North Dakota Game and Fish Department

Call Directions Website

North Dakota Game and Fish Department This is the official North Dakota Game and Fish Department page. https://gf.nd.gov/comments

The creation in 1930 of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department was a continuation of efforts to preserve fish and game species in the state. At its inception the enforcement of game and fish laws was the department’s primary conservation tool. Over the years the legislature has increased enforcement authority and assigned regulatory powers to the agency aiding its efforts to preserve fish and wildlife and their habitats. Social media comment policy - https://gf.nd.gov/social-media-comment-policy

10/15/2026

In this week's NDO Webcast, learn about the Report All Poachers program.

10/14/2026

In this episode of NDO Podcast (gf.nd.gov/ndo-podcast), we’re overlooking the Pembina Gorge and visiting with Brian Prince, wildlife resource management supervisor, about the diversity of landscapes in his district – from prairies to aspen forests to bur oak river bottoms – some of his biggest “opportunities to work hard” and using time in the skid steer for therapy.

Behind the Badge - The RuseWritten by District Game Warden Corey ErckAs waterfowl season neared, I found myself thinking...
10/13/2026

Behind the Badge - The Ruse
Written by District Game Warden Corey Erck

As waterfowl season neared, I found myself thinking of old waterfowl cases that I made years ago. One case involved a group of duck hunters from out of state.

I was patrolling one afternoon near Woodworth and noticed a pickup parked near a waterfowl production area. It didn't take long before I noticed three men loaded down with hunting gear marching out of the WPA.

Because of the hilly nature of the land, I could not observe them the entire time. When I met them at the gate near where they had parked, one of the men was not carrying anything. As I did my compliance check, the man who showed up at the pickup without any gear was nervous and sweating profusely. He stated that he had not been hunting as his nonresident license dates were not yet valid. His two friends tried to distract me by asking questions about the limit of redhead ducks. The limit of redheads that year was two and the group had come out with two redheads and a few other ducks.

The two friends of the very nervous guy went on about how they wished they had known that they could shoot two more redheads. Unfortunately, I had not been able to watch the group of hunters prior to them walking out of the field, so I had not observed them hunting. Even though I suspected they had committed some violations, I did not have the evidence. I asked where they were staying while they were hunting in North Dakota and they gave me the name of a well-known hunting lodge in the area.

As they drove away, I got back in my patrol vehicle and followed them down the road until the next intersection, and I intentionally turned in a different direction. After they were out of sight I turned around and drove back to the gate at the WPA. I dropped my dog, Lilly, and went for a walk. I did not know the exact route they had walked on their way out of the WPA, but I had a general direction and had plenty of daylight to look around.

Within about 30 minutes Lilly and I came across a new semi-automatic sh***un and a handful of redhead ducks. I gathered up the sh***un and all the ducks that we could find and headed back to my pickup. When we got back, I put the sh***un in the backseat and ducks in the box. I got in to drive to Woodworth to the house where the hunters were staying. Before I backed out of the approach here came the hunters driving back down the road toward the WPA gate. After they pulled up, they started telling me that they wanted to go back and "top off" their limit of redheads. I told them that I had already found what they had stashed and that we had business to address. All three heads dropped in unison as they realized there was no point in continuing their ruse.

The one man was cited for hunting without a valid nonresident license, and his sh***un was placed under seizure. The other two received citations for exceeding the daily limit of redheads. In the end, they were polite and took their citations very well knowing that they had done wrong. This was the first day of their first trip to North Dakota duck hunting and I wonder how the rest of their hunting trip went.

The Drift - The Weekend We Ditched Everything ElseWritten by guest author Jackie ResslerWith sunshine in the forecast, o...
10/12/2026

The Drift - The Weekend We Ditched Everything Else
Written by guest author Jackie Ressler

With sunshine in the forecast, our oldest off work and grandma available for backup, we decided at the last minute to make a run at some sharp-tailed grouse and get our 9-month-old pup, Sammy, a little work in the field.

We packed in a hurry, booked an Airbnb and headed out of town. Doing so meant we were also bailing on soccer, volleyball and flag football. None of which is dire at our kids' ages, but we also didn't want to make light of our commitments. However, I am not going to lie – it felt good not having the weekend tied to an activity schedule.

We started by walking a familiar stretch we trek during deer season; on those cold, early mornings we find grouse sitting on sunflower heads. We often joke they are ratting us out with their little calls. We knew it would look different this time of year but nonetheless a place to start.

About 20 minutes in, we came up on a dead deer, likely an unfortunate casualty of EHD. It was a nice 4x4 buck and the kids had lots of questions. The carcass was still pretty odorous, so we kept moving but all the chatter spooked some pheasants up ahead, a good reminder to try to keep things a little more stealthy. Nevertheless, good to see some birds in the area.

