Hunting seasons set; applications online

Pronghorn hunting season set, apply online

North Dakota's 2020 pronghorn hunting season is set, with 1,790 licenses available in 15 open units.

Bruce Stillings, big game management supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, said license numbers and open units are up from last year, when the department allocated 1,330 licenses and had 12 open units.

The recently completed aerial survey indicated the pronghorn population is up 6% from last year. Stillings said three new hunting units will be open this fall, which includes a unit north of the Missouri River for the first time in more than 25 years.

"Hunting units 8A and 11A will be open for the first time since 2009, and 13A will also be open north of the Missouri River for the first time since 1993," Stillings said. "In addition, doe/fawn licenses will be issued in units 1A, 2A, 5A, 6A, 7A and 11A to address areas of high pronghorn density and provide additional hunting opportunities."

Survey results indicate the fawn-to-doe ratio was 61 fawns per 100 does, which was the same as last year and equal to the long-term average. The buck-to-doe ratio of 35 bucks per 100 does remain stable and above the population objective, Stillings said.

Each unit will once again have a season that is split into an early bow-only portion, and a later gun/bow season.

The bow-only portion of the season is from Sept. 4 (noon) – Sept. 27. Anyone who draws a license can hunt pronghorn with a bow in the unit printed on the license.

From Oct. 2 (noon) – Oct. 18, hunters who still have a valid license can use legal firearms or archery equipment, and again must stay in the assigned unit.

Only North Dakota residents are eligible to apply for a 2020 pronghorn license. Hunters who have accumulated bonus points and choose not to apply this year will not lose their points, but will not accrue one for next year. However, hunters who do not want a license in 2020 have the option to purchase a bonus point on the application.

The pronghorn license fee is $30 for ages 16 and older, and $10 for under age 16. Applicants for a pronghorn lottery license must be at least 12 years of age on or before December 31, 2020. The deadline for submitting applications is Aug. 5.

Early Canada Goose dates announced

North Dakota's early Canada goose season dates are set, with bag limits and licensing requirements the same as last year.

Opening day is Aug. 15 in all three zones. Closing dates are Sept. 7 in the Missouri River zone, Sept. 15 in the western zone and Sept. 22 in the eastern zone.

Early Canada goose limits are 15 daily and 45 in possession.

Limits and shooting hours are different from the regular season, while the zone boundaries remain the same. Shooting hours for early Canada goose are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.

Residents need a $5 early Canada goose license and a general game and habitat license. Also, residents age 16 and older need a small game license. Nonresidents need only a $50 early Canada goose license, and the license is valid statewide without counting against the 14-day regular season license.

Harvest Information Program certification is required, and beginning Sept. 1 a federal duck stamp for hunters age 16 and older is also needed. Those who HIP registered to hunt the spring light goose conservation order in North Dakota do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required in each state only once per year.

Waterfowl rest areas, closed to hunting during the regular season, are open during the early season. Most land in these rest areas is private, so hunters may need permission to access them.

Hunting of Canada geese in August and early September is intended to reduce local Canada goose numbers, which remain high. Game and Fish is attempting to provide additional hunting opportunities that can increase pressure on locally breeding Canada geese.

Small Game, Waterfowl and Furbearer Regulations Set

North Dakota's 2020 small game, waterfowl and furbearer regulations are set and most season structures are similar to last year.

Noteworthy items include:

• Opening day for ducks, geese, coots and mergansers for North Dakota residents is Sept. 26. Nonresidents may begin hunting waterfowl in North Dakota Oct. 3.

The daily limit on scaup is reduced from three to one.

The prairie chicken and sage grouse seasons will remain closed due to low populations.

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

Swan Hunt applications online

Swan hunters interested in applying for a 2020 license can submit an online application through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's website, gf.nd.gov.

• North Dakota residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply. The resident swan license is $10, while the nonresident fee is $30. The deadline for applying is Aug. 12.

• The statewide tundra swan hunting season opens Oct. 3. A total of 2,200 licenses are available. Successful applicants will receive a tag to take one swan during the season. Since swans are classified as waterfowl, nonresidents may hunt them only during the period their nonresident waterfowl license is valid.

All swan hunters, regardless of age, are required to have a general game and habitat license when applying. In addition, nonresidents must have a waterfowl license, and residents age 16 and older need a small game or combination license.

Hunters and trappers can find the North Dakota 2020-21 Hunting and Trapping Guide, which includes upland game, migratory game bird and furbearer/trapping regulations and other information, by visiting the state Game and Fish Department's website, gf.nd.gov. Printed guides will be available at vendor locations in mid-August. For a complete listing of opening and closing dates, and daily and possession limits, refer to the table on pages 4-5 of the guide. Applications for licenses may be made online at gf.nd.gov or by calling 800-406-6409. Applicants should note that a general game and habitat license is required when applying. If the applicant has not already purchased one for the 2020-21 season, the license will be added to their cart upon checkout.