Categories: Hunting > Guns and Ammo - Shotguns, Rifles, Airguns, Handguns
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Categories: Hunting > Big Game Hunting - Bear, Elk, Moose, Antelope
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The ND Coyote Classic will be held again in Dickinson, ND January 12th - 14th, 2012. This is the largest two day coyote tournament in the upper Midwest, now in its 10th year of success. A tourney capacity of 50 teams have registered to compete in over $16,000 in cash in prizes. Cash is awarded for the largest and smallest coyotes each evening, along with team total numbers at the end of the two days. At the
2011 tournament in Dickinson there were 660 coyotes seen and 125 coyotes checked in.
For more information go to www.coyotehunter.net
The North Dakota Coyote Classic is a true testament to the world class coyote hunting the Dickinson area has to offer with miles of untapped land that is plentiful with numerous species of big and small game. To plan your next hunting adventure, visit the Dickinson Convention and Visitors Bureau www.visitdickinson.com
30 rooms blocked - Quality Inn 701-225-9510 Release date December 31, 2011.
Book early! For all other lodging information go to www.visitdickinson.com/visitors/lodging
Categories: Hunting > Predator Hunting
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The Beulah Chamber of Commerce (BCC) just announced that the Coal Country Coyote Challenge will be taking place December 1-2-3, 2011 headquartered out of Dakota Farms Inn and the Alibis Lounge in Beulah, ND. This will be a 2-Division Pro-Sportsman’s tournament. Teams designated as “Pros” in the rules will compete for “Entry Fee” only prizes. Sportsman’s will be eligible for the $5,000 1st place prize as well as “Big Dog” “Little Dog” rifles. 1st place sportsman’s payout based on a 30 team minimum entry. No member of an amateur team can be anyone classified as a “Pro” by the rules of the contest committee. Click here for rules and registration 
Categories: Hunting > Predator Hunting
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Scoring of antlers will be from 2pm to 6pm CST in which ALL antlers must be entered for scoring during this time.
The Awards presentation will start at 8pm CST with the following Grand Prizes:
• Adult Gun (Donated by John’s Food Center)
• Adult Archery (Donated by BNC National Bank)
• Youth Gun (Donated by Nodak Sportsmans Club
• Youth Archery (Donated by Nodak Sportsmans Club)
• Youth Mule Deer Gun or Archery (Donated by Dakota Community Bank
There will also be a 2011 Bonus Mystery Prize (Donated by Tumbleweed Bar and Grill) given to a lucky winner picked by contest officials. 2nd and 3rd place prizes will be given for the adult gun/archery divisions and 2nd through 5th place will be given away for the youth gun/archery divisions. For additional prizes and rules click here.
MAKE SURE TO STICK AROUND! A few of the 2012 FishingBuddy Calendar Girls will be on-hand signing calendars starting at 8pm in the Tumbleweed Bar. If you’ve already bought a calendar bring it on in to have them sign it.
It’s hard to describe the view I had with my dad as we sat on top of a ridge overlooking the Missouri breaks. There was absolutely no wind, and the pine trees had a little bit of shine to them due to the frost. The only sound we could hear were geese flying in the distance and peacefulness of a cool, crisp October morning in eastern Montana’s badlands. All of this and plus the sun slowly rising up with the lake in the background had me wondering if there was any way it could get better than this. It would.I was glassing the breaks directly underneath us and found two does and two small bucks just grazing. It’s like trying to find a needle in a hay stack when they are down in rugged breaks, having good spotting scope is a must. I was just about ready to get up and move another 100 yards north of our current spot when my dad spotted a doe skyline herself. She quickly dropped right over the ledge into the basin we were glassing. Not thirty seconds after her, a very nice buck with some great looking character skylined himself and followed the doe into the basin. I knew right away that he was the type of buck I was after. I crossed the ravine they came out of and got the wind in my face for the stalk. I never skyline myself because they will pick you off easily so ditching my pack I started to crawl into the little clay crevice with some cover. This is the same ravine they used to get down from the ridge and into the breaks.Getting down to the bottom, I was surrounded by sage and cactus so I slowly peeked my head up to try and spot him and instantly found him directly below me. I settled myself in, ranged him at 180 yards, and set up my bi-pod. He was facing me head-on for about five minutes. During that time I was trying my best to judge him but because of the steep angle from above and the brush behind him it wasvery hard to get a good look ay his rack. 
He then tilted his head just enough and I could see he had good mass and unique right back fork. He followed that up with a lip curl and I decided right then and there I was going to take him out. At this point he was about two steps from the start of a real steep drainage that lead down to some thick cover along the lake and I knew if he made it in there he would be gone.I put my cross hairs on his chest for the next minute or so and waited for him to give me a broadside shot. The second he turned to go into the break I squeezed off a round of lead and he folded up and hit the dirt. It was a great feeling knowing we had worked pretty hard trying to find a mature buck and I was able to close the deal in an area I had never been to before and it was still about a month before the rut. My dad had watched from a few hundred yards away, came over to congratulate me and we exchanged a few fist pumps and laughs.I went back and grabbed my pack and then my dad and I made our way down the ridge to the buck. Upon hitting the ground, the buck apparently slid down about 80 yards into an extremely steep break so I had to take pictures of him down in the ravine as well as cape and bone him out there. It was a little extra work but completely worth it. To me, the pack out is the best part because that means you filled your tag and reached your goal. 
I was very happy with this buck. He has great mass and great character to his rack. I gross scored him at 173". There is always going to be bigger ones out there but I couldn’t bring myself to pass on a 170 class buck on public land, especially when sharing the whole weekend with my dad. This was my first Halloween weekend hunt and a very memorable one at that. It was a hunt that I will never forget and I can’t wait to get out there next year!
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Most of us hunters can easily compare 2011 to previous North Dakota deer seasons, just by sharing stories of deer seen, deer bagged on opening day, big bucks, does and who missed the easiest shot.
For the State Game and Fish Department, it takes a bit longer to come up with the statistics or numbers that allow for more scientific comparisons of one year to the next. Part of that process is underway now, as Game and Fish mailed post-season harvest surveys right after deer gun season ended.
Anyone who received one of these surveys and hasn’t filled it out yet will get a reminder in the mail as well. I can’t stress enough how important it is for hunters who receive one of these surveys, for deer or any other season, to fill them out and mail them back in, or complete the survey online.
Game and Fish then crunches the numbers from these surveys to produce a variety of statistics. For instance, survey results from last year indicated hunters took approximately 67,000 deer during the deer gun season, and overall hunter success was 64 percent. Hunter success for antlered white-tailed deer was 68 percent, and antlerless whitetail was 63 percent. Mule deer buck success was 68 percent, while mule deer doe hunters had a success rate of 70 percent.
Hunters with any-antlered or any-antlerless licenses almost exclusively harvest white-tailed deer. These buck and doe hunters each had a success rate of 64 percent. Hunters drawing a muzzleloader license had a success rate of 46 percent, while young hunters during the youth season had a success rate of 55 percent.
