Halloween adventure program at Audubon
National Wildlife Refuge Week is Oct. 14-20. To celebrate the changing of the seasons, and Halloween, Audubon National Wildlife Refuge will host fun and educational programs at the refuge Saturday, Oct. 13.
Families are invited for an afternoon of learning about bats, and then will have the opportunity to build a bat house together, which can be taken home or donated to the refuge. Later in the day, youth can participate in a Halloween program that will feature the making of a spooky craft, fun nocturnal animal-related activities, a haunted nature hike and supper for the whole family!
Schedule:
2:30-3 p.m. - Presentation on Bats.
3-4 p.m. - Build a Bat House (one per family).
4- 4:30 p.m. - Browse the Exhibit Hall and Prairie Pond Store, coffee/hot cocoa.
4:30-6:30 p.m. - Halloween craft, fun activities and haunted nature hike.
6:30-7 p.m. - Supper.
A Halloween theme photo shoot area will be set up on the nature trail. Pre-register for all or portions of this program by calling 442-5474, Ext. 110, by Oct. 9. There will be pre-cut lumber available for 20 bat houses, and the youth programs are limited to 60 kids. There is no charge for the program. Sponsors include Audubon Refuge Partners, N.D. Game and Fish Department, Wolfram, Central Market, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Check for AS when removing structures
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department requests local entities and water restrictions to monitor for aquatic nuisance species infestations when pulling and storing fishing piers, boat docks and lifts prior to ice up.
Fred Ryckman, AS coordinator, said it is especially important to look for zebra mussels. "Zebra mussels will attach to hard surfaces," Ryckman said. "Inspecting these types of structures provides a good opportunity to determine if mussels may be present in the respective water body."
To date, adult zebra mussels have not been found in any North Dakota waters. If mussels are found, citizens are requested to leave the suspicious mussel attached, take a digital picture and report findings immediately to a local Game and Fish Department district office.
Teddy Roosevelt Family Day scheduled today
Families looking for a fun afternoon filled with outdoor activities are invited to attend the first annual Teddy Roosevelt Family Day today at McDowell Dam just east of Bismarck. The free event runs from 1-5 p.m. and families can come and go at any time. It features many hands-on activities including archery, BIB gun shooting, fishing, canoeing, animal tracks, duck identification, plant identification, camping, games, prizes and more.
McDowell Dam is 3 1/2 miles east of Bismarck on N.D. Highway 10, then one mile north.
For more information, contact Bill Jennies, Game and Fish Department, 220-5031.
Fall wetland survey conducted by NDG&F
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department's annual fall wetland survey indicates fair wetland conditions statewide for duck hunting. However, hunters will need to plan ahead because most areas of the state are substantially drier than last year.
Wetland counts were down by about one-half in the northern tier of the state, and about two-thirds in the southern tier. Hunters may find shallow wetlands they hunted last year to be dry. However, deeper semi-permanent wetlands will likely be holding water.
The wetland survey is conducted in mid-September just prior to the waterfowl hunting season, to provide an assessment of conditions duck hunters can expect.
Youth pheasant slated for weekend of Oct. 6-7
North Dakota's two-day youth pheasant season is Oct. 6-7. Legally licensed residents and nonresident ages 15 and younger may hunt roosters swatted.
Resident youth hunters, regardless of age, must possess a fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate and general game and habitat license. Nonresident youth hunters from states that provide a reciprocal licensing agreement for North Dakota residents qualify for North Dakota resident licenses. Otherwise, nonresident youth hunters must purchase a nonresident small game license.
Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Youth ages 12 and older need to have passed a certified hunter education course. The daily bag limit and all other regulations for the regular pheasant season apply. An adult at least 18 years of age must accompany the youth hunter in the field. The adult may not carry a firearm.