Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Deer Season for Young Hunters Opens Sept. 13
Friday, Sept. 13 at noon Central Time signals the start of a nine-and-a-half-day deer hunting season for youth. Hunters are reminded that a 2019 general game and habitat license must be purchased before the state Game and Fish Department will mail the youth deer license.
Hunters are encouraged to purchase the required license early, since it takes a couple of days to receive the deer license in the mail.
Licensed residents who turn age 11, 12 or 13 in 2019 are allowed to hunt statewide, but only for antlerless white-tailed deer.
Resident deer gun hunters who turn age 14 or 15 in 2019, with a “youth season” license, can hunt statewide for any deer, except a special license is required to hunt antlered mule deer in units 3B1, 3B2, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 4F (valid only in the unit printed on the license).
After opening day, hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Solid daylight fluorescent orange vests or coats, and hats, are required for all young hunters and their adult mentors.
Each youth deer hunter must be under the direct supervision of an adult while in the field.
The youth deer season closes Sunday, Sept. 22.
Youth, Military Waterfowl Weekend is Sept. 14-15
North Dakota’s two-day youth waterfowl and special veteran and active military personnel waterfowl weekend is Sept. 14-15.
Licensed resident and nonresident youth waterfowl hunters age 15 and younger, and veterans and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training), may hunt ducks, geese, coots and mergansers statewide.
The daily bag limit and species restrictions are the same as for regular duck and goose seasons. Exception: the additional two blue-winged teal allowed during the first 16 days of the regular season are not allowed during this weekend.
Resident and qualifying nonresident youth waterfowl hunters must possess a general game and habitat license. Nonresidents from states that do not provide a reciprocal licensing agreement for North Dakota residents must purchase the entire nonresident waterfowl license package.
Veterans and members of the Armed Forces must possess a resident hunting license, which includes a general game and habitat license, and a small game license.
Hunters age 16 and older must also possess a federal waterfowl stamp.
In addition, all hunters must be HIP certified, and youth ages 12 and older need to have passed a certified hunter education course. Hunters who do not HIP certify when they buy a North Dakota license can add it by visiting the state Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov, or by calling 888-634-4798 and recording the HIP number on their printed license.
Grouse and Partridge Seasons Open Sept. 14
North Dakota’s popular hunting seasons for grouse and partridge will open Saturday, Sept. 14.
Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Sharptails, ruffed grouse and Hungarian partridge each have a daily limit of three and a possession limit of 12.
All hunters, regardless of age, must have a general game and habitat license. In addition, hunters age 16 and older need a small game license.
Hunters, please be aware of the daily rural fire danger index. The fire danger issued by the National Weather Service is designed to alert the public to conditions that may be conducive to the accidental starting or spread of fires. County governments also have the authority to adopt penalties for violations of county restrictions related to burning bans. These restrictions apply regardless of the daily fire danger index, and remain in place until each county’s commission rescinds the ban. Information on the current fire danger index is available through ndresponse.gov, or from a county sheriff’s office.
For further season information and regulations, hunters should consult the North Dakota 2019-20 Hunting and Trapping Guide.
Sandhill Crane Season Opens Sept. 14
North Dakota’s sandhill crane season opens Sept. 14 and runs through Nov. 10.
Limits are three daily and nine in possession in unit 1 (west of U.S. Highway 281), and two daily and six in possession in unit 2 (east of U.S. Highway 281). Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. each day through Nov. 2. Beginning Nov. 3, shooting hours are extended until 2 p.m. each day.
Hunters are urged to use caution and identify birds to prevent shooting at whooping cranes as they begin their fall migration.
In addition to other licenses required, resident hunters need a $10 crane permit. Nonresidents must purchase a $30 permit. Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification is also required. Buy a license and HIP certify online at the N.D. Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.
