North Dakota’s 2022 deer season is set, with 64,200 licenses available to hunters, down 8,000 from last year.

In total, any-antlered licenses decreased by 150 from last year, any-antlerless by 350, antlered whitetail by 4,150, and antlerless whitetail by 3,700. Antlered mule deer licensed remained the same, and antlerless mule deer licenses increased by 350.

In addition, muzzleloader licenses decreased by 168 and restricted youth antlered mule deer licenses remained the same.

“Epizootic hemorrhagic disease dramatically reduced white-tailed deer numbers along the Missouri River and parts of some western hunting units,” said Casey Anderson, wildlife chief for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. “As a result, license allocations in some units were dramatically reduced.”

As stated in the 2022-23 chronic wasting disease proclamation, hunters harvesting a deer in units 3A1, 3A2, 3B1, 3C, 3D1, 3E2, 3F2, 4B and 4C cannot transport the whole carcass outside the unit, with the exception that hunters can transport the whole deer carcass between adjoining CWD carcass restricted units.

Also in the CWD proclamation, it is unlawful for an individual to hunt big game over bait, or place bait to attract big game for the purpose of hunting, in deer hunting units 1, 2B, 3A1, 3A2, 3A3, 3A4, 3B1, 3C, 3D1, 3D2, 3E1, 3E2, 3F1, 3F2, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 4F.

“Last fall, 26 deer were harvested during the hunting season that tested positive for CWD, including three in new units,” Anderson said, while noting they were units 3C, 3D1 and 3E2. “This has consequently altered deer management strategies in those and surrounding units.”

North Dakota’s 2022 deer gun season opens Nov. 4 at noon and continues through Nov. 20.

Applicants for regular deer gun, gratis, youth and muzzleloader can apply online through the Game and Fish Department’s website at gf.nd.gov.

The deadline for applying is June 8.