ND Game and Fish News: Oct. 12, 2020

Hunters reminded to keep up with Fire Danger Index

With pheasant hunting season opening this Saturday and thousands of hunters taking to the field, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department reminds hunters to be aware of the daily fire danger index.

Recent high daytime temperatures, combined with typical dry, late-summer and early-fall ground conditions, have caused an elevated fire danger index in some counties that will influence outdoor activities.

Hunters are urged to keep up with the daily rural fire danger index, issued by the National Weather Service, to alert the public to conditions that may be conducive to accidental starting or spread of fires.

In addition, county governments 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.

The fire danger index can change daily depending on temperature, wind and precipitation forecasts. If the index reaches the extreme category, open burning is prohibited; off-road travel with a motorized vehicle is prohibited, except for people engaged in a trade, business or occupation where it is required; and smoking is restricted to inside of vehicles, hard surface areas, homes or in approved buildings.

Information on current fire danger indexes is available at NDResponse.gov.

Winkelman Named Chief Game Warden

Investigations supervisor Scott Winkelman was named chief game warden for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department Oct. 1, following the retirement of longtime chief Robert Timian.

Winkelman started his career with the department in 2003 as a district game warden in Bottineau. In 2007, he relocated to Bismarck to work in investigations.

Timian retired Sept. 1 after a 35-year career with the agency– the last 16 as chief of enforcement.

Permit Required to Possess Dead Deer

North Dakota Game and Fish Department enforcement personnel are issuing a reminder that a permit is required before taking possession of a dead deer found near a road or in a field. Only shed antlers can be possessed without a permit.

Permits to possess are free and available from game wardens and local law enforcement offices.

In addition, hunters are reminded to properly dispose of dead deer. Deer carcasses cannot be left on the side of a roadway or in a ditch, and deer parts cannot be discarded in commercial dumpsters.

Order 2021

OUTDOORS

Calendars

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is taking orders for its North Dakota OUTDOORS calendar, the source for all hunting season and application dates for 2021. Along with outstanding color photographs of North Dakota wildlife and scenery, it also includes sunrise-sunset times and moon phases.

To order online, visit buy and apply at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov., or send $4 for each, including postage and shipping, to: Calendar, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095. Be sure to include a three-line return address with your order, or the post office may not deliver our return mailing.

The calendar is the North Dakota OUTDOORS magazine’s December issue, so current subscribers will automatically receive it in the mail.