Post on 29-Nov-2021
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: ndgf@nd.gov
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
New Message Cancel
To: 468311Send
NDGF ALERTS
age Cancel
Send
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
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAYSR 7:23SS 6:29 1 SR 7:21
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
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAYSR 7:22SS 8:12 1
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
New Message Cancel
To: 468311Send
NDGF ALERTS
age Cancel
Send
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAYSR 6:28SS 8:53 1
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.
Photo by Craig Bihrle, Bismarck
MAY
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAYSR 5:53SS 9:30 1 SR 5:52
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
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAYSR 5:53SS 9:41 1 SR 5:54
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
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAYSR 6:23SS 9:15 1 SR 6:24
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.
Photo by Darcy Kramlich, Grassy Butte
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.
Photo by Craig Bihrle, Bismarck
SEPTEMBER
2018
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAYSR 7:42SS 7:23 1 SR 7:43
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
16 17 18 19 20 21 2223 24 25 26 27 28 2930
NOVEMBER 2018
1 2 34 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 1718 19 20 21 22 23 2425 26 27 28 29 30
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.
Photo by Craig Bihrle, Bismarck
OCTOBER
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
RAP – Report All Poachers, call toll free: 800-472-2121, reward off ered.
SR 8:26SS 6:27 1 SR 8:27
SS 6:26 2 SR 8:28SS 6:24 3
SR 7:30SS 5:23 4
DST EndsClocks Back One Hour
SR 7:31SS 5:21 5 SR 7:33
SS 5:20 6
Election Day
SR 7:34SS 5:19
NEW MOON
7 SR 7:36SS 5:17 8 SR 7:37
SS 5:16 9
Deer GunSeason Opens
SR 7:39SS 5:15 10
SR 7:40SS 5:14 11
Veterans Day
SR 7:42SS 5:12 12 SR 7:43
SS 5:11 13 SR 7:45SS 5:10 14 SR 7:46
SS 5:09 15 SR 7:48SS 5:08 16 SR 7:49
SS 5:07 17
SR 7:50SS 5:06 18 SR 7:52
SS 5:05 19 SR 7:53SS 5:04 20 SR 7:55
SS 5:03 21 SR 7:56SS 5:02 22
Th anksgiving
SR 7:57SS 5:02
FULL MOON
23 SR 7:59SS 5:01 24
SR 8:00SS 5:00 25 SR 8:01
SS 4:59 26 SR 8:03SS 4:59 27 SR 8:04
SS 4:58 28 SR 8:05SS 4:58 29 SR 8:06
SS 4:57 30
Deer Muzzleloader Season Opens
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
DECEMBER 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 31
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.
Photo by Darcy Kramlich, Grassy Butte
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
Season’s Greetings from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department
SR 8:07SS 4:57 1
Darkhouse Spearfi shing Season Opens
SR 8:09SS 4:56 2 SR 8:10
SS 4:56 3 SR 8:11SS 4:56 4 SR 8:12
SS 4:55 5 SR 8:13SS 4:55 6 SR 8:14
SS 4:55
NEW MOON
7 SR 8:15SS 4:55 8
SR 8:16SS 4:55 9 SR 8:17
SS 4:55 10 SR 8:18SS 4:55 11 SR 8:19
SS 4:55 12 SR 8:20SS 4:55 13 SR 8:21
SS 4:55 14 SR 8:21SS 4:55 15
SR 8:22SS 4:55 16 SR 8:23
SS 4:56 17 SR 8:24SS 4:56 18 SR 8:24
SS 4:56 19 SR 8:25SS 4:57 20 SR 8:25
SS 4:57 21
Winter Begins
SR 8:26SS 4:58
FULL MOON
22
SR 8:26SS 4:58 23 SR 8:27
SS 4:59 24Christmas Eve
SR 8:27SS 5:00 25
Christmas Day
SR 8:27SS 5:00 26 SR 8:28
SS 5:01 27 SR 8:28SS 5:02 28 SR 8:28
SS 5:03 29
Free Fishing Day
SR 8:28SS 5:04 30
Free Fishing Day
SR 8:28SS 5:04 31
New Year’s Eve
NOVEMBER 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
JANUARY 20191 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
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
2018
Ste
ve
Sil
seth
, Min
otC
raig
Bih
rle,
Bis
mar
ckM
ike
LaL
onde
, Bis
mar
ck
Sco
tt C
hris
tian
sen
, Min
otC
raig
Bih
rle,
Bis
mar
ckK
elly
Kra
bben
hoft
, Wes
t F
argo
Dar
cy K
ram
lich
, Gra
ssy
Bu
tte
Dar
cy K
ram
lich
, Gra
ssy
Bu
tte
Cra
ig B
ihrl
e, B
ism
arck
Cra
ig B
ihrl
e, B
ism
arck
Dar
cy K
ram
lich
, Gra
ssy
Bu
tte
Kel
ly K
rabb
enho
ft, W
est
Far
go
JUL
Y
OC
TO
BE
R
FE
BR
UA
RY
MA
Y
AU
GU
ST
NO
VE
MB
ER
DE
CE
MB
ER
JUN
E
SE
PT
EM
BE
R
JAN
UA
RY
MA
RC
H
AP
RIL
Nor
th D
akot
a G
ame
and
Fis
h D
epar
tmen
t10
0 N
. Bis
mar
ck E
xpre
ssw
ayB
ism
arck
, ND
585
01
2018