The state has many opportunities throughout the year, allowing all skill levels to indulge in their pastimes. This page will provide you with an overview of the hunting seasons in North Dakota so that you can plan your outing accordingly. Read on to learn about the various game species available, the regulations for each species, and the best times to go outdoor in the state.
North Dakota Hunting Seasons
Deer
| Method | Zones | Season | Dates |
| Bow | Statewide | Deer, Mule and White-tailed | Aug 30, 2024 – Jan 5, 2025 |
| Regular | All Units | Deer, Mule and White-tailed | Nov 8, 2024 – Nov 24, 2024 |
| Youth Season | Statewide | Deer, Mule and White-tailed (Youth) | Sep 13, 2024 – Sep 22, 2024 |
| Muzzleloader | Statewide | Deer, White-tailed only | Nov 29, 2024 – Dec 15, 2024 |
Both residents and non-residents can engage in various seasons for Mule and White-tailed deer. The Bow game extends from September to January, while the Youth period kicks off in September. Muzzleloader begins in December, and the Regular season starts in November. Participants can take only one buck and two antlerless deer, and in the Muzzleloader , only one buck is allowed. Prior to engaging, participants must acquire specific tags.
ND deer lottery
| ND Lottery Type | Application Period | Eligibility Requirements | Donation Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gun Seasons | Early May | Open to all hunters | N/A |
| Nonresident Any Deer Archery | March 15 - April 15 | Open to nonresident hunters | N/A |
| Special Allocation (Eligible Orgs) | October 1 - January 1 | Eligible organizations must be exempt from federal income taxation | 10% of net proceeds to conservation-related projects |
| Nonprofit Organizations (Big Game) | October 1 - January 1 | Nonprofit organizations eligible for big game hunting licenses | N/A |
Note: You can check the results of the Special Allocation Lottery-2023 by visiting the NDGFD website.
Elk
| Units | Dates | |
| Elk (Bow) | E1E, E1W, E2, E6 | Sept 6, 2024 – Sept 29, 2024 |
| Elk (Regular Season) | E5 | Sept 6, 2024 – Jan 5, 2025 |
| E3, E4 | Sept 6, 2024 – Jan 5, 2025 | |
| E6 | Oct 4, 2024 – Nov 7, 2024 | |
| E1E, E2, E1W | Oct 4, 2024 – Jan 5, 2025 | |
| E6 | Nov 25, 2024 – Jan 5, 2025 |
Moose
| Units | Type | Dates |
| M5, M6, M8, M9, M10, M11 | Moose (Bow) | Sept 6, 2024 – Sept 29, 2024 |
| M5, M6, M8, M9, M10, M11 | Moose (Regular) | Oct 11, 2024 – Nov 3, 2024 |
Pronghorn
| Units | Dates | |
| Pronghorn (Bow) | 2-A, 2-B, 3-A, 3-B, 4-A, 4-C, 5-A, 7-A | 1-Sep-24 |
| Pronghorn (Gun or Bow) | 2-A, 2-B, 3-A, 3-B, 4-A, 4-C, 5-A, 7-A | 4-Oct-24 |
Bighorn Sheep
| Units | Dates |
| B1, B3, B4, B5 | Nov 1, 2024 – Dec 23, 2024 |
Furbearers
Bobcat
| Zone 1 | Opens Nov 10, 2024 (check regulations for closure) |
| Zone 2 | Opens Nov 26, 2024 (check regulations for closure) |
Coyote
| Open year-round with day hunting and traps | Year-round |
| Night hunting | Nov 25, 2024 – Mar 15, 2025 |
| Cable devices | Nov 25, 2024 – Mar 15, 2025 |
Badger
| Open year-round with firearms, air guns, archery, and dogs | Year-round |
| Cable devices on land | Nov 25, 2024 – Mar 15, 2025 |
Beaver
| Open year-round with firearms, traps, underwater cable devices, and archery | Year-round |
| Cable devices on land | Nov 25, 2024 – Mar 15, 2025 |
| Cable devices within 50 feet of water | Mar 16, 2024 – May 10, 2025 |
Fisher
| Traps and cable devices in open areas only | Nov 25, 2024 (check regulations for closure) |
Fox
| Fox (Red and Gray) | Open year-round with day hunting and traps | Year-round |
| Night hunting | Nov 25, 2024 – Mar 15, 2025 | |
| Cable devices | Nov 25, 2024 – Mar 15, 2025 |
Mink
| Traps: Open statewide | Oct 26, 2024 – May 10, 2025 |
| Cable Devices, Firearms, Archery | Open statewide Nov 26, 2024 – May 10, 2025 |
Mountain Lion
| Zone | Type | Dates |
| 1 | Mountain Lion (Early) | Opens: Aug 30, 2024 |
| 2 | Mountain Lion (Regular) | Opens: Aug 30, 2024 |
| 1 | Mountain Lion (Late) | Opens: Nov 27, 2024 |
Muskrat
| Traps | Oct 26, 2024 – May 10, 2025 |
| Cable devices, firearms, and archery | Nov 26, 2024 – May 10, 2025 |
Raccoon
| Open year-round with firearms, traps, archery, dogs, and underwater cable devices | Year-round |
| Cable devices on land | Nov 25, 2024 – Mar 15, 2025 |
| Cable devices within 50 feet of water | Mar 16, 2024 – May 10, 2025 |
River Otter
| Traps and cable devices | Nov 25, 2024 (check regulations for closure) |
Weasel
| Traps | Oct 27, 2024 (check regulations for closure) |
| Firearms, cable devices, and archery | Nov 26, 2024 (check regulations for closure) |
Tree Squirrel
| Regular (Statewide) | Starts Sept 8, 2024 |
Upland Birds
Pheasant
| Ring-necked Pheasants (Male only, Statewide) | Regular | 12-Oct-24 |
Both residents and non-residents are allowed in North Dakota during the pheasant season. There are 11 pheasant management units in the state, each with its own distinct dates and bag limitations. A pheasant stamp must be obtained before going pheasant hunting, and the usual bag limit for the normal pheasant permits hunters to take three roosters per person.