Not long after, a grouse flushed on my side. It was a low-flyer and it just felt like Sammy was possibly in harm's way, so I didn't take the shot. I switched sides with Jack, my oldest, in hopes he would be on the "good side" and would get the next opportunity. About 100 yards up, I had the easiest "gimme" you could ask for – and nope, two shots, two clean misses. I was again frustrated with myself and bummed I had switched sides with Jack.

At this point I should mention, embarrassingly so, that my track record was made up entirely of misses. I've had plenty of opportunities, plenty of time in the field, and yet somehow I have misplayed every single one. Too long to identify, too long to find the safety, too long to decide that it's my bird, too fast on the aim – I have felt like giving up on more than one occasion, but I guess it's the stubborn German in me that won't give in.

Needless to say, I really, really, wanted to hit a bird.

As we moved through the windy day, Sammy was repeatedly getting too far out in front of us, and the grouse were getting up way too early to make any play. Things weren't looking great.

We decided to circle back to the truck. Jack took a bit longer route and then we heard the familiar pop-pop of a sh***un. We headed over and sure enough he had found a covey of Huns and knocked one down.

This was Sammy's first bird! She was hilarious to watch, unsure of every move, bird in the mouth, and out just as fast. She was nervous and excited. But there was no doubt we were her biggest fan club, cheering on her every move.

We ended the evening with a couple unsuccessful coyote sits. They were most certainly not buying what we were selling, so we packed it up and headed into town for some grub. We found the way to the cabin, settled in for the night, and realized we were all a bit hoarse from yelling "NO BIRD!" as Sammy was determined to chase every tweety bird in the county.

Sunday was another gorgeous day, but with a lot less wind. We started with a piece that we knew held pheasants and figured, if nothing else, it would be nice to know what was hanging around for the upcoming opener. Jack happened to notice a grouse sitting on a hillside, and that little fella cooperated ever so nicely. Sammy's second bird! Same fan club response.

I decided to turn towards the hilltop, and this is the part where it feels like it all happened in slow motion.

A grouse flushed in front of me, I shot, but this time it dropped. It dropped! My mind was screaming "NO WAY!" I turned around in shock to see if my crew knew what just happened and they returned with, "Mom you did it!" and came running.

How could this one little grouse bring me so much joy? Maybe it was all the countless misses, all the miles logged in vain, the fact that my family was so happy for me, or the combination of it all. Whatever the case, I will never forget the moment. I will forever love that hilltop and Sioux County's unluckiest grouse.

Of course, we had to take some pictures, which included lots of laughs, and Sammy shenanigans. But during all that time, little did we know there were more grouse just hanging out, taking in the show. Two got up, then a third – the third ending up in Jack's vest to no surprise.

I missed two more times on Sunday, but nothing could have dampened my spirits. It was one of the best weekends I could remember in a while. And even though I did feel somewhat guilty about ditching town and all responsibilities, it also created wonderful space for time as a family.

As for the rest of my fall, I am now officially addicted to chasing birds and hoping a little luck keeps flowing my way.

10/12/2026

Biologists band thousands of ducks and geese every year across North America. Those bands primarily provide data used to estimate harvest and survival rates. Learn more in this week's NDO News.

As we continue to monitor EHD across North Dakota, we want to thank everyone who has reported sick or dead deer. These r...
10/09/2026

As we continue to monitor EHD across North Dakota, we want to thank everyone who has reported sick or dead deer. These reports help our staff assess the severity and spread of the disease while supporting ongoing research to better understand the virus.

With pheasant opener this weekend and more folks headed into the field, we encourage you to keep an eye out for sick or dead deer and continue reporting what you find. Photos accompanying your report are especially helpful and greatly appreciated.

Report sick or dead deer at: gf.nd.gov/wildlife/diseases/mortality-report

10/08/2026

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department bands thousands of geese and ducks every year as part of the continental effort to maintain current data on species of interest. Learn more in this week's NDO Webcast.

The October 2026 edition of North Dakota Outdoors is now available online at https://gf.nd.gov/magazine/2026/oct.Feature...
10/07/2026

The October 2026 edition of North Dakota Outdoors is now available online at https://gf.nd.gov/magazine/2026/oct.

Features in this month's magazine include:
• Late Bloom - The logic behind pheasant season start dates
• PLOTS Acre Goal in Sight - PLOTS program update
• A Bird in Hand - Waterfowl banding efforts
• From Dust - Dog trails in the Sheyenne National Grasslands
• A Fool's Deal - The 8 pound, 15 ounce bass
• Buffaloberry Patch
• Back Cast

Behind the Badge - My First Night Written by District Game Warden Shawn SperlingIn early October 2013, I headed out for ...
10/06/2026

Behind the Badge - My First Night
Written by District Game Warden Shawn Sperling

In early October 2013, I headed out for my first day of field training as a North Dakota state game warden. I was excited, had no expectations, and had no idea where to even begin looking for violations.

