th e mission of the north dakota game and fish department

North Dakota OUTDOORS is published 10 times a year, monthly except for the months of April and September. Subscription rates are $10 for one year or $20 for three years. Group rates of $7 a year are available to organizations presenting 25 or more subscriptions. New subscriptions or renewals are available online at gf.nd.gov, or by mail with included check. Th e numbers on the upper right corner of the mailing label indicate the date of the last issue a subscriber will receive unless the subscription is renewed.

Permission to reprint materials appearing in North Dakota OUTDOORS must be obtained from the author, artist or photographer. We encourage contributions; contact the editor for writer and photogra-phy guidelines prior to submission.

Th e NDGFD receives federal fi nancial assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In accor-dance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the NDGFD joins the U.S. Department of the Interior and its bureaus in prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex (in education programs or activities) and also religion for the NDGFD. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or you desire further information, please write to: N. D. Game and Fish Department, Attn: Chief Administrative Services, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095 or to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: Civil Rights Coordinator, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop: MBSP-4020, Arlington,Virginia 22203.

Th e mission of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department is toprotect, conserve and enhance fi sh and wildlife populations and theirhabitats for sustained public consumptive and nonconsumptive use.

Periodical Postage Paid at

Bismarck, ND 58501

and additional entry offi ces.

Printed in the United States

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:

North Dakota OUTDOORS

100 North Bismarck Expressway

Bismarck, ND 58501-5095

Report All Poachers (RAP) 800-472-2121In cooperation with North Dakota Wildlife Federation and North Dakota State Radio.

Offi cial Publication of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department

(ISSN 0029-2761)

100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095

Website: gf.nd.gov • Email: [email protected]

Information 701-328-6300 • Administration 701-328-6305

Hunter Education 701-328-6615 • Licensing 701-328-6335

24-Hour Licensing by Phone: 800-406-6409

Th e TTY/TTD (Relay ND) number for the hearing or speech impaired is 800-366-6888

DECEMBER 2017 • NUMBER 5 • VOLUME LXXX

Cover Photo by Darcy Kramlich, Grassy Butte

HEADQUARTERS100 North Bismarck ExpresswayBismarck, ND 58501-5095Phone: 701-328-6300

DEVILS LAKE7928 45th St. NEDevils Lake, ND 58301-8501Phone: 701-662-3617

DICKINSON225 30th Ave. SWDickinson, ND 58601-7227Phone: 701-227-7431

LONETREE WILDLIFEMANAGEMENT AREA1851 23rd Ave. NE Harvey, ND 58341-9112Phone: 701-324-2211

RIVERDALE406 Dakota Ave.Riverdale, ND 58565Phone: 701-654-7475

JAMESTOWN 3320 East Lakeside RoadJamestown, ND 58401-9610Phone: 701-253-6480

WILLISTON5303 Front St. WWilliston, ND 58801-8602Phone: 701-774-4320

NORTH DAKOTA GAME AND FISH OFFICES

Editor: Ron Wilson Graphic Designer: Connie Schiff Circulation Manager: Dawn Jochim

DEPARTMENT DIRECTORYGovernor Doug BurgumADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONGame and Fish Director: Terry SteinwandDeputy Director: Scott PetersonChief, Administrative Services: Kim KaryBusiness Manager: Corey WentlandAdministrative Staff Offi cer: Justin MattsonAdministrative Assistant: Lynn TimmAdministrative Offi cer/Building Maint. Supvr: George LeeBuilding Maint. Tech: Charlie MattheisAccounting Manager: Angie KruegerAccountants: Kelly Wike, Melissa Long, Ashley BakerIT Section Supervisor/GIS Specialist: Brian HosekIT Coordinators: Alan Reile, Larry GrossProgrammer Analyst: Tiff any QuastLicensing Manager: Randy Meissner

Assistants: Gail Mosset, Amanda Anstrom, Tracy Price, Tana Bentz, Tanya Mikkelsen