ND pheasant management units
| Unit | Location | Pheasant Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northeastern | Good |
| 2 | Central | |
| 3 | Southwestern | |
| 4 | Western | |
| 5 | Northwest | |
| 6 | Central | Fair |
| 7 | Southwest | |
| 8 | Western | |
| 9 | Northwestern | |
| 10 | Central | Limited |
| 11 | Southwestern |
Grouse
| Ruffed Grouse | Restricted Areas | 14-Sep-24 |
| Sharp-tailed Grouse | Statewide with exceptions | 14-Sep-24 |
| Sage Grouse | No season this year |
Hungarian Partridge
| Bow | 14-Sep-24 |
Greater Prairie Chicken
| Greater Prairie Chicken | No season this year |
Turkey
| Season | Dates |
| Fall Regular | 12-Oct-24 |
| Spring Youth | April 13 – May 19, 2024 |
| Spring Regular | April 13 – May 19, 2024 |
Migratory Game Birds
Dove
| Regular (Statewide) | 1-Sep |
Crow
| Fall | 17-Aug – 6-Nov |
| Spring | 9-Mar – 21-Apr |
Snipe
| Regular (Statewide) | 7-Sep |
Waterfowl
Ducks & Coots
| Veteran/Active Military Waterfowl (Statewide) | 14-Sep-24 |
| Bonus Blue-winged Teal (All Units) | 21-Sep-24 |
| Regular (Resident) – Low Plains Unit | 21-Sep-24 |
| Regular (Resident) – High Plains Unit | 21-Sep-24 |
| Regular (Nonresident) – High Plains Unit | 28-Sep-24 |
| Regular (Nonresident) – Low Plains Unit | 28-Sep-24 |
| Regular (Resident/Nonresident) – High Plains Unit | 7-Dec-24 |
Goose
| Species | Season | Opens On |
| Canada Goose | Regular Season | |
| Resident | ||
| Eastern Zone | 21-Sep-24 | |
| Western Zone | 21-Sep-24 | |
| Missouri River Zone | 21-Sep-24 | |
| Nonresident | ||
| Eastern Zone | 28-Sep-24 | |
| Western Zone | 28-Sep-24 | |
| Missouri River Zone | 28-Sep-24 | |
| Early Season (August Management Take/Early September Season) | ||
| Eastern Zone | 15-Aug-24 | |
| Western Zone | 15-Aug-24 | |
| Missouri River Zone | 15-Aug-24 | |
| Light Goose | Resident | 21-Sep-24 |
| Nonresident | 28-Sep-24 | |
| Spring Conservation Order | 17-Feb-24 | |
| White-fronted Goose | Resident | 21-Sep-24 |
| Nonresident | 28-Sep-24 | |
Mergansers
| Resident – Low Plains Unit | 21-Sep-24 |
| Resident – High Plains Unit | 21-Sep-24 |
| Nonresident – High Plains Unit | 28-Sep-24 |
| Nonresident – Low Plains Unit | 28-Sep-24 |
Tundra Swan
| Regular (Statewide) | 28-Sep |
Sandhill Crane
| Unit 1 | 14-Sep |
| Unit 2 |
License Requirements
| License Types | Resident Cost | Nonresident Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate | $1 | $2 |
| General Game and Habitat | $20 | $20 |
| Combination | $52 | - |
| Veteran Combined Hunting | $3 | - |
| Fishing | $18 | $48 |
| Married Couple Fishing | $24 | $63 |
| Senior Citizen Fishing | $5 | - |
| Totally or Permanently Disabled Fishing | $5 | - |
| Veteran with a 50 percent service-related disability | $5 | - |
| Paddlefish | $10 | $25.50 |
| Deer Gun (1st lottery) | $30 | $255 |
| Youth Deer Gun (under age 16) | $10 | $10 |
| Deer Bow License (age 16 or older) | $30 | $250 |
| Youth Deer Bow (under age 16) | $10 | $10 |
| Pronghorn Gun (age 16 or older) | $30 | $30 |
| Youth Pronghorn Gun (under age 16) | $10 | $10 |
| Pronghorn Bow (age 16 or older) | $30 | $30 |
| Youth Pronghorn Bow (under age 16) | $10 | $10 |
| Moose Gun (age 16 or older) | $30 | $30 |
| Youth Moose Gun (under age 16) | $10 | $10 |
| Moose Bow (age 16 or older) | $30 | $30 |
| Youth Moose Bow (under age 16) | $10 | $10 |
| Elk Gun (age 16 or older) | $30 | $30 |
| Youth Elk Gun (under age 16) | $10 | $10 |
| Elk Bow (age 16 or older) | $30 | $30 |
| Youth Elk Bow (under age 16) | $10 | $10 |
| Bighorn Sheep Gun (age 16 or older) | $30 | $30 |
