ND BHA Quarterly Newsletter
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Greetings from ND BHA! We are making our way out of winter here in North Dakota. Plans for the chapter are taking shape, this letter will give you an update on what you can expect. Hunting opportunities are opening up, and there is still time to venture out on the hard water. Here are some important dates to take note: Late March 2024: ND Big Game Lottery Applications Available April 9th, 2024: Turkey Season Opens 2024 ND BHA Gun RaffleNorth Dakota's best gun raffle is back! Only 250 tickets available! Drawing will be held on June 6th, 2024 at our Pint Night at Whiskey Nine (109 W Central Avenue in Minot, ND) at 8:00 PM. Get in touch with a board member or reach out via social media for your ticket! 1st Prize: Weatherby Backcountry 2.0 in winner's choice of caliber 2nd Prize: Marlin 1894 Lever Action .44 Magnum 3rd Prize: Bergara B-14 HMR .300 Win. Mag 4th Prize: Christiansen Arms Mesa 7mm Rem Mag 5th Prize: Weatherby Element 12 Gauge Shotgun 6th Prize: Canik TP9SA 9MM 7th Prize: Savage Axis II .22-250 2024 Work ProjectsPipestem Cleanup Day Join NDBHA for a work day at Pipestem Reservoir on Saturday, May 18th. Volunteers are needed for a variety of projects including tree guard disposal, trash clean up, fence maintenance, tree row maintenance etc. Volunteers should plan to meet at 8:00AM Saturday morning. Tools will be provided but volunteers should bring gloves, snacks, and water. Please wear work attire (close-toed shoes) and dress appropriately for the weather. BHA will provide lunch for volunteers Saturday. Camping is available nearby at Parkhurst campground Friday and Saturday night. Exact meeting location will be sent out to RSVPs at least one week before project date. Due to the nature of the work, small children and dogs are not allowed. BLM Big Gumbo Management Area Fence Project The chapter has been tasked to work with the Bureau of Land Management on a project aimed to improve habitat by removing unnecessary fencing in the area. Old fencing can be a barrier to sage grouse and pronghorn movement and also provide a perch for raptors. The first phase of the project this spring is taking an inventory of all fence in the area for categorization. The second phase would be fence removal or replacement taking place this summer. Look to your email or our social media accounts for volunteer sign up opportunities! North Dakota Trust LandsNorth Dakota Trust Land closures during hunting season(s) can be a source of conflict and confusion amongst hunters, lessees, and law enforcement personnel. During the 2023 legislature, a citizen-based HB 1175 was introduced to open all lands to public access. While it passed the house with BHA's support, it was converted to a study in the Senate. Not wanting to tie up the issue for another two years in a legislative study, BHA pivoted to oppose the bill and get to work with the Department of Trust Lands staff to find an amenable path forward that increased access. After multiple meetings, BHA, the North Dakota Wildlife Federation, and the North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition worked collaboratively with department staff to reduce the number of closed acres during the 2023 Hunting Season through more specific closure criteria, while still upholding the mission of the Department. This effort reduced closures by 38% from year to year, meaning an additional 7,240 acres were publicly accessible for hunters in 2023 that weren’t in 2022. This is significant progress in just one year, but there’s still work to be done. North Dakota BHA will continue to partner with stakeholders and the Department of Trust Lands to safely increase hunting access on our state lands. *The graphic below highlights these efforts with a comparison of 2022 to 2023 closures.
Badlands License Work GroupThe Chapter has been involved in the ND Badlands in an effort to gain and provide insight into the issues regarding deer hunting in the badlands. The 4th meeting was concluded March 6th. NDBHA Chapter PodcastSoon, the ND BHA chapter will be kicking off its own podcast. An outline of topics and agendas has been created and the 1st episode has been recorded at the time of this letter. For more updates and ways to tune in, join our Facebook group or follow us on Instagram. Dakota Prairie Grasslands Travel ManagementThe Dakota Prairie Grasslands Travel Management Plan is currently being drafted. We are aware that the process is in the beginning stages and plan to submit comment and be involved in the issue. BHA Key IssuesFor information on issues threatening our nation's public lands and how to take action, click the link below. Member InvolvementIf you have ideas or suggestions that you feel is relevant to our mission or an issue/event that needs our attention feel free to contact us at any time. We are more than happy to allot room in our Monthly Conference call so that you can bring your idea or concern directly to the board and we can have the conversations needed. Encourage your friends to join NDBHA. The larger the chapter, the larger our voice when it comes to protecting hunting and fishing on our public lands. Don’t be afraid to bring an issue to our attention or reach out to ask questions. The more informed every member of NDBHA is, the more effectively we can fulfill our mission and be stewards to our Public Land! You can reach out to us on social media or e-mail us directly at [email protected] We offer shipping on merchandise for those of you who would like an NDBHA T-shirt or hat but are unable to attend a Pint Night or other event. We add a $5.00 charge for shipping. Reach out to us for more details. March Board Meeting Recap-Financials -Policy Update -Gun Raffle Planning -AFI Update -Social Media Plan -Podcast -Rendezvous -HQ Update -Stewardship/Volunteer opportunities Follow us on Social Media!Instagram: BHA_ND NDBHA’s Mission StatementTo bring a voice to and protect, over 4 Million acres of public lands and waters in North Dakota. To educate and proliferate, to be the surveyors of the past and visionaries of the future. To strengthen the landscape and its connection to the people. As Always, Keep It Public!
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