BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – North Dakota Game and Fish (NDGF) Department big game biologists recently completed the annual aerial survey for pronghorns.

The 2024 pronghorn hunting season will have more opportunities for hunters in North Dakota.

“We’re going to have 1,265 licenses available for this hunting season, and that’s 845 licenses more than in 2023,” said Bruce Stillings, NDGF big game supervisor.

The July aerial survey indicated the overall pronghorn population is up about 30 percent from last year.

“We had higher adult survival and then better fawn recruitment from the fawns that were born in 2023. This year’s fawn-to-doe ratio was 50 fawns per 100 does, which is slightly better than 2023. The buck-to-doe ratio remains stable right at that, you know, 31 bucks per 100 does,” said Stillings.

Weather can play a key role in pronghorn populations.

“The winter of 2022-2023 was one of the most extreme on record, we saw about a 40% population decline, where this last winter was very mild and we saw a nice bump this summer,” said Stillings.

All seventeen pronghorn hunting units will be open in 2024.

“We’ve been able to open the eight units that we closed in 2023. Those northern badlands animals really made a nice jump. And then areas outside the primary range and the secondary range east of Highway 85 also showed some nice increases,” said Stillings.

The aerial survey is conducted using fixed-winged airplanes from July 1 through July 14.

“We cover over 13,000 square miles within about a ten-day period. This year we classified just over 1,200 groups of pronghorn that resulted in about just over 7,000 animals,” said Stillings.

In order to keep pronghorn populations heading in the right direction, we will need nonextreme winters and good fawning habitat.

The application deadline for the 2024 pronghorn lottery is August 7. Applicants can apply online on the Game and Fish Department’s website at gf.nd.gov

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BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Eighty years ago, an invasion by U.S. military forces resulted in the liberation of Guam, the American territory located in the North Pacific Ocean. The Japanese had occupied the island for two and a half years, a time that is remembered by many Guamanians for the hardships the citizens of the territory endured. Saturday at Sertoma Park, Guamanian North Dakota residents came together to celebrate the holiday.

Many generations of Guamanians came together to celebrate the holiday with food and quality time.

“I’m happy. It’s like being on the island, you know? Together with family, friends, you know, liberated,” said Jimmy Cruz, an attendant of the event.

The Japanese Occupation of Guam began in 1941 and lasted until July 21, 1944, when U.S. military forces invaded the island and opened the door for the Guamanian people to be liberated. Eighty years have passed since then, but the island and its people hold on to the memory. The younger generations reflect on the way this event shaped their futures.

“It’s my freedom. If it wasn’t for Guam to be liberated, I don’t think people would know who we are and I don’t think we would even be here today,” said Deshennay Tenorio, host of the event.

While many of the people who lived through the Japanese occupation are no longer alive, their stories of hard times continue to live on through their descendants. One person at the event listened to the stories of his grandmother.

“She was there… [I] heard a lot of horror stories, what happened during the Japanese occupation, which wasn’t good,” said Cruz.

He says that war is war, and he holds no hard feelings towards the Japanese.

Organizers of the event hope to put on a parade for next year’s celebration.

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MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) – After nine days of fun, the 2024 North Dakota State Fair wraps up on Saturday. Each day was no ordinary fair day. Organizers invited dozens of talented folks from all over the world. Magician Michael Mezmer dazzled the crowd with his cutting-edge magic and illusion. He said he performs for 25 fairs a year and said the North Dakota State Fair is the best.

“Truthfully, they treat you like a king here. Beautiful stage, beautiful sound, they give you everything you need to do a fantastic show,” said Mezmer.

Mezmer said it is not like any other fair he has performed for. The audience is shaded, he was given a great venue and a cooler filled with ice-cold water. He said he would like to thank the State Fair organizers for their amazing hospitality and all North Dakotans for their welcoming spirit.

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