| Youth Bighorn Sheep Gun (under age 16) | $10 | $10 |
| Bighorn Sheep Bow (age 16 or older) | $30 | $30 |
| Youth Bighorn Sheep Bow (under age 16) | $10 | $10 |
| Nonrefundable Application Fee (moose, elk, and sheep) | $5 | - |
| Small Game License (age 16 or older) | $10 | $100 |
| Early Canada Goose | $5 | $50 |
| Wild Turkey, spring and fall (1st lottery) | $15 | $80 |
| Sandhill Crane | $10 | $30 |
| Swan | $10 | $30 |
| Furbearer | $15 | - |
| Federal Waterfowl Stamp (Duck Stamp) | $27 | $27 |
| Harvest Information Program (HIP) Registration | Free | Free |
| Individual Season Fishing | - | $48 |
| Married Couple Season Fishing | - | $63 |
| 3 Day Fishing | - | $28 |
| 10 Day Fishing | - | $38 |
| Paddlefish Tag | - | $25.50 |
| Deer Gun (1st Lottery) | - | $255 |
| Deer Bow | - | $250 |
| Bighorn Sheep | - | $600 |
| Small Game | - | $100 |
| Spring Light Goose | - | $50 |
| Early Canada Goose | - | $50 |
| Fall Wild Turkey | - | $80 |
| Sandhill Crane | - | $30 |
| Swan | - | $30 |
| Nongame | - | $15 |
| Furbearer and Nongame | - | $40 |
| Nonresident Reciprocal Trapping License | - | $350 |
| Waterfowl License (Statewide) | - | $153 |
| Waterfowl License (Zone-restricted) | - | $103 |
General Regulation
- Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1961, must complete a state-approved hunter education course to purchase a deer license in North Dakota. Landowners who pursue on their property are exempt.
- Apprentice validations are accessible to anybody 12 or older without a hunter safety course. Validation has a once-per-year licensing restriction.
- Apprentice must accompany a licensed, 18-year-old adult while deer hunting in the state.
- Always keep eye contact and vocal communication with the trainee hunter.
- An adult must accompany under-12 hunters.
- Hunter education course has two variations. Anyone over 11 may take a 14-hour class—an at-home hybrid classroom/online course. Only individuals above 12 may pick this option.
When is the ND pheasant opener 2024 date?
In 2024, the date for the men’s Ring-necked Pheasant kickoff in North Dakota falls on Saturday, October 12th.
When is the North Dakota early goose season 2024?
The Early Goose Season of 2024 in North Dakota begins on August 15th across the Western and Missouri River Zones. Likewise, the Eastern Zone also kicks off its Early Goose Season on this same date, August 15th, 2024.
When is the North Dakota duck opener 2024?
The first day of the North Dakota Duck Hunt in 2024 is on Saturday, the 14th of September. It marks the outset of the Waterfowl Season reserved for Active Service Members and Veterans.
What animals can you hunt in North Dakota?
Big game species such as deer, pronghorn, moose, elk, big horn sheep, mountain lions, Bobcats, coyote, fox, etc., are accessible to hunters. Residents can also hunt grouse, drove, crane, pheasant, snipe, woodchuck, and squirrel. In this state, geese, ducks, coots, mergansers, and swans is authorized to pursue.
When can I go deer hunting in North Dakota?
Deer season starts in early September and ends in December, it includes youth, archery, firearm, and muzzleloader. Bow hunting is authorized from September to January. Gun season starts the first Friday in November and concludes the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
Muzzleloader begins after Thanksgiving and ends on the third Sunday in January. The youth game begins on the third Friday in September and ends the following Sunday.
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