Administrative Assistant – Dickinson: Janel Kolar, Stephanie RichardsonAdministrative Assistant – Devils Lake: Lisa TofteAdministrative Assistant – Jamestown: Tonya KukowskiAdministrative Assistant – Riverdale: Sally SorensenAdministrative Assistant – Williston: Samantha Oster

CONSERVATION AND COMMUNICATIONS DIVISIONDivision Chief: Greg Link, BismarckCommunications Supervisor: Craig Bihrle, BismarckEditor, North Dakota OUTDOORS: Ron Wilson, BismarckWebsite Editor: Lara Anderson, BismarckNews Editor: Greg Freeman, BismarckVideo Project Supervisor: Mike Anderson, BismarckPhotographer: Ty Stockton, BismarckOutreach Biologists: Doug Leier, West Fargo; Greg Gullickson, Minot; Pat Lothspeich, BismarckInformation Specialist: Dawn Jochim, BismarckGraphic Artist: Connie Schiff , BismarckEducation Supervisor: Marty Egeland, BismarckEducation Coordinators: Jeff Long, Brian Schaff er, BismarckHunter Education Coordinator: John Mazur, BismarckConservation Supervisor: Steve Dyke, BismarckResource Biologists: John Schumacher, Bruce Kreft, BismarckConservation Biologists: Sandra Johnson, Patrick Isakson, Elisha Mueller, BismarckAdministrative Assistant: Brandon Diehl, Bismarck

ENFORCEMENT DIVISIONDivision Chief: Robert Timian, BismarckInvestigative Supervisor: Scott Winkelman, BismarckOperations Supervisor: Jackie Lundstrom, BismarckWarden Pilot: Jeff Sieger, BismarckRegion No. 1 Warden Supvr: Mark Pollert, Jamestown

District Wardens: Corey Erck, Bismarck; Jerad Bluem, Steele; Michael Sedlacek, Fargo; Tim Phalen, Wyndmere; Andrew Dahlgren, Edgeley; Erik Schmidt, Linton; Greg Hastings, Jamestown

Region No. 2 Warden Supvr: Paul Freeman, Devils LakeDistrict Wardens: Jonathan Tofteland, Bottineau; Jonathan Peterson, Devils Lake; James Myhre, New Rockford; Blake Riewer, Grand Forks; Alan Howard, Cando; Peter Miley, Cavalier

Region No. 3 Warden Supvr: Doug Olson, Riverdale District Wardens: Jim Burud, Kenmare; Tim Larson, Turtle Lake; Ken Skuza, Riverdale; Michael Raasakka, Stanley; Brian Updike, Minot; Joe Lucas, Watford City; Shawn Sperling, Keenan Snyder, Williston

Region No. 4 Warden Supvr: Dan Hoenke, DickinsonDistrict Wardens: Kylor Johnston, Hazen; Art Cox, Bowman; Courtney Sprenger,

Elgin; Zane Manhart, Golva; Jake Miller, Killdeer; Jeff Violett, Mandan; Zachary Schuchard, Richardton Administrative Assistant: Lori Kensington, Bismarck

