Hunting - Other Species

Mountain Lion Hunting

Open to North Dakota residents only.

See Zone descriptions below for season dates.

View most current regulations.

Mountain lions may be hunted statewide by residents using legal firearms or archery equipment during regular hunting hours. No hunting or pursuing with dogs will be allowed until December 1. Cable devices and traps are not allowed. The limit is one lion per hunter per season. Kittens (lions with visible spots), or females accompanied by kittens may not be taken. Any lion taken must be reported to the Department within 12 hours and the entire intact animal must be submitted for analysis. Legally taken animals will be returned to the hunter.

• Zone 1: Opens: September 4 – Closes: March 31
  Open Area: Zone 1 is bordered by Montana, South Dakota, and state and federal highways. The point where the boundary crosses Lake Sakakawea is a straight line from where ND Highway 1804 lies directly across from ND Highway 8.
  General Information: Once a quota of 8 lions is reached, the season will close immediately. The Department will inform the public of this closure through the media. The quota will not include lions taken by USDA Wildlife Services, the Department, private landowners in defense of livestock, for human safety issues, road killed animals, animals taken by traps or cable devices, and those taken on Indian lands.
  
  
• Zone 2: Opens: September 4 – Closes: March 31
  Open Area: The remainder of the state not described as Zone 1.
  General Information: No quota. The season is open through March 31.

Residents must possess the following licenses:

• Fishing, Hunting, and Furbearer Certificate - $1
• Furbearer License - $7 (not required of residents under age 16), or a 
• Combination License - $32 (includes Small Game, General Game and Habitat, Furbearer, and Fishing licenses).
• Military - Upon presentation of valid leave papers and a valid North Dakota operator's license, a resident who is on leave and is an active duty as a member of the United States armed forces or the United States merchant marine may hunt small game, fish, or trap during the open season without a license.

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