North Dakota Bow Season Opens Friday!

 
  Who is excited about bow season opening in 2 days?  I know we are!  We have been out scouting for months now and we will see how it all pans out as the first archery hunters take stand on Friday. 

It will be hot though, so we are positive the movement will be slower.  Luckily, we only need a couple of minutes before dark to bring one of those big boys to the ground.  So far many of the bucks are moving with plenty of daylight left. 

We all have high hopes of great success this early archery season.  Good luck to all hunters hitting the field this fall.

From your team at Rolling Plains Adventures,

Happy Hunting!

North Dakota Pheasant Hunting Forecast

 

North Dakota – Pheasant Population Up 59 Percent (from ND Pheasants Forever)

Forecast: North Dakota pheasant numbers will be improved over all portions of the state compared to the past few seasons, up 59 percent as indicated by the state's roadside survey count, reports Stan Kohn, Upland Game Management Supervisor with the North Dakota Game & Fish Department. Kohn says mild winter weather and good spring weather plus nesting habitat availability in the spring equated to better nesting success and brood survival. Last year, hunters bagged 683,563 roosters in North Dakota.

Statistics from southwestern North Dakota indicate the number of broods was up 37 percent and number of birds observed was up 30 percent from 2011. Observers counted 19 broods and 168 birds per 100 miles. The average brood size was 6.5. “Census numbers indicate this district will have the best pheasant numbers in the state this fall,” Kohn said. “A stronger breeding population this spring coupled with good production should provide hunters with plenty of birds and a good number of young birds this fall." Kohn says while the southwest portion of North Dakota will have the best numbers, wingshooters would be wise not to overlook the central part of the state.

Results from the southeast show the number of birds observed was up 134 percent from last year, and the number of broods was up 144 percent. Observers counted nine broods and 88 birds per 100 miles. The average brood size was 6.6. “Even though this district shows a large percentage increase, pheasant numbers were pretty low last year,” Kohn said. “With that said, hunters should see more pheasants than in 2011, especially after row crops are harvested.”

Statistics from the northwest indicated pheasants are up 258 percent from last year, with broods up 268 percent. Observers recorded nine broods and 79 birds per 100 miles. Average brood size was 6.3. “Similar to the southeast, hunters should temper expectations because numbers were low in this district last year,” Kohn said. “There will be some areas where pheasant hunting will be slow.”

Season Dates: October 12 through January 6, 2013
Daily Bag Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 12
Field Notes:: If you’re thinking about traveling to North Dakota, note that if you’re born after 1961, you must complete a certified hunter education course and show proof of certification when buying a license.

North Dakota is prime duck and pheasant hunting!

If you have never experienced North Dakota in the fall, you need to add it to your bucket list. 

The ring neck pheasant hunting is some of the best in the country.  You will witness thousands of pheasants while visiting this great state.  Hunting pheasants is so much fun to do alone with your dog, or with a large group of buddies. 

The duck and goose hunting in North Dakota is also at the top of the list.  North Dakota is known as the "duck factory" or the breeding grounds for many ducks.  North Dakota is also the pot hole region, which is perfect for nesting and hunting.  Early season you will find strong local numbers of ducks, while mid to late season you will find the big migration coming through.  This is the time you will have the chance to witness the tornado's of waterfowl pouring into your decoy spreads.  If you have never had the opportunity to experience this, this is a must.  If you are not a waterfowl hunter, I guarantee you will become one once you experience  how fun it truly is!

Duck hunting Migration

North Dakota Pheasant Season only 3 months away!

  The North Dakota Pheasant season opener is only 3 months away.....and counting.  The guides and staff at Rolling Plains Adventures are getting very excited for this time of the year.  Its the sounds of the roosters crowing early in the morning, to the sounds of the shotguns going off, you just have to experience this to know what I am talking about. 

  North Dakota pheasant season is like a holiday...EVERYONE is out in the field chasing the wild rooster.  Pheasants are flying everywhere, laughs are had by all, and I am sure there will be missed shots!  Don't worry, we won't tell!!!

  Remember, at Rolling Plains Adventures, we offer the Fully Loaded Package.  This package allows you to hunt ducks and geese in the morning and upland / pheasants and grouse in the afternoon.  After a nice day of hunting in the field, you will have the privilege to dine in the Grand Lodge and sip on your favorite drink at the Ranch Saloon. 

All this talk about hunting and pheasant opener is getting me WAY to excited!!!!  I can't wait for the fall!  See you soon!

North Dakota's Best Hunting Destination

2013 Pheasant Hunting Season Outlook

The nesting season for the ring neck pheasant is still going strong.  Some have hatched, but many of them are still on the nests.  There is a strong number of hens on their nests, so it is great news if the conditions cooperate.

There is a strong bug population right now and the weather is turning warm.  These are ideal nesting conditions for the pheasants.  We have received above average rainfall this year.  In June alone, we received about 13 inches of rainfall.  At least all the rain has created more bugs for food, plenty of cover, and plenty of drinking water for the chicks.

