Deer hunters have options

Deer hunters in North Dakota have an option for multiple deer permits again this year as the North Dakota Game and Fish Department continues to distribute an estimated 18,000 licenses still on hand. The licenses can be used during any open season with the proper weapon for that season. Hunters also must stay within the unit they have been assigned.

“We set our license numbers in order to reach our population goals,” said Jason Smith, game management technician for Game and Fish in Jamestown. “It is important to get them sold.”

Statewide, 149,400 whitetail and 8,600 mule deer permits were authorized in North Dakota this year. The white tail number is up from 148,500 available in 2007.

Smith credits land in the Conservation Reserve Program for building deer numbers.

“The license numbers are still above the numbers available in years past,” Smith said. “But some units are reaching their management goals and in those the number of licenses is declining.”

Units in the Jamestown area include 2J2 with 1,923 licenses, 2I with 241 and 2H with 545 available as of Thursday afternoon. All licenses are for antlerless deer. Cost of the license is $20 for residents and $55 for nonresidents. Licenses are available at www.gf.nd.gov or by calling the Bismarck office of the Game and Fish Department at 328-6300.

Sun reporter Keith Norman can be reached at (701) 952-8452 or by e-mail at knorman@jamestownsun.com

Tags: deer hunting, north dakota, game and fish, hunting, licenses