Limited deer hunting is taking place in two North Dakota state parks in 2008 - Fort Stevenson State Park near Garrison and Grahams Island State Park, southwest of Devils Lake.

Beginning Oct. 1, bow hunting for antlered or antlerless deer will be permitted at Fort Stevenson State Park.

Bow hunters wishing to hunt at the park must apply for a special park permit, available at the park office during regular business hours from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday. Hunters must present a valid North Dakota bow license and unused tag to receive the special park permit.

There is no charge for the special permits, which will be issued on a first come, first serve basis, but hunters must display a park entrance permit on their vehicles while on park land. For further information, contact Fort Stevenson State Park at 337-5576.

Hunters can harvest deer at Grahams Island State Park during the bow, gun and muzzleloader seasons.

Grahams Island also will be open for turkey hunting beginning Oct. 11. Again, hunters must have the appropriate licenses and unused tag, a park entrance sticker and must apply for a special park hunting permit. The permits are available at the park office during regular business hours from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by writing or calling the park at 152 S. Duncan Drive, Devils Lake, ND 58301, phone 766-4015.

Grahams Island State Park will be closed to all visitors except hunters during the deer gun season from Nov. 7 through Nov. 23.

Hunting is not permitted in any other state parks. State parks with year-round staff are open for late season camping, with reduced services.

Most parks drain their campground water lines and close comfort stations when temperatures drop below freezing, but the following state parks have electrical hookups available until snow blocks park roads: Beaver Lake, Cross Ranch (Sanger), Fort Abraham Lincoln, Fort Stevenson, Grahams Island, Icelandic, Lake Sakakawea, Lewis and Clark, and Turtle River. Lake Metigoshe State Park will have primitive camping sites available until snow blocks roads. Sully Creek State Park, a primitive seasonal park near Medora, is open for primitive camping until Dec. 1.

A complete list of off season services can be found on the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department's Web site, www.parkrec.nd.gov.

"North Dakota Parks

and Recreation Dept.