Hunting topic of Kiwanis meeting

Jim Boatman introduced Jason Smith from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department to speak about the fall hunting outlook at the Kiwanis Club’s noon luncheon Sept. 12 at the Lantern Room.

Smith is from Sheyenne, N.D., and specializes in moose and elk. Because of the last three difficult winters, he said pheasant numbers are down 14 percent statewide.

In this region, they are down 30 percent. Another reason is that there was 1.2 million acres in CRP and now many acres are going back into planting. By 2017 there will only be 200,000 acres of CRP, he said.

There were three mountain lions harvested as of now in the state, however, none in this region. There are transient ones moving through here at times.

The Fisher weasels are secretive and rarely seen. Their furs get between $50 and $80 and they are mostly in the eastern part of the state, he said.

He said that deer hunting was the Nov. 4 holiday in North Dakota.

He said there will only be 109,000 licenses this year, down 7,000 from last year. This is due to bad winters and management goals.

Kenrad Peterson led the meeting attended by 19 members. Don and Sharon Caine led the group singing and “Happy Dollars” were collected by Janna Bergstedt for Kids Against Hunger.

Brianne Smith and Alexis Weng, Key Club members, attended.

It was announced that Sept. 13 was the board meeting at Gladstone Inn & Suites.

Members were also encouraged to buy the Hugo’s coupon books.

Si Liechty will introduce the speaker at the Sept. 26 noon luncheon at the Lantern Room.

Tags: life, clubs, kiwanis