From NDG&F Dept. Releases

A total of 45,927 North Dakota deer hunters took approximately 25,146 deer during the 2023 deer gun hunting season, according to a post-season survey conducted by the state Game and Fish Department.  Numbers were similar to the 47,590 hunters and 25,093 deer harvested in 2022.

Game and Fish made available 53,400 deer gun licenses last year, down from 64,200 in 2022. Overall hunter success was 55%, with each hunter spending an average of 4.7 days in the field, comparable to 2022 statistics of 53% success and 4.4 days afield, respectively.

Hunter success for antlered white-tailed deer was 54%, and 51% for antlerless whitetails, up from 43% and 40% in 2022. 

Mule deer buck success was 80%, and 78% for antlerless mule deer, up from 64% and 70% in 2022, respectively.  

Hunters with any-antlered or any-antlerless licenses generally harvest white-tailed deer, as these licenses are predominantly in units with mostly whitetails. Buck hunters had a success rate of 60%, while doe hunters had a success rate of 55%. 

Game and Fish issued 12,188 gratis licenses in 2023, and 9,664 hunters harvested 4,216 deer for a success rate of 44%. 

A total of 1,020 muzzleloader licenses were issued this year, and 890 hunters harvested 280 white-tailed deer (140 antlered, 140 antlerless). Hunter success was 32%.  In 2022, a total of 1,168 muzzleloader licenses were issued, and 1,018 hunters harvested 461 white-tailed deer (223 antlered, 238 antlerless). Hunter success last year was higher at 45%.

A total of 27,607 archery licenses (24,237 resident, 3,370 nonresident) were issued in 2023. In total, 22,608 bowhunters harvested 6,436 deer (5,411 whitetails, 1,025 mule deer) for a success rate of 29%. 

The department is in the process of determining recommendations for licenses in 2024. In addition to harvest rates and winter aerial surveys, Game and Fish staff monitor other population indices to determine license numbers, including depredation reports, hunter observations, input at advisory board meetings, and comments from the public, landowners and department field staff.

Featured Photo: While the number of tags issued was off by almost 11,000, hunter success for antlered whitetails during the firearms deer season increased by 11% in 2023. NDG&F Photo.

Portions of the NDG&F Dept. 2024 and 2023 Press Releases were used for comparison.