North Dakota Waterfowl Hunting

My area was spotty for birds even before season started, Res in this area only really hunted the opening weekend rest of the week was quiet.

As a NR we would always bring a small grill and eat duck everyday. Now with the house its Duck and eggs for breakfest, duck sandwichs for lunch, and who knows what for duck dinner, doesn't matter if its 3 days or 14. We are selective in the ducks we shoot and don't shoot just to get a limit, no road hunting jump shooting sloughs. If it happens great, but duck hunting to us is much more about the experience than the bag limit When I would stay for 14 days, I found a guy would process the first few days ducks into jerky and snack on those the rest of the time. Jerky does count towards your possesion. It has never even remotely been a thought to smuggle over our possesion limit of ducks. I am glad they do the road block checks and search hunter homes on occasion.
Click to expand...


Great and interesting exchange guys, I see lots of good point on both sides...

Now the question that has been in my head the whole time is what do the ND and SD guys call the guys from MN????? There has to be a similar name to what those from WI call their neighbors from the South.

T
 
So, somehow I managed to mess up my post and not get my reply in there.

The reason for the closures and economic problems the towns are seeing are not related to a decrease in hunter numbers but rather the rise in all-inclusive lodges. The hunters are still coming, their dollars just are not getting spread around. Instead of staying at one place and eating at several, many hunters stay, play and eat at an all-inclusive place. I've been here just under a decade and this change has been fascinating to me, and troubling. A lot of locals are upside down in some pretty fancy lodges with worries as to whether they will be able to weather the latest economic downturn. Hunters haven't stopped coming because of licensing, they are still here...the money just isn't going into as many hands.
 
I agree with you Joe and disagree. It is how the whole mentality of hunting has changed that has led to the hunting lodges and the closure of the small town hotels/motels.

My opinion is that these days hunting has changed for the AVERAGE person who hunts. It used to be a family thing where generations got together, spent some time in the field when they had the time to do so. Now it is about squeezing it in, getting the most bang for the buck, and having brag pictures to bring back home to hand on the office wall or den. The world is busier and scheduling conflicts are constant.

The thinking then goes - if I have a very limitied amount of time to hunt, I'm going to go where I know I'm going to get the birds and I know I can get the birds where these big lodges are located. Success breeds more hunters and so on. The 14 day split licenses means most don't want to take the time to explore around as I'd bet (no facts on this, just gut feel) most hunters hunt the first weekend, put down the last weekend as their 2nd split, and then never make it back.

If I had a license good for a season, I might wander around a littleand try out new areas. This is my thinking - could be way off. The 14 day split license just doesn't work for me and I even have many reasons for going to south Dakota in addition to hunting.

On the other side - the 14 day split license works great for my retired Dad who goes to South Dakota a couple of times/year to hunt pheasants and goes to North Dakota once/year to hunt ducks. Wish I had the time he has to do so.

Bragging time - I've hunted these fancy lodges and it is not the same as hunting freelance but we sure got into the birds. I've done it a couple years now with the NASCAR guys and do those boys know how to have fun. A friend of the family produces the promotional items for most all of the NASCAR drivers. Once/year they take them hunting and I have been fortunate to have been brought along as an extra. I can see the appeal if you have limited time and more money than you know what to do with.

Mark W
 
most common one I have heard is "Blue Platers" but sometimes "mud ducks". The mass transit of NR coming into the state is call the "Boat Parade" Residents that hunt this area are either field hunters or jump shooters, most don't understand the need of a boat. I was questioned this year a couple of times why I am shooting those redheaded ducks(reds and cans), "do you eat them?" hehe, didn't tell them they are better eating than the park ducks they shoot.
 
most common one I have heard is "Blue Platers" but sometimes "mud ducks". The mass transit of NR coming into the state is call the "Boat Parade" Residents that hunt this area are either field hunters or jump shooters, most don't understand the need of a boat. I was questioned this year a couple of times why I am shooting those redheaded ducks(reds and cans), "do you eat them?" hehe, didn't tell them they are better eating than the park ducks they shoot.
Click to expand...


That is very polilte of you all, I should have expected that though :).
 
For some reason I can't get paragraphs to show up in my last post. Makes it tough to read, sorry about that.

