Hunting, fishing legislation

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will track hunting and fishing issues during the 2025 legislative session.

Outdoor enthusiasts can follow proposed outdoors-related bills by visiting the Game and Fish website. The webpage will be updated daily as legislation is introduced and bills progress through the session.

A brief description of each bill will be included. To view the bill in its entirety, click on the linked bill number.

Earth Day Patch Contest

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual Earth Day Patch Contest is an effort to heighten awareness about the environment.

Students who participate will develop a patch design using five colors incorporating an aspect of Earth Day such as environmental awareness, respect Earth, water quality, wildlife, or habitat conservation in North Dakota.

The contest is open to students in grades K-12. Winners are chosen from four grade categories (K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12). Each winner will receive an outdoor kit, which includes a pair of binoculars and field guides. The grand prize patch design winner is chosen from one of the four winning age categories.

In addition, the grand prize winner will have their design displayed on the recognition patch, be featured in North Dakota OUTDOORS and on the Game and Fish website.

Contest entry deadline is March 1.

Game and Fish fills leadership positions

Bruce Kreft and Brian Hosek have filled division chief positions for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Kreft, conservation section leader since 2023, was promoted to conservation and communications chief when Greg Link retired after 45 years with the agency.

A Towner native with a zoology degree from North Dakota State University, Kreft started his career with Game and Fish as a fisheries technician from 1989-90; assistant Missouri River biologist from 1990-92; central district fisheries biologist from 1992-2000; and conservation biologist from 2000-2023.

Link started his career with Game and Fish as a seasonal employee in 1980. In 2011, he assumed leadership of the conservation and communications division.

The conservation and communications division informs, educates and promotes fish and wildlife related opportunities; manages nongame species and species of conservation priority; and consults with developers to avoid, minimize and offset impacts to fish and wildlife resources.

Hosek, longtime business operations manager, was named chief of administrative services when Kim Kary announced her retirement after 20 years with the agency.

A graduate of Emporia State University in Kansas with a degree in earth and data sciences, Hosek started his Game and Fish career in 2001 as the department’s GIS coordinator, and his role evolved into business operations manager during his tenure.

Kary began her career with the department as the business manager in 2005, and in 2010 moved into the administrative services division chief position.

The administrative services division provides policy, planning and support services and is responsible for all game and fish licensing.

Myhre named Game and Fish Employee of the Year

James Myhre, district game warden for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in New Rockford, received the agency’s Director’s Award for professional excellence at the department’s annual staff meeting in December.

Jeb Williams, Game and Fish director, said Myhre has provided exceptional service to North Dakota for 22 years.

“He knows that helping hunters, anglers, trappers and boaters is only part of the job,” Williams said. “James is a farmer and rancher and knows the importance of working with and assisting in his district any way he can. He is one of the highest performers in the enforcement division year after year. He always goes above and beyond in providing exceptional service and represents the department in a way that we all should aspire to.”

Snyder named Wildlife Officer of the Year

Keenan Snyder, North Dakota Game and Fish Department district game warden in Williston, is the state’s 2024 Wildlife Officer of the Year. Snyder was honored recently by Shikar-Safari Club International, a private conservation organization that annually recognizes outstanding wildlife officers in each state.

In a nomination letter sent to Shikar-Safari, chief warden Scott Winkelman said Snyder’s district extends from the Missouri River bottoms to the Prairie Pothole Region along the Canadian border.

“Warden Snyder diligently patrols his district and effectively addresses violators at all times of the year,” Winkelman said. “He is also a skilled investigator and consistently makes strong criminal cases. He is always willing to help other wardens on complex investigations to ensure that violators are held accountable.”

Minot district game warden honored

Shawn Sperling, district game warden, Minot, recently was named North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s North Dakota’s Boating Officer of the Year. His district includes lakes Sakakawea, Darling and Audubon, and several smaller lakes. Chief Game Warden Scott Winkelman said Sperling has a passion for boating and boating enforcement, and his patrols are effective at deterring violations and keeping those on the water safe.