Peace Garden News

Landowners, hunters, lawmakers, and wildlife managers convened in Bismarck in mid-December to discuss the significance of wildlife habitats and hunting access throughout North Dakota. The event was organized by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and attracted around 200 participants.

Governor Kelly Armstrong opened the summit with remarks emphasizing hunting's vital role in the state's economy, workforce, and culture. Armstrong expressed concern over diminishing hunting opportunities, saying: “Every single time someone puts their gun away and says they’re done hunting because they can’t find anywhere to shoot a rooster, or just to have an opportunity to shoot a couple ducks, that means the likelihood of their kid hunting is almost zero.” He urged cooperation among landowners, government officials, and sportsmen to address these challenges.

Armstrong stressed that solutions require time and dialogue. “But none of it’s going to happen overnight," he said. "But we have to remember that if we don’t pass this on to the next generation, it will die out. It’s too big a part of the fabric of North Dakota to let that happen.”

The summit featured presentations from department staff on current habitat conditions and wildlife populations in North Dakota. These were followed by panel discussions where attendees' questions were addressed.