North Dakota

Hunters helping fight CWD

Published

10 months ago

September 14, 2023

By Doug Leier

Working for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department as a game warden and now biologist has provided countless positive interactions with hunters, anglers, trappers and citizens who love everything about North Dakota outdoors and are willing to do what they can to help the future of our outdoor heritage.

The relationships with fish, wildlife and conservation clubs and members are legendary from helping maintain and fund fishing access to submitting wings for upland game data. The cooperation is generational, appreciated and invaluable.

We need it to continue and so do future generations of hunters and anglers.

One of the latest examples is hunters assisting with deer herd management and surveillance of chronic wasting disease, a terminal disease of deer, elk and moose.

North Dakota hunters have been at the front when it comes to helping monitor the spread and reducing the potential expansion to other areas parts of North Dakota, including eliminating hunting over bait in units where it’s prohibited.

What You Can Do to Help

Managing the impact of CWD in North Dakota is a long-term endeavor that requires everyone’s help. By taking several actions, you can join the cause.

● Go hunting. North Dakota hunters are the eyes, ears and boots on the ground. They help to keep deer populations at healthy levels, and license dollars fund CWD control efforts.

● Plan ahead. Excellent hunting opportunities remain in areas where CWD has been found, but you will need to prepare ahead of time to comply with transportation restrictions.

● Lower the risk. We need to do everything we can to reduce the rate of CWD spread within our big game herds. Animal-to-animal contact is a major way contagious diseases spread. Practices that lead to deer unnaturally congregating or frequenting the same place put the entire herd at risk. You can reduce this risk by avoiding the practices of baiting and feeding.

● Dispose of carcass waste responsibly, regardless of where it was harvested. Infected carcasses left on the landscape can serve as a source of infection. Unless an animal has been tested for CWD, there is no way to tell if it is infected. CWD remains in the soil and can be taken up by plants. Scavengers that feed on the carcass can spread CWD through their scat. The best practice is to leave carcass waste at the kill site or dispose of it via a landfill or waste management provider.

● Stay informed. Everyone has a stake in the future of big game hunting in North Dakota and there are a lot of voices in the CWD conversation. North Dakota Game and Fish uses the best available science to guide its understanding of CWD.

● Get your animal tested. Surveillance is an important part of addressing CWD. If hunting in the current year’s surveillance area, please get your animal tested.

● Report sick or dead deer. Contact your local game warden, biologist, or the Game and Fish wildlife health lab

Source link

North Dakota

South Dakota Democratic delegates unanimously endorse Harris as presidential pick • South Dakota Searchlight

Published

7 hours ago

July 23, 2024

Press Room

South Dakota Democratic delegates unanimously endorse Harris as presidential pick • South Dakota Searchlight

The South Dakota delegates to the Democratic National Convention met virtually Monday night and voted unanimously to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as their nominee in the 2024 presidential race.

South Dakota Democrats hopeful, not yet ready to endorse Harris as presidential nominee

In voting to endorse Harris, South Dakota Democrats fell in line with other state and national Democratic leaders who quickly followed the lead from President Joe Biden, who dropped out of the 2024 race via social media Sunday afternoon and endorsed Harris as his successor shortly thereafter.

Democrats in Nebraska, Maryland, Florida, New Hampshire, Alabama, North Carolina and Virginia were among the states where Democrats backed Harris as of Monday evening.

Harris has also picked up endorsements from key leaders at the national level. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, mentioned as a possible Democratic contender himself, endorsed Harris quickly on Sunday. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed Harris Monday. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries had not endorsed Harris as of Monday evening, but Jeffries said earlier in the day that Harris had “excited the House Democratic Caucus and she’s exciting the country.”

Late Monday evening, the New York Times, CNN and other national media organizations reported that Harris had secured the backing of more than the 1,976 delegates needed to win the nomination in the first round of voting at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month. The news came by way of a poll from The Associated Press, which broke the story.

The poll listed 2,668 delegates pledged to Harris and 54 undecided as of 10 p.m. CST Monday.

The Democratic National Committee will move forward with the process to formally nominate a presidential candidate Wednesday when its Rules Committee meets in a public virtual session amid ongoing efforts to set up a virtual roll call vote ahead of the convention next month in Chicago, according to reporting from States Newsroom.

South Dakota Democrats backed Biden with around 75% of the vote in the state’s June 4 primary. In a news release, the South Dakota Democratic Party announced that its 20 voting delegates to the August convention had voted unanimously to back Harris.

“We thank President Biden for his leadership throughout his career and for choosing Kamala Harris four years ago to be his Vice President,” said Delegate Chair Jessica Meyers. “Harris has proven that she is more than equipped to take on the Presidency and we as a delegation are looking forward to casting the official vote for her.”

GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Source link

North Dakota

Tuesday is Military Appreciation Day at the ND State Fair

Published

14 hours ago

July 22, 2024

Press Room

Tuesday is Military Appreciation Day at the ND State Fair

MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) – This is a reminder for servicemembers and their families that the North Dakota State Fair is continuing its long-standing tradition of honoring those who serve with a special Military Appreciation Day on Tuesday.

Military members and their families can enjoy lunch from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the north festival tent.

The event is sponsored by the N.D. Beef Commission, N.D. Stockmen’s Association, and N.D. CattleWomen.

They can also enjoy free carnival rides from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., half-off unlimited ride wristbands, and $2 off go-cart rides.

Source link

North Dakota

Applications now available for 2024 North Dakota swan license

Published

21 hours ago

July 22, 2024

Press Room

Applications now available for 2024 North Dakota swan license

BISMARCK – Hunters can now apply for a 2024 North Dakota swan license

on the Game and Fish Department’s website

at gf.nd.gov, the department said Monday, July 22.

North Dakota residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply. The resident swan license is $10, while the nonresident fee is $30. The application deadline is Aug. 21.

North Dakota’s statewide tundra swan hunting season opens Sept. 28, and 2,200 licenses are available. Successful applicants will receive a tag to take one swan during the season. Since swans are classified as waterfowl, nonresidents may hunt them only during the period their nonresident waterfowl license is valid.

All swan hunters, regardless of age, are required to have a general game and habitat license when applying. In addition, nonresidents must have a waterfowl license, and residents 16 and older need a small game or combination license.

Source link