If we do get a strong hatch, we are very excited to get out into the fields this fall.  We have changed so much of the habitat and added so many new fields.  All the guides are ready to take hunters out this fall, so get ready for a great hunting season!

 

 

Pheasant Ecology: Nesting Cover

 

Ideal pheasant cover is relatively easy to define

Throughout the pheasant range, nesting cover is the single most important limiting factor for wildlife populations. Thankfully, it remains one of the few factors we can directly impact by establishing the right vegetation and managing it correctly. Hen pheasants start nesting beginning in April within residual vegetation from the previous year and conclude by mid-July. It is during this time pheasants need secure and undisturbed cover.

Ideal nesting cover is:

• Secure - cover providing overhead and horizontal concealment from predators
• Undisturbed - cover free from both human (mowing, dog training) and weather related (flooding) disturbances

Pheasants live out their lives within a home range of about one square mile, requiring all habitat components (nesting cover, brood habitat, winter cover and food) to be in close proximity. Ideally, 30-60 acres, or about 5-10% of this range should be nesting cover. Larger blocks of cover are preferable to narrow linear strips. However, linear cover, like waterways, roadsides, and field borders, is important to wildlife on a landscape level.

Points to consider

• Linear cover is easier for predators to search during nesting; however, it benefits pheasants significantly after nesting by providing travel links between fragmented agricultural habitats. Hint: Southern Minnesota studies have shown that for linear cover up to 60 feet wide, nesting success for pheasants goes up 1% for every 1-foot increase in strip width. Wider is better
• Research tests have shown 20 acre blocks to be the target size for maximizing nest densities
• Roadsides are mowed and burned far too frequently. Delayed mowing, and spot mowing or spraying accomplishes weed control in roadsides at less cost and does not disturb nesting hens
• Roadsides provide important grassland habitat, with up to five acres of potential nesting cover along each mile of rural Midwest roads. In some areas, 40% of pheasants in the fall population are produced in roadsides

Establishing Nesting Cover

Providing proper nest cover should be the cornerstone of all pheasant management plans. Establishing nesting cover requires land, funds, and manpower. Consult with a Pheasants Forever chapter if you have questions about grass seed mixes or other nest cover concerns.

Cool or Warm Season Grass

Cool-season (non-native) grasses like timothy, orchardgrass and tall or intermediate wheatgrass begin growth in the cool, spring months. They reach maturity by early summer and then become dormant until cooler fall temperatures stimulate growth again. Cool-season grasses are generally easier to establish, cost less, but require more intensive management to retain their productivity. Single species stands of cool-season grasses are of little or no value to nesting pheasants.

To realize their potential as nesting cover, cool season grasses need to be mixed with legumes such as alfalfa, alsike, and red or sweet clover. Even with maintenance, most cool-season grass stands must eventually be replanted because the legumes are out-competed by the grass and eventually die.

Warm-season (native) grasses such as indiangrass, switchgrass, big and little bluestem begin growth much later in the spring, reaching full maturity in late summer or early fall. Warm-season grasses produce high quality cover when cool-season grasses lie dormant. If left undisturbed, these grasses may provide good winter habitat and residual nesting cover for the following spring. Warm-season grasses are generally more difficult and costly to establish, but are easier to manage. Typical management includes controlled burning on a 3-5 year rotation.

Diversify your plantings

Pheasant chicks in a nest

Single grass stands may be easier to plant; however, mixed stands of cool or warm season grasses complemented with forbs will provide greater diversity and consequently be more attractive to wildlife. Interseeding legumes or planting separate plots of cool-season and warm-season grasses can also improve nesting and brood-rearing cover.

• Cool-season grass/legume mixes typically contain tall or intermediate wheatgrass, orchardgrass, timothy, redtop and alfalfa or one of several clovers
• Warm-season mixes usually contain switchgrass, indiangrass, big blue-stem, little blue-stem and 4-10 forbs such as butterfly milkweed, prairie asters or clovers, coneflowers, sunflowers, indigo, and stiff goldenrod

Managing Nesting Cover

The wildlife value of grasses generally declines as vegetation ages, and the vigor of the cover is diminished. It is for this reason that managing nesting cover is usually more important than what species you choose to plant.

Burning

Controlled burning (in early spring) is a critical tool in the management of grasses. Woody plants and other unwanted vegetation can be eliminated by proper use of fire. Burning also releases the nutrients bound in the plant litter, stimulating vigorous new growth following the burn. Burning can be very dangerous if not done properly as grasses produce extremely hot fires that spread rapidly.

• Before you burn, make sure to contact your local biologist, fire department and NRCS office to receive the necessary burn plans and permits
• Burning should be done every 3-5 years

Mowing

Mowing of any type of cover (for haying, weed or brush control) should be delayed until after the nesting season has concluded (mid-July). In newly established areas, mowing the first year is a good idea if weed competition is severe. After cover is established, mowing segments of a field on a 3-4 year rotation will keep the vegetation rejuvenated. Leave 10-12 inches of cover after the last cutting, particularly with warm-season grasses. This is a sufficient height to provide some residual cover for nesting and to protect plant vigor.

