Seasons and Licenses
Waterfowl Hunters: To prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species state law requires the following:
- Before leaving a body of water drain all water and remove all mud, plant seeds and fragments from boats, motors, trailers, decoys, waders and other hunting equipment. Brush hunting dogs free of mud and seeds.
- Boats, trailers, motors and hunting equipment brought into the state must be free of all aquatic vegetation, mud, plant seeds, and water.
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.
Fall Waterfowl (Ducks, Geese, Coots, Mergansers, Tundra Swans)
2012 Season Details Not Yet Available
Tentative Season Openers:
- Early Resident Waterfowl Tentative Season Opener: September 22.
- Regular (Residents and Nonresidents) Waterfowl Tentative Season Opener: September 29.
Other licensing information:
- Nonresident youth hunting licenses. A nonresident under age sixteen need only purchase a North Dakota resident fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate and a North Dakota resident general game and habitat license to hunt small game and waterfowl except swans and wild turkeys; provided, that the nonresident's state, or province or territory of Canada, of residence provides a reciprocal licensing agreement for North Dakota residents who are also under age sixteen. (Currently states of Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin qualify.) To be eligible, a nonresident youth may not have turned 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.
- 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.
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).
Spring Light Goose Season
Most Recent Spring Light Goose Hunting Regulations
2012 season dates: February 18 - May 6.
Federal duck stamp not required for spring season.
Harvest Information Program (HIP): All migratory bird hunters must register annually with the National Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program before hunting ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, coots, cranes, snipe, doves and woodcock. Hunters who purchase a license through the Department, Instant Licensing on the Web, or Instant Licensing on the Telephone are automatically registered. Register with HIP:
- By telephone: Call toll free 1-888-634-4798. After answering a brief survey, you will receive a HIP registration number which must be recorded on your fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate
- On the Web:
Waterfowl Identification Brochures from USGS.
A resident must possess the following licenses:
- Fishing, Hunting, and Furbearer Certificate - $1
- Small Game License - $6
- (Not required of residents under age 16)
- 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.
- General Game and Habitat License - $13, or a Combination License - $32 (includes Small Game, General Game and Habitat, Furbearer, and Fishing licenses).
Note: Residents may use licenses from the previous fall or for the current year. Licenses for the current year are available only from the game and fish department, On-Line Licensing, or from Instant Licensing by Telephone at 1-800-406-6409.
A nonresident must possess the following licenses:
- Nonresident Statewide Spring Light Goose License - $50.
- This is a separate, special license for the spring season.
- Spring season days do not count against the fall nonresident time restriction.