BISMARCK – The application deadline for the position of director of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department was June 30. The original deadline of June 15 was extended in the hopes of increasing the pool of applicants from a nationwide search. Five applications were received by the governor’s office prior to the June 15 deadline.

“We now have seven applicants for the director’s position,” said Mike Nowatzki, spokesman for Governor Doug Burgum. “As we work through the interview process this month, we will decide if an interim director needs to be appointed.”

Nowatzki gave no timeline to name a replacement for Terry Steinwand. Steinwand has announced he will be retiring from the director’s position at the end of this month. He was appointed to the position in 2006 by former governor John Hoeven.

Scott Peterson, current deputy director, is known to be one of the seven applicants for the director’s position and is considered a likely front runner should the governor choose to name an “interim” director.

According to Nowatzki, “We won’t announce any names until finalists are selected.”