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Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Game and Fish seeks input on 2025 wildlife conservation plan
May 30—BISMARCK — The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is taking public comment on the revision of its 2015 State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), a process it is required to undertake every 10 years as part of an effort to conserve wildlife and habitats across the state. According to Patrick Isakson, conservation supervisor for Game and Fish in Bismarck, the department developed its first SWAP document in 2005 to shed light on at-risk and potential at-risk species in North Dakota. While SWAP includes a "handful" of game species, including sharp-tailed grouse, canvasback, lesser scaup and northern pintail, "the vast majority are those nongame species that we don't hunt or fish in the state," Isakson said. That includes grassland birds, shorebirds, terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, insects, freshwater mussels, mammals, reptiles and amphibians that may be under threat. The ultimate goal of the plan is to prevent species from being listed for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. "The State Wildlife Action Plan is really a guiding document for our agency and our partners to identify the threats and conservation actions for at-risk species and their habitats," Isakson said. Bruce Kreft, chief of the Game and Fish Department's Conservation and Communications Division, said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) provides states with money to address rare and declining species, but state agencies in turn must develop a plan to address the species listed in the document. Kreft talked about the required SWAP update on Tuesday, April 22, during the Game and Fish Department's spring Advisory Board meeting. Game and Fish is mandated to hold the meetings twice a year in each of the state's eight advisory board districts, and the meeting for District 7 was livestreamed from Game and Fish headquarters in Bismarck. The FWS recently announced it is distributing more than $55 million to state fish and wildlife agencies through its State Wildlife Grant Program. North Dakota is receiving $552,727 for 2025, according to the FWS. "The State Wildlife Grant Program supports conservation actions aimed at avoiding new federal listings of threatened and endangered species, recovering those species already listed and ensuring healthy populations of each state's top-priority fish and wildlife species for future generations," Paul Souza, acting director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said in a statement. "We are pleased to be working with these partners to protect America's natural resources and wild places." That's where the State Wildlife Action Plan comes into play, Isakson of Game and Fish said. "One of the benefits of the state putting together a State Wildlife Action Plan is then, it's eligible for State Wildlife Grant money" from the FWS, Isakson said. "So, in order for us to spend that money on our species of greatest conservation need, we need to have the State Wildlife Action Plan in place to identify what we're going to do with it." That allocation has ranged from about $450,000 to $550,000 annually over the last decade or so, he said. "It's been a real stable funding source for our nongame species and one that really has done a lot of work in our state and furthered our information and knowledge," Isakson said. "We leverage (funding) with partner dollars, university dollars, NGO (nongovernmental organization) dollars and do research and habitat conservation with it." Examples, he says, include a freshwater mussel study being conducted with Valley City State University, reptile and amphibian surveys underway with a researcher at North Dakota State University and looking at grassland bird habitat and how it relates to some of the at-risk species in the SWAP document. "We've been fortunate over the last decade or so to add some expertise in both terrestrial insects and aquatic insects, so we really lean heavily into this plan on what effects those threats out there have on our invertebrate community," Isakson said. "So, there are a lot of new insects both aquatic and terrestrial, that are in our (updated) plan. "That's where a lot of the species that we see being potentially listed and petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act are going — to those invertebrates." As part of its first two State Wildlife Action Plans in 2005 and 2015, Game and Fish ranked "Species of Conservation Priority," Isakson says. Under the SWAP draft now up for public review, species are identified as "Species of Greatest Conservation Need" and "Species of Greatest Information Need," Isakson says. "We don't rank them out anymore," he said. "We just have species that we have an idea of what the threats and actions are that we need to conserve them. And then those Species of Greatest Information Need are those that we really need to do some more investigating on. We have an idea that maybe there's some threats out there or their populations may be declining, but we need to lean into some of the research to identify those." The 2025 SWAP draft includes 134 species of Greatest Conservation Need and 98 Species of Greatest Information Need in North Dakota, Isakson said. The first SWAP in 2005 identified about 100 species of concern, a number that increased to 115 species in the 2015 SWAP update, Kreft said during the April Advisory Board livestream. "So, we're seeing that increase in the number of species that are rare and declining either regionally — throughout different states — or within the states," Kreft said. The 152-page SWAP draft has eight elements, he said, including abundance, distribution, some of the threats and potential actions. While the list of at-risk species has grown, species occasionally come off the list, as well, Isakson said. The river otter and the American marten, both of which were listed in the 2015 plan, are two examples, he said; the bald eagle also was removed from the list. "Ultimately, we found out enough information to feel like they're not really at risk in our state," Isakson said. In revising the 2025 SWAP as required, Game and Fish last September hosted a "SWAP Summit," which included about 60 members from the public and various conservation partners. North Dakota's SWAP is a collaborative effort between Game and Fish staff, species experts, partner conservation groups, and state, federal and local agencies. "That's the second time we brought all of our partners and stakeholders together," Isakson said. "We