2025 Bighorn Sheep, Elk, Moose Proclamation and Hunting Regulations

2025-2026 Elk, Moose and Bighorn Sheep Proclamation

Pursuant to North Dakota law and the recommendation of the Game and Fish Director, I hereby declare an open season for the issuance of 960 elk licenses, plus additional landowner licenses for elk unit E4, 296 moose licenses and the number of bighorn sheep licenses to be determined on September 1, 2025. Except as provided hereinafter or otherwise by law, no person shall hunt, kill, take, possess, or so attempt to hunt, kill, take, transport or possess any elk, moose, or bighorn sheep or parts thereof.

DEFINITIONS. As hereinafter used, unless the content or subject matter otherwise requires: “Game” shall include any of those species of big game, small game, or furbearers as defined in section 20.1-01-02 of the North Dakota Century Code. “Edible flesh” (big game animals) shall be both front quarters, both hind quarters, and back straps but does not include meat ruined by bullet or natural causes. “Common Carriers” are shipping companies, commercial meat processors and taxidermists. “Processed and Packaged Meat” is meat which has been cut/ground and wrapped. It is not quartered or boned out pieces of meat.

1. Season Dates, Times, Open Areas:

Hours of Hunting: are one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to one-half (1/2) hour after sunset.

2. Eligibility:

Who May Apply (Elk and Moose) - Only North Dakota residents shall be eligible. A person may apply for a license to hunt either or both species (elk and/or moose); however, they may not apply for a species (elk and/or moose) for which they have received a license in previous years.

Who May Apply (Bighorn Sheep) - Both residents and nonresidents who have never received a bighorn sheep license in North Dakota shall be eligible to apply for one bighorn sheep license issued by lottery. The number of licenses to be issued by lottery shall be determined on September 1, 2025. No more than one license may be issued to a nonresident in accordance with N.D.C.C. 20.1-08-04.1.

Applicants will not be applying for a particular bighorn sheep unit as the number of licenses and open units will not be determined until September 1, 2025. After the population survey is complete and license numbers are determined, the lottery will be held, and selected applicants will be contacted individually during September 1-14. A selected applicant’s license will be rescinded if they cannot be contacted by September 14, and a new applicant will be drawn from the lottery.

There remains a possibility that a circumstance, such as a reoccurrence of bacterial pneumonia, may negatively deplete the bighorn sheep population. If the Game and Fish Department Director determines that contemporary bighorn sheep population surveys show that a season is no longer justified, the bighorn sheep season shall be cancelled. If such a circumstance would occur and the bighorn sheep season is accordingly cancelled, in accordance with N.D.C.C. 20.1-03-12.2, the $5 resident and $100 nonresident application fee shall not be refunded.

3. Licenses:

A lottery procedure will be determined by the Game and Fish Director. A person may submit only one application per species. A $5 nonrefundable application fee must accompany each resident application. A $100 nonrefundable application fee must accompany each nonresident application for bighorn sheep. Licenses are non-transferable. No person may give, barter, or sell an issued license to another person. If elk licenses remain after the lottery, the Department may issue these on a first come-first served basis to any eligible person.

Lottery application deadline will be determined by the Director and specified at the time of the lottery application period opening.

Moose and Elk (E1E, E1W, E2, E6 and E7) Seasons - All moose and elk E1E, E1W, E2, E6 and E7 license holders will get the option to hunt during the Bow Season (using legal archery equipment only) and during the Regular Season (using any legal archery equipment or firearms) but hunters are still restricted to the unit and type of moose or elk as designated on the license.

Landowner Preference License for Elk - PPersons who own, or lease for agricultural purposes and actively farm or ranch, a minimum of 150 acres of land in the following areas shall be eligible to apply for one of 20 licenses in Unit E1E, one of 30 licenses in Unit E1W, one of 28 licenses in Unit E2, one of 60 licenses in Unit E3, one of 2 licenses in Unit E6 and one license in Unit E7 . These licenses are issued only through the Department's Bismarck office and are subtracted from the maximum number of elk licenses available for Unit E1E, E1W, E2, E3, E6 and E7. Preferential licenses are valid for the entire unit and either sex, regardless of age. Landowner Preference Licenses for Elk are not valid in elk unit E5. Preferential licenses for E1E, E1W, E2, E6 and E7 may be used until filled, in both bow and gun season subject to the rules of the season. For qualifying areas see Appendix 1.