In terms of raw numbers, Game and Fish made available 116,775 deer gun licenses in 2010, with more than 99 percent issued to hunters. This fall 109,950 licenses were available to hunters, 6,825 fewer than last year and the lowest since 2001.
The survey not only calculates harvest rates, but also how much time hunters spend in the field. It will be interesting to see how that statistic shakes out this year.
When I worked the field as a game warden, I realized how every hour after the 12 noon opener the pool of potential deer hunters would shrink. Ask any game warden, and they’ll tell you the final Sunday of even the best deer season can be pretty sparse in terms of hunter activity.
About the only people out are those who may not have had an earlier opportunity, are waiting for the right deer, or had enough licenses to fill that it took all three weekends.
In years such as this, with deer numbers below recent highs in most areas of the state, will hunters spend more time in the field?
While we’re waiting to find out the statistics from the 2011 deer season, the Game and Fish Department also analyzes aerial surveys for both mule deer whitetails, and monitors a number of other population indices, including deer-vehicle collision reports, depredation reports, hunter observations, input at advisory board meetings, and comments from the public, landowners and department field staff.
It’s all part of a year-round process to get us ready for opening day in 2012.
Leier is a biologist with the Game & Fish Department. He can be reached by email:dleier@nd.gov
Terry Fleck, volunteer chairman for the North Dakota Energy Forum, has been facilitating meetings with outdoor groups and the oil industry.
“We’ve held three meetings so far this year with wildlife and conservation groups, the North Dakota Petroleum Council (NDPC) and oil company representatives of the NDPC Regulatory Committee,” Fleck said. “As energy development continues to grow, so too is the discussion surrounding wildlife and habitat.”
Beginning in March, Fleck and the North Dakota Energy Forum invited groups and the oil industry to establish the Sporting and Oil Industry Forum to focus on wildlife and habitat issues and energy development. John Devney, vice president of U.S. policy with the Delta Waterfowl Foundation, has participated in each of the three forums.
“We aren’t always going to agree on everything, but engaging the conservation community and the energy industry together in one room and fostering this dialogue is an important step,” Devney said. “We’re at the table talking through real issues.”
Ron Ness, president of the NDPC, agrees. “We all share an interest in habitat and wildlife,” Ness said. “The outdoor experience and hunting heritage are central to many of our lifestyles, including many employed by the oil and gas industry. We encourage our operators to reduce impacts on our land and habitats. This forum and these discussions help educate all of us,” Ness added.
One of the issues the Forum has been discussing is the development of GIS maps and RMPs. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has been working on GIS maps of select species for almost a year and presented these to the Sporting and Oil Industry Forum in June. Since that time, the Game and Fish Department has worked with companies to introduce and utilize that information.
Game and Fish, working with the NDPC, has also developed RMPs to help minimize impacts of oil and gas development. “All of us involved have worked hard to finish development of these tools, but really, that’s only the beginning,” said Game and Fish Department Director Terry Steinwand. “We’ve worked with industry almost since the beginning and they now have additional tools available that identify and highlight crucial wildlife habitat, so they can consider potential wildlife influences while continuing to develop energy resources.”
“This is a positive step, and we encourage oil and gas field developers to utilize these datasets and RMPs,” said Ryan Krapp, North Dakota chair for the Mule Deer Foundation. “For instance, if a developer is made aware of critical mule deer habitat in the lease area, they might select an alternative development plan that minimizes or avoids habitat disturbance.”
Steinwand emphasized that the use of these tools is voluntary and that the maps and management practices are not regulatory and will not infringe on any landowners’ right to develop their property. He also noted that industry’s willingness to go beyond minimum requirements is beneficial to the landowner and habitat on which wildlife depends and will reduce impacts. Companies are already showing interest in working with the Game and Fish Department and landowners to implement these practices.
“Most landowners are conscious of habitat on their land and want to enhance wildlife,” said Blaine Hoffman of Whiting Petroleum, which frequently uses these tools in its operations. “We want to inform landowners that these tools are now available.”
Regarding federal statutory wildlife requirements, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is encouraging companies to share their development plans so that reviews of those plans can be conducted. “Input from the USFWS on federal trust resources, including threatened and endangered species and their habitats, all migratory birds and active nests, bald and golden eagles, has not yet been worked out,” said Jeff Towner, Field Supervisor of the North Dakota Field Office of the USFWS.
In addition to discussing the maps and RMPs, wildlife and conservations groups and the oil industry are working to facilitate more communication between the groups, state and federal agencies, the public and landowners.
“The Sporting and Oil Industry Forum is focusing on building relationships and opportunities to work together, improving understanding and communication, and identifying potential collaborative wildlife projects,” Fleck said.
As a result, working groups have been formed.
“This is a big task,” Fleck said. “I believe we can achieve real outcomes that serve wildlife and
habitat, the hunting and fishing public, conservation community, and the energy industry. “We can have both – world class outdoor experiences and world class energy development.”
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ATTACHMENT: Recommended Best Practices
ATTACHMENT: Mule Deer GIS Map
The ND Energy Forum (NDEF) is a community of citizens and partners committed to bringing information to North Dakota’s energy discussion – www.ndenergyforum.com. The NDEF Sporting and Oil Industry Forum is a community of wildlife and conservation groups and oil industry representatives committed to the discussion of oil and gas development and wildlife and habitat issues.
Contact:
Ken Tupa, ND Energy Forum
701-319-6666
ndef@ndenergyforum.com
I believe we got out there the Tuesday before rifle season. A couple guys got there earlier and did some scouting in the area. That night we met up in New England and talked strategy. During the scouting they found a couple herds that numbered around 30 animals. When we figured out where they were located and invited over a couple of the locals for supper in the trailer house that my friends have been renting. The two guys that help us get on land look forward to the group coming out there every year just for the meals and good times. I believe we had a paddle fish fry the first night, reuben sandwiches the second night, lasagna the third night and I do not recall the other nights. Those guys get a kick out of us that we actually want to try to shoot an antelope with a bow. Anyway, during the meal we found out that we could get on the land where the goats were. We decided that I would set up in a portable blind in an alfalfa field that still had round bales in the field.
The next afternoon I drove down from Dickinson where I was staying and met the guys at the field. I believe I was set up by 3 p.m. and decided that I would sit by myself with a decoy placed at about 30 yards away from me. It was a pretty nice day to start out. It was around 50° with a little wind out of the northwest. After about sitting for half hour I could see one heard to the southwest. They were in between me and a big butte in the distance. They were around 300 yards away. I could tell they could see the decoy but they had no interest at all. There was another group to the east of just three antelope. They were across the road from where I was sitting and seemed to meander around aimlessly. They never came in either. Hunting antelope is a total different ballgame compared to what I was used to. The coolest thing that I saw was when the pheasants started flying in to the alfalfa. There were probably 20 bales in the field and every bale had at least two pheasants on it. I've never seen that many pheasants in one area in my life. I could have shot a c
ouple roosters that walked right in front of me. I tried to put a count on them but I had to give up after losing count four or five times.