gave them an update on some of our thoughts from our internal work and then broke them out into groups based on the habitats they were interested in — or that they had experience in — and really dove into what those threats are." Habitat loss is a concern, Isakson says; what benefits game species also benefits nongame species. "That is the beauty of our plan, being habitat-based and habitat conservation-based, is if you keep it 'green side up,' if you keep the grass out there and keep the trees out there, it benefits all species in the state," Isakson said. "Both hunted (species) and those nongame species that we talk about more readily in this plan. "Our plan focuses a lot on conserving native habitat — the native grass that's out there — and in some cases trying to rebuild some of that habitat." Getting people to recognize the importance of all wildlife — and not just species targeted by hunters and anglers — can be a challenge, Isakson concedes. "We always have work to do when it comes to talking about the importance of all wildlife in the state," he said. "The department is in charge of managing all wildlife in the state. A lot of people think about those game species and those species that they catch out there, but we've done work over the years to try and educate the public on the importance of all species and their habitats — and that is part of our plan here." Game and Fish will take comments on the 2025 SWAP draft through June 30. After that, the department will develop a final draft for the Fish and Wildlife Service to approve. "Once it's signed off on, we're good to go for another 10 years," Isakson said. * To comment: A draft of the 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan update is available on the Game and Fish website at Public comments are accepted through June 30.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hunters score victory with bill that overrules North Dakota Game and Fish policy
Hunters wore orange shirts to the Capitol on Jan. 17, 2025, in support of a bill to end restrictions on using bait to hunt deer. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) North Dakota lawmakers on Friday sided with hunters in the debate over whether the state Game and Fish Department can restrict using bait when deer hunting on private property. The House passed Senate Bill 2137 after rejecting a proposed amendment. The bill is the same version that passed the Senate. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has banned landowners from setting out feed for deer for the purpose of hunting in some areas of the state. The department testified against the bill, saying that feeding bans are part of an attempt to slow the spread of chronic wasting disease in deer. Charlie Bahnson, wildlife veterinarian for Game and Fish, said in written testimony that chronic wasting disease is still rare in North Dakota, but the department needs the feeding restrictions as a management tool. But Rep. Matt Ruby, R-Minot, argued that the bans have no effect on the spread of the disease that can be fatal in deer. Baiting bill limiting North Dakota Game and Fish policy passes Senate Some states have seen large declines in deer populations. Ruby said North Dakota should continue to monitor for the disease. North Dakota has had 122 positive tests of chronic wasting disease in deer since 2009, The Bismarck Tribune reported, citing Game and Fish Department data. Of those, 119 cases were from deer killed by hunters. Supporters of the bill argue there has only been one confirmed case of chronic wasting disease in the state, a deer that was found dead by a landowner near Williston that tested positive for the disease. An argument against feeding is that it encourages deer to congregate in large groups, helping disease spread. Rep. Ben Koppelman, R-West Fargo, said the state should encourage feeding because with more feed sources, the deer groups would be smaller, he said. The failed amendment would have put limits on how much feed could be put out and put restrictions on where feed could be placed. It also called for a Game and Fish report on chronic wasting disease to Legislative Management. Hunters have turned out in large numbers at the Capitol to show support for the bill. The bill heads to the governor for his signature. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
North Dakota House committee gives 'do-pass' recommendation to baiting bill
Apr. 4—BISMARCK — After making amendments, a North Dakota House committee has given a "do-pass" recommendation to SB 2137, a bill that would prevent the Game and Fish Department from restricting the use of supplemental feed for hunting big game on private land, a practice commonly known as "baiting." Currently, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department prohibits baiting big game on private land in hunting units with confirmed cases of chronic wasting disease or in units within 25 miles of a confirmed CWD case. A neurological disease that affects deer, elk and moose, CWD is always fatal. The House Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday, April 3, amended SB 2137 to limit the amount of bait that can be placed at a given site to 50 gallons. In addition, the supplemental feed may not be placed within 50 feet of any property used for animal agriculture. In addition to the 50-gallon limit and 50-foot setback requirement, the committee recommended the Game and Fish Department "shall conduct chronic wasting disease surveillance and testing" and provide a report to Legislative Management by July 31, 2029, "regarding an update on the surveillance and testing protocols and procedures for chronic wasting disease in the state." The committee gave a do-pass recommendation to the amended legislation by an 8-4 vote. If ultimately passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Kelly Armstrong, the legislation would be effective through July 31, 2029. Authored by Sen Keith Boehm, R-Mandan, SB 2137 has been perhaps the most hotly contested piece of outdoors-related legislation to be introduced during this year's North Dakota legislative session. Dozens of people on both sides of the issue have weighed in on the bill, which passed the Senate by a 31-15 vote. Baiting also was a hot topic during the 2023 North Dakota legislative session, and the Senate in the closing days of the session narrowly defeated a bill with provisions similar to the legislation now being debated. HB 1151 initially sailed through the House by a 76-18 vote before being defeated in the Senate by a 26-21 vote. In its plan for managing CWD, a restriction on baiting currently is one of five tools the Game and Fish Department uses