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N.D. (AP) – The number of deer gun hunting licenses that will be made available in North Dakota this year likely will be the lowest in three decades.

Game and Fish Department Wildlife Chief Randy Kreil says the agency is proposing 59,500 licenses, a drop of 5,800 from last year and the lowest number since 1982. The majority of reductions will come in the northern and eastern parts of the state.

Kreil says the tough, lingering winter has been hard on deer. And populations were already low due to three straight harsh winters beginning in 2008. Game and Fish will submit its proposal to the governor for his approval this week.