Small Game Hunting

View Most Recent Small Game Regulations

Small Game (Upland) Species

Hungarian Partridge, Mourning Dove, Pinnated Grouse (Prairie Chicken), Ring-Necked Pheasant, Ruffed Grouse, Sandhill Crane, Sharp-Tailed Grouse, Snipe, Woodcock, Tree Squirrel, Wild Turkey

2009 Season Opening Dates: 

• Crow:
  • Fall Season: August 8 - October 18.
  • Spring Season: March 13, 2010 - April 25, 2010.
• Early Canada Goose: August 15 - September 15 - Also requires a  federal migratory bird hunting (duck) stamp for those older than age 16.  Although Canada geese are not upland game they are included here because early Canada goose season regulations are contained in the small game hunting regulations.
• Mourning Dove: September 1 - October 30.
• Sharptail, Hun, Ruffed Grouse & Squirrel: September 12 - January 3, 2010.
• Sandhill Crane: Special permit required - See ** below.
  • Unit 1: September 19 - November 15.
  • Unit 2: September 19 - October 25.
• Youth Pheasant Season: October 3 and 4.
• Pheasant: October 10 - January 3, 2010.
• Pinnated Grouse (prairie chicken): October 10-18.
• Fall Wild Turkey: October 10 - January 10, 2010 - special permit required - get more information about fall wild turkey hunting

Species Distribution Maps for more common species: 

• Hungarian Partridge
• Ring-necked Pheasant
• Ruffed Grouse
• Sandhill Crane
• Sharp-tailed Grouse

Hunter Education Requirements and Who is Exempt

Persons born after 1961 must complete a certified hunter education course and show proof of certification when buying or applying for hunting licenses (official courses offered by other states and Canadian provinces meet these requirements).  Exceptions: Persons under age 12 who hunt only with their parent or legal guardian; persons who hunt exclusively on land of which they are the record title owner or operator; and those who obtain an Apprentice Hunting License. 

A resident must possess the following licenses:

• Fishing, Hunting, and Furbearer Certificate - $1
• Small Game License - $6 (Not required of residents under age 16)
• General Game and Habitat License - $13, or a Combination License - $32
  • (includes Small Game, General Game and Habitat, Furbearer, and Fishing licenses).
• ** See below for sandhill crane permit details.

A nonresident must possess the following licenses:

• Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate - $2
• General Game and Habitat License - $13
• Nonresident Small Game License - $85 (good for two 7-day periods or one 14-day period). Nonresident small game and waterfowl licenses are issued only through the Department's Bismarck office, Online Services, and by calling instant licensing at 1-800-406-6409 (Note: for instant licensing on the telephone, a service charge of $4 is assessed for each transaction under $70 and $10 for transactions of $70 or more).
• More than one license may be purchased per season. 
• There are no nonresident zone restrictions for small game hunting.
• ** See below for sandhill crane permit details.

A Nonresident May Not Hunt G&F Lands October 10-16

In accordance with state law, nonresidents are not allowed to hunt on Game and Fish Department wildlife management areas or conservation PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) areas from October 10-16, 2009.

Nonresidents can change their 7 or 14 day periods for small game by calling the 1-800-406-6409 licensing number prior to the start of the period. It costs $4 per license to do so.

Nonresident reciprocal youth hunting licenses

(North Dakota Century Code 20.1-03-07.2):   A nonresident youth less than sixteen years of age may purchase a resident small game hunting license and may hunt small game and waterfowl except swans and wild turkeys; provided, that the nonresident youth's state [currently the states of Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin], or province or territory of Canada of residence provides a reciprocal licensing agreement for North Dakota residents less than sixteen years of age. The nonresident youth may not have arrived at the age of sixteen before September first of the year for which the license is issued and must possess a certificate of completion for a certified hunter education course. The nonresident youth may only hunt under the supervision of an adult family member or legal guardian who is licensed to hunt small game or waterfowl in this state and is subject to the same regulations as the adult family member or legal guardian. This section does not apply to big game or to a license issued by lottery.

A nonresident full-time student living in North Dakota and attending an institution of higher learning under the jurisdiction of the Board of Higher Education, a private institution, or a tribal college may qualify to purchase resident (non lottery) licenses. Details and license sales are available only through our web site at https://secure.apps.state.nd.us/gnf/onlineservices/lic/public/online/main.htm.

**Sandhill crane

Sandhill crane hunters must possess a $5 Sandhill Crane Permit in addition to other licenses. Permits available from the game and fish office, Online Services, or by calling instant licensing on the telephone at 1-800-406-6409 (Note: for instant licensing on the telephone, a service charge of $4 is assessed for each transaction under $70 and $10 for transactions of $70 or more).  Note:  After obtaining a sandhill crane permit a nonresident may hunt crane with either a nonresident waterfowl license or a nonresident small game license, subject to the restrictions such as time periods and zones specified on that license.

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