12-20-2004, 09:57 PM
North Dakota's special antlerless white-tailed deer season opens Friday, Dec. 17 at noon, and hunters are urged to be aware of other outdoor enthusiasts during this two-week season."Typically, deer gun hunters aren't out in the field this time of the year, so they need to be aware that other people may be out enjoying a favorite activity, including snowmobiling, cross county skiing and hunting upland game birds," said Jim Carter, hunter education supervisor for the State Game and Fish Department.
In addition, children will be away from the classroom for a week during the Christmas holiday. "Deer hunters have always been aware of their surroundings," Carter said, "but since this is open at a different time of the year, we want to remind them that others will be outside enjoying North Dakota's winter."
Along with a safety reminder to hunters, landowners can use this special deer season as an opportunity to put pressure on deer that are herding up for the winter, mentioned Randy Kreil, wildlife chief. "This is a good way for landowners, who have experienced depredation problems, to allow hunters on their land to help thin out the herd," Kreil said.
The special season is open through Dec. 31 in all units, except 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E. Unfilled buck tags cannot be used to harvest a deer. The season is open for hunters with unfilled antlerless whitetail and any-antlerless licenses from open units, along with unfilled gratis and youth licenses. Unfilled gratis licenses can be used if it is from an open unit, and only on land described for the license. Hunters with unfilled youth licenses may hunt in any open unit. Muzzle-loader hunters with an unused antlerless whitetail license are also eligible to participate, using a muzzle-loader only. In all instances, only antlerless white-tailed deer may be harvested.
[signature]
In addition, children will be away from the classroom for a week during the Christmas holiday. "Deer hunters have always been aware of their surroundings," Carter said, "but since this is open at a different time of the year, we want to remind them that others will be outside enjoying North Dakota's winter."
Along with a safety reminder to hunters, landowners can use this special deer season as an opportunity to put pressure on deer that are herding up for the winter, mentioned Randy Kreil, wildlife chief. "This is a good way for landowners, who have experienced depredation problems, to allow hunters on their land to help thin out the herd," Kreil said.
The special season is open through Dec. 31 in all units, except 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E. Unfilled buck tags cannot be used to harvest a deer. The season is open for hunters with unfilled antlerless whitetail and any-antlerless licenses from open units, along with unfilled gratis and youth licenses. Unfilled gratis licenses can be used if it is from an open unit, and only on land described for the license. Hunters with unfilled youth licenses may hunt in any open unit. Muzzle-loader hunters with an unused antlerless whitetail license are also eligible to participate, using a muzzle-loader only. In all instances, only antlerless white-tailed deer may be harvested.
[signature]