North Dakota Deer Hunter Success at 55% Last Year

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Only a little more than half of the hunters who went in search of a deer during last fall's gun season in North Dakota found success.

The Game and Fish Department says hunters killed about 28,600 deer during the 2013 season, for a success rate of 55 percent. That was down from 59 percent in 2012 and well below the long-term average of 70 percent.

Hunter success for antlered white-tailed deer was 62 percent, and for antlerless whitetails 55 percent. Mule deer buck success was 82 percent. No mule deer doe licenses were issued.

Game and Fish is determining recommendations for licenses for the 2014 season. The state issued only 59,500 licenses last year — a 30-year low. That was due to a decline in the deer population.