March_April 2013.pdf - North Dakota Game and Fish

YOUTH GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION DEADLINEWildlife, shooting, civic andfraternal organizations are urgedto submit an application for theEncouraging Tomorrow’s Huntersprogram, a State Game andFish Department grant programdeveloped to assist in recruitment ofthe next generation of hunters andshooters.Grant funds will help cover eventexpenses, including promotionalprinting; event memorabilia such asshirts, caps or vests; ammunition andtargets, and eye and ear protection.Past funding has enabled severalgroups to conduct youth pheasantand waterfowl hunts, while othershave sponsored trap and othershooting events, including archeryand rifle shooting.Any club or organization interestedin conducting a youth huntingor shooting event can get moreinformation, including a grant application,from the Game and FishDepartment website, gf.nd.gov, orby contacting outreach biologist PatLothspeich at (701) 328-6332.The deadline to apply for a 2013grant is April 19.GREG GULLICKSONReportBald EagleNest SightingsEven though bald eagle nests in North Dakotaare more common today than in the past, theState Game and Fish Department is asking forhelp in documenting locations.Sandra Johnson, Game and Fish Departmentconservation biologist, emphasizes the Departmentis looking for locations of nests with eaglespresent, not individual eagle sightings. “Marchand April is the best time to see an eagle nest, aseagles are actively incubating eggs,” Johnson said.“It may become difficult later in spring to seethe nest because of leaves beginning to grow ontrees.”Johnson said it is easy to distinguishan eagle nest because ofits enormous size. “They standout because of the large tree andthe size of the nest,” she said.Historically, Johnson said eagle nests werefound along the Missouri River. “Now they havebeen observed in more than half of the countiesin the state, mostly near streams and mid- tolarge-sized lakes, but also in unique areas such asshelterbelts surrounded by cropland or pasture,”she said.Johnson estimates the state has around 100active bald eagle nests, possibly more.Nest observations should be reported toJohnson at (701) 328-6382, or by email at ndgf@nd.gov. Johnson asks observers not to disturb thenest, and to stay away at a safe distance. “It isimportant not to approach the nest as foot trafficmay disturb the bird, likely causing the eagle toleave her eggs unattended,” she said.ASHLEY SALWEY38 ND Outdoors March-April 2013