OFFICIAL 2026 Deer Gun Lottery

[8andcounting]

Not sure they will do the same this year but last year they still issued doe depredation tags for S of Bismarck in the Briardale area. The deer population in that area is probably 10% of what is was 5 yrs and idiots are still shooting does in that area.

Yup there’s people that would shoot the last doe if was a tag

 

[Tymurrey]

Interesting idea. Is Mule deer habitat really that great east of the Missouri River? I thought traditionally they were always found more readily west of the Mighty Mo. I know the eastern fringe of the coteau area seems Mule-y, but the RRV would be tough country for them.

It seems like what we hunted them in for habitat wise in Montana would cover about 3/4 of North Dakota. In Montana it was just normal pasture and cropland with some crp mixed in but nothing real rugged. The mule deer would be bedded in the cropland or pasture and didn’t seem like they need

 

[Jiffy]

If it weren’t for the river systems in the red river valley, there wouldn’t be any deer anymore.

I’d like to see a mule deer hide behind a telephone pole.

 

[8andcounting]

If it weren’t for the river systems in the red river valley, there wouldn’t be any deer anymore.

I’d like to see a mule deer hide behind a telephone pole.

Lots of pot hole slough areas in central and northern nd that are great deer habitat . Stop killing them and there’ll be more

 

[Jiffy]

Have you guys ever thought the game and fish dept doesn’t WANT more deer?

In fact, it’s the only logical conclusion other than the obvious money grab. Why else have a season? Why are they so scared to shut it down? Think about it.

 

[NDSportsman]

It seems like what we hunted them in for habitat wise in Montana would cover about 3/4 of North Dakota. In Montana it was just normal pasture and cropland with some crp mixed in but nothing real rugged. The mule deer would be bedded in the cropland or pasture and didn’t seem like they need

Winter in Montana isn't the same as winter in eastern ND. Hell it isn't the same from one side of the Missouri to the other. Southwestern ND is a banana belt compared to central ND!

 

[Tymurrey]

Winter in Montana isn't the same as winter in eastern ND. Hell it isn't the same from one side of the Missouri to the other. Southwestern ND is a banana belt compared to central ND!

I get that, our worst winters around Bismarck that decimated whitetails, the mule deer survived. All things considered I feel that mule deer survive better off less habitat, handle winters better, and most of the disease we’ve seen better. Hunting pressure they don’t survive well as they don’t hide in the same cover and a lot of them are not as weary as whitetails. Whitetails thrive when conditions are perfect and one hard winter or ehd and they are decimated.