WILDLIFE DIVISIONDivision Chief: Jeb Williams, BismarckAssistant Division Chief: Casey Anderson, BismarckGame Mgt. Section Leader: Stephanie Tucker, BismarckPilot: Jeff Faught, BismarckUpland Game Mgt. Supervisor: Jesse Kolar, DickinsonUpland Game Mgt. Biologist: Rodney Gross, BismarckMigratory Game Bird Mgt. Supervisor: Mike Szymanski, BismarckMigratory Game Bird Biologist: Andrew Dinges, BismarckBig Game Mgt. Supvr: Bruce Stillings, DickinsonBig Game Mgt. Biologists: Bill Jensen, Bismarck; Brett Wiedmann, Dickinson;Jason Smith, JamestownSurvey Coordinator: Chad Parent, BismarckWildlife Veterinarian: Dr. Daniel Grove, BismarckGame Management Technician: Ryan Herigstad, BismarckWildlife Resource Management Section Leader: Kent Luttschwager, WillistonWildlife Resource Mgt. Supvrs: Bill Haase, Bismarck; Brian Prince, Devils Lake; Brian Kietzman, Jamestown; Dan Halstead, Riverdale; Blake Schaan, LonetreeWildlife Resource Mgt. Biologists: Arvid Anderson, Riverdale; Randy Littlefi eld, Lonetree; Rodd Compson, Jamestown; Judd Jasmer, Dickinson; Jacob Oster, Williston Wildlife Techs: Tom Crutchfi eld, Jim Houston, Bismarck; Dan Morman, Robert Miller, Riverdale; Ernest Dawson, Jamestown; Cordell Schmitz, Lonetree; Scott Olson, Devils Lake; Brandon Ramsey, WillistonPrivate Land Section Leader: Kevin Kading, BismarckAsst. Private Land Coordinator: Doug Howie, BismarckPrivate Land Field Operation Coordinator: Nathan Harling, BismarckPrivate Land Biologists: Colin Penner, Levi Jacobson, Bismarck; Curtis Francis, Jaden Honeyman, Dickinson; Ryan Huber, Riverdale; Renae Schultz, Jamestown; Terry Oswald, Jr., Lonetree; Todd Buckley, Williston; Andrew Ahrens, Devils LakeProcurement Offi cer: Dale Repnow, BismarckLonetree Administrative Assistant: Diana Raugust, Harvey

FISHERIES DIVISIONDivision Chief: Greg Power, BismarckFisheries Mgt. Section Leader: Scott Gangl, BismarckFisheries Supvrs: Jeff Hendrickson, Dickinson; Jason Lee, Riverdale; Paul Bailey, Bismarck; Randy Hiltner, Devils Lake; Dave Fryda, Riverdale; Brandon Kratz, JamestownFisheries Biologists: Russ Kinzler, Riverdale; Todd Caspers, Devils Lake; Aaron Slominski, Williston; Mike Johnson, JamestownFisheries Techs: Phil Miller, Devils Lake; Pat John, Jamestown; Justen Barstad, Bismarck; Brian Frohlich, Riverdale; Jeff Merchant, DickinsonProduction/Development Section Supvr: Jerry Weigel, BismarckAquatic Habitat Supvr: Scott Elstad, BismarckAquatic Nuisance Species Coordinator: Jessica Howell, JamestownFisheries Development Supvr: Bob Frohlich, BismarckFisheries Dev. Proj. Mgr: Wesley Erdle, Bismarck Fisheries Development Technician: Kyle Hoge, BismarckAdministrative Assistant: Janice Vetter, Bismarck

ADVISORY BOARDDistrict 1 ................................................................................... Beau Wisness, KeeneDistrict 2 .............................................................................Robert Gjellstad, VoltaireDistrict 3 ........................................................................... Th omas Rost, Devils LakeDistrict 4 .............................................................................Joe Solseng, Grand ForksDistrict 5 .........................................................................Duane Hanson, West FargoDistrict 6 .......................................................................................Cody Sand, ForbesDistrict 7 .............................................................................David Nehring, BismarckDistrict 8 ............................................................................. Dwight Hecker, Fairfi eld

JANUARY• 2016 in Review• 2016 Watchable Wildlife

Photo Contest• Trout Fishing in North

Dakota – Th en and Now

NOVEMBER• Increase in Deer Gun Licenses

a Start• Prairie Walleye Lakes, Pike

Highlight Winter Fishing Forecast

• Partnership to Benefi t Ruff ed Grouse, Other Wildlife

• Monitoring Mussels in the Red River

OCTOBER• Managing Sakakawea’s Salmon

Population• Partnership to Benefi t

Producers, Wildlife• 55 Years of Fish Distribution• Wild and Whole – Reimagining

Wild Game Cooking

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER• 2017 Hunting Season Outlook• PLOTS Program Evolves,