Around 6:30 the weather started to change. The light breeze turned into a gale force wind and was coming out of the southwest, directly into my face. Then every once in a while there would be a big gust of wind. During one of these gusts one side of the blind caved in. That was really handy. So I backed my chair into the corner to help support the roof so the whole thing did not collapse on me. By then I knew my hunt for the night was pretty much over. I didn't have to wait long for the other guys to come and pick me up. When the rain started they decided to get in for some grub. I believe that night was the first night of snow in the state. Just some flurries but just some is too much.
After the meal and a couple games of poker I went back to Dickinson and looked at the forecast for the next couple days and it was not good. I woke up the next morning and the wind out of the west at 20 mph, gusting over 40. The big American flag out my window looked like it had been starched. I decided I wasn't going to hunt that day. Hopefully the next day would be better. The other guys didn't do much hunting either that day. They ended up in Bowman. And there's only about one thing you can do in Bowman. The next day was even worse than the day before. I didn't go out hunting again on the trip. I had to leave on Thursday and didn't really want to bow hunt during rifle season. Nobody got one with their bow that week. But they were five for five in filling their rifle tags. All in all it was a great trip and I hope to get back there again next year with a rifle tag.
That brings me to the 2010 spring turkey season. Halfcocked a.k.a. Don B. and I both drew tags and decided that we would try and hunt together. I don't believe he had ever been turkey hunting with a bow before. I had one tag a couple years ago but never filled it. Before the season started a friend of mine who does some camera work for a local hunting show called, "Wildlife Pursuit," asked me if they could try and film my hunt. I was all for it. We just needed to figure out the time and place and we would give it a whirl. Don B. and I drove around out in the sand hills along the Sheyenne River on a couple scouting trips and spotted quite a few gobblers. We decided on the spot that we knew we could get permission and just needed to line it up with Barry the camera dude.
It was in the middle of the week when everyone's schedule
s lined up. We burned out of Enderlin around 3 p.m. to meet Barry. On our way down there Barry called us and said get down here in a hurry there are already gobbling. So we gave it the onion. When we got down there the turkeys were gobbling in every direction. Barry had all of his camera equipment set up when we got there. When I was getting out of the van he came running over and said put this on. It was a Wildlife Pursuit hat. He filmed me getting my cross bow on and getting into the blind. Now we needed to figure out how to fit three guys and two cameras in one blind. All while turkeys are gobbling all over. After we figured everything out we started to call. Actually Don B. was our designated caller.
After about four minutes of calling we heard a couple of gobblers that were starting to head our way. The two toms were headed right towards our decoys which consisted of a couple of hens and one jake that was riding a hen. They were coming in directly to our left and my only shot was straight in front of us. They got so close that we could hear them walking in the dry grass right beside us. We could even hear them puff themselves up. The only way we could see them was through the viewfinder on the camera. They were only a couple feet away. They hadn't gobbled for a while but we could still hear them walking around but they would not go in front to the decoys. I just told myself that they are going to gobble pretty soon and to not jump or get startled. Kind of like when a rooster gets up at your feet while walking through tall CRP. I didn't want to look like a fool in front of the camera because one of them was fixed on me the whole time. And wouldn't you know it they both gobbled at the same time and both of my arms went up and my head snapped back. Then we all got the giggles but the turkeys did not seem to mind. After little while they started to go back from where they came from. We tried calling them, they would answer but would not turn around.
We didn't have to wait long for some more turkeys to come by. This time it was three jakes. Barry asked me while we were getting set up what I wanted to shoot, a tom or a jake. I said whatever walks by. The three jakes didn't take long to come into the decoys. They actually circled them. The only problem was when I had a shot Barry could not see because of the diagonal frame on the blind. And when he could see them I could not get a shot. I was holding on the biggest bird waiting for him to give me the OK. Finally he did and I shot and I missed. They flew away giving us some time to cock the crossbow again. After some discussion on how the heck I missed the shot we decided to keep calling. It did not take long to get a response. This time there were three big toms. We played with them for quite awhile but they would not come in either. By this time it was getting pretty dark and Don B. decided he had enough time to try and spot and stalk before the daylight ran out. He never got a shot at them but when he and Barry were going through the trees they spooked up about 100 deer and 15 to 20 turkeys. That was quite a sight to see. They were running everywhere. But the hunt was not over yet. When Don B. was on his way back to the van he saw a couple jakes and thought maybe one was the one that I wounded. One of them ran and the other just stood there so he decided to take a shot with his compound bow. It was a 55 yard shot but we practice that distance all of the time. After he let the arrow go he heard of big crack and he thought he must've missed. He went down to check his arrow and the big crack was when it hit a dried out log. But when he grabbed arrow he felt blood and then he noticed some feathers strewn around. Anyway, his spring turkey hunting was over but it was for a good reason.
I went out a couple more times by myself. Most of the time I was hunting the along the Maple River east of Enderlin. I always saw or at least heard some birds but nothing ever came in. I think I educated quite a few birds this spring. The last day of the season we drove around east of Anslem in the sand hills but did not see a single bird. So turkey tag soup was on the menu for 2010.
The summer of 2010 was filled with many shenanigans as usual. A lot of baseball, shooting 3-D targets and a little fishing. I hadn't been fishing for at least a couple years. There were a lot of different reasons why. The main reason was most of my buddies that I used to go fishing with have now moved on with their lives and don't have the time. The biggest reason why I haven't is because since I have gotten my last wheelchair, I haven't gotten around rigging up the new fishing rod holder to the chair. But 
after some friendly persuasion from Justin a.k.a. bullheadmaster, I started working on it. I drew up some plans that I thought might work and gave them to Don B. to engineer the holder. And a couple of days later it was done.
I only went out a couple of times fishing over the summer. I planned on doing a lot more but there always seemed to be something going on or somewhere I needed to be for that to happen. The first time I tried my new rod holder out was at the Castleton Reservoir with Justin. We met there one fine afternoon and decided to give it a whirl. The fishing rig worked really well. I even got to show him how I do my patented double hook set. We caught quite a few fish that day, nothing huge but it didn't matter all that I cared was that I was fishing again. I even caught a good buzz that day.
The second time I went fishing during the summer was for the First Annual Fishingbuddy Bullhead Tournament. It was held on a Sunday afternoon at the Sheyenne diversion in West Fargo. There were about a dozen Fishingbuddy members that showed up. The fishing wasn't that good but the company and friendships made were worth battling the 90° heat and 30 mile an hour winds.
During the spring of 2010 a couple of friends of mine who had been bear hunting told me that I should put in for a tag because it is a blast. The friends of mine had been bear hunting in Northern Minnesota with another friend of theirs and had had good success and a great time. It didn't take very much convincing on their part to get me excited about the possibility of slaying a black bear. I did have a few questions though about what it all takes to have a successful hunt. I knew it was going to be a lot different than deer or turkey hunting. I had quite a few conversations with people that have had done it before. The final motivating factor came when I talk to the guide that I would be hunting with.
