North Dakota does not have a Wolf population and a scant few Pumas reside there................So why the 2nd consecutive year of hunters not being allowed to hunt Mule Deer?......The State is still feeling the impact of three consecutive( 2009-11) harsh winters................So, as we have often learned on this blog, severe snowy and cold Winters combined with severe drought Summers can truly hammer wildlife.................Unfortunately, where carnivores do exist in this Country in conjunction with ungulate populations, the first cry from hunters is to kill the carnivores when the ungulate populations sink.................Is that really the solution to more deer?..............Might improved habitat(deer yards, wildife plantings, etc) be the better long term solution for all the denizens of the land?

Fewer Deer Licenses and a NO KILL MULIES season ahead?


BRIAN GEHRING/bismarktimes.com

The proclamation for the 2013 deer gun season is slated to be delivered to the governor Wednesday. The recommendation is for 5,800 fewer licenses offered compared to last year and no season on mule deer does for a second consecutive season.

The projected number of deer gun licenses available for this coming fall season could be 5,800 fewer than last season, making it the least number available since 1982.

Randy Kreil, wildlife chief for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, said his staff were expected to finish up population surveys over the weekend with arial surveys in the western part of the state for mule deer.

He said while the numbers could change, the proposed number of licenses for the regular gun season are 59,500 compared to 65,300 a year ago.

No mule deer doe tags will be issued this fall for the second consecutive season because of low numbers in the state's six western mule deer units.

Kreil said the mule deer survey in most years would have been completed two or more weeks ago, but the last snowstorm pushed things behind schedule.
He said the department will submit the proclamation to the governor for his signature Wednesday.
As far as mule deer buck tags, 50 fewer tags will be available in unit 3B1 which covers the Williston and Watford City areas.

For white-tailed deer, there will be 2,350 fewer buck licenses and 4,050 fewer doe licenses available across the state.
Kreil said the majority of the reductions will come from the northern and eastern parts of the state.

"The entire northern half and the eastern half of the state had real winter," he said. The state's deer population is still rebounding from three consecutive brutal winters in 2009-11.

Prior to those winters, about 150,000 deer licenses were available in the state at the peak of the population.
In the Red River management unit, 2,700 fewer white-tail licenses will be issued and 1,400 fewer in the Sheyenne management unit which covers Eddy County south to the state line.
Other hunting units that will see reductions include: 2K2 (700), 2E (400), 3A2 (500) and 400 fewer in the Devils Lake unit with represents a 40 percent reduction from last year.
Kreil said there are a few other changes deer hunters should be aware of this season.
For the first time, all archery tags will have to be purchased online. He said by 2016, the department will implement a system where all hunting and fishing licenses will have to be purchased electronically.
Another change deals with regulations regarding gratis licenses.
The minimum acreage to qualify for a gratis license changed during the legislative session and is now at 150 acres.
Trust holders on land now will be able to apply for a gratis license, something that also was changed during the session.
Kreil said letters will be sent out to gratis tag holders explaining the changes.
He said those applying for gratis licenses should apply by the regular June 5 deadline or risk not getting one.
"We can't say that enough," Kreil said.