The Dakotas are the breadbasket for waterfowl production and the Devils Lake region is one of the jewels within the famed prairie pothole region. North Dakota had another banner year for waterfowl production and water conditions continue to be good to excellent throughout much of North Dakota and the Devils Lake region. The State's duck brood index was up 38% over last year's index. Continentally, duck numbers are similar to last year.
Duck season should be good and goose numbers continue to provide great heart pounding sights. The Devils Lake area remains very wet with ample water existing in the numerous prairie potholes, which should provide ample hunting opportunities. Top species to expect in the area include mallard, gadwall blue-winged teal, shoveler and pintails. Diver hunting can also be good on the big marshes and prairie lakes and hunters can expect scaup, reheads and canvasback greeting their decoy set. Canada geese and snow geese are always abundant in the area.
It is possible that the area will also have a prolonges season if weather holds out as much of Canada became wet this year. After many of our local birds move out we could see an influx of birds coming in from the north this year.
Scouting is an asset in this large landscape and insuring your hunting access will demand visiting many fields and marshes. It is recommended to call the landowner to gain permission to hunt. Fortunately, the Devils Lake region has numerous public lands and private lands open to sportsmen(PLOTS) which provides open public hunting opportunities.
(10-31-07)
WATERFOWL NUMBERS INCREASING; SOME FLYING THROUGH THE STATE
Hunters in many parts of North Dakota can expect to see increased numbers of waterfowl. The weekly report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows greater numbers of ducks and geese have entered the state. However, many birds remain in Canada and could stay until wintry weather drives them out.
Hunters are finding large flocks of snow geese moving into northeastern North Dakota. Biologist Cami Dixon of the Devils Lake Wetland Management District says a few large flocks of mallards are also being reported, but many wetlands are drying up, and hunters will have to do some scouting to find birds. Dixon adds the corn harvest is going strong, presenting additional opportunities for field hunters. A few more flocks of lesser Canada geese are being seen, and additional diving ducks are showing up around Lake Alice.
Hunters using waterfowl production areas are reminded that their vehicles are restricted to established trails.
Anyone witnessing a wildlife violation is urged to call the Report All Poachers hotline at 800-472-2121. Callers can remain anonymous and could receive a reward.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit the Service’s website at www.fws.gov
WATERFOWL MIGRATION PICKING UP; USFWS SAYS WHOOPERS ARE HERE, TOO
(10-24-07)
Strong northerly winds early this week moved large numbers of ducks and geese into North Dakota, but the weekly report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that many of them kept going. Hunters are urged to be on the lookout for whooping cranes, after at least five sightings were reported in recent days.
Waterfowl numbers seem to be holding steady in northeastern North Dakota.
A few more flocks of snow geese are being reported in Towner and Ramsey counties, and there might have been a slight increase in the number of lesser Canada geese. Hunter pressure has been steady.
Report from U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service:
(10-18-07)
WATERFOWL MIGRATION SLOW, BUT SOME SNOW GEESE ARRIVING
Mild temperatures, light hunting pressure and abundant food supplies are holding many ducks and geese in Canada, although the first flocks of snow geese are being reported in North Dakota. According to the weekly report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, waterfowl hunters still need to do some scouting in order to find birds.
Small flocks of snow geese are becoming more common in northeastern North Dakota. Biologist Cami Dixon of the Devils Lake Wetland Management District reports seeing snow geese in Towner and Ramsey counties, along with a few more diving ducks and a few flocks of lesser Canada geese.
Some hunters are being asked if they will allow their harvested birds to be tested for avian influenza. Employees of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other federal and state agencies are taking swabs of harvested waterfowl, although the highly pathogenic form of the disease has not yet been found in North America. Sample testing of hunter-killed birds supplements samples taken elsewhere from live wild birds. Hunters observing unusual bird behavior are asked to contact the closest wildlife agency.
Upland bird hunters are reminded they are restricted to nontoxic shot while on waterfowl production areas.
Report from U.S.Fish And Wildlife Service:
(10-11-07)
WATERFOWL MIGRATION SLOW; FIRST WHOOPING CRANES REPORTED
The waterfowl migration continues to move very slowly in North Dakota.
According to the weekly report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, cooler temperatures haven’t had much effect on duck and goose numbers. Biologists warn hunters that the first whooping cranes have been reported moving through the state.
The first signs of the fall migration are starting to appear in northeastern North Dakota. Biologist Cami Dixon of the Devils Lake Wetland Management District says hunters in the northern part of the district are starting to see a few snow geese, lesser Canada geese and tundra swans.
She reports hunter success seems to have dropped off a little, but many locally-raised birds remain in the area.
Nonresidents are reminded they will not be allowed to hunt on lands owned or managed by the N.D. Game and Fish Department from Oct. 13-19. The ban covers PLOTS acreage, as well as state wildlife management areas. However, nonresidents can still hunt other state-owned land, private land or federal lands such as waterfowl production areas during that time.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit the Service’s website at www.fws.gov
WATERFOWL MIGRATION SLOW; SCOUTING NEEDED, SAYS USFWS
(10-04-07)
Waterfowl hunters waiting for large numbers of ducks and geese to arrive in North Dakota from Canada will have to be patient. According to the weekly report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, there has been very little migration.
Some smaller wetlands in northeastern North Dakota are drying up, but the larger wetlands still have water. Refuge manager Brian Vose of the Devils Lake Wetland Management District says a few small flocks of lesser Canada geese have arrived in the area, but he hasn’t seen any snow geese or tundra swans yet. He reports hunting pressure seems to be down slightly from last year.
MIGRATION SLOW AS NONRESIDENTS JOIN N.D. WATERFOWLERS
(09-26-07)
Small wetlands in northeastern North Dakota are starting to dry up, but conditions remain fair in most of the eight-county Devils Lake Wetland Management District. Refuge manager Neil Shook says most hunters are heading for Nelson County and parts of Benson County. Teal, mallards and gadwall are the most common ducks in hunters’ bags. Shook notes that some tundra swans have been seen in the northern part of the district, and some small flocks of lesser Canada geese are showing up.
CONDITIONS VARY FOR WATERFOWL HUNTERS, SAYS USFWS
(09-19-07)
Waterfowl hunters should have good opportunities in the southeastern and north-central parts of the state, as well as north of Jamestown, including the Devils Lake area, when the season opens for state residents on Saturday. However, a mid-week survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service notes that water conditions in the northwest and central portions of the state are poor and waterfowl numbers are low.