My training officer and I decided to work an evening shift and transition into the night, focusing on people illegally spotlighting deer.

I was fired up. After years of watching Montana wardens and countless episodes of Cops, I was ready for fast-paced action and vehicle pursuits. My trainer quickly tempered those expectations, explaining that those things weren't exactly routine for game wardens. We needed to be prepared, but I shouldn't be disappointed if nothing happened.

For several hours, we simply patrolled and watched wildlife. As darkness approached, my trainer moved us to a good vantage point near a busy intersection – far enough away that passing motorists wouldn't notice us, but close enough to make a quick move if necessary.

Since I was still in the early stages of training, I wasn't driving. I sat in the passenger seat watching north and west while my trainer watched south.

It wasn't long before he said he could see headlights. I looked over and could barely make out a set of yellow lights traveling west. I grabbed my binoculars and eventually made out the outline of a pickup crawling down the road.

Then my trainer said something I'll never forget: "I think they just shot."

He was certain he had heard a gunshot and possibly saw a muzzle flash. I assumed he was messing with the new guy. Surely this was just a classic trainer prank. Instead, he looked at me and said, "We've got to go. Now."

He put the truck in drive and headed toward the intersection and then south. I remember thinking this seemed like an elaborate prank but I was ready to go along with it.

We approached in the blacked-out pickup, using the parking brake and throttle to avoid giving away our position. We slipped in behind them and followed as they slowly crawled south for about a mile.

At a T-intersection, they turned left. We settled in about 50 yards behind them. Suddenly, the brake lights came on. The pickup made a hard right turn, pointing its headlights into a field.

Two males jumped from the passenger side and immediately began shooting at deer in the headlights.

Rounds cracked through the darkness as brass flew everywhere. It was absolute chaos and I had never been more excited about doing a job. We needed to catch these guys. The list of violations was endless, not to mention the sheer recklessness of what they were doing.

The two shooters remained in the field while several deer lay dead. As we prepared to make contact, the pickup took off east. We followed, still blacked out, assuming they were giving the shooters time to drag the deer back to the road.

About a quarter mile later, the pickup turned around and headed straight toward us. We did the only thing we could do. Emergency lights on. Chase initiated.

We stopped the vehicle, moved it into a safer position, called for additional units, and used the PA system to order the shooters out of the field with their hands up and no fi****ms.

Within a minute, two shadowy figures appeared down the road with their hands raised. As they approached, we moved toward the pickup. My flashlight swept across the bed and landed on a freshly killed whitetail buck. There was a bullet hole in its chest, and the wound was still steaming, the likely result of the shot my trainer had heard and seen.

Then things got even more unbelievable. The driver was 13 years old. There were also two children under the age of 5 in the back seat, unbuckled. And both shooters were under 16.

We secured the vehicle and, shortly thereafter, recovered the ri**es left in the field. A deputy and another game warden arrived to assist. We gathered the necessary information, secured the fi****ms, and searched the field for additional deer.

We found two more. A whitetail doe and a fawn. In total, we seized two ri**es and three deer, all shot at night in early October by juveniles, with young children riding unrestrained in the vehicle.

When we asked why they had done it, they said they were trying to fill freezers for relatives.

We contacted their guardians and made the difficult calls explaining what had happened. To my surprise, several of the parents seemed to accept, or even condone, the behavior, saying at least the deer would be put to good use.

The juveniles were eventually released to appropriate guardians that night.

We organized and preserved the evidence before finally calling it an evening. I was dropped off at my smalltown around 1:15 a.m. My brain was still racing from everything I had just witnessed, but I managed to get a few hours of sleep before starting again.

The next day, we returned to the area to get a better look in daylight. We recovered the spent brass from the previous night, and I was excited to dig into the case. My trainer looked at me and said, "Let's get going on the report."

Eight hours later, my report was finished, revised, and finished again. Charges were submitted to juvenile court just in time for me to move on to the next phase of field training.

Nearly 15 years later, I still haven't experienced anything remotely like that night.

Sometimes I wonder if my trainer somehow staged the whole thing, knowing I would never be able to replicate my first night.

Regardless, my first night as a game warden will forever be burned into my brain.

10/05/2026

As summer winds down, Kenmare’s youth look forward to Honker Days, a locally sponsored event. Learn more in this week’s NDO News.

Address

Bismarck, ND
58501

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+17013286300

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when North Dakota Game and Fish Department posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category