North Dakota Deer Management Meetings Scheduled

The State Game and Fish Department has scheduled eight public meetings in February to discuss deer management in North Dakota.

Department officials will present an overview of the current deer population and prospects for the future, and look for input on possible options for changes in the way deer licenses are allocated.

“We’re all aware that the state’s whitetail and mule deer populations have declined considerably in recent years,” said Game and Fish Department wildlife chief Randy Kreil. “In 2013 we had approximately 40,000 hunters who applied for a deer gun license and didn’t get one. We’re looking at some ideas that might help get more hunters in the field if deer populations remain similar to what they are now.”

In the long term, Kreil said Game and Fish’s strategy is to build deer numbers to a point that would provide a reasonable chance for anyone who wants to hunt to be able to get some kind of license. “Right now we have a high public interest in deer hunting in North Dakota,” he said. “We’re hoping to come up with some solutions to help us maintain that.”

Each meeting will begin at 7 p.m. local time.

Feb. 17 – Devils Lake, Lake Region Community College Auditorium

Feb. 17 – Casselton, City Fire Hall

Feb. 18 – Dickinson, Ramada Grand Dakota Lodge

Feb. 18 – Anamoose, Community Center

Feb. 24 – Tioga, Farm Festival Building

Feb. 24 – Fordville, Community Center

Feb. 25 – Bismarck, North Dakota Game and Fish Department

Feb. 25 – Jamestown, The Bunker