Another deer gun season has passed in North Dakota with the official close last night.

But that doesn't mean hunting opportunities are gone in fact, just the opposite...there is plenty of hunting that can still be done and on land not usually available to hunters.

Today marks the start of a special upland game bird hunting season at different refuges around the state.

Upper Souris, Audubon, Des Lacs, J. Clark Salyer they all are open for hunters through the end of the state season.

The only requirements are to make sure you check with each refuge to see what areas are off limits and to make sure you use non-toxic shot...

(Tom Pabian - Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge) "Some refuges are more popular than others. Audubon will be the hot spot today seeing lots of pressure today. Up here there will be some people out and about and that is just because of our low pheasant numbers. They are increasing we are seeing more and more every year but we just don't have the sheer number of birds."

Another season is getting ready to open up later this week at Upper Souris.

It too provides hunters with a great opportunity to hunt prime land.

(Tom) "The refuge will open this Friday at noon for muzzleloader gun season. Anyone with a tag or a concurrent doe tag is welcome to come on the refuge and hunt for those animals."

The muzzleloading season is open on the entire Upper Souris refuge except, of course, near buildings on the land. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list