.

For the past few years the Game and Fish Department has been working with landowners and water boards in Cavalier and Ramsey counties in developing a plan that will keep carp out of Devils Lake. If carp were to enter Devils Lake, the carrying capacity of game fish populations would suffer dramatically and the nationally-renowned walleye and northern pike fishery would decline.

This fall, an existing road grade near Loma will be raised to serve as a permanent barrier. In addition, water flow through the area will be enhanced. All permits and approvals have been procured, and construction should be completed prior to next spring’s runoff.

 

Fur Harvester Classes Scheduled in Minot, Watford City

The North Dakota Cooperative Fur Harvester Education program is sponsoring fur harvester education classes in Minot and Watford City for anyone interested in learning about trapping or furbearer hunting.

The free 16-hour course is set for Minot Aug. 19, 26 and 28 at the Minot Rifle and Pistol Club (Trestle Valley). The class in Watford City will be held Sept. 25 and Oct. 2 at the Civic Center.

Students will learn about trapping and fur hunting, furbearer biology, tracking, fur handling, regulations, responsible and ethical behavior, land and water sets, predator calling, hound hunting and wildlife management.

Upon completion, graduates are issued a certification card that is recognized by any state requiring trapper education prior to purchasing a license.

Anyone interested in signing up for the class should access the Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov, click on the online services link, and “online course enrollment” under the hunter education heading.