Conduct population monitoring and harvest management of wildlife species that are hunted and trapped in the state

The North Dakota Department of Game and Fish received a Formula Grant award of $3.33 million from the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 6 under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611) for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. This award funds comprehensive wildlife population monitoring and harvest management activities for hunted and trapped species throughout North Dakota, designed to maximize sustainable hunting and trapping opportunities while minimizing human-wildlife conflicts.

The department delivers population surveys, censuses, and inventory assessments to monitor wildlife status and health, along with research studies that advance understanding of species biology, ecology, and habitat requirements. These monitoring and research activities generate critical data that inform management decisions, season recommendations to the Director and Governor, and public information sharing with other agencies and organizations. Funded through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, this grant supports the state's lead responsibility for wildlife conservation and management across North Dakota's 224-233 Wildlife Management Areas encompassing approximately 184,000-187,000 acres.

The overall goal is to maximize sustainable hunting and trapping opportunities while minimizing human wildlife conflicts. This work is accomplished through a series of surveys censuses and inventories to monitor the population status and health and the harvest of these important resources. Research studies provide new information to help better understand the biology and ecology of the species and their habitats. The information and knowledge gained from these activities are used to guide management decisions to make hunting and trapping season recommendations to the director and the governor and to provide information to the public and other agencies and organizations.