He already knew about my situation from the friends that have hunted with him before. I guess they had quite a few conversations during their hunts about if it would be a possibility for me to hunt with him. I also had quite a few conversations with Joe the bear guide. He promised me that he would do everything in his power to make my hunt of success. Joe is the owner/guide of Bear Paw Guiding service out of Grygla, Minnesota. So I put in for a tag and wouldn't you know it I drew the first year.
During the summer I shot a lot at my friends 3-D course knowing that I wanted to be at my best shooting wise, when September 1 came rolling around. I had the option of either hunting with my crossbow or rifle. I chose the crossbow because I was more comfortable with it and knew that I would be sitting in a ground blind so I knew the shot wouldn't be too far of a distance. A lot of my relatives thought I was nuts. Going bear hunting with a crossbow in a ground blind didn't sound like a very good idea to them. But to me, it was the only way I wanted to do it. My response to my relatives and friends about them being scared for me was, "If I do get attacked by a bear, at least I will make the paper." I cannot say that I wasn't a little nervous, but if you are not a little nervous about doing something it is probably not worth doing.
As September was approaching and the excitement through my veins was boiling a couple of friends of mine said they would like to hunt with me. Barry was one of them, and he was going to bring a video camcorder. Don B. was the other one, he was bringing his hog leg pistol for backup.
A couple days before I left for Grygla, I made a stop in Fargo and grabbed some last-minute supplies. The next day we packed up the van and hit the road. My mom and I got up there around five o'clock the day before the season opened. Don B. and Barry were going to take off in the morning. For those of you who have never been to Grygla it is a
small town with one motel, two bars and a lot of bears. You could tell it was a small town when we row arrived at the motel and in the window of the door going in there was a note that said, "Clint, your key is on the counter in your room. If you need anything call our home number and if we don't see you tomorrow good luck on your hunt." That sort of thing just doesn't happen anywhere. That night we also drove out to Joe's to finally meet him face to face. His place was about 5 miles east of town.
We talked for quite a while about where he was going to put me when I was hunting. He told me that he had some bad news. Northern Minnesota that year was hammered by rain so that limited the spots where I could get dropped off from the van. The other bad news was, that the berries had been producing earlier than he can ever remember so the bears were not coming into the bait as much as they usually do. But the spot where I was going had been hit the last three nights before I got there. He had some nice pictures on his trail camera where I would be sitting. Baiting for bears was totally new for me, so I really did not have a clue but I knew he was doing the best he could do for my mobility limitations. The place we were going was north of town about 12 miles. He told us about the good places to eat in town and also told us to meet him back there at his place around 1:30 PM to get everything ready to go.
We got back we up town and ate at one of the bars and had a couple cocktails to simmer the nerves and excitement. That night while I lay in bed I thought how different the terrain is up there than what I expected. I guess I was expecting solid trees with a couple of clearings every couple miles. But it is mostly farmland with a lot of soybeans and sunflowers. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of trees but I just didn't expect the wide open areas. It is also pretty flat, but I guess not too far to the east it gets to be a little bit hillier.
The next morning was D-Day for my first bear hunt and to say I was a little excited was an understatement. After a little lunch we met up with Don B. and Barry out at Joe's and went over the game plan. Also did a little shooting just to make sure. We would follow Joe to the spot and I would get dropped off. Then we set up the ground blind and hide it in between some pine trees in front of the bait pile about 15 yards away. Then Joe put some more bait on the pile, gave us the thumbs up and went on his way. I believe we were set up a little before three and would be sitting until dark, around nine. The area where we were was about a half-mile from a highway through a muddy alfalfa field and in the tall pines about 100 yards. The grove of trees we were in followed a little stream. I think we were about 50 yards from the stream. On each side of the water was about 200 yards of trees.
The first night we sat it was pretty windy so we were not going to be able to hear anything. But I guess you really don't hear bears anyway, they are pretty stealthy stalkers. Where we were sitting was a little clearing about 50 yards long and 20 yards wide. Surrounded by tall pines, which is very different from what I am used to hunting in North Dakota. It is almost like a claustrophobic feeling. But at least you can look up and see the sky. We were entertained all night by 
chipmunks and squirrels. Once it started getting dark Don B. got my attention and he was staring straight ahead. I thought this was it, here comes Mr. Bear. Looking to the south I could see the top of the back of something I thought for sure was a bear. As my heart rate skyrocketed I saw the distinct face of the biggest raccoon I had ever seen or heard of. This thing had to have been 45 pounds. It looked like a giant wood tick ready to pop. We watched him or her for quite awhile and then the first night was over. The only time I ever got nervous was when we were walking out of the trees. That is an eerie feeling in the pitch dark.
I forgot to say, that all three of us were in one ground blind. It is pretty tight quarters for five to six hours sit. We also had a tripod with camera and another camera in the corner of the blind videoing my face and crossbow. If you have ever sat with anyone in the blind you can pretty much guess there was some shenanigans going on. Good times.
When we got back to town we went up to the bar and had a little supper. We also talked to quite a few locals who said this year had been the worst for bear hunting in many years. By the way, they have good pizza at Diamond D's Bar if you are ever in the area.
The next afternoon we were at it again. That day it was raining off and on with strong winds. That made for a noisy ground blind. We were there for only an hour when Don looked out the west window and said he sees something. By the time I got maneuvered to look out the window it was gone. It was a little black bear that must of winded us. He was standing on his hind feet staring right at us. Our chipmunks and squirrels were back again along with the obese raccoons. They had finished all of the baked goods from the night before but I noticed that they never touched the secret concoction of oats/sunflower seeds/cracked corn/some type of mystery liquid. The bears most of cleaned up the seeds. We did not see anything else the rest of that night. It was still a good time but after two days sitting in a blind for five hours a day gets a little long. So we decided to wind down a little bit at the bar.
Evidently I got back to the motel somehow and was ready for one more day of hunting before my partners had to leave. It was a five-day hunt and I had planned on coming up again later in the season. That night on the way to the 
blind there was a huge blood mosaic on a highway. That night I learned that a big bear got hit by a semi. At least I knew there were some in the area. That night we did not see anything except our friends we had gotten to know. After the hunt my friends had to take off right away for home. When we got back to the motel my sister and her husband were there. They didn't have anything to do so they figured they would come up and see my bear. Sorry to say I did not fulfill their wishes that night. But I decided we should all go out to Joe's for a bonfire and some BS. When we got out there one of the other hunters had skewered one just south of town. So that night we got to see a real bear. They are a lot tougher to skin than a deer, and don't smell so good either. But that night I made plans with Joe to come up later that month and give it another try.