Adapts• Upland Game Reproduction

and the Uncertainties of Nature

JULY• Establishing New

Fishing Lakes in North Dakota

• Grassland Birds• Channeling Angler

Eff orts Toward Catfi sh• Avoiding Blue-Green

Algae• Empty Nest

JUNE• Fishing for Options• Milkweeds and Monarchs• Forgotten Fish of

Western North Dakota’s Small Streams

• Th e Tackle Box

MAY• North Dakota’s Shorebird

Connection • Spreading the Aquatic

Nuisance Species Message• Sage Grouse Recovery

Eff ort Underway• 2017 Legislative Review• Game and Fish

Announces Habitat Projects Designed for Wildlife

MARCH-APRIL• Change and Innovations in

the Fish Underworld• 2017 North Dakota

Fishing Waters• 2016 Fish Stocking Report• Devils Lake Basin Boating

Access• Missouri River System

Boating Access

FEBRUARY• 2016 Deer Drawing• Big Water Walleyes• 2016 Enforcement

Division Review• Natural Resources Trust

Celebrates 30 Years

201 Features

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAYSR 8:28SS 5:06 1

New Year’s Day

SR 8:28SS 5:07

FULL MOON

2 SR 8:28SS 5:08 3 SR 8:28

SS 5:09 4 SR 8:28SS 5:10 5 SR 8:28

SS 5:11 6

SR 8:27SS 5:12 7 SR 8:27

SS 5:13 8 SR 8:27SS 5:14 9 SR 8:26

SS 5:15 10 SR 8:26SS 5:17 11 SR 8:25

SS 5:18 12 SR 8:25SS 5:19 13

SR 8:24SS 5:21 14 SR 8:24

SS 5:22 15

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

SR 8:23SS 5:23 16 SR 8:22

SS 5:25

NEW MOON

17 SR 8:22SS 5:26 18 SR 8:21

SS 5:27 19 SR 8:20SS 5:29 20

SR 8:19SS 5:30 21 SR 8:18

SS 5:32 22 SR 8:17SS 5:33 23 SR 8:16

SS 5:35 24 SR 8:15SS 5:36 25 SR 8:14

SS 5:38 26 SR 8:13SS 5:39 27

SR 8:12SS 5:41 28 SR 8:11

SS 5:42 29 SR 8:10SS 5:44 30 SR 8:09

SS 5:45

FULL MOON

31

JANUARYDECEMBER 2017

1 23 4 5 6 7 8 910 11 12 13 14 15 1617 18 19 20 21 22 2324 25 26 27 28 29 3031

FEBRUARY 2018

1 2 34 5 6 7 8 9 1011 12 13 14 15 16 1718 19 20 21 22 23 2425 26 27 28

Hungarian, or gray partridge, are not native to North Dakota. Th ese upland game birds are often found in coveys outside of the spring breeding season when birds break into pairs.

Photo by Steve Silseth, Minot

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SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAYSR 8:07SS 5:47 1 SR 8:06

SS 5:48 2 SR 8:05SS 5:50 3

SR 8:03SS 5:51 4 SR 8:02

SS 5:53 5 SR 8:01SS 5:54 6 SR 7:59

SS 5:56 7 SR 7:58SS 5:57 8 SR 7:56

SS 5:59 9 SR 7:55SS 6:00 10

SR 7:53SS 6:02 11 SR 7:52

SS 6:03 12 SR 7:50SS 6:05 13 SR 7:49

SS 6:07 14

Ash WednesdayValentine’s DaySpring Turkey

Application Deadline

SR 7:47SS 6:08

NEW MOON

15 SR 7:45SS 6:10 16 SR 7:44

SS 6:11 17

SR 7:42SS 6:13 18 SR 7:40

SS 6:14 19

Presidents Day

SR 7:39SS 6:16 20 SR 7:37

SS 6:17 21 SR 7:35SS 6:19 22 SR 7:33

SS 6:20 23 SR 7:32SS 6:22 24

SR 7:30SS 6:23 25 SR 7:28

SS 6:25 26 SR 7:26SS 6:26 27 SR 7:24

SS 6:27 28

JANUARY 20181 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 1314 15 16 17 18 19 2021 22 23 24 25 26 2728 29 30 31

MARCH 20181 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 1011 12 13 14 15 16 1718 19 20 21 22 23 2425 26 27 28 29 30 31

FEBRUARYLike the bison captured in the background of this photograph, sharp-tailed grouse are hardy creatures, capable of dealing with the sometimes harsh realities of winter on the Northern Plains.

