While hunters map out the areas they want to travel to this fall, they also might want to take extra time to make sure they are allowed in those places.
Level II restrictions remain in effect by the United States Forest Service on the portion of the Little Missouri National Grassland south of Interstate 94, as well as the Cedar River National Grassland and the Grand River National Grassland, because of extreme dry conditions.
Level II fire restrictions include building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire; smoking is allowed only within an enclosed vehicle or building or in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or clear of all flammable materials; and motor vehicle traffic on two-track roads.
The following activities are prohibited between 1 p.m. and 1 a.m. - operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine; blasting, welding or other activities that generate flame or flammable material.
"We have been talking quite extensively with the (North Dakota) Game and Fish," said Beth Card, a fire management officer for the Little Missouri Grasslands. "We are sensitive to the hunters, but we have to protect the grasslands from fire."
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Level II fire restrictions have been rescinded for the northern portion of the Little Missouri National Grassland. The portion of the Little Missouri north of Interstate 94 will be under Level I fire restrictions. This area includes the entire McKenzie Ranger District and the northern portion of the Medora Ranger District.
"North of the interstate they have had some rain and things are starting to green back up," Card said. "We are getting closer to normal for this time of year. In the south, we really need to be careful, especially in Slope County and southern Billings County. They haven't got nearly the same amount of rain as northern Billings County and McKenzie County."
Level I fire restrictions include building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or camp fire within a developed recreation site equipped with metal fire rings or elevated charcoal grills; smoking is allowed only within an enclosed vehicle or building or in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or clear of all flammable materials.
Hunting seasons that have opened are deer bow, prong horn antelope, morning dove and resident Canada goose. Grouse and partridge seasons open today.
"The only concerns that we have are the potential confusion between the Forest Service's restrictions and the state-wide and county restrictions," said Randy Kreil, the chief of the wildlife division of the Game and Fish. "The Forest Service's restrictions aren't in sync with the state and county."
The Game and Fish has printed copies of the Forest Service's new release on fire restrictions. Kreil doesn't foresee the fire restrictions curtailing folks from hunting.
"The most experienced hunters understand dry conditions and restrictions and adjust their activities accordingly," Kreil said. "It doesn't discourage them from participating but it changes their activities in how they go about hunting in an effort to try to be safe."
Kreil cautioned hunters to be aware of local restrictions. For example, Burleigh County lifted its burn ban, but across the Missouri River, Morton County's still remains intact.
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"We are not allowing our own folks to use ATVs and trucks," Card said. "We are restricting our work, as well as other people's fun. Folks that work on the grasslands have to follow the same restrictions."
Card also pointed out that most counties put their burn bans in effect before the Forest Service's.
"We are trying to coordinate among agencies to have similar restrictions," Card said.
