Benzon added that roughly half of all the South Dakota bucks harvested are at least 2 years old. Although the prospects for trophy hunting in all four states will be covered next month, there's good reason to believe that even those interested mainly in taking venison for the freezer stand a better-than-average chance of encountering a buck 2 1/2 years old or older.

NORTH DAKOTA
More than 148,000 permits will be available to deer hunters this season, reported North Dakota biologist Bill Jensen. The modern firearms season will run from Nov. 10-26.

Jensen's projected pattern of success for this season's North Dakota hunters differs slightly from the one that revealed itself in 2006. Last year, the top units for those wanting fill a tag were thought to include units 2E, 2L, 2F1, 2F2 and 2K1. With the 2007 season about to unfold, hunters should be looking at Units 2K2, 2C, 2F2, 2J2 and 4F. Note, in particular, Unit 4F, which is far removed from the rest of the best areas, which primarily take hunters into east-central and northeastern North Dakota. What happened there?

Jensen's succinct explanation: "We are focusing hunting pressure on the northeastern and southwestern portions of the state," he said, adding that mild weather conditions inarguably played a role in the state's having enjoyed another good hunting season, from a harvest standpoint, in 2006. Little reason, then, to imagine that 2007 will be much different.

Jensen noted only one change that hunters should be aware of. "The boundary between 2L and 2K2 will follow the route of new construction of (U.S.) Highway 281," he reported.

As you review on a North Dakota map that shows at least some topographic and/or geographic features the boundaries of the management units designated by Jensen as best bets for filling a 2007 tag, it seems evident that here, as throughout the rest of the Great Plains, habitat associated with stream and river drainages is key. Look at that southwestern Unit 4F, for example: Anyone planning to be on stand in that unit should definitely be scouting -- and trying to gain permission to hunt -- land that includes the Little Missouri River.

In the units mentioned in east-central and northeastern North Dakota, land featuring habitat shaped by river drainages should also provide appropriate deer habitat. Look to the Red River in the northeast corner of the state, at Pipestem Creek and the James, Sheyenne and Maple rivers in east-central North Dakota.

This isn't to suggest that you can't do without water if you're to have deer hunting of quality. But the fact remains that habitat associated with river and creek drainages draws deer and other wildlife like iron filings to a magnet. If you gain permission to go afield on a parcel in one of those drainages, your scouting is likely to uncover more potential-filled hunting spots than you'll meet with places lacking water.

Remember, too, that state game officials are charged with managing hunting resources for the public's benefit and enjoyment. None of the biologists who supplied information for this deer preview is going to steer you or any hunter into areas where you won't have a really good chance of filling your tag. Heed their advice, and make your hunting plans with that advice in mind.