Tod,

Other then maybe a Blue Plate comment I don't think I've ever heard a name for Minnesotans. Sometimes Minnesotan is said with a norwegian accent. We call Iowans I-wegians but a lot of them call themselves that too.

Almost the worst thing here is having SD plates with a '1' on them. It is getting to the point that '44' is looked at about the same way. 1 is the most populous county in SD and 44 is one of the fastest growing counties in the country.

Tim
 
For some reason I can't get paragraphs to show up in my last post. Makes it tough to read, sorry about that.

Tod,

Other then maybe a Blue Plate comment I don't think I've ever heard a name for Minnesotans. Sometimes Minnesotan is said with a norwegian accent. We call Iowans I-wegians but a lot of them call themselves that too.

Almost the worst thing here is having SD plates with a '1' on them. It is getting to the point that '44' is looked at about the same way. 1 is the most populous county in SD and 44 is one of the fastest growing counties in the country.

Tim
Click to expand...


Sure is a nice state that you all have, I've enjoyed it every time I've hunted it.

I was thinking about this thread yesterday when I was chipping ice off the driveway and the thing I took away from it was that it does seem a little odd that out of staters are restricted for waterfowl more than residents. I understand how the process works, the Feds set the framework and the states administer the seasons withing the framework. A state gets X number of days and chooses to grant one group all the days and then another group (NRs) less. States are often more restrictive than the fed's framework, but the restriction usually applies to all users. Seems like a case where I agree with Mark. I'm not willing to call the ACLU today over it, though.
 
We call Iowans I-wegians but a lot of them call themselves that too.
Click to expand...
Tim,

Well at least that is better than the comment my cousin from Colorado usually makes. He says Iowa is an acronym for Idiots Out Wandering Around.
 
Rich,

pretty simple really, jerky/sausage can be made and shipped to you with the associated cost. Eat what you can daily as Phil said, but then take the rest in and process it. Grinding it prior to transport allows you to take more if you want.

let me remind you, the ducks are easier to eat, it is when you limit out on snows AND ducks in a day that it sure gets interesting in camp to try and eat your daily allotment.

I guess you need to find some new recipes, when we are there, several of the farmers all come over for supper and eat up what we are cooking since no one cooks it like the way we do.

you find it interesting this debate/issue? I guess I find it funny that an out of stater wants to change some other states laws to benefit themselves. Seems there is not much support for your idea. Many of us hunt in many different states, part of that is dealing with the different laws. Changing something for this reason or that has often led to UNINTENDED consequences which often are worse then the original law...Look at Mark W's comments about a tax increase to help the hunting/fishing...now the ARTS, are you kidding me, the ARTS are now added. Imagin what this will look like in the end.
 
Tod,
I'm not going to pretend we are all just nice people. We can be very indifferent to other states. We also don't like the influx of people who complain about the state they came from then want the same laws here...and if you build a house next to a feed lot expect some stink.
I'd say we are civil and kind, you don't need to like someone to treat them right.

There is a long history behind the waterfowl licenses here. There was an over the counter nonresident license at one time. The residents were being pushed out fast and since we control our own state it was stopped. Other state have stopped us from buying licenses for one reason or another over the years and we just live with it. I suppose we are very lucky to have two different game animals that are desired by many nonresidents.
I think it is very similar to western big game. A lot of the wild places in the west are federally owned and meander between states. How can those states charge much more and limit nonresidents? I'm fine with that and I think too much is made of it when nonresidents play under different rules.


Dave,
I guess I've heard that one a time or two. My favorite is; Do you know why the wind is always so strong out of the NW in SD? Cause Iowa sucks. ;-)

Tim
 
Tod,
I'm not going to pretend we are all just nice people. We can be very indifferent to other states. We also don't like the influx of people who complain about the state they came from then want the same laws here...and if you build a house next to a feed lot expect some stink.
I'd say we are civil and kind, you don't need to like someone to treat them right.

There is a long history behind the waterfowl licenses here. There was an over the counter nonresident license at one time. The residents were being pushed out fast and since we control our own state it was stopped. Other state have stopped us from buying licenses for one reason or another over the years and we just live with it. I suppose we are very lucky to have two different game animals that are desired by many nonresidents.
I think it is very similar to western big game. A lot of the wild places in the west are federally owned and meander between states. How can those states charge much more and limit nonresidents? I'm fine with that and I think too much is made of it when nonresidents play under different rules.


