Thousands of hunters took to the field today for the opening of deer gun season.

Deer Hunters, however, have several challenges to overcome this year if they hope to be successful on the opening weekend.

Shaun Sipma was out at noon when the season opened up and has our story.

By 12 o'clock today hunters had spread out across North Dakota looking to fill their deer tag or tags for the season

Many had spots already picked out and scoped out so when the clock struck 12, they would be in position

But instead of heavy coast and stocking caps this year many were dawning only blaze orange t-shirts and ball caps.

(Pat Ryan, Hunter) "Obviously it's quite a contract compared to last years opening day when we had I don't know what the depth was but it was a lot of snow on the ground particularly south of here, it was almost impossible to get out in the field."


Getting out in the field today wasn't a problem. Temperatures were in the 60's but that also meant deer weren't at all eager to move around and rather stay cool in the shade a hidden from hunters.

(Pat Ryan, Hunter) "yeah and the deer will sit tight, you know really tight."


On top of that everywhere you look right now there are unharvested field of either sunflowers, corn, grain or Soybeans.

More than enough cover to hide just about any animal looking to avoid a hunter.

(Pat Ryan, Hunter) If the deer are pushed tend to agree that's where they go and of course it's almost impossible to flush them out of there number one you can't hunt the crops unless you've got permission. So it's yeah going to be a tough hunting season."


Tough in terms of finding deer and taking care of them once they're tagged and in the pickup with the warm weather.

The good news though today combines were out in full force harvesting the remaining crops which should help increase the chances for hunters finding deer and having a successful season.

Out and About in North Central North Dakota, Shaun Sipma KX News. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list