Deer gun season to begin with good numbers amid past EHD outbreak

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – The deer gun season in North Dakota opens at noon central time on Friday, Nov. 8.

North Dakota’s storied hunting heritage shines brightest among families and friends during the state’s deer gun season. And with deer numbers rebounding slowly from tough winters and a severe EHD outbreak a few years ago, the tradition continues in the state.

“Whitetail deer numbers are trending up so far, as far as we can tell. Anecdotally, we’ve got reports of many twins and fawn production being pretty decent. And so, that’ll bode well in the future,” said Casey Anderson, NDGF wildlife division chief.

There is one setback in certain deer hunting units for whitetail deer.

“We’ve had a slight EHD outbreak in the western side of the state. We are offering some refunds on whitetail licenses in some of those units. The outbreak has been fairly small compared to the one three, four years ago,” said Anderson.

Last year’s mild winter and descent in fawning habitat have helped the mule deer population.

“Mule deer numbers are trending in the right direction slowly, but our fawning production seems to be up. We’re flying the surveys right now, and we’ll be wrapping those up shortly,” said Anderson.

There are things that need to happen to help rebuild the deer population in North Dakota.

“To keep deer numbers heading in the right direction, we need to maintain habitat on the landscape, improve or maintain it. And the other thing is obviously we need a little help from Mother Nature as we come into this winter and next spring fawning season,” said Anderson.

And what can hunters hitting the field this deer season expect?

“I think they can expect a pretty good season this fall. Most likely most of the crops will be off, which always is an added benefit for those out looking for a deer,” said Anderson.

Anderson says hunters also need to be aware of dry conditions on the landscape during the deer season.

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