About a month later, another friend of mine from Enderlin, Lucas decided that he wanted to come up with me hunting for my last two days. We got up there on the Thursday and were going to hunt Friday and Saturday. During the time that I had been back home, northern Minnesota was again pounded by rain. They actually had 3 inches the night before we got there. So the place that I hunted the first time was not going to work. But Joe had another spot lined up east of his place about 5 miles. There was a nuisance bear that had been bothering one of his neighbors. It was very easy to get into the spot because it was a lady's backyard. She said that the bear had been in her yard numerous times over the last couple weeks. She also said she would be baking cookies that first night of our hunt, so she would leave the windows open to try and entice him into the area. I thought that was pretty neat. Her farmstead was surrounded by quite a few trees and a field of soybeans around them. We set up on the edge of her yard by a huge pile of lumber. The blind fit underneath a big tall pine, which really blended well. Lucas had a 30-30 lever action Winchester along for backup. That night was pretty slow. We did not see any bears. But I did have a good time poking Lucas as he dozed on and off. We stopped at Joe's on our way back to town and met the rest of the hunters that were at camp. A couple of the guys saw some bears but no one took a shot. That night we went up to Diamonds Bar and raised a little hell. The locals at the bar were entertained by us all night.
The next night we did it all over again. It was another slow night. But the lady whose land we were on, said right after 
we left the night before that the bear came into her yard and tore down a couple of her bird feeders. Those bears are sneaky. I don't know what the problem was, maybe he smelled us or maybe he heard Lucas snoring. Either way it was a good time. That night when we got back to Joe's, a bear ran through the yard. I probably should've just stayed on his patio. Maybe next time. Anyway, I did not shoot a bear that year but the experience was great. I would recommend bear hunting to anyone. It is a total different ballgame from deer hunting. I plan on going back up there again in the next couple years.
When I got back home and it was time for bow hunting. Over the summer I had found some new spots to put up some cameras and was excited at the pictures that I had been getting. That fall of 2010 I think I hunted more with my crossbow than any other year. I think I was out at least 25 times. I don't believe I was ever skunked, always saw deer. But I never saw anything to my liking to shoot early in the season. But that is a good thing because I like just being out there.
It was getting close to rifle season and that is when I have to make the decision whether to shoot something or wait until after rifle season. But by the end of rifle season there could be a foot of snow on the ground. So I usually try to shoot something before. Three days before a rifle season I went down to the tree farm again to try my luck. I have shot three deer there in the past. I decided to try my spot where I have had the luck in the years passed. When I got down to the oxbow, I looked around for a little sign of activity. And I didn't have to go far before I found it. I found a nice scrape and a lot of rubs in the same exact spot I shot a buck the year before. So I doused the scrape with some Buck Bomb and placed the wick above the scrape on a branch and also with some scent on it. Then I backed my chair into the Christmas trees about 10 yards away from the scrape. It didn't take long for me to see some deer. They were all over the place. Mostly does with fawns and a lot of the yearlings. I did not see any big does that I wanted to take. It was starting to get dark so I started to grunt. I heard a faint grunt in return from the south. Pretty soon I saw a buck working his way towards me. He went straight for the scrape and started working it. He was only 10 yards away and did not have a clue I was there. He wasn't that big so I decided to let him go. He started walking right towards me and followed the tree line 5 feet away from me. I could hear him breathing as he went by. That is as close as I have ever had a deer to me that still had a heart beat. As he walked away I gave a couple more grunts hoping something else would come in. But he turned around and came right down the same path within 5 feet again and did not smell me. This time he worked the scrape again and I decided to let a bolt fly. It was a 10 yard shot. I pretty much just looked in 
my scope and pulled the trigger. I shot a little back but was still in the rib cage. So I waited awhile and called in my tracking and gutting crew. We follow blood right away and he only went about 70 or 80 yards. He is not the biggest or the oldest buck, but he sure tastes good.
My rifle 2010 season was my second season hunting with a rifle since my accident. That year I only sat by our farm. I think I went out a total of 10 times during the season. I usually just sit north of our farmstead. There are a couple of shelter belts with farmland in between. About 125 yards distance, so perfect for sitting with a rifle. I sat quite a few times and always saw deer. But I had a buck tag and never saw Mr. Big. It is good to have another option with a rifle and it adds to the hunting season but for some reason I can't get into rifle hunting. I don't know what it is. To me it is kind of like cheating compared to bow hunting. Maybe I will change my thinking if I ever kill something with my rifle. But until then I will be a bow hunter for life.
Lead Photo: Clint, focused.
Photo One: Dustin, Lucas, Kevin and myself getting ready for my first antelope bow hunt.
Photo Two: The field where I was set up.
Photo Three: My crossbow, myself and some great scenery.
Photo Four: Fishing rod holder mounted on chair.
Photo Five: Don B., Barry and myself before my first bear hunt.
Photo Six: Our ground blind set up for the bear hunt.
Photo Seven: Lucas and I before my last day of the bear hunt.
Photo Eight: Lucas, Kevin and myself after tracking my whitetail buck.
Photo Nine: Looking for a buck during rifle season.
Over the years, we’ve learned that snow geese will not move into an area when there’s still consistent snow cover. In recent years in North Dakota, the snow seems to have still lingered on until Memorial Day, or at least into early April.
Realistically, this year we could see geese show up earlier than ever with a snow pack measured in inches instead of feet. Of course, the timing could vary depending on whether you’re in the southern or northern part of the state, or east or central.
The light goose fall migration was once a little more predictable than its spring counterpart. Days that gradually grow shorter, wetlands freezing, and the first snow covering food supplies all worked together to move snow geese south in a methodical fashion.
In recent years, however, many of these birds have staged in southern Canada and only moved into North Dakota in early November. This past fall the state had light geese present into December.
The spring season opens in mid-February on the off-chance that a mild, snow-free winter might prompt a few snow geese to work this far north that early. In past years the opener is just a date on the calendar that ensures that whenever the first birds arrive, the season will be open. Typically, though the first birds don’t arrive for a month or more after the season opener.
At this writing, the eastern third of North Dakota just got a couple of inches of snow, but it won’t take much to melt the landscape back to snow-free, which could mean an early influx of the white birds. It all depends on the weather over the next few weeks.
That’s why predicting spring migrations is tricky at best. Think of it as dropping a marble on the kitchen table and predicting which way it will roll. Biologically speaking, snow geese feeding patterns in spring will target large shallow expanses of water, referred to as sheet water, that provide nutrients for the upcoming nesting season.
The large bodies of water on which snow geese often stage in fall are the last to freeze. They are also the last to thaw in spring, so as a general rule spring hunters don’t need to scout lakes that held geese late in the fall. Instead, search more for large expanses of sheet water which tend to draw snow geese during spring.
Another tip is to remain ready and mobile. It seems when lead flocks of birds begin moving into the state, the route will be somewhat the same for much of the migration. Even then, just when you think you’ve figured out their pattern, they’ll move south, east, west -- anything but north. It’s all part of the hunting experience.
One last reminder, as in any hunting season, take extra care when the spring hunt finds you on a muddy road. Chances are, under those conditions geese won’t be easy to access anyway, and wet conditions make roads prone to rutting. It may mean walking an extra mile in, or using your second best option for a field hunt.
Here’s wishing you success during the 2012 spring light goose conservation season.
