The Associated Press

SIOUX FALLS - There's only a slight increase in the number of licenses and tags for the deer hunting season after a record white-tailed population outside of the Black Hills has been trimmed closer to management goals.

An 8 percent increase in deer tags in 2005 and a 9 percent increase last year have brought some balance back to a white-tailed population that hit an all-time high in 2004.

"In some areas the answer is yes, we're getting to where we feel we're on top of some of those populations," said Tony Leif, game program manager in the state Department of Game, Fish & Parks.

Estimates from the GF&P put last year's harvest at 86,806 white-tailed deer and mule deer. That's a 56 percent increase from the 51,666 deer that hunters killed in 2000. The number of deer tags has increased by 84 percent in the same time.

What's been good for the pheasant population - also at a 40-year high - has increased deer numbers as well.

Winter mortality has been low for several years and habitat has been good.

"Especially in eastern South Dakota, the same Conservation Reserve Program cover that we talk about as improving habitat for upland game birds provides habitat for deer, too," Leif said.

The GF&P Commission, at the recommendation of department staff, approved 89,797 licenses and 143,836 deer tags for the fall season, most of which falls in November. A tag is required for each deer that is killed, and some licenses offer two tags.

The totals do not include the archery, muzzleloader or youth deer seasons, which offer unlimited licenses and tags. Last year, the three totaled another 30,600 licenses and 36,521 tags.

State game managers have no specific target for the deer population but rather set local management levels based on hunter interest in that area and how many deer landowners will tolerate, Leif said.

The GF&P has encouraged hunters to kill female deer by creating special "antlerless" seasons to use up unfilled tags after the regular hunting seasons and by supporting the Sportsmen Against Hunger program that donates venison to food banks.

Both efforts appear to be working. The number of white-tailed does killed by hunters has exceeded the number of bucks by an estimated 5,000 to 6,800 in each of the past four seasons.

Leif said the department expects increased participation in the donation program this year because of two changes.

The department is providing $50 certificates - up from $30 last year - to cover the processing costs for each antlerless deer, and the certificates will be available at the processors.

"This year hunters can just walk in the door with their deer, grab a piece of paper on the counter, hand it in and in most cases the deal is sealed right there - no additional payment is necessary."

Each hunter is allowed four certificates, but only one certificate can be applied to each deer. Any processing costs above the $50 are paid by the hunter.

SDSAH President Jeff Olson said hunters donated more than 45,000 pounds of venison last year - enough for 180,000 meals. The program has donated 180,000 pounds of venison since 1993.

The GF&P also allows hunters with a West River antelope license to use their antlerless deer license during the antelope season, which precedes the deer season.

The change was made three years ago but has been underutilized by hunters because many weren't aware they could do it, Leif said.

"We didn't do a good job in getting the word out in the past," he said.

The GF&P added 1,737 tags for antelope this year because the herd also is growing following tolerable winters.

Hunters killed 12,290 antelope last year. The population has grown from about 33,322 in 2000 to around 56,000.

"Unlike deer that will adjust their habits to make it through tough winters, we tend to lose a lot of antelope in a hard winter," said Leif.

"That winter is coming again for us. We're not sure when but some day soon we may experience a tough winter again."

On the Net: www.sdgfp.info/ index.htm.