BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The number of bowhunters seeking deer was at a record level in North Dakota last year.

The state Game and Fish Department says it issued 19,940 resident and 2,336 nonresident archery licenses in 2012. The total was 245 more than the record set in 2010.

The department says 19,300 of the license buyers actually hunted, killing 6,856 deer, for a success rate of about 35 percent.

This year's archery deer season begins Aug. 30 and runs through next Jan. 5.

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