Leier is a biologist with the Game and Fish Department. He can be reached by email: dleier@nd.gov
The Beulah Big Buck Contest sponsored by the Beulah Chamber of Commerce is set for Saturday, January 7th, 2012 at the GrandView in Beulah. The Big Buck contest is open to the public and there is NO admission required. Contestants are required to have a $1 numbered Pre-entry card which can ONLY be purchased at “J&M Hardware” in Beulah, ND on or before noon CST on Friday, November 4th, 2011. There will be a steak and seafood dinner before the contest starting at 5 p.m. CST, which you must purchase a dinner ticket. Tickets can be bought in advance for $15 at “J&M Hardware” in Beulah or $17 if purchased at the door the night of the event. (Limited to 400 tickets)
Contestants can enter white tail bucks or mule deer bucks taken with youth gun, bow, rifle and muzzle loader. For a complete list of rules and prizes, click here.
Beulah Chamber of Commerce
Phone: 701-873-4585
Online: www.visitbeulah.com
Categories: Hunting > Big Game Hunting - Bear, Elk, Moose, Antelope
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Steve’s start to his 2010 hunt was not an ordinary one by any means; in fact it was filled with trials and tribulations. After a good start to the opening weekend he got a call no parent ever wants to receive. Steve learned one of his sons was involved in a serious accident and had been rushed to the emergency room. Thankfully, many hours of prayer and surgeries brought Steve his own blessing his son would make a full recovery. They say bad news comes in bunches but in Steve’s case good news was now coming in bunches. Not only was his son going to be okay Steve still had three days left to hunt.
As it often seems to unfold the hunt was coming down to the last day. The previous two yielded nothing Steve was really looking for and as we waited for the first rays to reveal the awesome beauty of the badlands we both looked at each other and said, “We’ve been here before!”
There is a unique feeling of excitement coupled with hopelessness when you are down to your last day. But when things come together, the eerie feeling quickly turns magnificent and sure enough, during a mid-morning glass session Steve found a buck worthy of pursuit. Closing the distance to within 405 yards Steve's 7mm made the canyons rumble like never heard before. One shot, one very nice buck down! The usual cheers, high fives and moments of reflection carried through as the muzzle echoes faded. The hunt was over but little did we know that minutes later my 2011 hunt would be begin.
It was decided Steve would make his way down the ridge to his buck and I’d return to the pickup in hopes of making it an easier pack out. As I approached the pickup’s door my phone rang with an excited voice interrupting my tired “Hello?”
Steve said, “You are never going to believe what I am looking at.”
Without allowing time for me to guess Steve quickly added, “I’m staring eye to eye at a buck with stickers coming out of everywhere!”
“How many,” I said. With a little pause Steve replies, “I think all together…twenty-two!”
Thoughts began running through my head: I felt bad Steve had moments earlier shot his buck, I was mad I hadn’t had a tag since 2006 and especially mad I didn’t have one now and I wondered how many hunters in Steve’s shoes would have put the crosshairs on the buck and shot him anyway?
Interrupting my own thoughts I asked, “Is he still there?”
Steve fired back, “Yup, he’s just across the ridge from where I just shot mine maybe 150 yards away.” 
Seeing a buck like this is something you don’t see often; or ever, so I thought about dead-heading back to Steve but then asked myself what the chances were this buck would still be there when I got there. My own answer decided against the deadhead and I let Steve know I’d continue on with the plan and meet up with him later. That was the last time I had cellular reception.
While parking the pickup I glanced down at the seat to see Steve’s Zeiss spotting scope with all the bells and whistles perfect for capturing a photo of the buck. Gently fisting the steering wheel I said under my own breath, “Dangit, I wish I could see that buck.”
Looking at the scope one more time as I locked the door I wondered if I should carry the scope. Talking to myself again I murmured, “Nah, it would just be dead weight for the pack job and no way is the buck still there anyway.”
Big mistake…
Approaching where I figured the orange glow of Steve’s jacket would give his whereabouts I was startled to see him up on a ridge line not terribly far from me. I figured he came up to give me a reference point as it did take me nearly two hours to get to the pickup, drive it around and then hike back to Steve. But then I realized Steve was actually hunched over motioning for me to stay low.
Two hours ago I believe the last words I spoke to Steve were “Is he still there?” and now 30 yards from Steve like a broken record I asked that very question. Steve responded, “It’s unbelievable...he’s straight across from us!”
Seconds later all I could muster was, “Holy….are you kidding me!”
Never had I seen a deer even close in stature and there it lay, motionless, sunning itself without a worry in the world. I should have been exited right? Well, I was but all I could think about now was the spotting scope sitting in the pickup and how was anyone to believe what Steve and I were looking at without a photo? But then something else caught my attention. It was Steve’s 7mm and across from us the buck we seconds earlier named Kicker Nuts continued to mock us. I asked Steve how many hunters would have kept the same faith, honesty and sportsmanship with such a temptation across from them. “Nate, next year, he will be even bigger!” was all Steve said.
I proudly replied, “It takes a strong willed man to just snap photos!”
After a few poor quality desperation zoom photos Kicker Nuts decided he had enough majestically disappearing over the ridge. A rare combination of excitement and sadness filled our insides but then my feelings were replaced with pure sadness as two hunters broke the horizon. Steve stood to my right opposite of my view and all I could do was tap him on the shoulder and say in a disgusted tone, “Sooner than we hoped we’ll get a closer look at Kicker Nuts.”
But as if God was listening, the hunters caught glimpse of us before Kicker Nuts turning to where they came from. What a relief and from that moment forward I felt lucky in committing myself to the pursuit of Kicker Nuts.
The next year’s archery season couldn’t come soon enough but to make things short I scouted and hunted hard hoping to turn up Kicker Nuts if even for a photo session. The anticipation of seeing him nearly made me sick and to my disappointment I could not find him. When you put in the time I did you begin to have doubts whether the winter got him, a cat or maybe some rogue poacher? Luckily, time was on my side where the last time I drew a mule deer tag was 2006. Normally, that would be considered bad timing but to me, it was perfect and sure enough, I drew a 2011 rifle tag.
Remember above I said sometimes good luck comes in bunches? Well, if there was one way to get my mind off the buck of my dreams it was what happened to me not long before rifle season. In recent years the mountain lion population has exploded in the state. Run-ins with cats were not near as uncommon as they use to be but still, I never believed I’d see one let alone see one when armed. However, one fall day I ended up taking what some in North Dakota consider the other once in a lifetime trophy. Joking with my wife I said, “Wouldn’t it be something if I get Kicker Nuts mounted with the cat chasing him?”
Of course, I further explained this wouldn’t fit on the wall; it would have to go on the floor. “Oooooh you’re not!”
We’ll just leave it at that for now…
Whether or not you have been fortunate enough to be in my shoes probably doesn’t matter because we all anticipate the season to open. Finally, it came and at 12:00 noon I was well toward the quest for Kicker Nuts. But as overwhelming my excitement was it also meant I had a long way to fall. Glassing canyon after canyon, looking over ridge after ridge and being extra cautious to not bump him or any deer for that matter I couldn’t fight off the same old thoughts of doubt. A week had gone by and I was questioning if he was still in the area, was last year just a fluke territory move by him, did he winter kill, did someone else get him, did a cat make him dinner and the list went on.