Photo by Craig Bihrle, Bismarck


SS 6:30

FULL MOON

2 SR 7:19SS 6:32 3

SR 7:17SS 6:33 4 SR 7:15

SS 6:35 5 SR 7:13SS 6:36 6 SR 7:11

SS 6:38 7 SR 7:09SS 6:39 8 SR 7:07

SS 6:40 9 SR 7:06SS 6:42 10

SR 8:04SS 7:43 11

DST BeginsClocks Ahead One Hour

SR 8:02SS 7:45 12 SR 8:00

SS 7:46 13 SR 7:58SS 7:48 14 SR 7:56

SS 7:49 15 SR 7:54SS 7:50 16 SR 7:52

SS 7:52

NEW MOON

17

St. Patrick’s Day

SR 7:50SS 7:53 18 SR 7:48

SS 7:55 19 SR 7:46SS 7:56 20

Spring Begins

SR 7:44SS 7:57 21 SR 7:42

SS 7:59 22 SR 7:40SS 8:00 23 SR 7:38

SS 8:01 24

SR 7:36SS 8:03 25

Palm Sunday

SR 7:34SS 8:04 26 SR 7:32

SS 8:06 27 SR 7:30SS 8:07 28

Moose, Elk, SheepApplication Deadline

SR 7:28SS 8:08 29 SR 7:26

SS 8:10 30

Good Friday

SR 7:24SS 8:11

FULL MOON

31

FEBRUARY 20181 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 1011 12 13 14 15 16 1718 19 20 21 22 23 2425 26 27 28

APRIL 20181 2 3 4 5 6 78 9 10 11 12 13 1415 16 17 18 19 20 2122 23 24 25 26 27 2829 30

In spring, male turkeys establish, defend and announce territories a few acres in size by strutting and gobbling. Wild turkeys were introduced into North Dakota in the early 1950s and hunting for these big birds, especially in spring, has steadily grown in popularity.

Photo by Mike LaLonde, Bismarck

MARCH

2018


2018-19 Fishing License Required

Easter

SR 7:20SS 8:14 2 SR 7:18

SS 8:15 3 SR 7:16SS 8:17 4 SR 7:14

SS 8:18 5 SR 7:13SS 8:19 6 SR 7:11

SS 8:21 7

SR 7:09SS 8:22 8 SR 7:07

SS 8:23 9 SR 7:05SS 8:25 10 SR 7:03

SS 8:26 11 SR 7:01SS 8:27 12 SR 6:59

SS 8:29 13 SR 6:57SS 8:30 14

Spring TurkeySeason Opens

SR 6:56SS 8:32 15 SR 6:54

SS 8:33

NEW MOON

16 SR 6:52SS 8:34 17 SR 6:50

SS 8:36 18 SR 6:48SS 8:37 19 SR 6:46

SS 8:38 20 SR 6:45SS 8:40 21

SR 6:43SS 8:41 22

Earth Day

SR 6:41SS 8:43 23 SR 6:40

SS 8:44 24 SR 6:38SS 8:45 25 SR 6:36

SS 8:47 26 SR 6:34SS 8:48 27 SR 6:33

SS 8:49 28

SR 6:31SS 8:51 29 SR 6:30

SS 8:52

FULL MOON

30

MARCH 20181 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 1011 12 13 14 15 16 1718 19 20 21 22 23 2425 26 27 28 29 30 31

MAY 20181 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 1213 14 15 16 17 18 1920 21 22 23 24 25 2627 28 29 30 31

APRILWhile sharp-tailed grouse and Western meadowlarks are both icons of North Dakota’s prairies, it’s not often you fi nd them side-by-side on busy leks occupied by dancing grouse.