Dave,
I guess I've heard that one a time or two. My favorite is; Do you know why the wind is always so strong out of the NW in SD? Cause Iowa sucks. ;-)

Tim
Click to expand...


Tim,

I'm not worked up over it at all, but that one little aspect did pique my interest. Both SD and ND limit nonresidents access to a federal resource, but in different ways. As you know I've hunted all over the place, I have no problem playing by the rules of the state, but I never did consider the difference between limiting access to state vs. federally managed animals. I don't know if there is legal basis behind that observation.

I fully understand why the states would make the moves they did - no question at all.

T
 
Jerky and sausage still count towards your possesion though. here is the text, I bolded the relevant part.

20. Transportation and Storage
License holders must accompany their game, or parts thereof, during transportation. Except for legally gifted game, it is illegal to possess or transport another’s game, or parts thereof, without the license holder accompanying or as otherwise permitted. No resident of the state may ship game, or parts thereof, out of state without a permit from the Department. A nonresident licensee may arrange shipment of, or personally transport, his/her game from this state. Game may be shipped by common carrier in receipt of proper bill of lading.

No person shall leave or store any game birds at any place other than that person’s legal residence unless each piece of game is tagged with the owner’s signature and address, date taken, number and species of game, and license number of the person who harvested the game.

Game may be gifted to another, however, nothing allows a person to exceed a daily limit. Any gifted game to be transported must be tagged with the above information and display sex and species identification as required. Termination of possession can only be accomplished by: (1) Gifting of legally harvested game, (2) by consuming the game.

No one may possess, store, transport or ship at any one time more than a possession limit of migratory game birds. No person shall ship migratory game birds unless the package is marked on the outside with: (1) the name and address of the person sending the birds, (2) the name and address of the person to whom the birds are being sent, and (3) the number of each species contained in the package. No person shall put or leave any game birds at any place unless the birds are tagged by the hunter with the following information: the hunter’s signature and address, date taken, number and species of such birds, and small game or waterfowl license number. The above tag is required if the birds have been left by the hunter for cleaning, storage (including temporary storage), shipment or taxidermy services. No person shall transport migratory game birds belonging to another person unless such birds are tagged as required. Passengers in a vehicle that is transporting their birds are not required to tag their birds.


The unintended consiquences is a bigger place for the commerialization of hunting here in the state. If this new ND bill that has a $500 yearlong license get passed, it will greatly accelerate leasing in the state by guides and NR. That in turn would be a lot less land open for hunting, not good for the rest of the freelancing Res and NR. The 3 4-day license is a stepping stone, if that was to pass in a few years they will try again with the year long license. These bills aren't being brought forward by people who support Freelance hunting, they are brought forward by guides/outfitters. It would benefit them the most, then the NR who wants to lease up huge tracts of land. Many freelancing NR understand there place and know going down this path will result in ND becoming Texas. That would not be a positive thing for most of the 30,000 NR that hunt here.
[/url]
 
Jerky and sausage still count towards your possesion though. here is the text, I bolded the relevant part.

20. Transportation and Storage
License holders must accompany their game, or parts thereof, during transportation. Except for legally gifted game, it is illegal to possess or transport another’s game, or parts thereof, without the license holder accompanying or as otherwise permitted. No resident of the state may ship game, or parts thereof, out of state without a permit from the Department. A nonresident licensee may arrange shipment of, or personally transport, his/her game from this state. Game may be shipped by common carrier in receipt of proper bill of lading.

No person shall leave or store any game birds at any place other than that person’s legal residence unless each piece of game is tagged with the owner’s signature and address, date taken, number and species of game, and license number of the person who harvested the game.

Game may be gifted to another, however, nothing allows a person to exceed a daily limit. Any gifted game to be transported must be tagged with the above information and display sex and species identification as required. Termination of possession can only be accomplished by: (1) Gifting of legally harvested game, (2) by consuming the game.

