Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand ForksDeer Hunting License Application Extension

   Sportsmen have a little more time to apply for a deer hunting license this year.

   The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has extended the deer license application deadline by a week, from June 8 to June 15, because of flooding issues around the state.

   Governor Jack Dalrymple signed an amendment to the deer proclamation Wednesday morning, approving the extension. 

  "So many people around the state have had other things on their minds recently," Game and Fish Director Terry Steinwand said. "Adding a week to the deer application period may help some hunters catch up."

   The extra week should not cause much of a delay to the deer license lottery drawing, which typically takes place about the first week of July.

   This is the first time that Game and Fish has extended the deer application deadline. "The circumstances we're dealing with are unprecedented for this time of year," Steinwand said. "We hope it's the last time something like this comes up."

   The deadline applies to muzzleloader, regular gun, gratis and nonresident landowner, and youth antlered mule deer applications (specifically for antlered mule deer in units 3B1, 3B2, and 4A-4F).

   Anyone mailing applications to the Game and Fish Department is advised to mail early because some post offices use the following day's postmark for mail received after regular hours. The department's online application feature will be deactivated June 15 at midnight.