Photo by Scott Christiansen, Minot

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Paddlefi shSnagging Opens

SR 6:26SS 8:55 2 SR 6:25

SS 8:56 3 SR 6:23SS 8:57 4 SR 6:22

SS 8:59 5

SR 6:20SS 9:00 6 SR 6:19

SS 9:01 7 SR 6:17SS 9:03 8 SR 6:16

SS 9:04 9 SR 6:15SS 9:05 10 SR 6:13

SS 9:06 11 SR 6:12SS 9:08 12

SR 6:11SS 9:09 13

Mother’s Day

SR 6:10SS 9:10 14 SR 6:08

SS 9:11

NEW MOON

15 SR 6:07SS 9:13 16 SR 6:06

SS 9:14 17 SR 6:05SS 9:15 18 SR 6:04

SS 9:16 19

SR 6:03SS 9:17 20 SR 6:02

SS 9:18 21 SR 6:01SS 9:20 22 SR 6:00

SS 9:21 23 SR 5:59SS 9:22 24 SR 5:58

SS 9:23 25 SR 5:57SS 9:24 26

SR 5:56SS 9:25 27 SR 5:55

SS 9:26 28

Memorial Day

SR 5:55SS 9:27

FULL MOON

29 SR 5:54SS 9:28 30 SR 5:53

SS 9:29 31

APRIL 20181 2 3 4 5 6 78 9 10 11 12 13 1415 16 17 18 19 20 2122 23 24 25 26 27 2829 30

JUNE 20181 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 910 11 12 13 14 15 1617 18 19 20 21 22 2324 25 26 27 28 29 30

Colorful Northern shoveler drakes are territorial during the spring breeding season. Males engage in involved courtship behaviors, both in the air and on the water.


MAY


SS 9:31 2

Free Fishing DaySR 5:52SS 9:31 3

Free Fishing Day

SR 5:51SS 9:32 4 SR 5:51

SS 9:33 5 SR 5:50SS 9:34 6

Deer Gun and Muzzleloader

Application Deadline

SR 5:50SS 9:35 7 SR 5:50

SS 9:35 8 SR 5:49SS 9:36 9

SR 5:49SS 9:37 10 SR 5:49

SS 9:37 11 SR 5:49SS 9:38 12 SR 5:48

SS 9:38

NEW MOON

13 SR 5:48SS 9:39 14

Flag Day

SR 5:48SS 9:39 15 SR 5:48

SS 9:40 16

SR 5:48SS 9:40 17

Father’s Day

SR 5:48SS 9:40 18 SR 5:49

SS 9:41 19 SR 5:49SS 9:41 20 SR 5:49

SS 9:41 21

Summer Begins

SR 5:49SS 9:41 22 SR 5:49

SS 9:41 23

SR 5:50SS 9:41 24 SR 5:50

SS 9:41 25 SR 5:51SS 9:41 26 SR 5:51

SS 9:41 27 SR 5:51SS 9:41

FULL MOON

28 SR 5:52SS 9:41 29 SR 5:52

SS 9:41 30

MAY 20181 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 1213 14 15 16 17 18 1920 21 22 23 24 25 2627 28 29 30 31

JULY 20181 2 3 4 5 6 78 9 10 11 12 13 1415 16 17 18 19 20 2122 23 24 25 26 27 2829 30 31

JUNETh e black-capped chickadee is as inquisitive as it is recognizable, with its black cap and throat, white cheeks and gray back.

