Deer Hunting Season is Upon Us

February 19, 2009 by admin

By Doug Leier

Deer hunting season opener is practically a holiday in ND

Take a look at the calendar and you’ll realize that this year’s season begins on the latest possible date under the State Game and Fish Department’s roster of standardized opening dates.

As Cliff Clavin, the know-it-all postal worker from the television series “Cheers” might have said: “It’s a little known fact that opening day of deer season in North Dakota is set on the Friday before Veterans Day.”

That makes the range of dates from Nov. 4-10. Last year, deer season opened on the earliest possible day.

What the difference in dates does to the rut, weather conditions and the entire deer hunt remains to be seen and is purely speculative. The reality is that deer season is coming fast and there are some things to keep in mind.

First off, now is the time to find and verify your deer licenses. If you can’t find it right now, odds are you won’t be able to find it the day before deer season, either. After you’ve exhausted all searches, log on to the Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov and download and print an application for a replacement license. You’ll need to fill it out and mail it in soon to ensure you’ll receive the replacement license prior to opening day.

Thousands of doe licenses are still available

If you forgot to put in for a license or would like an additional antlerless deer license, several thousand are still available. You can also apply for those on the website. Don’t worry if you’re not interested in shooting another deer with a rifle. The remaining licenses can be used during the archery season with a bow and during the muzzle-loader season if you hunt with a muzzle-loader. However, for these additional licenses you must hunt in the unit described.

Next, you’ll want to make sure your rifle and gear are ready. Judging by the popularity of deer hunting in North Dakota, some people choose to hunt deer and only deer. If that is the case, take some time now to reacquaint yourself you’re your firearm, shells and gear. A trip to the range to get the rifle sighted in is the least you can do.

After your gun, gear, license and other equipment are ready; you’ll be well served to spend some time keeping yourself in shape and scouting. The physical demands of deer hunting should not be underestimated. The best advice is to maintain your cardiovascular and muscular fitness year around, but it’s never too late. Even a few weeks of evening walks breaking in boots will help adjust your body to what can be a very physical hunt, including packing equipment and your deer out of the field.

The scouting aspect of fall deer hunting can be the most enjoyable. With pheasant season open, and rooster territory expanding, odds are you can turn a pheasant hunt into a deer scouting trip, or vice versa.

While deer numbers are plentiful in many parts of the state, so to are deer hunters, and this can create competition for access. If you plan on hunting a particular field, check it out ahead of time. Has the land changed ownership? Is it posted by a different tenant?

Or maybe the CRP field of 2005 is now corn or soybeans? Even land use changes in adjacent fields can influence deer location and movement. So can drought or other weather conditions.

The more time spent preparing during the weeks leading up to deer season will help minimize the potential for surprises. While surprises are nice for birthdays, most hunters would rather not have to deal with one when deer hunting is at hand.

Good luck and hunt safe.