N.D. reduces deer hunting licenses by 40 percent

North Dakota’s Game and Fish Department is making just 65,300 deer licenses available for the 2012 season, more than 40 percent less than last year and the fewest licenses in nearly a quarter century. The reduction in licenses comes after the deer population statewide shrank during three straight harsh winters, from 2008 to 2010, Game and Fish Wildlife Chief Randy Kreil said Monday.