WEST FARGO – North Dakota’s first 2025 deer season – archery – opened at noon Aug. 29 and runs through Jan. 4, 2026. For many hunters the “real deer season” is the North Dakota gun/rifle season, which runs from Nov. 7-Nov. 23.

This year, 42,300 licenses were available to hunters, down 7,800 from last year. In addition, muzzleloader licenses decreased by 150, while restricted youth antlered mule deer licenses remained the same.

Total deer licenses are determined by harvest rates, aerial surveys, depredation reports, hunter observations, input at advisory board meetings and comments from the public, landowners and department field staff.

Casey Anderson, North Dakota Game and Fish Department deputy director, said population, harvest and survey data indicate the state’s deer population is s

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