No one may possess, store, transport or ship at any one time more than a possession limit of migratory game birds. No person shall ship migratory game birds unless the package is marked on the outside with: (1) the name and address of the person sending the birds, (2) the name and address of the person to whom the birds are being sent, and (3) the number of each species contained in the package. No person shall put or leave any game birds at any place unless the birds are tagged by the hunter with the following information: the hunter’s signature and address, date taken, number and species of such birds, and small game or waterfowl license number. The above tag is required if the birds have been left by the hunter for cleaning, storage (including temporary storage), shipment or taxidermy services. No person shall transport migratory game birds belonging to another person unless such birds are tagged as required. Passengers in a vehicle that is transporting their birds are not required to tag their birds.


The unintended consiquences is a bigger place for the commerialization of hunting here in the state. If this new ND bill that has a $500 yearlong license get passed, it will greatly accelerate leasing in the state by guides and NR. That in turn would be a lot less land open for hunting, not good for the rest of the freelancing Res and NR. The 3 4-day license is a stepping stone, if that was to pass in a few years they will try again with the year long license. These bills aren't being brought forward by people who support Freelance hunting, they are brought forward by guides/outfitters. It would benefit them the most, then the NR who wants to lease up huge tracts of land. Many freelancing NR understand there place and know going down this path will result in ND becoming Texas. That would not be a positive thing for most of the 30,000 NR that hunt here.
[/url]
Click to expand...


Enjoy ND freelancing while you can, do what you can to stem the tide, but in the end the current (or currency in this case) will win.

T
 
If you think SD and ND are bad try to duck hunt parts of North Carolina along the outer banks. Its done by county and if you don't have a friend or use guide and you live in Raliegh, forget about it. The alterrative and other end of the spectrum is Texas, where commercialization has taken a hold and trying to freelance hunt that state in next to impossible. That could happen here and it may have in the 70's, Matt might know? I wish there was middle ground because I don't disagree with you tod, but I would rather have thie current laws than the alternative.
 
TO me the biggest screw up is that each state can make up what constitutes possession... In some states, once it is processessed (jerkey, cooked etc) in other in must go in your mouth... for it to be out of possession. Why do these things have to be difficult?
 
I am pulling for a major drought, wiped out the problems of the 70's here. besides our wetlands need it badly.
 
I guess I've heard that one a time or two. My favorite is; Do you know why the wind is always so strong out of the NW in SD? Cause Iowa sucks. ;-)

Tim
Click to expand...


That's the exact same reason while all the trees in southern MN bend towards the south.

Mark W
 
If you think SD and ND are bad try to duck hunt parts of North Carolina along the outer banks. Its done by county and if you don't have a friend or use guide and you live in Raliegh, forget about it. The alterrative and other end of the spectrum is Texas, where commercialization has taken a hold and trying to freelance hunt that state in next to impossible. That could happen here and it may have in the 70's, Matt might know? I wish there was middle ground because I don't disagree with you tod, but I would rather have thie current laws than the alternative.
Click to expand...


Money next to open hunting land is always an issue, be it within a state like TX or across state lines. The majority end up poorer resource-wise in contrast to the benefit of the few - but that is how it works most times and it doesn't exactly stray too far from our capitalistic ideals as a nation. As a tribute to Travis' appearance, lets jump in the way back machine and revisit the goosebruce rich cocksucker thread for how pissed any one of us would be if our ground was leased out from under us.

No question, the more land leased in ND the poorer the average joe like you and I are, but I don't see anything that will stop the trend, just slow it. I do need to get up there again for ducks sometime soon.

T
 
Thats not true, its either gifting or consumption its a federal law. The other tricky point is the term "abode", that is a permanent residence, not hunting house or club.
 
I am pulling for a major drought, wiped out the problems of the 70's here. besides our wetlands need it badly.
Click to expand...


I pray for that every winter. Dry up all the potholes, drop Devils Lake......... Dust and Grasshoppers everywhere. That would make my day. No water, no place for boats most NRs woud leave because they would not know how to kill the birds that were around. A drought would do more to slow the influx of hunters than $5 fuel.

It was so dry here in the 80's when my folks built thier house in 1988, it was 6.5 ft down before moist soil was found when the basemnt was dug. It was a short 9 years later we had 18" of water on our front yard due to major flooding.

A drough is badly needed. Many places are choked out with cattails and need to be dried out and either tilled or burned.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top