HIP Certification Required for North Dakota Bird Hunters
All migratory game bird hunters, regardless of age, are reminded that Harvest Information Program registration is required Sept. 1. However, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department recommends early Canada goose season hunters get HIP certified before the Aug. 15 opener.
HIP certification is required for hunting ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, coots, cranes, snipe, doves or woodcock. Game management section leader Mike Johnson said HIP registration provides the Game and Fish Department with a database of names and addresses of migratory bird hunters, and a sample of these hunters will receive a questionnaire regarding hunting activity and number of birds harvested.
“This information allows us to make sound decisions concerning hunting seasons, bag limits and population management,” Johnson said. “Hunter compliance is essential in order to obtain reliable estimates of the annual harvest of all migratory game bird species.”
Hunters who purchase a license through the department’s electronic licensing system (gf.nd.gov) or instant licensing telephone number at (800) 406-6409 can easily get HIP certified.
Otherwise, hunters can access the Game and Fish website, or call (888) 634-4798 and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate.
Those who registered to hunt the spring light goose season in North Dakota do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required only once per year. However, hunters must HIP register in each state for which they are licensed before hunting migratory game birds.