to mitigate the fatal disease. Science has shown the risk of spreading the disease is heightened by close contact. Other tools in the CWD mitigation toolbox are carcass transport restrictions, surveillance and testing, proper carcass disposal (preferably in a landfill) and education/outreach to keep people informed. If SB 2137 ultimately passes, Game and Fish still would have authority to manage the disease "in every aspect except baiting," said Rep. Todd Porter, R-Mandan, chairman of the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "I think we're codifying their authority inside the disease," Porter said. The bill now awaits a vote in the full House. The Game and Fish Department in February said it confirmed 17 new cases of CWD in North Dakota during the 2024 sampling season, mainly in the western part of the state. Of that total, 15 deer were taken by hunters and two were clinical deer confirmed through diagnostic examination, the department said. There have been 122 confirmed cases of CWD in North Dakota since 2009, when the disease first was documented in Unit 3F2 in the south central part of the state.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Outdoors Notebook: Grand Forks man joins Sand County Foundation
Mar. 22—MADISON, Wis. — The Sand County Foundation has named Alex Erickson of Grand Forks as associate director of the Leopold Conservation Award program. Erickson, who began his new job March 17, will play a key role in outreach to Leopold Conservation Award recipients and sponsors nationally. Based in Madison, Sand County Foundation is a national nonprofit that works with farmers, ranchers, foresters and other private landowners to improve soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat. Leopold Conservation Awards are presented annually in 28 states to innovative landowners who inspire others to consider conservation opportunities on their own land. "With a strong background in agricultural sales, business development and marketing, Alex is uniquely qualified for this role," Lance Irving, Sand County Foundation's vice president of the Leopold Conservation Award, said in a statement. "He also brings a deep appreciation for conservation and agriculture. "I am excited for the Leopold Conservation Award's network of past recipients, sponsors and partners to collaborate with Alex to advance conservation across the country," Irving added. Erickson graduated from St. John's University with a bachelor's degree in biology. He enjoys many outdoor pursuits in Grand Forks and serves as secretary of an archery club, the Sand County Foundation said. BISMARCK — North Dakota anglers, hunters and trappers should note that new licenses are required beginning April 1, the Game and Fish Department said in a reminder. Licenses can be purchased on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, . Once the license is processed, hunters and anglers will have the option to print a hard copy and/or download the license to a smartphone or mobile device, which is helpful when asked to show proof while hunting or fishing in rural areas that lack cellular service. Licenses can also be purchased at more than 80 vendor locations throughout the state. The 2025-26 small game, fishing and furbearer licenses are effective April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reopening the public comment period for a proposed rule to list the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, the agency said this week. The proposed rule includes species-specific protections and flexibilities to encourage conservation of the butterfly under the ESA, according to a news release from the FWS. The comment period will be reopened for 60 days, until May 19, 2025, to give all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed rule, which was published on Dec. 12, 2024. Comments that previously were submitted do not need to be resubmitted, as they are already incorporated into the public record and will be fully considered in the final listing determination. The public comment period reopened March 19. Information about how to submit comments can be found at by searching for docket number FWS-R3-ES-2024-0137. * On the web: . Minnesota has been named among the top five fishing states in the country by the world's largest platform for booking fishing trips. Based on 17 criteria in four categories — Community, Facilities, Financial and Geography — Minnesota climbed into the top 10, securing a shared fifth place with Wisconsin. The top 4 remained unchanged from 2024, with Alaska holding the No. 1 spot, followed by Florida, Delaware and Michigan. In a news release, said Minnesota was the biggest climber in this year's rankings, receiving 99.5 out of a total possible score of 210 points. The North Star State scored especially well in the Financial category, leading the field with 51.5 out of 65 points.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Reward offered for info on Tucson wildlife poisoning that left 58 animals dead
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering a reward for information that leads to the arrest of a person, or persons, poisoning wildlife in Tucson. Poison was discovered in late January after officers found several dead coyotes, javelinas and dogs near Pantano Wash. To date, the Game and Fish Department said officials have found almost 60 dead animals, including 51 coyotes, 4 javelinas and 3 domestic dogs, mostly between Houghton and Old Spanish Trail in Tucson. Based on an analysis of a dead javelina in February, investigators believed a person placed poison in a food item that would attract animals. As of mid-February, no other poison was placed out. What is strychnine? Common pesticide suspected in poisoning of over 30 coyotes Though the poison was yet to be confirmed, Dr. Anne Justice-Allen, the department's wildlife veterinarian, suspected it could be strychnine or another fast-acting poison. Officials are offering up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Individuals with information about the case are urged to call Arizona Game and Fish Department's Operation Game Thief Hotline at 800-352-0700, anonymously if need be, and reference case OGT#25-000176. The intentional poisoning of wildlife is rare, not to mention illegal in Arizona, and this circumstance is out of the norm, said Michael Colaianni, the spokesperson for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Department officials urged dog owners who hike in the area to keep their pets on a leash and not let them pick up anything from the trail or wash. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tucson wildlife poisonings: Officials offer reward for info