Landowner preference licenses for Unit E4 will be issued in accordance with exemptions provided under N.D.C.C. 20.1-03-11(7). These exemptions include:

• Not restricted to 15 percent of total licenses.
• Not restricted to once-in-a-lifetime.
• No more than 1 license may be issued on all parcels of land owned by any landowner even if the amount of land is in excess of 150 acres of land.
• Recipients of landowner preference licenses for elk in Units E3 and E4 may use this license to harvest an elk causing depredation in either Unit E3 or E4 from May 1, 2025 through July 31, 2025. The following conditions apply to harvest of elk during this time period:
  • A landowner preferential elk license for either Unit E3 or E4 is required.
  • Elk may be taken in Units E3 and E4 with landowner preferential license from May 1, 2025 through July 31, 2025.
  • Landowners and other preferential license holders who intend to harvest depredating elk must notify the Department 24 hours prior to harvesting an animal and must notify the Department within 24 hours after harvesting an animal to verify the kill.

Authorized under N.D.C.C. 20.1-03-11(7) landowners within a selected area in unit E3 may receive an experimental, antlerless elk depredation license, authorized by the Director, if they do not draw an any elk preferential license.

Landowner Gratis Licenses for Moose - Persons who own, or lease for agricultural purposes and actively farm or ranch, a minimum of 150 acres of land in the following units are eligible to apply for one of the available gratis moose licenses to hunt only upon lands described on their application in the unit applied for. These licenses are issued only through the Department's Bismarck office in accordance with North Dakota Century Code 20.1-03-11. Gratis licenses are valid for either sex, regardless of age.

Any person who receives a lottery license or a landowner gratis license shall not be eligible to apply for that species again in either the regular lottery or for landowner gratis licenses for the same species, except under the exemptions provided for certain landowner gratis licenses.

4. Firearms and Archery Equipment:

Nonlicensees - No elk, moose or bighorn sheep licensee hunting in the field during the elk, moose or bighorn sheep season may be accompanied by a nonlicensee carrying the same type of firearm or archery equipment as the licensee. For the purpose of this section "type of firearm or archery equipment" means one of the following: a) centerfire rifles, b) handguns, c) muzzleloading firearms, d) archery equipment, or e) shotguns. A nonlicensee is a person not having an elk, moose or bighorn sheep license for the same season and unit as the person with the license.

Legal Firearms (Elk and Moose) - Centerfire rifles of .25 caliber or larger are legal for elk and moose. Muzzleloading rifles or single shot muzzleloader pistols of .50 caliber or larger having all components loaded through the muzzle, with flint or percussion ignition, firing black powder or black powder substitutes are legal for both species. Rifles must have a minimum barrel length of 16 inches. Rifled slugs of 20 gauge or larger are legal for shotguns. Minimum barrel length of shotguns is 18 inches. Handgun (pistol, revolver, or single shot) cartridge cases under .40 caliber must be at least 1.285 inches in length and bullets must be at least .257 inches in diameter.

Handgun cartridge cases of .40 caliber or larger must be at least .992 inches in length. Fully automatic firearms, full metal jacketed bullets which are nonexpanding, as well as altered projectiles are prohibited. Pre-charged pneumatic air guns, charged from an external high compression source such as an air compressor, air tank or an external hand pump are legal for elk and moose but must fire a projectile (excluding air bolts) of at least .45 caliber in diameter and at least 350 grains in weight with a minimum muzzle velocity of 600 feet per second.

