July 24, 2018
Pronghorn Hunting
Season Set, Apply Online
North Dakota’s 2018
pronghorn hunting season is set, with 1,075 licenses available in 10 open
units.
Bruce Stillings, big game
management supervisor for the state Game and Fish Department, said license
numbers and open units are up from last year, when the department allocated 410
licenses and had five open units.
“Our recently completed
aerial survey indicated the pronghorn population is up 57 percent from last
year,” Stillings said. “A combination of milder winter conditions since
2010-11, closed seasons from 2010-13, and improved fawn production and survival
since 2013 have resulted in the population reaching a level that is able to
support a higher harvest this fall.”
Survey results indicate the
fawn-to-doe ratio was 62 fawns per 100 does, which was lower than last year but
equal to the long-term average. The buck-to-doe ratio of 45 bucks per 100 does
was up from last year and above the population objective, Stillings said.
A total of 130 licenses are
available in unit 1A, 75 in 2A, 65 in 2B, 30 in 3A, 115 in 3B, 325 in 4A, 50 in
4C, 75 in 5A, 140 in 6A and 70 in 7A. All licenses are valid for any pronghorn.
Units 1A, 2A, 5A, 6A and 7A were closed to pronghorn hunting in 2017.
In addition, in accordance
with state law five licenses are allocated to eligible organizations.
Each unit will once again
have a season that is split into an early “bow-only” portion, and a later
gun/bow season.
The bow-only portion of the
season is from Aug. 31 (noon) – Sept. 23. Anyone who draws a license can hunt
pronghorn with a bow in the unit printed on the license.
From Oct. 5 (noon) – Oct.
21, hunters who still have a valid license can use legal firearms or archery
equipment, and again must stay in the assigned unit.
Only North Dakota residents
are eligible to apply for a 2018 pronghorn license. Hunters who have accumulated bonus points and choose not to
apply this year will not lose their points, but will not accrue one for next
year. However, hunters who do not want a license in 2018 have the option to
purchase a bonus point on the application.
Applicants can apply online at the Game and Fish
Department website, gf.nd.gov, or by calling 800-406-6409. Paper applications
are not available.
Applicants
who do not have access to a computer can submit the application at a public
service location such as a public library, stop at a Game and Fish office, or
request help from a friend, relative or neighbor.
The pronghorn license fee is
$30 for ages 16 and older, and $10 for under age 16. The deadline for
submitting applications is Aug. 8.
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