Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Small game, waterfowl, furbearers regulations set
North Dakota’s 2024 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 Saturday, Sept. 21. Nonresidents may begin hunting waterfowl in North Dakota on Saturday, Sept. 28.
• The prairie chicken and sage grouse seasons remain closed due to low populations.
• An area in Grand Forks County, that was previously closed, is open to sharp-tailed grouse hunting.
• Fisher trapping opportunities were expanded by reducing the boundary of the closed area to the Turtle Mountains.
• Shooting hours for sandhill cranes were extended on Saturdays and Wednesdays beginning September 21 through the end of the season.
• The federal e-stamp is valid through the entire waterfowl hunting season.
Hunters and trappers can find the North Dakota 2024-25 Hunting and Trapping Guide, which includes upland game, migratory game bird and furbearer/trapping regulations, on the Game and Fish website. Printed guides will be available at vendor locations by late 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.
More elk hunting opportunities possible on public lands
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing additional elk hunting opportunities on public lands in North Dakota at four national wildlife refuges.
The proposal includes an additional 100,000-plus acres at J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge (58,939 acres), Upper Souris NWR (32,026 acres), Lostwood NWR (27,331 acres) and Des Lacs NWR (14,145 acres).
If the proposal is approved after a 30-day public comment period ending Sept. 3, hunters pursuing elk on these lands must use non-lead ammunition. The USFWS intends to finalize the proposed changes in time for the upcoming 2024-25 hunting season.
Swan hunt applications
Hunters applying for a 2024 swan 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 application deadline is Aug. 21.
The statewide tundra swan hunting season opens Sept. 28. 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 16 and older need a small game or combination license.
