Deer hunters who gathered at a bar in this north central North Dakota town on the opening day of the season weighed in big bucks and does, wolfed down chili and shared stories about their day.

Annie Hauf, of Bismarck, got the first deer of her life on the first shot of her life, amazing even her husband.

"That's pretty impressive," Aric Hauf said of his wife landing a doe from 50 yards away. "I certainly can't say much after that."

The Haufs said they saw about 40 deer during the day, all of good size. Hunters who gathered at The Hitching Post said they were anticipating a good success rate during the season.

State wildlife officials were predicting another smashing success for deer hunters as the North Dakota season opened, thanks in part to farmers and ranchers who have taken their land out of crop production.

A record 145,600 deer licenses were available this year, up from the previous high of 145,250 a year ago. More than 50,000 hunters were expected in the fields for Friday's deer gun opener.

Mild winters have helped increase the deer population, but wildlife officials also credit a program that pays farmers to idle their fields. More than 3 million acres in North Dakota have been set aside under the Conservation Reserve Program.

The land provides habitat and cover for deer, said Randy Kreil, the wildlife division chief for the state Game and Fish Department.

"We believe that the increase in the number of deer licenses and deer hunting opportunities is directly related to CRP on the landscape," Kreil said.

Aric Hauf said the ample CRP land makes a big difference. "I think that has a lot to do with the record deer harvest," he said.

Land used for CRP is often eroding or pocked with wetlands, said Greg Link, the assistant state wildlife chief. The program is especially attractive to farmers nearing retirement, he said.

"It may be the more marginal cropland," Link said. "You can put that into CRP and have secure payments to help your cash flow."

Some landowners also have signed up for a program that opens up their property to hunters on a first-come, first-serve basis. About 850,000 acres have been set aside for the Private Land Open to Sportsmen, or PLOTS program. That land is marked with triangular yellow signs.

"You don't have to talk to anybody to hunt there," Link said. "Like any other land, we ask that people be respectful of those properties."

Hunters in the northern part of the state were greeted by a fresh blanket of snow, which usually makes it easier to spot and track down deer.

Some of the hunters who are taking part in the big buck contest at The Hitching Post in Benedict took advantage of the conditions. The largest buck of the day was 256 pounds, and another weighed in at 223, well above the 192-weight of last year's winner.

"That's a monster," Ron Plesuk of Butte said after the 223-pound deer was weighed. "Are you sure that wasn't a steer?"