My observations on the NR issue....

I think you have hit the nail on the head. One thing I see People assuming is that by eliminating the non-resident hunter numbers they think they are going to gain more access to privately owned farm and ranch land. I feel times have changed. I think the days are limited for the hunter who starts out driving around looking for game to hunt and then expecting to be able to hunt there. I've done it many times in the past myself. We all have to face the fact that the private land in North Dakota is becoming more and more posted. This doesn't mean less access, it just means we need to start planning our hunts in advance. One other thing we will never accomplish in North Dakota thru legislation is gaining access to the prime and best hunting locations on private land. The best hunting has almost always been posted and only limited access allowed, someone will always control these locations.

The non-resident issue addresses access issues just like trying to stear a horse by pulling on its tail.

Landowners have the right to lease and sell to whomever they want to. Trying to put legislation on this is not legal. The laws allow you to rent or lease out your housing property to whomever you choose and at whatever price you choose. The landowner has this same right and should not be called greedy for doing as they choose, it's just regular business as normal, highest bidder gets it.

Access in North Dakota will only happen in two ways, one being by the use of money and leasing a place to hunt and the second is communication with landowners and getting access permission before you hunt.

The only way to increase public access is to lease private lands for the public use. If the public doesn't someone else will.

I just wanted to add, I have a few buddies that have hunted your fine state in the past. They all have nothing but GOOd things to say about the land owners, business owners and locals.
One particular story I've been told comes to mind. My buds stopped in a little town called Rollah(spelling) to fill up with gas and stop at the local watering hole for a cold refreshment. They were sitting at the bar minding there own business, when a local asked "Where you from?" The response was south central Minn. "Hunting ducks, or geese?" the guy asked. "Either or. Just arrived to the area. Planning on doing some scouting for the rest of the day and see if we can't get a few in the morning." my bud replied. "Well, you don't have to wait until tomorrow, I got a couple good spots you guys can hit this afternoon if you like! Infact let me make a couple phone calls and let me see if I can get you a couple more spots." In the hour or so they spent in that watering hole, they got the ok to hunt on 5 different farmers land, plus got several suggestions on where the geese are feeding plus numerous spots where the ducks were as well.
I don't know if this is common or not, but if just 1/4 the residents of your state are this helpful or friendly, I will start making regular trips! And you all can rest assured that I will treat you, and your land with the same friendly face and respect that had been shown to some straingers from MINN. Thanks!

decoyer, try $300/gun/day. I like the suggestions but early scouting has done little for me. You can brown nose all you want many land owners do not want you hunting and if they do they have plenty of people already hunting it like family and personal friends and have no time for you. I sat at a table when GNF did their meetings and listened to a bunch of land owners say how they let people who ask hunt. BS. I knew everyone of them and not one of them let people hunt their land. One guy who is a guide had the balls to say that he lets people hunt his land if they ask. some more BS. Come fall we will see if these land owners will let people hunt their land. Most are just like Cootkiller, give me, give me, give me, I want, I need. Thank god I know a handfull of land owners who will let me hunt and do not buy into that resident hunters are selfish crap. Look at the tally. Guides/outfitters and land owners gave up nothing. It was the resident hunter who had to make ALL the compromises. Stay away from the spirit water inn in minnewauken, ND. According to him we are all peta lovers.

I am from WI and will be making a trip to your state this fall to hunt waterfowl for the first time.(in ND that is) I have a friend who used to live there and he talks the state and its people up. I look forward to making the jurney. I can hunt hear for days on end and only see a few duck and people are always shooting into the clouds. Im tired of it. The only reason they skybust is because the limited number of ducks. They still dont get any but if they would wait the ducks will come down. I have talked with many ND residents and have got a few good tips and tricks that they use. I also see that there seems to be some hostility between some residents and NR's. This seems to be because some or most of the NR's use a guide and that money goes to support the purchasing of land leases. Any one who uses a guide for access is not actually hunting they are shooting :sniper: or just killing. :evil: I will be bringing my father in law and will NOT be using a guide. I look forward to the hunt and hope to make the trip every year. Good luck hunting this year. :beer:

Hey do those spinners work on those coots too ??? :lol:

Between take a kid fishing & now the NR connection - I think cootster is showing his :justanangel: side.

Hey !!! Maverick & Duckguy & Travis!!! it would be worth it to drive here & smooze old shootacoot - I'd wine him & dine him (maybe once a month) - what ever it would take well almost :roll: Cause he could put you on some serious ducks.

But if your going to drive around & look for ducks in the DL area, or hunt public lands (other than the Big waters) You are in for a shock (well maybe not) your from Wisc. right ??? But if you are coming for the opener, or during the Minn. or Wisc. Teacher convention long weekends (& they are always on two different back to back weeks) - than it is one of the crowdedest places in ND.

He knows plenty of guys that will take you out for $200 or more a day that mostly shoot ducks - over goose decoys. Now I put a frown there, cause that is the state of affairs especially for SOB's in ND

If you are willing to drive certain directions say 50 miles or so - there will be more options & less competition & the further the better (to me less crowded) it becomes.

Early you get the easy pickins - Later you get migraters & mature birds - Most NR's never ever see the real migration - Won't risk the dates on freeze up & storms - but later is better - especially when all the locals start chasing those 4 legged dears

Hey coot !!! you got any water big enough to float my boats ??? - Now thats real traditional duck hunting :beer: