North Dakota hunters had a smaller chance of downing a doe or buck last season among the lowest deer population in three decades, and wildlife officials say stemming the decline of the animals' habitat is key to restoring both.

Officials with the state Game and Fish Department say some residents are concerned the high deer population is damaging the landscape.

With rapidly changing weather characterizing much of the fall, the 2013 hunting season showed a successful increase in big game hunting.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department's annual fall mule deer survey indicated production this year was higher than in 2012.

State officials have been receiving reports of epizootic hemorrhagic disease deaths in the southwestern part of the state, and the 1,000 doe licenses still available will not be issued.