North Dakota Wildlife Federation

06/17/2026

This week, John (Executive Director), Kali (Eastern Conservation Specialist), Cara (Western Conservation Director), and Dave (National Affiliate Representative) are attending the National Wildlife Federation Annual Meeting in Rhode Island. They are networking, attending learning sessions, having resolution and policy discussions, and growing and strengthening their knowledge and idea base to bring back home to North Dakota. The North Dakota Wildlife Federation and One Federation are excited to keep growing and expanding efforts to improve conservation on land and sea, and will continue marching forward to make a difference in the places we call home.
Contact NDWF to learn more about our efforts and how you can help implement change!

06/09/2026

We got the opportunity to assist in a planting event that United Prairie Foundation did with Cass County Electric in honor of North Dakota’s Prairie Day. The goal of this planting is to be a buffer for a seeded prairie that was done in a high profile area. This buffer zone, filled with native prairie plants, will give them a good idea of what the whole area will look like in the future. United Prairie Foundation uses plants sourced from local prairies and grown in their greenhouses. The planting will turn an otherwise desolate area into an abundant ecosystem within the city.

06/02/2026

Pheasant, grouse, and partridge numbers were down in 2025 due to severe early summer storms wrecking havoc on nesting and chick survival. However, three easier winters in a row have helped to sustain the mature rooster population.
You can read more about this in Nick Simonson's "Upland Predictors & Prognostications" article!
https://www.northdakotawildlife.org/post/upland-predictors-prognostications

As wildlife enthusiasts and landowners, we can help these populations grow by supporting their habitats. Not only do management practices help wildlife thrive and increase hunting opportunities, but they also increase soil and water quality at the same time. Grasslands, ideally native, provide food, shelter, and safety allowing these birds the best chances at survival. Grassland cover is a main component in nesting/brooding success, which is a major limiting factor in these populations. As we assist these young birds through habitat enhancements and population management, we will see the success rates increase and sustain!

05/27/2026

YAKS!!
In western ND near Alexander, Diamond E ranch is using Yaks to graze their grasslands. They currently have 85 yaks on their property.
Why Yaks?
The owner explains, “Yaks tend to graze differently than cattle and can be lighter on the land, especially when grazing is managed carefully. We have seen areas where plant diversity seems to improve, along with good regrowth in grasses.
We also notice wildlife using the pasture more — pheasants, birds, and other wildlife seem to benefit when there is good cover and a variety of plants available. Healthy grasslands support much more than just livestock, and it has been rewarding to see the prairie continue to provide habitat while still being productive for grazing.”
With the help of North Dakota Wildlife Federation and US Fish and Wildlife Working Lands program, this ranch will be able to break their 480 acres from 3 pastures to 10. They will be putting in some cross-fencing, along with a few wells to assist in their grazing rotation. This ensures more rest and recovery for the plant communities and better habitat.
Together, conservation groups and landowners can protect and improve the grasslands of North Dakota for future generations!

05/20/2026

There are just 10 more days to register for North Dakota Waterfowl Brigade! Scholarships are available for those looking to attend and grow their leadership skills!

05/19/2026

Poaching steals the public's wildlife. Make the call.
RAP tipline: 701-328-9921

Behind the Badge - Does Poaching Really Matter?
Written By District Game Warden Gavin Herbert

The reason I got into this profession was to protect the natural resources that we enjoy so much. It never crossed my mind as a game warden that I would have the opportunity to inspire others by writing directly to them. But there has never been a better time to inspire others and protect our way of life.

In a recent study published by the Boone and Crocket Club as part of their Poach and Pay program, it unveiled that only 3-5% of poachers get caught nationwide, meaning around 95% of poaching incidents go undetected. These poaching incidents that go unnoticed cost the American public billions of dollars that could be better spent on conservation.

Billion is not a small number and it is a huge loss to the public for the replacement cost of illegally taken wildlife. Not to mention that hunting is on a decline across the U.S., which is where much of the funding is generated for conservation.

This is a very thought-provoking dilemma for how the North American Model of Conservation is being undermined by those who discredit our system by poaching.

Never has it been clearer to me the harm that poachers cause. Hunting is often looked through a negative lens by portions of the public, and these negatives are often confirmed by examples of poaching. Now we all know hunters and poachers are not the same but how will someone that is not a part of our hunting community see it? In a world where support for hunting is declining, do we need poachers making our way of life look bad? How do we recruit people when their examples of hunting come from bad places or at least how do we gain support?

How poaching affects public perception, along with the impact it has on conservation, has never been clearer, so why do we as the public tolerate it?

This new information has brought more meaning to my career and the importance of what I do, but I believe that the changes will start with you. Wardens make many cases off of public reports. My best case ever came from a phone call. I could never have caught the man responsible without that call. We often cannot do it alone and it is important that you see why your role is so important.

It is easy to say that an individual warden is Behind the Badge, but what is truly Behind the Badge is a community of enthusiastic conservationists, hunters and anglers who support us. We cannot do it without you.

05/18/2026

The North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act will be voted on in the House this week, as early as today! The bill would streamline the transfer of 30,000 acres of BLM land in North Dakota to the state

Call Representative Fedorchak and express your opposition to H.R. 2252 and the transfer of federal land!

Fedorchak’s DC office: (202) 225-2611

There is so much happening in today’s world it’s hard to keep up. Some may choose to simply ignore, but for hunters and public land users, it is essential to stay informed about legislative developments that could impact access to public lands. One such development is the North Dakota Trust Land...

05/13/2026

Prairie Day 2026 is June 6th at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park in Mandan. There will be learning opportunities for all ages. It is a great way to get out of the house and onto the prairie!

05/08/2026