Photo by Kelly Krabbenhoft, West Fargo


SS 9:41 2 SR 5:54SS 9:40 3 SR 5:55

SS 9:40 4

Independence Day

SR 5:56SS 9:40 5 SR 5:56

SS 9:39 6 SR 5:57SS 9:39 7

SR 5:58SS 9:38 8 SR 5:59

SS 9:38 9 SR 6:00SS 9:37 10 SR 6:00

SS 9:36 11 SR 6:01SS 9:36 12 SR 6:02

SS 9:35

NEW MOON

13 SR 6:03SS 9:34 14

SR 6:04SS 9:34 15 SR 6:05

SS 9:33 16 SR 6:06SS 9:32 17 SR 6:07

SS 9:31 18 SR 6:08SS 9:30 19 SR 6:09

SS 9:29 20 SR 6:10SS 9:28 21

SR 6:11SS 9:27 22 SR 6:13

SS 9:26 23 SR 6:14SS 9:25 24 SR 6:15

SS 9:24 25 SR 6:16SS 9:23 26 SR 6:17

SS 9:21

FULL MOON

27 SR 6:18SS 9:20 28

SR 6:20SS 9:19 29 SR 6:21

SS 9:18 30 SR 6:22SS 9:16 31

JUNE 20181 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 910 11 12 13 14 15 1617 18 19 20 21 22 2324 25 26 27 28 29 30

AUGUST 20181 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 1112 13 14 15 16 17 1819 20 21 22 23 24 2526 27 28 29 30 31

Burrowing owls nest in abandoned burrows constructed by prairie dogs, ground squirrels and other burrowing animals. Mature owls often return to the same nest year after year.

Photo by Darcy Kramlich, Grassy Butte

JULY


SS 9:13 2 SR 6:26SS 9:12 3 SR 6:27

SS 9:11 4

SR 6:28SS 9:09 5 SR 6:29

SS 9:08 6 SR 6:31SS 9:06 7 SR 6:32

SS 9:05 8

PronghornApplication Deadline

SR 6:33SS 9:03 9 SR 6:35

SS 9:02 10 SR 6:36SS 9:00

NEW MOON

11

SR 6:37SS 8:58 12 SR 6:38

SS 8:57 13 SR 6:40SS 8:55 14 SR 6:41

SS 8:53 15

Swan PermitApplication Deadline

SR 6:42SS 8:52 16 SR 6:44

SS 8:50 17 SR 6:45SS 8:48 18

SR 6:46SS 8:46 19 SR 6:47

SS 8:45 20 SR 6:49SS 8:43 21 SR 6:50

SS 8:41 22 SR 6:51SS 8:39 23 SR 6:53

SS 8:37 24 SR 6:54SS 8:36 25

SR 6:55SS 8:34

FULL MOON

26 SR 6:56SS 8:32 27 SR 6:58

SS 8:30 28 SR 6:59SS 8:28 29 SR 7:00

SS 8:26 30 SR 7:02SS 8:24 31

Deer, Pronghorn Bow Seasons Open

Mountain Lion Season Opens

JULY 20181 2 3 4 5 6 78 9 10 11 12 13 1415 16 17 18 19 20 2122 23 24 25 26 27 2829 30 31

SEPTEMBER 20181

2 3 4 5 6 7 89 10 11 12 13 14 1516 17 18 19 20 21 2223 24 25 26 27 28 2930

Th e least chipmunk is the smallest and most widely distributed chipmunk in North America. Th is busy animal uses its cheek pouches to carry food, which it caches in hiding spots here and there.


AUGUST

2018

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

Opening dates for all hunting and trapping seasons highlighted here are recommended standardized opening dates. Finalized dates are set by governor’s proclamation.

Always check the appropriate proclamation for offi cial 2018 season information.

