Outdoors Notebook: NDGF sets small game, furbearer regs

NDGF sets small game, furbearer regs

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has set this year's small game and furbearer regulations, and most season structures are similar to last year.

Prairie chicken and sage grouse seasons will remain closed because of low populations.

Only North Dakota residents are permitted to hunt waterfowl from Sept. 26 through Oct. 2. Nonresidents can hunt waterfowl in North Dakota beginning Oct. 3. Other waterfowl season details will be finalized in mid-August in the waterfowl amendment to the small game and furbearer proclamation.

In accordance with state law, nonresidents are not allowed to hunt on Game and Fish Department wildlife management areas or conservation PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) areas from Oct. 10 through Oct. 16.

Here's a look at this year's season dates and bag limits:

• Crows (fall): Aug. 15-Nov. 2; no daily or possession limit.

• Early Canada goose: Aug. 15-Sept. 15 (Sept. 7 Missouri River Zone); 15 daily, 45 in possession.

• Mountain lion Zone 1 early (zone quota 14): Sept. 4-Nov. 22 (or when zone quota is reached). Season limit of one per hunter.

• Mountain lion Zone 1 late (zone quota seven): Nov. 23-March 31 (or when zone quota is reached); season limit of one per hunter.

• Dove: Sept. 1-Nov. 9; 15 daily, 45 in possession.

• Mountain lion Zone 2: Sept. 4-March 31; season limit of one per hunter.

• Hungarian partridge: Sept. 12-Jan. 3; three daily, 12 in possession.

• Sharp-tailed grouse: Sept. 12-Jan. 3; three daily, 12 in possession.

• Ruffed grouse: Sept. 12-Jan. 3; three daily, 12 in possession.

• Tree squirrels: Sept. 12-Jan. 3; four daily, 12 in possession.

• Sandhill crane Unit 1: Sept. 19-Nov. 15; three daily, nine in possession.

• Sandhill crane Unit 2: Sept. 19-Nov. 15; two daily, six in possession.

• Snipe: Sept. 19-Dec. 6; eight daily, 24 in possession.

• Woodcock: Sept. 26-Nov. 9; three daily, nine in possession.

• Tundra swan: Oct. 3-Jan. 3; season limit of one per hunter (license issued by lottery).

• Pheasants: Oct. 10-Jan. 3; three daily, 12 in possession.

• Weasel trapping: Oct. 24-March 15.

• Mink, muskrat trapping: Oct. 24-May 10.

• Fisher trapping: Nov. 23-Nov. 29; season limit of one per trapper.

Hunters should refer to the North Dakota 2015-16 Small Game and Furbearer guides (available mid-August) for more details on small game and furbearer seasons. Waterfowl regulations will be available in early September.

-- N.D. Game and Fish Department

DNR to sell land at Lake Bronson

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is offering seven parcels of land for sale within the boundaries of Lake Bronson State Park in Kittson County. All are developable cabin site properties in the Lakeside Subdivision. State park land and private residential lots are in the immediate area.

The parcels will be sold by public oral bid auction beginning at 11 a.m. Oct. 9.at the Kittson County Courthouse, 410 Fifth St. SE, Hallock, Minn. Registration will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Prospective bidders should review the property data sheet, be familiar with the property, minimum bid price and terms and conditions of sale before attending the auction.

The property data sheet and terms and conditions of sale are available online at www.dnr.state.mn.us/lands_minerals/landsale . The information also is available by calling (651) 259-5432, (888) 646-6367 or by email at landsale@dnr.state.mn.us .

Audubon Dakota recognizes Kellys Slough NWR

Add Kellys Slough National Wildlife Refuge to the list of lands in Grand Forks County designated as "Important Bird Areas" in the state by Audubon Dakota.

Kellys Slough joins the Oakville/Fairfield prairies and the Grand Forks Greenway on the list of Audubon Dakota's "Important Bird Areas" in Grand Forks County.

Sites are designated based on their bird species diversity and significant breeding bird numbers.

"The sheer volume of songbirds, waterfowl, and other avian species that use this area is just incredible," Marshall Johnson, executive director of Audubon Dakota, said in a news release. "The presence of such abundant bird life speaks volumes about the ongoing management and partnerships with private cooperators that make these areas so vibrant."

Kellys Slough was listed for reasons such as:

• Use of the area by more than 50 different species of birds including greater prairie chickens, dickcissels and northern pintails.

• Important habitat conservation and management practices that aid migrating and resident avian populations.

Audubon Dakota has identified 39 sites across the state as IBAs, six of which are recognized for their global importance.

"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is honored to have Kellys Slough National Wildlife Refuge recognized in this way by Audubon," Kellys Slough manager Matt VanThuyne said in a statement. "The refuge is a truly unique place in the Red River Valley, and we are very proud of its role in providing critical habitat for migrating shorebirds and waterfowl."

-- Herald staff report

Did you know?

• The Cabela's Masters Walleye Circuit will hold a regular-season qualifying tournament Aug.7-8 on Devils Lake. Weigh-ins, which are free and open to the public, will be held at Grahams Island State Park beginning at 3 p.m. daily, and a youth and family fishing clinic will be held after the first day's weigh-in. The first 50 youths will receive rod and reel combos courtesy of the National Professional Anglers Association. Deadline to register for the Devils Lake tournament is Aug. 3. Info: masterswalleyecircuit.com, info@masterswalleyecircuit.com or (580) 765-9031.

• Rydell National Wildlife Refuge will host a mentored deer hunt for 12- to 15-year-old hunters Oct. 17-18. Fifteen permits will be available, and participating youths must hunt with a parent, guardian or mentor. The deadline to apply is Aug. 14, and applications are available at any DNR license outline or online at mndnr.gov/buyalicense. Info: mndnr.gov/discover and click on "youth deer hunts" or Rydell headquarters, (218) 687-2229 ext. 16.

• The South Dakota Department of Tourism has renewed its national sponsorship with Pheasants Forever. Brad Heidel, Pheasants Forever's director of corporate sales, said national sponsorships allow the conservation group to promote its mission of habitat conservation. The South Dakota Department of Tourism estimates pheasant hunting generates $223 million in retail economic impact annually and an additional $111 million in salaries annually in the state. Those revenues are the result of 76,000 resident and 100,000 nonresident pheasant hunters buying licenses, fuel, food and lodging during the state's three-month hunting season.

• Spiny waterfleas, an invasive species, have been confirmed in Lake Vermilion in northeast Minnesota. The lake and the Vermilion River now will be designated as infested waters, and signs will be posted at public water access points to alert boaters and other recreationists. Crane Lake, a downstream water, already designated as infested for spiny waterfleas.

• Minnesota resident veterans with a 100 percent service-related permanent disability now can apply for a permanent card that allows them to receive a free small game and either-sex deer hunting license each year. Previously, disabled veterans had to apply for the free permits every year. Info: mndnr.gov/military or (877) 348-0498.

• Most of North Dakota's hunter education classes were completed by the end of May, but instructors will be adding a few courses this summer, the Game and Fish Department says. John Mazur, hunter education coordinator for Game and Fish, said anyone looking to take a class before this fall should keep tabs on the Game and Fish website throughout the summer. Info: gf.nd.gov.