Pheasants and other wildlife are trying to survive the long, cold winter days. The public is asked to leave them be and admire them from a distance.

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Residents and visitors of North Dakota are already dreaming of warmer days and future hunting opportunities.

The North Dakota Game & Fish Department earlier this month announced they would be offering 7,647 wild turkey licenses for 2022 spring hunting, 635 more than last year.

North Dakota Game & Fish Wildlife Biologist Doug Leier.

One noteworthy change from last year is handguns are no longer a legal firearm. Only shotguns, including muzzleloading shotguns, no larger than 10 gauge are legal.

Spring turkey applicants can apply online at the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.

Leier added that they also ask the public to not feed the wildlife, both over the winter and year-round.

Leier says while the winter drags on, it’s also important to give wildlife some distance to spare already stressed animals that are simply trying to survive the snow and cold.

For more information, visit gf.nd.gov.

You can listen to Doug Leier and JD talk the Great Outdoors every Thursday at 7:35 AM on Big Dog Country 95.5 FM.