North Dakota is an ideal spot for hunting fans, providing a wide range of hunting seasons for different types of games. Before starting your hunting journey, it is important to check out the necessary North Dakota hunting season, rules, and licensing information that all hunters must know.
Whether you are into big game or small game hunting, this state offers you multiple opportunities to fully participate in this tradition and possibly come back with a satisfying prize!
North Dakota Big Game Seasons
Deer, Elk and Moose Hunting Season
| Species | Seasons | Hunting Units | Dates |
| Deer, Mule and White-tailed | Bow | Statewide | Aug 29, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026 |
| Deer, Mule and White-tailed | Regular | All Units | Nov 7 – Nov 23, 2025 |
| White-tailed Deer, Mule (Youth Season) | Youth Season | Statewide | Sep 19 – Sep 28, 2025 |
| White-tailed Deer only | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28 – Dec 14, 2025 |
| Species | Seasons | Hunting Units | Dates |
| Elk | Bow | E1E, E1W, E2, E6, E7 | Sep 5 – Sep 28, 2025 |
| Elk | Regular | E5 | Sep 5 – Jan 4, 2026 |
| Elk | Regular | E3, E4 | Sep 5 – Jan 4, 2026 |
| Elk | Regular | E6 | Oct 3 – Nov 6, 2025 |
| Elk | Regular | E7 | Oct 3 – Jan 4, 2026 |
| Elk | Regular | E1E, E2, E1W | Oct 3 – Dec 4, 2026 |
| Elk | Regular | E6 | Nov 24 – Jan 4, 2026 |
| Species | Seasons | Hunting Units | Dates |
| Moose | Bow | M5, M6, M8, M9, M10, M11 | Sep 5 – Sep 28, 2025 |
| Moose | Regular | M5, M6, M8, M9, M10, M11 | Oct 10 – Nov 2, 2025 |
Pronghorn Hunting Season
- Pronghorn Bow Season: Aug 29 – Sep 21, 2025
- Pronghorn Gun or Bow Season: Oct 3 – Oct 21, 2025
Bighorn Sheep Hunting Season
- Regular Season: Oct 31 – Dec 31, 2025 (Unit B1, B2, B3, B4, B5)
North Dakota Waterfowl Seasons
Ducks Hunting Season
Youth Waterfowl Season: Sep 20 – Sep 21, 2025
Regular – Resident/Nonresident: Dec 14 – Jan 5, 2026
Bonus Blue-winged Teal: Sep 27 – Oct 12, 2025
Veteran/Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Season: Sep 20 – Sep 21, 2025
Regular – Resident:
- High Plains Unit: Sep 27- Dec 7, 2025
- Low Plains Unit: Sep 27 – Dec 7, 2025
Regular – Nonresident:
- High Plains Unit: Oct 4- Dec 6, 2025
- Low Plains Unit: Oct 4 – Dec 6, 2025
Daily Limit: 6
Possession Limit: 18
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
Goose Hunting Season
Canada Geese Regular – Resident
- Western Zone: Sep 27 – Dec 27, 2025
- Eastern Zone: Sep 27 – Dec 22, 2025
- Missouri River Zone: Sep 27 – Jan 2, 2026
Canada Geese Regular – Nonresident
- Missouri River Zone: Oct 4 – Dec 31, 2025
- Eastern Zone: Oct 4 – Dec 20, 2025
- Western Zone: Oct 4 – Dec 25, 2025
Daily Limit: 8 (Zones Western, Eastern); 5 (Missouri River)
Possession Limit: 24 (Zones Western, Eastern); 15 (Missouri River)
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to 2 p.m. each day
Light Geese
- Spring Conservation Order: Feb 15 – May 11, 2025
- Regular – Resident: Sep 27 – Jan 2, 2026
- Regular – Nonresident: Oct 4 – Jan 2, 2026
Daily Limit: 50
Possession Limit: No Limit
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to 2 p.m. each day
Mergansers Hunting Season
- Regular – Resident: Sep 27 – Dec 7, 2025
- Regular – Nonresident: Oct 4 – Dec 7, 2025
- Resident/Nonresident: Dec 13 – Jan 4, 2026
Daily Limit: 6
Possession Limit: 18
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
Swan Hunting Season
- Tundra Swan Regular Season: Sep 27 – Dec 26, 2025
Daily Limit: 1
Possession Limit: 1
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
North Dakota Migratory Game Bird Seasons
Crow
- Spring – Regular: Mar 8 – Apr 20, 2025
- Fall – Regular: Aug 16 – Nov 3, 2025
Daily Limit: No Limit
Possession Limit: No Limit
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
Dove Season
- Sep 1 – Nov 29, 2025
Daily Limit: 15
Possession Limit: 45
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
Woodcock
- Regular Season: Sep 20 – Nov 3, 2025
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 9
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
Snipe
- Wilson’s Snipe Regular Season: Sep 13 – Nov 30, 2025
Daily Limit: 8
Possession Limit: 24
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
North Dakota Upland Game Bird Seasons
Turkey Hunting Season
- Spring Turkey Season: Apr 12 – May 18, 2025
- Fall Turkey Season: Oct 11, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
Daily Limit: 1 bearded or male wild turkey
Possession Limit: 5
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
Pheasant Hunting Season
