North Dakota 2011 Deer License Discussion

Summer is short enough without turning the calendar to October while it’s still July. However, fall preparation is already well underway for some hunters with activities such as target or trap shooting, getting in shape for that strenuous badlands trip, or learning about the finer points of the latest gadgetry you just “have to have.”

While all these are warranted, there’s also the matter of ongoing allocation of 2011 deer licenses.

By now, just about every one of us with Internet access has probably checked to see what license we did or didn’t get. Over the next few weeks, anyone who didn’t draw a license in the first lottery, or anyone who wants additional antlerless whitetail licenses, will have to keep an eye out for mailings and further application deadlines.

The first lottery application process was completed July 8 for deer gun, muzzleloader, youth and landowner licenses, with nearly 100,000 applicants. While some hunters still prefer filling out an application by hand and mailing it in, that group is getting smaller, as more than 70 percent of applications were submitted online.

When all was said and done about 24,000 antlerless deer gun licenses were not allocated after the first drawing.

Unsuccessful resident applicants in the first drawing were mailed second and third lottery applications. Resident and nonresident hunters who did not apply, or who want additional licenses, must submit a third lottery application. The deadline for submitting applications for these is Aug. 10. The second lottery will take place immediately prior to the third.

As one friend asked, however, “what does all that mean?”

Basically, anyone who applied but did not receive a license in the first lottery will have first crack at the remaining licenses, ahead of those are seeking second licenses or who forgot to apply.

To streamline the application process, the application deadline for both groups is Aug. 10. The drawing for unsuccessful applicants is held first. Licenses remaining after that are up for grabs in what we could call the third lottery.

After the third lottery is held, any unissued licenses are available first-come, first-served.

For the Aug. 10 deadline, applications are available online at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov, or at license vendors around the state.

The popularity of second licenses has grown through the past decade, as hunters can use concurrent season doe licenses during the archery season with a bow; the deer gun season with a bow, rifle or muzzleloader; or during the muzzleloader season with a muzzleloader.

These licenses are for antlerless deer only, and hunters must stay in the unit to which the license is assigned, unlike regular bow or muzzleloader licenses which are valid statewide.

In addition, youth deer license hunters ages 14 and 15 may purchase additional concurrent season doe licenses to use during the youth season.

All hunters should understand that the supply of deer licenses has shrunk over the past three years, but interest remains high. Last year, only three units had licenses remaining on opening day of deer gun season.

Hunters are encouraged to apply by the Aug. 10 deadline to ensure the best chance at remaining licenses, as many units will sell out after the third lottery.

It only takes a few minutes to apply, and then we can get back to the business of enjoying the rest of summer.

Leier is a biologist for the Game and Fish Department. He can be reached by email:  dleier@nd.gov