Game wardens out in force

Hunting season is officially in full swing, and for the N.D. Game and Fish Department that means a busy schedule of ensuring our lands remain a safe and healthy hunting environment, both now and into the future.

Recently, one out-of-state hunter was caught allegedly using illegal hunting practices here in Eddy County.

The hunter, Tyler Brick of Minnesota, was charged with three separate infractions, including “surreptitious intrusion or interference with privacy – wildlife photography,” as well as baiting without permission and use of illegal bow hunting equipment.

James Myhre, Game Warden for Eddy County, couldn’t comment on the specific illegal practices Brick allegedly used, nor how he was caught, but he did describe what he often finds when looking for hunters skirting the law.

“Some of the main violations we run into are tagging issues with deer, where somebody would try to bring a deer home without tagging it,” said Myhre. “And then trespass. This year there were a number of instances of trespass in Eddy County and Wells County.”

Already this season, several hunters have also been caught hunting without a license and even failing to use non-toxic shot while hunting waterfowl.

Myhre said it’s important to apprehend poachers and to stop such illegal hunting practices, particularly as deer populations in the state are currently down.

“Deer numbers are obviously down from previous years,” explained Myhre, “and I wonder, with deer a little harder to come by, if people are willing to risk more to shoot one. The incidences of trespassing this year for me in particular was definitely up.”

Myhre explained that game wardens such as himself use a variety of tactics this time of year to catch hunters in violation.

Of course, he said standard patrols are common, but they also set up decoys in various problem areas. Another unique tactic also helps catch one of the more dangerous hunting violations: spotlighting.

“One of the tactics we’ll use is the use of an airplane,” said Myhre. “We’ve had our airplane up several times over the course of deer season and it’s been very useful in catching spotlighters. … You can see them sometimes 20 miles away, so yeah that’s a very useful tool.”

Such tactics are critical if North Dakota’s game wardens are to protect the state’s animal populations and keep residents safe from dangerous hunters.

“Number one is safety,” said Myhre. “Especially with spotlighting, there are people running around at night shooting at deer, and they don’t know what's behind that deer, or over the hill or down the road. When there are bullets flying around in the dark that just isn’t safe for anybody.”

Myhre encouraged any landowners or residents who suspect poaching or that someone is hunting illegally to call the Report All Poachers hotline at (701) 328-9921, or to contact their local game warden.

James Myhre is the game warden for the district that includes Eddy, Foster and Wells Counties, as well as part of Benson County. He can be reached via phone at (701) 739-8321.

“Deer numbers are down,” said Myhre, “and we need to make sure that people are following the rules. … When somebody goes over the limit or shoots extra deer or whatever it may be, they’re not stealing from the Game and Fish Department, they’re stealing from the people who live in North Dakota.”