Antlerless White-Tailed Deer Season
for Resident Youth Ages 12 and 13
Questions and Answers

During the 2009 session, North Dakota’s legislature lowered the minimum age for hunting deer with a firearm (centerfire rifle, handgun or muzzleloader) from 14 to age 12.

However, the bill, SB 2165, created restrictions on when and what 12- and 13-year-olds could hunt. Following are some questions and answers to help clarify the issue. Important note: nothing has changed for ages 14 or 15.

What license is available for a 12- or 13-year-old?
One antlerless whitetail license, valid statewide.

When can 12- and 13-year-olds hunt deer (antlerless whitetail) with a firearm?
Only during the youth deer season, September 16-25 in 2011.

What is the application deadline for 12- and 13-year-olds?
The license application deadline for 12- and 13-year-olds is Sept. 1.

How do I apply?
Applications will be available in early May along with all other deer applications.

What is the application deadline for 14- and 15-year-olds?
For the regular deer gun season lottery and for the youth “I” license that allows taking of a mule deer buck in several southwestern units (3B1, 3B2, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E or 4F), the license application deadline is June 8. For the youth “H” license, good statewide for any deer except mule deer bucks in 3B1, 3B2, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E or 4F, the application deadline is September 1.

Is the license my 12- or 13-year-old receives considered a youth season license?
No. A youth season license is defined as a deer gun license for 14- or 15-year-old first-time deer hunters that is valid statewide for any deer, with the exception of antlered mule deer (issued by lottery) in select southwest units.

If my 12- or 13-year-old receives an antlerless whitetail license, will he/she remain eligible for a youth season license at age 14?
Yes, 14- or 15-year-olds will still be eligible for a once-in-a-lifetime statewide any-deer license if they received an antlerless whitetail license when they were 12 and/or 13.

Can hunters ages 14 or 15 use additional concurrent season antlerless licenses within the youth deer season?
Yes, but only in conjunction with their youth season license. 15-year-olds who had a youth season license are not eligible to hunt during the youth deer season.

Can hunters age 12 or 13 purchase additional concurrent season antlerless licenses to use within the youth deer season?
No, 12 - and 13-year-olds are limited to a single antlerless whitetail license valid only during the dates of the youth deer season. However, they can still purchase concurrent licenses for use with a bow in the archery season.

When is the earliest my son/daughter can apply for a youth season license?
The year when he/she is age 14 on opening day of the November deer gun season.

My son/daughter turns 14 after the youth season opens but before the November deer gun season. Is he/she eligible to apply for and hunt in the youth season?
Yes, this was a recent change by the state legislature.

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