- Ring-necked Pheasants Regular Season: Oct 11, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
- Ring-necked Pheasants Youth Season: Oct 4 – Oct 5, 2025
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 12
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
Partridge
- Regular Season: Sep 13, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 12
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
Grouse
- Ruffed Grouse: Sep 13, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
- Sharp-tailed Grouse: Sep 13, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 12
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
North Dakota Furbearer Seasons
Bobcat
- Cable Devices Or Dogs: Nov 24, 2025 – Mar 15, 2026 (Zone 1)
- All Methods: Nov 24, 2025 – Mar 15, 2026 (Zone 2)
Fisher
- Regular – Traps, Cable Devices: Nov 24 – Nov 30, 2025
Fox
- Day Hunting, Traps: Apr 1 – Mar 31, 2026 (Year-round)
- Night Hunting: Nov 24 – Mar 31, 2026
- Cable Devices: Nov 24 – Mar 15, 2026
Mink
- Cable Devices, Firearms, Archery Equipment: Nov 24 – May 10, 2026
Weasel
- Cable Devices, Firearms, Archery Equipment: Nov 25 – Mar 15, 2026
River Otter
- Regular – Traps, Cable Devices: Nov 24 – Mar 15, 2026
Badger
- Regular Day hunting and Traps: Apr 1 – Mar 31, 2026 (Year-round)
- Regular – Cable Devices: Nov 24 – Mar 15, 2026
Beaver
- Cable Devices On Land: Nov 24 – Mar 15, 2026
- Regular All Methods: Apr 1 – Mar 31, 2026 (Year-round)
- Cable Devices On Land Within 50 Ft. Of Water: Mar 16 – May 10, 2026
Raccoon
- Regular – All Methods: Apr 1 – Mar 31, 2026 (Year-round)
- Cable Devices On Land: Nov 24 – Mar 15, 2026
- Cable Devices On Land Within 50 Ft. Of Water: Mar 16 – May 10, 2026
Squirrel
- Regular – Statewide: Sep 14 – Feb 28, 2026
Coyote
- Day Hunting, Traps: Apr 1 – Mar 31, 2026 (Year Round)
- Cable Devices: Nov 24 – Mar 15, 2026
- Night Hunting: Nov 24 – Mar 31, 2026
North Dakota Lottery System
What Is The North Dakota Hunting Lottery?
In North Dakota, hunters need to apply for big game hunting licenses through the lottery. The North Dakota Hunting Lotteries is a system to allocate hunting licenses for some game species, such as Deer, Moose, Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Turkey, Pronghorn, and Swan.
Because there are only a small number of licenses available for these species, the lottery system guarantees a fair and orderly distribution among hunters.
How Do The Hunting Lotteries Work?
Applications can be submitted online through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website. The submission periods vary by species. To check the specific dates and the lottery results, you can check it HERE.
- Eligibility Requirements
To apply, individuals born after 1961 need to have either a Hunter Education Certificate or an Apprentice Hunting License.
Some lotteries are open only to North Dakota residents, including moose, elk, pronghorn, and turkey. Non-residents can apply for certain species like deer, sheep, and swan.
- Application Process
- Check Eligibility: Ensure you meet the hunter education and residency requirements.
- Choose Your Species: Decide which species you want to hunt and review the specific lottery details for that species.
- Submit Application: Apply online through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s lottery system.
- Pay Fees: Pay the required application fees.
Lottery results are usually available 2 weeks to a month after the application deadline. Hunters will be notified via email, text, or through the department’s website.
The system allocates hunting licenses to lucky winners who have been selected randomly. If you are not selected, you can accumulate bonus points each time and then increase the chances of being selected in subsequent years.
North Dakota Hunting Licenses
A valid hunting license is required to legally hunt in North Dakota.
Who Needs a Hunting License?
Any youth hunters under 15 years old who is hunting with firearms must have a license and be supervised directly by an adult guardian.
Hunters who were born after December 31, 1961, must finish a state-approved hunter education course first and then buy a hunting license.
Who Doesn’t Need a Hunting License?
Normally, landowners who hunt only on their own land do not need a hunting license. And, individuals aged 12 and older who have not completed a hunter education course can obtain an apprentice hunter validation. This allows them to hunt without a license.
📌Read More: Quick Answer: Can You Hunt On Your Own Land Without A License?
