Marty Mantz continued his memorable fishing season by capturing the Nelson Classic that wrapped up the season for the Badlands Bass Bandits. The two-day event was held Sept. 24-25. Mantz stayed consistent in posting a total of six largemouth bass weighing in at 18.38 pounds. That catch placed him well in front of runner-up Robert Reinbold's six-fish limit of 14.40 pounds.
Mantz also earned 2011 Angler of the Year honors with a total of 78 points. Paul Reinbold and Matt Sullivan tied for second with 60 points each.
Eric Vossler was named Rookie of the Year.
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Nominations sought for excellence award
The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department is seeking nominations for the Cal Renner Award of Excellence.
Fact Box
Nelson Classic Final Standings:
1 -- Marty Mantz, 6 fish, 18.38 pounds.
2 -- Robert Reinbold, 6 fish, 14.40 pounds.
3 -- Cody Arth, 5 fish, 13.98 pounds.
4 -- Janine Wetzel, 5 fish, 12.47 pounds.
5 -- Matt Sullivan, 6 fish, 10.54 pounds.
Big bass -- Cody Arth, 4.95 pounds.
The award, the department's highest honor, is presented annually to an individual, group or business having demonstrated a long-term commitment to enhancing North Dakota State Parks and North Dakota's quality of life through outdoor recreation and natural resource stewardship. Nominations will be accepted until Nov.1, with the award to be presented at the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department's winter meetings.
The award is named in honor of the late Cal Renner, who served as the department's carpenter from 1987 to 1996. Renner's commitment to excellence, combined with an ability to work with a variety of individuals, employees and volunteers, set an outstanding example for excellence.
Any individual or group may make nominations. Present and past department employees and any external person, group or business are eligible to receive the award.
Award guidelines and nomination forms are available on the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Web site or by calling the department at 328-5357.
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Deer, fall turkey licenses available
Interested deer and fall turkey hunters may still have time to purchase a license for the 2011 hunting seasons. Hunters should check the North Dakota Game and Fish Department Web site at (gf.nd.gov) for an updated list of licenses available.
As of Wednesday, nearly 2,500 antlerless licenses remained for the 2011 season, including doe licenses in units 2D, 2L, 3F1, 3F2 and 4F. There is no limit to the number of deer licenses a hunter can receive.
Remaining antlerless licenses and doe licenses that have already been issued and are printed with second, third or additional concurrent season designations can be used during any open season: bow season with a bow; the deer gun season with a bow, rifle, or muzzleloader; or during the muzzleloader season with a muzzleloader. Hunters must stay in the unit to which the license is assigned.
In addition, remaining licenses in units 3F1, 3F2 and 4F can be used during the special herd reduction season, which is open through Friday.
North Dakota's 2011 deer gun season runs from Nov. 4-20. The archery season extends through Jan. 8 and muzzleloader season is Nov. 25 through Dec. 11. License fees are $20 for residents and $55 for nonresidents.
Nearly 350 fall turkey licenses remain for the following units: Unit 03, Benson and Ramsey counties and a portion of Pierce County; Unit 25, McHenry County and portions of Pierce and Ward counties; Unit 51, Burke County and portions of Renville, Bottineau and Ward counties; and Unit 99, Mercer and Oliver counties. There is a limit of 15 wild turkey licenses per hunter.
The fall turkey season opens Saturday and continues through Jan. 8. Turkey licenses are $8 for residents and $80 for nonresidents.
Residents only on PLOTS, state WMAs
Out-of-state hunters are reminded that state law does not allow nonresidents to hunt on North Dakota Game and Fish Department owned or managed lands during the first week of the pheasant season. Private Land Open to Sportsmen acreage and state wildlife management areas are open to hunting by resident hunters only from Oct. 8-14. Nonresidents, however, can still hunt those days on other state-owned and federal lands, or private land.
The law applies to all small game, waterfowl, furbearer and big game hunting on PLOTS and state wildlife management areas during the first seven days of the pheasant season. Starting Oct. 15 this year, nonresidents may hunt on PLOTS and wildlife management areas as long as the appropriate season is open.
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Permit required to keep road-killed deer
North Dakota Game and Fish Department enforcement personnel reminds the public that a permit is required before taking possession, or any part, of a road-killed deer, including the skull with antlers. Permits to possess road-killed deer are free and available from game wardens and local law enforcement offices.
In addition, hunters are reminded to properly dispose of dead deer. Harvested deer cannot be left on the side of a roadway or in a ditch.