I wouldn’t let my doubts turn to negativity because to do so would just end my season two weeks early. As sincere as I can be it was a very difficult task to stay positive especially for a mule deer hunter. The winters had been tough, wet springs and predator population booming deer numbers across the board were down. In whitetail country their numbers were in decline and the mule deer population was the lowest I or generations before me could ever remember. In fact, I hunt in an area where elk are not always plentiful and could argue I seen more elk than mule deer! Luckily, I had put in extra ordinary hours and knew where a few isolated pockets of mule deer were. A rule to big game hunting out west is to stick to your game plan, no matter what. Hunt what you are familiar with and stay the course. Never could a plan be truer when it comes to mule deer hunting. Let me tell you, it was a task because with numbers so low you felt you need to sprint to each hill and fly to never before seen areas.
As long as it took for the opener to arrive it took milliseconds for the final week to approach. It’s always difficult to stay motivated when things aren’t going right but today, something felt right. Perched at the start of my slow and meandering walk that awaited me I felt; silly enough, at peace. Of course it helped I was working a well known location to me where finally I was turning up a few deer including other bucks that realized their biological clock did in fact have a ticker. The morning hours turned up familiar deer but again no sign of Kicker Nuts. Approaching late afternoon my walk steered me back toward the pickup which would soon offer a differing angle upon a canyon ridge I’d seen eleven deer earlier. I had glassed them hard to no avail but being active and by that I mean a doe in heat with a small buck trailing, I was not against glassing them again.
Glancing at the horizon I estimated there was about an hour left. After watching the deer below me for about ten 
minutes it seemed what I had seen earlier was what I was going to get to see. But then a group of six or seven was hurried from behind a cedar and deciduous ridgeline. With my binoculars now viewing the last doe I do believe I nearly fainted.
I had glassed this very area twice and had been watching it specifically for nearly 15 minutes. But now, below me at about 300 yards I could make out the dark chocolate silhouette of a kicker riddled mass of antlers. It was evident this belonged to one deer and one deer only…I had finally found Kicker Nuts. “Holy crap, Holy crap….HOLY CRAP” is probably the most classy way I can explain the rush of emotions. I began talking to myself, “Nate, you have plenty of time…focus on the task…breathe…you’ve been here before with big bucks…yeah but this is Kicker Nuts…this is just not ordinary nice buck…will you JUST calm down!”
All this emotion and just from seeing only his right side!
I slowly changed hands laying my optics down replacing them with the scope mounted atop my .338. During that time, Kicker Nuts disappeared in a deep wash comprised off trees and brush. Un-noticed I made a move 50 yards behind me hopefully providing one last angle. Nothing…I waited…still nothing.
“Dangit!” Here I sit, with one of the biggest decisions I’ve made in a long, long time. Do I push the envelope or do I back out and return tomorrow morning assuring I do not spook him or the 12 eyeballs accompanying him? Nonsense…the time is now.
I crept back to the outer end of the draw for a second peek. Nothing! I retreat back again a few yards and sit for what seems like an eternity finding it harder and harder to fight emotion. After a few deep breaths and emotions somewhat contained I returned yet again to the outer end finally realizing the once softened sunlit snow had cooled resulting in crunching echoes being cast throughout the area. I now know I’ve most likely exposed myself and the reason I haven’t seen the deer is because they stand alert searching for the echo’s source. I’m committed now and the only spot I can fully reveal myself and hopefully the rest of the bottom is a little plateau to my right. I make the dangerous move and whisper, “Lord, let there be does.”
He listened but man was I pegged.
As expected they were standing at full alert but had not sought escape. However, when it became dead silent they must not have appreciated not hearing danger. Three moved up toward the tree line but suddenly the anchor stopped to look behind her. If you have deer hunted enough you know what can follow and as my eyes slid down her line of sight out stepped Kicker Nuts from a little clay point. He was consumed by the rut and had no idea I was there as he peered toward his exiting mates. He stood broadside offering the perfect shot and after 5 years of waiting the time came for me to squeeze the .338’s trigger. It was a good hit.
I know everyone ends their story with “it happened so fast” or a similar anecdote but you know what, they are right! It literally took a few moments for me to realize what had just unfolded. The hunt was over but there was so much left to do including calling my wife, kids and friends. Lots of congratulations and I couldn’t wait to show them the deer I had been obsessing about for over a year. But first, I had to get him out and fortunately Steve and his son Gary were scheduled to arrive tonight and hunt the rest of the week. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
Steve and Gary were not far from the farm and wouldn’t take them that terribly long to get to the general area I was. They were pretty versed in the terrain but with the light now fading fast is was best I stayed up high to meet them instead of them trying to find me tucked in the bottoms. That meant, I had to refrain from walking down to the trophy of a lifetime. It was difficult to say the least but it was indeed more exciting walking down with them to Kicker Nuts. Well, let me rephrase that, I think it took me less than a minute to slide down the ridge! I’m not going to even attempt to say what went through me as I grabbed a hold of his antlers. I’ll just leave you with the word…special.
It was late and due to the possibility of wanting a full mount the conventional ways of field dressing and skinning weren’t going to work. Instead we loaded him up to assure the cape would go undisturbed by both ground and knife. After many heaves, grunts and rests we had Kicker Nuts in the back of the pickup around 4:30 a.m. I’m forever indebted to such great friends in Steve and Gary because without them I’d have never done it.
Stories upon stories were told as we skinned the deer the next day. Some ventured about the past, others about the present. It was 361 days since Steve and I had last seen him and since then many hours and days were invested by me without so much a glimpse. We joked wondering if he was able to transform into a badger and dig himself into a hole because I shot him just one ridge away from where we saw him nearly a year ago. Grasping his jaw to advance the joke looking for badger fangs we took note of the deer’s teeth. We were taking guesses at age and one would think a deer of this size would be all of six years old. However, with a glance at the teeth he either was a careful eater or a young deer. Could it be he was only four or four and a half years old? We all had our opinions but that wasn’t the talking point of the day. Upon reaching the bullet entries I found two still intact. What I was surprised to find was the second was an older looking wound and not near the size of my .338. We measured it and it came out to around the equivalent of either a .17 or .20 caliber. My fears earlier of another hunter or poacher were w
ithout cause. If I hadn’t been lucky enough already this was the icing on the cake. It is saddening this deer could have been lost to a poacher and I’m grateful the Badlands didn’t lose a monarch to such a means.
It was a year filled with events I’ll never forget. But let me take these last few sentences to thank all my family and friends for making me the person I am. And what would the world be like if we didn’t have the wonders of the world we do? Call me sentimental but I must thank the big man upstairs for the beautiful creation he made in the Badlands of which he bestowed to me one of his greatest creations…ole Kicker Nuts.
Lead photo of Nathan with his 2011 mule deer. His good friend Steve proudly holds his own mule deer.
