The department is recommending a similar number of white-tailed deer licenses, and an increase in the number of mule deer licenses. The figure submitted to Gov. John Hoeven's office for approval is 145,600 licenses, an increase of 350 from 2004.

Several mild winters and the resulting increase in reproductive success have raised the state's white-tailed deer population above management objectives in many units in eastern and northern North Dakota.

"This aggressive approach has been implemented to reduce deer numbers to unit management goals," Kreil said. "Progress toward reducing or stabilizing deer numbers was evident this past year, particularly in the northwest and in some units in southeastern North Dakota."

Only the northwestern portion of the state will see significantly lower license numbers, Kreil said, due to a decline in deer numbers resulting from several years of high harvest on does and more typical winters.

The mule deer population in the badlands is at management goals, allowing the department to recommend an increase in licenses from 2004. "Population and reproductive surveys indicate an increase in overall mule deer numbers," Kreil said.

In addition, the portion of the state west of the Missouri River and south of Interstate 94 (excluding the badlands) has experienced significant growth in the number of both mule deer and white-tailed deer. Therefore, licenses have been increased accordingly to reduce population levels to management goals.

The overall reduced number of regular season white-tailed deer licenses also resulted in a slight decrease in the number of available muzzle-loader licenses.

The number of licenses proposed for 2005 includes 7,700 for mule deer, an increase of 1,325 from last year; 2,758 for muzzle-loader, down 20 from last year; and 340 restricted youth antlered mule deer, an increase of 30 from last year.

Unit 2B will have the same regulation as last year. Early season antlerless license holders who do not fill their license in the early season, can also hunt the last three days of the late season in that unit. Hunters with a license for an antlered deer in unit 2B may hunt only during the early or late season dates applicable to their license.

North Dakota residents who are on active duty with the National Guard or Reserve and are stationed outside of the state during the 2005 deer gun lottery process, and miss the initial lottery, are eligible to purchase one white-tailed deer gun license of either sex in a unit of their choice.

Likewise, North Dakota residents who were unable to participate in the 2004 deer gun season because they were on active duty with the National Guard or Reserve and were stationed outside the state are also eligible to purchase one deer gun license for a white-tailed deer of their choice in a unit of their choice.

Deer hunters should also note that baiting is prohibited on all state-owned or managed wildlife management areas.

Online applications for regular deer gun, youth and muzzle-loader seasons will be available May 11 for prospective hunters to apply through the game and fish internet website, while paper applications will be available to vendors throughout the state by May 18. The application deadline is June 8.

Applicants can access the department's website at discovernd.com/gnf to submit a lottery application online, or to print an application for mailing. Regular license fees apply and no service charge is added.