• Whenever possible, use spot mowing rather than blanket cutting for weed control
• Remember, there is absolutely no reason to mow (disturb) nest cover during the nesting season

Discing

Light mechanical discing in the early spring can also restore plant vigor by opening up a stand of grass and reducing the effects of crowded root systems. This practice is more attractive for wildlife because it effectively increases diversity by creating a seed bed for annual herbaceous plants.

Where to find help

Pheasants benefit from good nesting cover

Various federal, state and private conservation programs may help defray some of the cost of establishing nest cover. Contact your county USDA Farm Service Agency office, state wildlife agency or local Pheasants Forever chapter to start. These same agencies oftentimes rent specialized planting and maintenance equipment. Habitat design assistance is available from state wildlife agencies, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, or your PF regional biologist.

A measure of success

There are many good types of nesting cover. A simple field exercise to test the adequacy of your nest cover would be to throw a football 20 feet into your habitat. If it disappears and there are several species of grasses and forbs around the ball, you likely have adequate cover. Conduct this test in mid-April and then monitor the field to ensure there is no disturbance for the next 3 months. Finally, remember that nesting cover is dynamic. If the cover looks great this year, chances are it won't look that good in 2 years. Plan ahead to manage grass cover successfully. In all likelihood, it is the very best thing you can do for pheasants in your area.

Still confused about nesting cover?

Then try the Pheasants Forever Essential Habitat Guide - a handy reference on all kinds of pheasant cover, including shelterbelts, food plots and nest cover. And, be sure to check with your local Pheasants Forever chapter, where you will find cost sharing, planting assistance, or just advice from a friendly chapter volunteer.

Article from Pheasants Forever

Approximate Dates for Lotteries, Applications, and Regulations

Approximate Dates for Lotteries, Applications, and Regulations

Season	Approximate Dates Applications Available	Approximate Lottery Dates	Approximate Dates Regulations Available
Spring Light Goose	Early February	N/A	Early February
Spring Turkey	Late January	Early March	Early March
Moose, Elk, Bighorn Sheep	Early-mid March	Mid-late April	Early-mid April
Deer Gun, Muzzleloader, & Youth Deer	Early-mid May	Early-mid July	Early-mid July
Fall Turkey	Early-mid June	Late July	Late July
Pronghorn (** - If Season is Authorized)	**Late July	**Late August	**Early-mid August
Swan	Late July	Late August	Early September in Waterfowl Guide
Fishing	N/A	N/A	Early March, every two years
Small Game	N/A	N/A	Early-mid August
Furbearer	N/A	N/A	Early-mid August
Waterfowl	Nonresident apps late May	N/A	Early-mid September

 

How The Weighted Lottery Works

What species are covered by the weighted lottery? 
First lotteries for deer gun, muzzleloader deer, pronghorn, swan, and spring and fall wild turkey.
How does the one-year grace period affect an applicant's eligibility?
An applicant can miss applying for a year without losing points; however, the applicant loses bonus points by failing to apply for two consecutive years.
How do bonus points accrue in the weighted lottery?
An applicant unsuccessful in drawing his or her first choice permit in the first lottery this year receives a bonus point for next year's lottery. See the following table:  (Note that in years 2, 3 and 4, the points are doubled; and, for years 5 and beyond, they are cubed to increase the applicant's chances of drawing a permit.)

Number of Times Applicant's Name Goes Into The Weighted Lottery

Year	Bonus points	Multiplier	+	Current year's application	=	Total times your application goes in lottery
(year 1)	0	-	+	1	=	1
(year 2)	1	x 2	+	1	=	3
(year 3)	2	x 2	+	1	=	5
(year 4)	3	x 2	+	1	=	7
(year 5)	4	cubed	+	1	=	65
(year 6)	5	cubed	+	1	=	126

In the previous example isn't the applicant guaranteed a permit in year four or five?
No. There is no guarantee. The lottery is a random drawing. In most cases when an applicant reaches this point he or she is likely to draw a permit. However, for some licenses, particularly antlered mule deer, where demand for tags vastly exceeds supply, many applicants have the same number of bonus points and thus, even for those with many points, there is considerable competition.
Why do applications ask for a social security number and do I have to give it?
Yes. State law requires social security numbers on all license applications in order for the state to receive human services funding from the federal government. 
To keep track of my bonus points in the last few years I used the bonus-point-ID number issued by the department instead of my social security number. How do I keep from losing those points?  Contact the department's licensing section and they will make sure to give you those points accrued under the previous number system. 
If I receive a permit for my second choice license, do I lose my bonus points?
No, bonus points apply only to first choice in the first lottery.
If I have bonus points and apply with a party, how does this affect me?
On party applications the person with fewest points sets the level for the entire application. Applicants with more bonus points than others in the party have a better chance applying separately.