Drought and disease last year caused significant reductions in whitetail deer populations in Nebraska which cut hunting permit sales and harvest numbers.

 KQSK in Chadron reports that deer permit sales in 2012 declined 13 percent to 122,214. Total deer harvest fell 30 percent to 60,548, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

 Kit Hams, the Nebraska Game and Parks' big game program manager says most herds will recover in four to five years from an outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease, which killed thousands of deer last year. Deer numbers also were affected by loss of habitat due to drought and other factors.

 The Nebraska Game and Parks Board will meet Friday in Kearney to consider game recommendations for this year.