The Guide to the North Dakota Hunting Seasons 2026

North Dakota also offers hunting for bighorn sheep and moose. 

So, whether you live in the state or the idea of adding a moose to your trophy collection, just put North Dakota into your travel plans this year, you need to know the season dates and bag limits for the game you hunt, whether you're after whitetail deer, elk, or waterfowl. 

The HuntWise team has done much of the research for you — and we’ve pulled it together in this guide. So, keep reading to learn what you need to know about North Dakota hunting seasons.     

When Can I Hunt in North Dakota?

We’ve compiled the latest North Dakota hunting season information to help you plan — but be aware that information can change from year to year and even throughout the season. 

Many final season dates are still tentative for North Dakota, so make sure you check official websites for hunting in North Dakota to confirm the latest details for every species you plan to hunt this year. 

As the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGF) confirms open and closing dates, we'll update this guide.

Visit the North Dakota Game and Fish website for more details about these species (and others we didn’t list here). You can also visit the eRegulations pages for North Dakota hunting information.

What Are the Bag Limits for the North Dakota Hunting Seasons?

Know how many bighorn sheep, Canada geese, or deer you can bring home this season. To comply with North Dakota’s regulations for legal hunting, follow the bag limits for everything you hunt.

What Do I Need to Know About North Dakota Hunting Regulations and Licenses?

All hunters and trappers in North Dakota need a license to hunt in the state. License types and pricing vary based on resident vs. non-resident status. Combination licenses, including hunting and fishing licenses, are also available. 

For big game and other lottery hunts, you’ll need to win a spot through the draw to be eligible for your license for that specific species. 

Why Do Hunters Hunt in North Dakota?

It’s a “big” place for big game, as we mentioned. Hunters in the Flickertail State can go after white-tailed and mule deer, elk, moose, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep. As one of the least populated states in the U.S., you may feel like it’s just you and that moose in the wilderness during the open season. 

However, you don’t have to go “big” to go home with plenty of wild game in North Dakota. The state is part of the Central Flyway, where millions of ducks settle each season. You’ll also find some of the best pheasant and upland bird hunting in the country in North Dakota. 

Where Should I Hunt?

Welcome to what is known as the Prairie Pothole region, named after the giant “potholes” (now filled with water) left behind by receding glaciers thousands of years ago. Today, the state is known for an abundance of grasslands. North Dakota’s grasslands were once the world's largest expanse of this type of terrain. 

The state offers plenty of public and private land for hunting. However, with so much land available, be sure to narrow down the locations best suited for finding the game you’re after. 

Using the HuntWise maps and features can help you gain an advantage over game and other hunters as you find the best spots for your hunt. Whether you’ve hunted in North Dakots as a resident or you’re planning your first hunt there this year, HuntWise maps and features can help you gain an advantage over game and other hunters.

What Else Do I Need Before I Can Hunt?

If you were born after 1961, North Dakota requires you to pass a state-approved hunter education course before getting a hunting license. However, this rule has a few exceptions for youth hunters and those who hunt exclusively on land they own. 

For success in the field (no matter what you hunt), you’ll also need the right gear. As a HuntWise subscriber, you have access to discounts on gear through our partners, with the potential to save hundreds on things like clothing, binoculars, calls, spotting scopes, hunting knives, and more.

Tag Out with HuntWise During the North Dakota Hunting Seasons

We know we’ve just dumped a lot of information about hunting in North Dakota, but we hope it’s helpful! For any information you don’t see, be sure to check back here for updates or reference the official state websites for the latest details. 

Your HuntWise app also connects you to the latest hunting information for North Dakota. It’s the best hunting tool for helping you plan, scout, share information and hunt areas with friends, and stay up to date on season dates and regulations before heading out for your first hunt this year. 

The app gives you access to multiple map layers for scouting hunt areas (including Wildlife Management Areas, State Trust Lands, and FWS Waterfowl Production Areas for North Dakota). You’ll also benefit from ideal wind and weather forecasting, real-time animal behavior predictors, and private landowner boundaries and contact information. 

Content and season dates most recently reviewed and updated March 30, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We have answers to your questions about the North Dakota hunting seasons!

Q: What can you hunt year-round in North Dakota?

A: North Dakota allows year-round daytime hunting of coyotes, red foxes, gray foxes, and badgers, and the state sets no daily limit on these furbearers. Raccoons and beavers are also open year-round. You still need the proper license, and you can’t hunt on land without permission.

Q: Can I shoot a deer in my backyard out of season?

A: No, you can’t. Deer are a regulated big-game species, and hunters can take them only during legal seasons with the proper license and tag. Shooting one out of season is illegal unless wildlife officials issue a special depredation or safety permit. Local firearm ordinances may also restrict shooting in or near town.

Q: Can non-residents hunt in North Dakota?

A: Yes. Non-residents can hunt most species if they purchase the appropriate license, However, some tags are limited by lottery, and certain areas or early-season periods may have restrictions.

Q: Does North Dakota have big bucks?

A: Yes. North Dakota produces large whitetail and mule deer, especially in agricultural and river-bottom areas. While not as famous as states like Iowa, mature “trophy-class” bucks are regularly harvested.

Q: Can you bait deer on private land in North Dakota?

A: Yes, hunting deer over bait on private land is legal in North Dakota. State law prevents the Game and Fish Department from restricting deer baiting on private property. Baiting is not allowed everywhere, though. Hunting over bait, or placing bait for any purpose, is prohibited on Game and Fish wildlife management areas. It is also banned on national wildlife refuges, waterfowl production areas, national grasslands, Army Corps of Engineers lands, and state trust, state park, and state forest lands. Check current regulations and get the landowner’s permission before you set up.

Q: Can I shoot a coyote if it’s in my backyard?

A: Whether you can shoot a coyote in your backyard or not depends on several factors. Coyotes are classified as predators and can be hunted year-round, but you must still follow local firearm laws, hunting regulations, and safety rules for shooting near buildings or within city limits.