Recap: Hunting Works for ND Banquet in Bismarck
Hunting Works for North Dakota hosted our hunting season celebration banquet for partners and local hunting supporters on Tuesday, October 4 at the Bismarck Elks Lodge. The sit-down dinner featured keynote speaker ND Lieutenant Governor Drew Wrigley, ND Game & Fish Director Terry Steinwand, ND Commerce Department Tourism Division Director Sara Otte Coleman, and a recap of Hunting Works for North Dakota activities since it launched approximately one year ago.
ND Lieutenant Governor Drew Wrigley
spoke about the strong heritage and quality of life aspect of hunting and shooting in North Dakota, mixed in with various hunting stories of his own. He noted that while the state is No. 1 in employment, the quality of life is also the top in the nation, and the outdoor sports play a large role in that. He noted that $1.35 million is spent in ND hunting each year, with $130 million on hunting goods. This translates even further to $59.6 million on salaries and wages, resulting in a $280 million economic impact on the state.
ND Commerce Department Tourism Division Director Sara Otte Coleman reminded the group that the No. 1 reason people travel to North Dakota was the outdoors. She described the work her office does promoting the state.
ND Game & Fish Director Terry Steinwand shared a presentation on this coming hunting season, and noted:
--- ND was the national leader in increases of hunting license sales from 1999 to 2009 - a 25 percent growth.
--- Hunting and fishing generates approximately $500 million to the state annually
--- CRP and habitat season have a strong correlation on pheasant harvest, which in turn has a strong correlation of hunters buying licenses.
--- In 2010, there was approximately the same amount of resident and non-resident waterfowl hunters buying licenses.
Recap: Hunting Works for ND Reception in Dickinson
Hunting Works for North Dakota held a hunting season open reception in Dickinson on October 5 at the Eagles Club. The event, attended by hunters, hunting supporters, and Hunting Works for North Dakota partners, highlighted the importance of hunters' impact on local communities and economies.
Welcome New Partners!
We have several new Hunting Works for North Dakota partners this month: Missouri Valley Petroleum, Frank McKone Cigar Company, Stop & Go (Fargo), Streeter Co-Op, and DMI Car and Truck Wash Systems (Fargo). A full list of our 77 partners can be found HERE.
Outreach in October
--- Hunting Works for ND was at the ND Associated Builders and Contractors Clay Shoot on October 5 in Grand Forks. HWFND partner, Dustin Gawrylow from the ND Taxpayers Association represented HWFND and passed out brochures, buttons and spoke with attendees.
--- We had a booth at the ND Petroleum Marketers Annual Meeting and Trade Show on October 26 in Grand Forks. We recruited partners and passed out information. Pictured is HWFND partner Rudie Martinson, executive director of the ND Hospitality Association, who visited our booth.
--- Hunting Works for ND brochures were passed out at the Bismarck Airport in partnership with the Bismarck-Mandan Convention & Visitors Bureau and ND Tourism Division, who also displayed "Welcome Hunters" signs and information to hunters coming into ND.
National Issues that Matter to Sportsmen
--- Sunday Hunting Prohibition in Pennsylvania: A coalition in Pennsylvania is trying to end an antiquated blue law that prohibits hunting on Sundays. Hearings are currently being held in the State House. Expanding Sunday hunting could bring an estimated 8,190 new Pennsylvania jobs, paying more than $245 million in wages. The overall economic impact on Pennsylvania could be to the tune of more than $764 million annually.
--- Law Enforcement Group Supports Traditional Ammunition Bill: The National Fraternal Order of Police has sent letters to the Senate and House sponsors and co-sponsors of the "Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Protection Act" (S. 838, H.R. 1558). This bipartisan legislation clarifies the longstanding exemption of ammunition and ammunition components under the Toxic Substance Control Act. The letter, points out that if traditional ammunition, which contains lead core components, were banned, law enforcement would face serious budget impacts because alternatives are more expensive. Also, ammunition containing harder metals such as steel could not be used because such rounds are capable of penetrating soft body armor and are prohibited by federal law.
Window Clings, Stickers and Brochures Have Arrived
We continue our work in sharing information about the importance of hunting to communities, and as a partner we hope you will help spread the word as well. If you'd like brochures, stickers, window clings, buttons, etc, please let me know! There is no cost.
Feedback
If you have any suggestions or feedback for HWFND, please send comments my way. They're appreciated.
Thanks for your support!
Sincerely,
Leslie Rosedahl
Coordinator, Hunting Works for North Dakota
701.204.5823, info@huntingworksforND.com
www.HuntingWorksforND.com
Partners: Adventure Shooting Sports, Fargo ? Andrus Outdoors, Dickinson ? Associated Builders and Contractors, North Dakota Chapter ? Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce ? Bismarck-Mandan Convention and Visitors Bureau ? Bjornson's Convenience Stores, Devils Lake, Cavalier & Fargo ? Cannonball Company, Regent ? Cannonball Saloon, Regent ? Capital City Sporting Clays, Bismarck ? Couteau Lodge in Goodrich ? Crocus Inn in Regent ? Dakota Country Magazine ? Dakota Pawnbrokers, Minot ? Deceleration Technologies, Grand Forks ? Delta Waterfowl ? Destination Marketing Association of North Dakota ? Devils Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau ? Dickinson Convention and Visitors Bureau ? Double JJ Outfitters, Dickinson ? Expressway Inn and Suites, Bismarck ? Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau ? FishingBuddy.com ? Fly N Buy ? Gerrells Sports Center, Devils Lake and Grand Forks ? Grand Forks Convention and Visitors Bureau ? Great American Inn, Devils Lake ? Hedahls Auto Plus (12 locations in ND) ? Indoor Services, Inc ? Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce ? Jamestown International Travel, Jamestown ? Jerry's Jack and Jill Grocery Store ? Kelly's Limit in Regent ? Kimble's Guns & Repair, Linton ? Lemer True Value, Harvey ? Midwest Hardware Association ? Minot Chamber of Commerce ? The North Dakota Chamber of Commerce ? North Dakota Coin & Tavern Association ? North Dakota Farm Bureau ? North Dakota Grocers Association ? North Dakota Hospitality Association ? North Dakota Petroleum Marketers Association ? North Dakota Retail Association ? North Dakota Taxpayers' Association ? North Dakota Tourism Alliance Partnership ? Outdoor Services, Inc ? Pheasants Forever ? Ponderosa Inn, Hettinger ? Proz End of the Line Bar, Devils Lake ? Randy Hansen, Bismarck ? Regent Consumers Coop, Regent, ? Regent Garage, Regent ? Regent Oil, Regent ? Rhombus Guys, Grand Forks ? Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation ? Rolling Plains Adventures, McKenzie ? Ruffed Grouse Society ? Runnings Farm and Fleet, Bismarck, Carrington, Dickinson, Hettinger and Mandan ? Something Wild, Bismarck ? Sunlac Inn, Motel and Cafe, Lakota ? Sunny Maids ? The Chamber - Grand Forks and East Grand Forks ? Two Rivers Inn, Jamestown ? Ultimate Outdoors Adventures TV Show ? Woodland Resort, Devils Lake
