Williston Hires New Game Wardens | Video

Chris Williams | 10/19/2012

During the summer, Game and Fish wardens saw a huge increase in the number of people fishing without a license. Pheasant season started last week, deer season is about one month away and wardens are preparing for more of the same.

More people means more hunters. The Williston region of Game and Fish is training a new district warden and hired another one last winter.

"It may have been a little busier than I thought. I know that the area has obviously experienced a significant amount of growth, so therefore we become a little busier with that," said District Game Warden Blake Riewer.

One problem wardens keep coming across is hunters that don`t have their license. The penalty for that is a $425 and a Class B misdemeanor, if you`re lucky.

"The penalty can go up to $1,000 and 30 days in jail is the maximum punishment for the offense," Riewer added.

Out of state licenses don`t work in North Dakota, but getting a license to hunt small game is pretty easy.

"The nonresident person would come to us, he would show his ID, and then they also need to have their hunt safe number from whatever state they`re from," said Scenic Sports Gun Salesman Keith Gourneau.

Deer licenses have already been given out, but small game permits are still available. For people from out of state they are good for two weeks and can be renewed after that.

"Oh yeah, it`s way cheaper to buy a license then to get caught without the license," added Gourneau.

A small game permit costs $85.50, and that will prevent you from having any trouble with wardens.

"Basically once we do make contact we check licenses, make sure they`re in compliance as far as the type of fire arms they`re using or archery equipment," Riewer added.

This weekend will be the first chance those from out of state can hunt pheasant.

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