Hunting License Costs
| Resident Licenses | |
| Combination License | $52 |
| Veteran Combined Hunting | $3 |
| Small Game License (age 16 or older) | $10 |
| Early Canada Goose | $5 |
| Wild Turkey | $15 |
| Furbearer | $15 |
| Deer, Moose, Elk | $30 |
| Pronghorn, Sheep | $30 |
| Non-Resident Licenses | |
| Deer Gun | $255 |
| White-Tailed Deer Bow | $250 |
| Bighorn Sheep | $600 |
| Small Game | $100 |
| Statewide 14-day | $153 |
| Zone-restricted License | $103 |
| Light Goose Conservation Order | $50 |
| Canada Goose | $50 |
| Wild Turkey | $80 |
| Sandhill Crane, Swan | $30 |
| Furbearer and Nongame | $40 |
| Nonresident Reciprocal Trapping License | $350 |
North Dakota Hunting Regulations
Deer Hunting Regulations
- Hunter Orange Clothing: Required for all hunters during the deer
- Hunting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset (except on opening day).
- Licensing Ages: No minimum age for a Bow License; Minimum age is 11 for an Antlerless Whitetail Deer Gun License; Minimum age is 14 for Youth Deer, Gun, or Muzzleloader License.
- Baiting: Hunting big game over bait is unlawful.
- License Transfer: Licenses cannot be transferred, sold, or bartered to others.
- Tagging: Hunters must attach the date of kill from their license tag to the deer immediately after harvesting.
- Additional License Requirements: Must have a hunting and furbearer certificate ($1 for residents, $2 for nonresidents) and a general game and habitat license ($20).
- Bag Limit: The bag limit is on deer only. Nonresidents can only hunt species specified on their licenses; residents can hunt any deer.
Upland Game And Migratory Bird Regulations
- Nonresidents are not allowed to hunt on Game and Fish Department wildlife management areas or Private Land Open To Sportsmen areas from October 12 – 18.
- Hunters purchasing the statewide license are not restricted to zones.
- Hunters aged 16 and older must possess a federal waterfowl stamp.
- Hunting hours are half an hour before sunrise to sunset.
- Follow regular bag limits with specific exceptions noted in the articles.
- Missouri River is open to goose hunting only. But the Sheyenne Lake is open to all waterfowl hunting.
- Using an electronic or recorded call while hunting migratory game birds is against the law.
Furbearer Hunting Regulations
- Day Hunting Season allows for the hunting of red fox, gray fox, coyote, and badger using firearms, air guns, or archery equipment. The hunting hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
- Night hunting of red fox, gray fox, and coyote is permitted with bow hunting.
- When using particular artificial lights, hunting is required to be done by walking.
- Trapping of red fox, gray fox, coyote, and badger is permitted year-round with cable devices allowed.
- Beaver and Raccoon are allowed to be hunted at any time of the year using firearms, air guns, or archery equipment, and can be hunted during any hour using artificial lights.
- Only people who live in North Dakota are allowed to catch bobcats, and hunters must tag the bobcats with the whole body.
- Traps cannot be set on private land without the landowner’s permission.
- It is not allowed to use snowmobiles and hunting from aircraft without a permit.
Turkey Hunting Regulations
- Only North Dakota residents can apply in the first lottery for licenses; nonresidents may apply if licenses remain.
- There is no minimum age for turkey hunting, however, hunters younger than 15 must have direct supervision from a parent or guardian
- All hunters must possess a general game and habitat license. Residents aged 16 and older must also have a small game or combination license.
- It is not allowed to place bait on Department wildlife management areas is prohibited.
- After taking a turkey, the hunter must attach the date of kill from the license tag to the turkey’s leg.
- Only shotguns no larger than 10 gauge, capable of holding no more than three shells are permitted. Minimum barrel length is 18 inches. Fully automatic firearms are illegal.
- Only muzzleloading long guns are allowed; centerfire and rimfire rifles are prohibited.
- Bows must be pulled, held, and released by hand, with a minimum draw weight of 35 pounds. Arrows must be at least 24 inches long and tipped with a metal broadhead.
- Handguns of .35 caliber or larger with a barrel of 4 inches or longer are legal.
- Installing trail cameras on private property requires written permission from the landowner.
- It is illegal to shoot with a bow and arrow or firearm while in or on a motor-driven vehicle.
Conclusion
This is all about the North Dakota hunting season.
It is crucial to understand the season dates and hunting regulations in North Dakota for a successful and ethical hunt. We have listed the necessary regulations, license needs, and hunting times for different types of game to make sure you follow the rules.
Keep safety first, obtain required permissions, and follow the wildlife management rules to help preserve North Dakota’s natural resources. Enjoy your hunting!
One comment
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This ND Hunting Lottery system is quite the adventure! Its like playing the lottery to *even get to play* the lottery for real licenses. Good luck to everyone born after 61 trying to snag a Deer, Elk, or Turkey tag online – its a true test of patience and internet speed! And bless the poor souls who hunt with a daily limit of 6, possession limit of 18, and only 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset – sounds like a real sprint! North Dakotas got the hunting spirit, just make sure youve got your Hunter Education Certificate, apprentice validation, or lottery ticket handy! Happy hunting, and may the odds be ever in your favor!