ND Game and Fish asks hunters to save deer jawbones this fall

If you're heading out from Bismarck-Mandan for deer this season, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department is asking you to save one extra piece: the jawbone. The department says on its website that it’s collecting jawbones from harvested deer to help estimate herd age and guide future management decisions across the state, including units around Burleigh and Morton counties, according to Game and Fish.

The Details

• Where/when: The request applies statewide and lines up with North Dakota’s fall deer seasons — youth in September and the regular deer-gun season in November; exact dates vary by year, so check the department’s current season page for your unit, according to Game and Fish.
• How to submit: Follow the department’s instructions for removing, labeling, and submitting a jawbone; details on drop-off or mailing options are posted by the agency and can change by unit, according to Game and Fish.
• Cost: Check ahead — any fees, incentives, or materials are listed by the department where it posts submission guidance, per Game and Fish.
• Targeted areas: Some years focus on specific units or deer types; confirm whether your unit is prioritized on the agency’s deer management pages, according to Game and Fish.

Why It Matters Here

Knowing the age of deer harvested near the river breaks, shelterbelts, and coulees around Bismarck helps managers see how the herd is trending in our backyard, not just statewide. The department says age data are used alongside harvest reports and hunter observations to set tag allocations and adjust seasons where needed, according to Game and Fish.

If you’ve ever wondered how managers decide on antlerless licenses or why some units shift a bit year to year, this is a direct line from your garage to the policy table. Submitting a jawbone is one of the simplest ways resident hunters here can support conservation while keeping deer hunting strong for the next season and the next generation, according to Game and Fish.

What People Are Saying

The agency explains that jawbones let biologists age deer by looking at tooth replacement and wear — a long-standing method used in big-game management — and that those ages help map the population’s structure over time, according to Game and Fish. For historical context, the State Historical Society notes that North Dakota’s modern wildlife management grew out of early-20th-century conservation reforms, with hunters playing a central role in data collection and funding, according to the State Historical Society of North Dakota.

Before You Go

• Start by checking the department’s current jawbone collection instructions for your unit and season; that page will show how to remove, bag, and label a jawbone, and where to bring or mail it, according to Game and Fish.
• If you prefer to talk it through, call or visit the Bismarck Game and Fish office for local guidance and any drop-off details — hours and locations can change, so confirm before you go, per Game and Fish.
• Keep your tag information handy. You’ll likely need your unit and harvest details when you submit; follow the agency’s labeling instructions exactly, according to Game and Fish.

What to Watch

Watch the department’s season updates for any unit-specific jawbone requests and submission deadlines as the youth and deer-gun seasons approach, according to Game and Fish. After the season, look for postseason summaries on the agency’s site for any notes on age data and how they might influence 2025 management; those timelines vary year to year, per Game and Fish.