The Guide to North Dakota Hunting Seasons 2024

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. 

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.     

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 Wisconsin 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.

When Can I Hunt?

If you’re dreaming of an adventurous bighorn sheep hunt, let’s get you on your way! Just make sure you know the open season dates and regulations.   

Below, 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. 

Deer 

Deer tags are awarded through a lottery system. Check official sources for the application deadline for entering the lottery. You’ll also want to note the different dates for bow vs. North Dakota rifle deer season 2024.

• Mule and White-tail: 
  • Bow (Statewide): August 30 – January 5
  • Regular (All Units): November 8 – 24
  • Youth (Statewide): September 13 – 22

• White-tail Only: 
  • Muzzleloader: November 29 – December 15

Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn sheep hunting licenses are awarded through a lottery drawing.

• Regular (Hunting Units B1, B3, B4, B5): November 1 – December 23

Elk

Elk hunting licenses are also awarded through a lottery system.

• Bow (Hunting Units E1E, E1W, E2, E6): September 6 – 29
   
• Regular:
  • E3, E4, E5: September 6 – January 5
  • E6: October 4 – November 7 and November 25 – January 1
  • E1E, E2, E1W: October 4 – January 5

Moose

As with other big game in North Dakota, moose hunting licenses are awarded through a lottery drawing.

• Bow (Hunting Units M5, M6, M8, M9, M10, M11): September 6 – 29 
• Regular (Hunting Units M5, M6, M8, M9, M10, M11): October 11 – November 3
   

Pronghorn

Get a pronghorn hunting license by applying for the lottery drawing. Consult the North Dakota Game and Fish website for final season open and closing dates. 

• Bow (Hunting Units 2-A, 2-B, 3-A, 3-B, 4-A, 4-C, 5-A, 7-A): Opens September 1
• Gun or Bow (Hunting Units 2-A, 2-B, 3-A, 3-B, 4-A, 4-C, 5-A, 7-A): Opens October 4

Turkey

• Youth Spring (All open units): April 13 – May 19
• Spring Regular: April 13 – May 19
• Fall Regular (All open units): Opens October 12

Pheasant

• Ring-necked:
  • Regular – Male-Only (Statewide): Opens October 12
  • Youth (Statewide): Opens October 5

Other Upland Game

• Grouse:
  • Ruffed (Restricted Hunting Units): Opens September 14
  • Sage: Closed
  • Sharp-Tailed (Regular, Statewide): Opens September 14
     
• Tree Squirrel (Regular, Statewide): Opens September 8

Waterfowl

Many waterfowl hunting dates are still tentative for North Dakota. 

• Ducks and Coots: 
  • Veteran/Active Military (Statewide): Opens September 14
  • Regular – Resident (High Plains Unit): Opens September 21
  • Bonus Blue-winged Teal (All Units): Opens September 21
  • Regular – Resident (Low Plains Unit): Opens September 21
  • Regular – Non-Resident (Low Plains Unit): Opens September 28
  • Regular – Non-Resident (High Plains Unit): Opens September 28
  • Regular – Resident/Non-Resident (High Plains Unit): Opens December 7
  • Youth (Statewide): Opens September 14
    
     
• Canada Goose: 
  • August Management Take/Early September (Eastern, Western, Blue-River Zone): Opens August 15
  • Regular – Resident (Eastern, Western, Blue-River Zone): Opens September 21
  • Regular – Non-Resident (Eastern, Western, Blue-River Zone): Opens September 28

• Light Geese: 
  • Regular – Resident (Statewide): Opens September 21
  • Regular – Non-Resident (Statewide): Opens September 28
  • Spring Conservation Order (Statewide): February 17 – May 12
    
     
• White-fronted Geese: 
  • Regular – Resident (Statewide): Opens September 21
  • Regular – Non-Resident (Statewide): Opens September 28

• Mergansers: 
  • Regular – Resident (Low and Hight Plains Units): Opens September 21
  • Regular – Non-Resident (Low and Hight Plains Units): Opens September 28
  • Regular – Resident & Non-Resident (Hight Plains Units): Opens December 7

• Tundra Swan (Regular Statewide): Opens September 28

Other Game Birds

• Dove (Regular, Statewide): Opens September 1
• Sandhill Crane (Regular – Units 1 & 2): Opens September 14
• Snipe (Regular, Statewide): Opens September 7
• Woodcock (Regular, Statewide): Opens September 21

Furbearers

• Coyote:
  • Regular Day-Hunting & Traps (Statewide): April 1 – March 31
  • Regular Night-Hunting (Statewide): November 25 – March 15
  • Regular Cable Devices (Statewide): November 25 – March 15

• Fox (Red and Gray):
  • Regular Day-Hunting & Traps (Statewide): April 1 – March 31
  • Regular Cable Devices (Statewide): November 25 – March 15
  • Regular Night-Hunting (Statewide): November 25 – March 15

• Mountain Lion:
  • Early Season (Zone 1): Opens August 30
  • Regular Season (Zone 2): Opens August 30
  • Late Season (Zone 1): Opens November 27

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 Do I Need to Know About Hunting Licenses?

All hunters and trappers in North Dakota need a license to hunt in Wisconsin. 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.  

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

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

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. 

If you haven’t hunted with HuntWise yet, improve your chances of success this season with the ultimate hunting tool. Download the app and enjoy access to every feature – free for a week!