Welcome to ND

[Ramblingman]

This is an interesting topic that is not unique to ND. Having lived and/or worked in every state from ND, SD, NE and KS, I think I have seen firsthand the changes in waterfowl hunting, pressure and access. I don't think ND does enough to manage NR pressure. The current system was fine 15 years ago but times have changed. There are 1000s upon 1000s of acres being tied up by outfitters and NR hunters who have bought houses and I suspect lead to 100% occupancy throughout the season. This fall, I was just one of many NR pounding the roads within 60 mile radius of base camp. Despite driving and scouting all afternoon everyday, I ended up hunting the same 320 acres the entire week. There was a rough section trail that went through near the place I hunted. I was shocked how many trucks circled that section throughout the day. I tried to get permission on a few places that had good #s and I was denied as a big group from Tennessee who owns a house had everything locked down. I even went west into the rangeland pothole region to get away from people and I still met scouters on the most remote and obscure section trails. I only saw one resident hunter the entire week. I suspect that is because of the lack of desire to fight the crowds or need to get on a spot at 4AM.

Nobody loves to hunt more than me, but I totally understand the the feeling of not wanting to get out to a spot at 3AM or 4AM in my own backyard. For NR who are on duckations, of course they are willing to do that. It sucks for residents.

 

[recker999]

This is an interesting topic that is not unique to ND. Having lived and/or worked in every state from ND, SD, NE and KS, I think I have seen firsthand the changes in waterfowl hunting, pressure and access. I don't think ND does enough to manage NR pressure. The current system was fine 15 years ago but times have changed. There are 1000s upon 1000s of acres being tied up by outfitters and NR hunters who have bought houses and I suspect lead to 100% occupancy throughout the season. This fall, I was just one of many NR pounding the roads within 60 mile radius of base camp. Despite driving and scouting all afternoon everyday, I ended up hunting the same 320 acres the entire week. There was a rough section trail that went through near the place I hunted. I was shocked how many trucks circled that section throughout the day. I tried to get permission on a few places that had good #s and I was denied as a big group from Tennessee who owns a house had everything locked down. I even went west into the rangeland pothole region to get away from people and I still met scouters on the most remote and obscure section trails. I only saw one resident hunter the entire week. I suspect that is because of the lack of desire to fight the crowds or need to get on a spot at 4AM.

Nobody loves to hunt more than me, but I totally understand the the feeling of not wanting to get out to a spot at 3AM or 4AM in my own backyard. For NR who are on duckations, of course they are willing to do that. It sucks for residents.

Its amazing they keep coming. Their hunting at home must really really bad.

 

[prairie hunter]

For many hunters (outside of those from MN and WI) the season is not open yet ... so ND "extends" the hunting season between teal and big duck season. They come to ND because October is a lull month in their home state.

For quite a few hunters the country of Canada is out of the question because past vices and arrests for such vices (drug possession and DUIs) prevent them from crossing the boarder.

 

[Feathers]

Its amazing they keep coming. Their hunting at home must really really bad.

You go to the Dakotas every year and complain about the hunting/bird numbers most years. It is amazing you keep going.

The hunting in your state is not really really bad. Trust me.

 

[riverrat47]

Its amazing they keep coming. Their hunting at home must really really bad.

Granted, I haven't been up there for 7 years. I was a late starter because I couldn't get away from work, so it was after I retired in 2010. I read on this site how overrun it was, yet I saw less than a handful of other hunters in a week. The same with my last trip in 2015. Having all that public land and PLOTS ground to hunt was unbelievable compared to Illinois. We have 500-800 show up for a chance to get a yearly blind, of which only 30-40 are anything but a gar hole.
Although I didn't do great, it was fun. Had not my health gone somewhat south, I'd still be going.

 

[Ratboy]

Its amazing they keep coming. Their hunting at home must really really bad.

Been going to ND for over 25 years and some are good and some are bad and it is all what you make of it. I have many real good friends out there that I consider family and we have a great time regardless. It is a 12 hour drive for me, so that does limit how often I go. Have gone twice a few years, but mainly one week and call it good.

I wouldn't say hunting is bad in WI, but competition and access to land is definitely more difficult. I am sure there are areas that can be just as good if you can get permission. The landscape is a lot different than ND that is for sure too.

 

[zoops]

This is an interesting topic that is not unique to ND. Having lived and/or worked in every state from ND, SD, NE and KS, I think I have seen firsthand the changes in waterfowl hunting, pressure and access. I don't think ND does enough to manage NR pressure. The current system was fine 15 years ago but times have changed. There are 1000s upon 1000s of acres being tied up by outfitters and NR hunters who have bought houses and I suspect lead to 100% occupancy throughout the season. This fall, I was just one of many NR pounding the roads within 60 mile radius of base camp. Despite driving and scouting all afternoon everyday, I ended up hunting the same 320 acres the entire week. There was a rough section trail that went through near the place I hunted. I was shocked how many trucks circled that section throughout the day. I tried to get permission on a few places that had good #s and I was denied as a big group from Tennessee who owns a house had everything locked down. I even went west into the rangeland pothole region to get away from people and I still met scouters on the most remote and obscure section trails. I only saw one resident hunter the entire week. I suspect that is because of the lack of desire to fight the crowds or need to get on a spot at 4AM.

Nobody loves to hunt more than me, but I totally understand the the feeling of not wanting to get out to a spot at 3AM or 4AM in my own backyard. For NR who are on duckations, of course they are willing to do that. It sucks for residents.

This pretty well summarizes why I don't waterfowl a whole lot anymore. Just not worth it to drive around for hours to find birds only to get turned down most of the time, or to wake up at 2 AM to race to a spot to try beat someone to it. I've made a couple farmer friends and I pretty much just stick to their stuff if I do go.

 

[recker999]

For many hunters (outside of those from MN and WI) the season is not open yet ... so ND "extends" the hunting season between teal and big duck season. They come to ND because October is a lull month in their home state.

For quite a few hunters the country of Canada is out of the question because past vices and arrests for such vices (drug possession and DUIs) prevent them from crossing the boarder.

That is true and i forgot canada wont let people in with dwi which lots of people have. Good point.

 

[saugeye43]

That is true and i forgot canada wont let people in with dwi which lots of people have. Good point.

Just stating a fact. Continuous pressure is harder on the resource than sporadic/occasional pressure. People from MN and WI get the same number of days 7 or 2x7 as any other nonresident, but I suppose when it is a 5-10 hour drive each way you may be willing to stay less time.

Growing up in ND I can tell you duck hunting in central ND had zero pressure after opening weekend. Then again much of my earlier years were drought years. What was once farmed became ponds which turned into 20' deep fisheries.

I remember seeing almost no one out duck him after opening weekend. Everyone switched to pheasants or hunted snow geese. It was so much easier back then to gain access and manage flocks. It’s all changed now and not for the better.
By the way, what’s the latest news on the court case ?

 

[recker999]

An FYI for feathers I shot a limit every single day in South Dakota this so I do not have a lack of success like you may think. It just isn’t what is once was there is more competition and the ducks numbers are not what they once where. I have access to a lot of private land so I do not usually have to compete with hunters on public land. In fact his year I hunted private land the whole time because that is where the birds were. As far as hunting in my own state I usually cannot go until November and I do have a good spot that the last two years produced every single time. But time is limited with kids in sports and activities so I can only make it out a few times because it is a good 2.5 to 3 hour drive to get to the area I hunt so I cannot just do a quick morning hunt and head home.