SR 7:03SS 8:22 1

Dove Season Opens

SR 7:04SS 8:20 2 SR 7:05

SS 8:18 3

Labor Day

SR 7:07SS 8:16 4 SR 7:08

SS 8:15 5

Fall TurkeyApplication Deadline

SR 7:09SS 8:13 6 SR 7:11

SS 8:11 7 SR 7:12SS 8:09 8

Sharptail, Partridge,Ruff ed Grouse, Squirrel

Seasons Open

SR 7:13SS 8:07

NEW MOON

9 SR 7:14SS 8:05 10 SR 7:16

SS 8:03 11 SR 7:17SS 8:01 12 SR 7:18

SS 7:59 13 SR 7:20SS 7:57 14

Youth Deer Season Opens

SR 7:21SS 7:55 15

Youth Waterfowl Season Opens

SR 7:22SS 7:53 16 SR 7:24

SS 7:51 17 SR 7:25SS 7:49 18 SR 7:26

SS 7:47 19 SR 7:27SS 7:45 20 SR 7:29

SS 7:43 21 SR 7:30SS 7:41 22

Fall BeginsEarly Resident

Waterfowl Season Opens

SR 7:31SS 7:39 23 SR 7:33

SS 7:37 24 SR 7:34SS 7:35

FULL MOON

25 SR 7:35SS 7:33 26 SR 7:37

SS 7:31 27 SR 7:38SS 7:29 28 SR 7:39

SS 7:27 29

Regular WaterfowlSeason Opens

Youth PheasantSeason Opens

SR 7:41SS 7:25 30

AUGUST 20181 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 1112 13 14 15 16 17 1819 20 21 22 23 24 2526 27 28 29 30 31

OCTOBER 20181 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 1314 15 16 17 18 19 2021 22 23 24 25 26 2728 29 30 31

It’s no secret that the walleye fi shing on the Missouri River can be good in fall. It’s also no secret, as summer slides into fall, that the scenery along the course of the river can be head-turning at that time of year.


SEPTEMBER

2018


SS 7:21 2 SR 7:45SS 7:19 3 SR 7:46

SS 7:17 4 SR 7:47SS 7:15 5

Pronghorn GunSeason Opens

SR 7:49SS 7:13 6

Pheasant Season Opens

SR 7:50SS 7:11 7 SR 7:51

SS 7:09 8

Columbus Day

SR 7:53SS 7:07

NEW MOON

9 SR 7:54SS 7:05 10 SR 7:56

SS 7:03 11 SR 7:57SS 7:01 12 SR 7:58

SS 7:00 13

Fall TurkeySeason Opens

SR 8:00SS 6:58 14 SR 8:01

SS 6:56 15 SR 8:02SS 6:54 16 SR 8:04

SS 6:52 17 SR 8:05SS 6:50 18 SR 8:07

SS 6:49 19 SR 8:08SS 6:47 20

SR 8:10SS 6:45 21 SR 8:11

SS 6:43 22 SR 8:12SS 6:42 23 SR 8:14

SS 6:40

FULL MOON

24 SR 8:15SS 6:38 25 SR 8:17

SS 6:37 26 SR 8:18SS 6:35 27

Mink, Muskrat, WeaselTrapping Seasons Open

SR 8:20SS 6:33 28 SR 8:21

SS 6:32 29 SR 8:23SS 6:30 30 SR 8:24

SS 6:29 31

Halloween

SEPTEMBER 2018

12 3 4 5 6 7 89 10 11 12 13 14 15

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NOVEMBER 2018

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While the habitat isn’t there for chinook salmon to successfully spawn naturally in North Dakota, mature fi sh in the Missouri River System still succumb to the primal urge in fall to try.


OCTOBER


RAP – Report All Poachers, call toll free: 800-472-2121, reward off ered.

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DST EndsClocks Back One Hour

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Election Day

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NEW MOON

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Deer GunSeason Opens

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Veterans Day

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Th anksgiving

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FULL MOON

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Deer Muzzleloader Season Opens

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DECEMBER 20181

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NOVEMBER

2018

While it’s common to associate mule deer to western North Dakota, whitetails have also established some solid footing in parts of the arid badlands.



Season’s Greetings from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department

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Darkhouse Spearfi shing Season Opens

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NEW MOON

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Winter Begins

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FULL MOON

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SS 4:59 24Christmas Eve

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Christmas Day

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Free Fishing Day

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Free Fishing Day

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New Year’s Eve

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A mature bull elk is an impressive animal. Fully developed antlers on a bull such as this one wandering in western North Dakota can weigh more than 50 pounds.

Photo by Kelly Krabbenhoft, West Fargo

DECEMBER

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