09-25-2004, 02:25 AM
Hunters this year can expect a somewhat tougher waterfowl season compared to recent years, according to Mike Johnson, migratory game bird management supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
The fall flight of ducks from North Dakota is expected to be down 40 percent from last year, although Johnson said the flight will still be well above average. Additionally, weather conditions in the arctic this spring were not good for goose production so hunters will see fewer young snow geese and small Canada geese.
Opening day for North Dakota residents is Sept. 25 for ducks, coots, mergansers and geese. Nonresidents may begin hunting waterfowl in North Dakota Oct. 2.
Prospects for the continental fall duck flight are good, Johnson mentioned, and North Dakota' contribution to the fall flight, while down from 2003, should be above average and similar to the fall flights of 1995-96. "We had large numbers of breeding ducks this spring, and duck production in North Dakota was again high at 77 percent above the 1955-2003 average," Johnson said.
Almost one-third of the duck production is blue-winged teal, which are early migrants, Johnson noted. "Many blue-winged teal are migrating through the state right now, and while there are always some around at the start of the season, approximately 80-90 percent migrate out of the state by Oct. 1," he said.
Duck production in prairie Canada appears to be a mixed bag this year, with some areas having improved water while other areas remained dry. "Additionally, cool wet conditions hampered brood survival in some areas," Johnson added. "Despite these somewhat varied reports, the number of ducks that migrate through North Dakota should be pretty good."
Snow goose and Canada goose populations remain high and large numbers will migrate through the state this fall, Johnson noted. However, small Canada geese in the Tall Grass Prairie population, and Mid-Continent snow geese both had a below average year on their arctic nesting grounds. "This year, snow and cold weather conditions caused poor reproduction in the southern portion of their breeding range, but conditions were better farther north," Johnson added. "Therefore, hunters should see reduced numbers of young birds in the fall flight, which will make for tougher goose hunting."
All migratory bird hunters are reminded to register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting. Hunters who purchase a license through the game and fish Web site (discovernd.com/gnf) or instant licensing telephone number (800-406-6409) can easily get HIP certified.
Otherwise, hunters must call 888-634-4798 and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. Those who registered to hunt the spring light goose season do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required only once per year.
Hunters should refer to the [url "http://www.state.nd.us/gnf/licenses/index.html#regs"]2004 North Dakota Waterfowl Hunting Guide[/url] for season regulations including dates, hunting units and bag limits.
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The fall flight of ducks from North Dakota is expected to be down 40 percent from last year, although Johnson said the flight will still be well above average. Additionally, weather conditions in the arctic this spring were not good for goose production so hunters will see fewer young snow geese and small Canada geese.
Opening day for North Dakota residents is Sept. 25 for ducks, coots, mergansers and geese. Nonresidents may begin hunting waterfowl in North Dakota Oct. 2.
Prospects for the continental fall duck flight are good, Johnson mentioned, and North Dakota' contribution to the fall flight, while down from 2003, should be above average and similar to the fall flights of 1995-96. "We had large numbers of breeding ducks this spring, and duck production in North Dakota was again high at 77 percent above the 1955-2003 average," Johnson said.
Almost one-third of the duck production is blue-winged teal, which are early migrants, Johnson noted. "Many blue-winged teal are migrating through the state right now, and while there are always some around at the start of the season, approximately 80-90 percent migrate out of the state by Oct. 1," he said.
Duck production in prairie Canada appears to be a mixed bag this year, with some areas having improved water while other areas remained dry. "Additionally, cool wet conditions hampered brood survival in some areas," Johnson added. "Despite these somewhat varied reports, the number of ducks that migrate through North Dakota should be pretty good."
Snow goose and Canada goose populations remain high and large numbers will migrate through the state this fall, Johnson noted. However, small Canada geese in the Tall Grass Prairie population, and Mid-Continent snow geese both had a below average year on their arctic nesting grounds. "This year, snow and cold weather conditions caused poor reproduction in the southern portion of their breeding range, but conditions were better farther north," Johnson added. "Therefore, hunters should see reduced numbers of young birds in the fall flight, which will make for tougher goose hunting."
All migratory bird hunters are reminded to register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting. Hunters who purchase a license through the game and fish Web site (discovernd.com/gnf) or instant licensing telephone number (800-406-6409) can easily get HIP certified.
Otherwise, hunters must call 888-634-4798 and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. Those who registered to hunt the spring light goose season do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required only once per year.
Hunters should refer to the [url "http://www.state.nd.us/gnf/licenses/index.html#regs"]2004 North Dakota Waterfowl Hunting Guide[/url] for season regulations including dates, hunting units and bag limits.
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