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Field Guide  /  State Hunting Guide

The Guide to the North Dakota Hunting Seasons 2025

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Pheasant and waterfowl hunting are the hallmarks of hunting in North Dakota. However, big game hunting is also popular in the state if you prefer to hunt elk, pronghorn, or deer.

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.     

Updated February 25, 2025

A map of the United States highlighting North Dakota for North Dakota hunting.

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.

 

Two bighorn sheep standing on rocks, North Dakota hunting concept.

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. 

We've updated the season dates below based on the state's tentative 2025-2026 opening dates. As the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGF) confirms open and closing dates, we'll update this guide. 

Deer 

Deer hunting 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.

  • Mule and White-tail: 
    • Bow (Statewide): Opens August 29, 2025
    • Regular (All Units): Opens November 7, 2025
    • Youth (Statewide): September 19, 2025
       
  • White-tail Only: 
    • Muzzleloader: Opens November 28, 2025

Turkey

  • Spring Regular: April 12, 2025 – May 18, 2025
  • Youth Spring (All open units): April 12 – May 18, 2025
  • Fall Regular (All open units): Opens October 11, 2025

Elk

Elk hunting licenses are also awarded through a lottery system.

  • Bow (Hunting Units E1E, E1W, E2, E6): opens September 5, 2025
     
  • Regular:
    • E3, E4, E5: Opens September 5, 2025
    • E6: Opens October 3, 2025 and November 26, 2025
    • E1E, E2, E1W: Opens October 3, 2025

Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn sheep hunting licenses are awarded through a lottery drawing.

  • Regular (Hunting Units B1, B3, B4, B5): Opens November 1, 2025

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): Opens September 5, 2025
  • Regular (Hunting Units M5, M6, M8, M9, M10, M11): Opens October 10, 2025

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 August 29, 2025
  • Gun or Bow (Hunting Units 2-A, 2-B, 3-A, 3-B, 4-A, 4-C, 5-A, 7-A): Opens October 3, 2025

 

Upland Game

  • Pheasant:
    • Regular – Male-Only (Statewide): Opens October 11, 2025
    • Youth (Statewide): Opens October 4, 2025
  • Grouse:
    • Ruffed (Restricted Hunting Units): Opens September 13, 2025
    • Sage: Closed
    • Sharp-Tailed (Regular, Statewide): Opens September 13, 2025
  • Tree Squirrel (Regular, Statewide): September 14 – February 28, 2025
  • Hungarian Partridge: Opens September 13, 2025
  • Greater Prairie Chicken: Closed

Waterfowl

Many waterfowl hunting dates are still tentative for North Dakota. 

  • Ducks and Coots: 
    • Veteran/Active Military (Statewide): Opens September 10, 2025
    • Regular:
      • Resident (High Plains Unit): Opens September 27, 2025
      • Resident (Low Plains Unit): Opens September 27, 2025
    • Regular:
      • Non-Resident (Low Plains Unit): Opens October 4, 2025
      • Non-Resident (High Plains Unit): Opens October 4, 2025
    • Regular – Resident/Non-Resident (High Plains Unit): Opens December 14, 2025
    • Bonus Blue-winged Teal (All Units): Opens September 27, 2025
    • Youth (Statewide): Opens September 20, 2025 
  • Canada Goose: 
    • August Management Take/Early September (Eastern, Western, Blue-River Zones): Opens August 15, 2025
    • Regular – Resident (Eastern, Western, Blue-River Zones): Opens September 27, 2025
    • Regular – Non-Resident (Eastern, Western, Blue-River Zones): Opens October 4, 2025
  • Light Geese: 
    • Regular – Resident (Statewide): Opens September 27, 2025
    • Regular – Non-Resident (Statewide): Opens October 4, 2025
    • Spring Conservation Order (Statewide): February 15, 2025 – May 11, 2025
  • White-fronted Geese: 
    • Regular – Resident (Statewide): Opens September 27, 2025
    • Regular – Non-Resident (Statewide): Opens October 4, 2025
  • Mergansers: 
    • Regular – Resident (Low and Hight Plains Units): Opens September 27, 2025
    • Regular – Non-Resident (Low and Hight Plains Units): Opens October 4, 2025
    • Regular – Resident & Non-Resident (Hight Plains Units): Opens December 13, 2025
  • Tundra Swan (Regular Statewide): Opens September 27, 2025

Other Game Birds

  • Dove (Regular, Statewide): Opens September 1,, 2025
  • Sandhill Crane (Regular – Units 1 & 2): TBD
  • Snipe (Regular, Statewide): Opens September 13, 2025
  • Woodcock (Regular, Statewide): Opens September 20, 2025

 

Furbearers

  • Coyote:
    • Regular Day-Hunting & Traps (Statewide): April 1 – March 31, 2025
    • Regular Night-Hunting (Statewide): November 25 – March 15, 2025
    • Regular Cable Devices (Statewide): November 25 – March 15, 2025
  • Fox (Red and Gray):
    • Regular Day-Hunting & Traps (Statewide): April 1 – March 31, 2025
    • Regular Cable Devices (Statewide): November 25 – March 15, 2025
    • Regular Night-Hunting (Statewide): November 25 – March 15, 2025
  • Mountain Lion: TBD


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.

 

Close-up of a hunter holding a goose beak in his hand, North Dakota waterfowl hunting concept.

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 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 d can you deer bring home this season? To comply with North Dakota’s regulations for legal hunting, follow the bag limits for everything you hunt. 

 

Deer1 of any type per season (resident bow)
1 of the type noted on the license (non-resident bow)
1 of the type noted on the license (resident gun) 
1 white-tail (muzzleloader)
Tundra Swan1 per hunter
Turkey1 bearded or male (Spring), Fall TBDSnipe8 per day (24 in possession)
Grouse3 per day (12 in possession) Dove15 per day (45 in possession)
Pheasant3 per day (12 in possession)Woodcock3 per day (9 in possession)
Tree Squirrel4 per day (12 in possession)Bighorn Sheep1 male
Canada Geese15 per day, 45 in possession (August Management Take/Early September)
8 per day, 24 in possession (Western & Eastern Zones), 5 per day, 15 in possession (Missouri River)
Elk1 of the type on your license
White-fronted Geese3 per day (9 in possession)Moose1 of the type on your license
Light Geese50 per dayPronghornTBD
Sandhill Crane3 per day, 9 in possession (Unit 1)
2 per day, 6 in possession (Unit 2)
Ducks and Mergansers6 per day (18 in possession)
  Coots15 per day (45 in possession)


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.

 

A phone screen showing the HuntWise app in a hunter's hands, hunting in North Dakota concept.

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!

 

Content and season dates reviewed and updated February 25, 2025.

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