Legal Firearms (Bighorn Sheep) - Centerfire rifles of .243/6mm caliber or larger are legal for bighorn sheep. Muzzleloading rifles or single shot muzzleloader pistols of .50 caliber or larger having all components loaded through the muzzle, with flint or percussion ignition, firing black powder or black powder substitutes are legal. Rifles must have a minimum barrel length of 16 inches. Rifled slugs of 20 gauge or larger are legal for shotguns. Minimum barrel length of shotguns is 18 inches. Handgun (pistol, revolver, or single shot) cartridge cases under .40 caliber must be at least 1.285 inches in length and bullets must be at least .257 inches in diameter. Handgun cartridge cases of .40 caliber or larger must be at least .992 inches in length. Fully automatic firearms, full metal jacketed bullets which are nonexpanding, as well as altered projectiles are prohibited. Pre-charged pneumatic air guns, charged from an external high compression source such as an air compressor, air tank or an external hand pump are legal for bighorn sheep but must fire a projectile (excluding air bolts) of at least .45 caliber in diameter and at least 350 grains in weight with a minimum muzzle velocity of 600 feet per second.

Legal Archery Equipment - Defined as a compound, recurve, or longbow that must be pulled, held, and released by hand. Any release aid may be used providing it is hand operated, the shooter supports the draw weight of the bow, and the release is not attached to any part of the bow other than the bowstring. The bows used for hunting moose and elk must have at least 50 pounds of draw at 28 inches or less draw length. Arrows must be at least 24 inches long, tipped with a metal broadhead, with at least two sharp cutting edges, and have a cutting diameter of at least 3/4 inch (i.e., not able to pass through a 3/4-inch ring). Broadheads used for hunting bighorn sheep, moose, and elk must be unbarbed (barbed refers to an arrowhead with any fixed portion of the rear or trailing edge of the arrowhead forming an angle less than 90 degrees with the shaft) and have fixed blades (i.e., broadheads with mechanical, or retractable blades manufactured to stay open are illegal). Telescopic sights, range finding devices or other electronic devices attached to the bow, or the arrow, are not permitted. Exception: battery powered or electronically lighted sights that do not project light, a lighted nock and recording devices which do not aid in range finding, sighting or shooting the bow are permitted. Handheld range finding devices are legal. Arrows capable of causing damage or injury to the animal in excess of that inflicted by the cutting edges of the broadhead, are prohibited while hunting big game with a bow (e.g., explosive arrow points, arrows tipped with drugs or chemicals, and pneumatic or hydraulic shafts are illegal). No firearms, except handguns, may be in the hunter’s possession while hunting big game with a bow license. However, handguns may not be used in any manner to assist in the harvest of a big game animal on an archery license. Crossbow is defined as a weapon consisting of a bow mounted transversely on a stock or frame and designed to fire a bolt, arrow, or quarrel by the release of the bow string, which is controlled by a mechanical or electric trigger and a working safety. Crossbows are not legal, except with a permit from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department Director. When permitted, crossbows must: a) have a minimum draw weight of 75 pounds, b) be equipped with a working safety to prevent accidental firing, c) use arrows or bolts at least 14 inches in length and d) be designed to be fired from the shoulder. Crossbows equipped with pistol grips and designed to be fired with one hand are illegal. Crossbow hunters must comply with all other archery equipment regulations listed above.

Elk hunters at J. Clark Salyer NWR (Unit E7), Des Lacs NWR (Unit E5), Lostwood NWR (Unit E5) and Upper Souris NWR (Unit E5) may only use non-toxic ammunition.

Americans with Disabilities - The Director may make reasonable accommodations to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

5. Aircraft and Motor-Driven Vehicles:

It shall be illegal to use all types of aircraft, manned or unmanned, for spotting game 72 hours prior to and during the hunting season. A licensee cannot hunt the same day they are airborne over their hunting unit with the exception of their scheduled passenger airline flight. It is illegal to drive, concentrate, rally, raise, stir-up, or disturb game with all types of aircraft, manned or unmanned.

Motor-driven vehicles may not be used to pursue game.

It is illegal to shoot with bow and arrow or firearm while in or on a motor-driven vehicle. Unless otherwise authorized under N.D.C.C., no person may carry a firearm with a cartridge in the chamber in or on a motor-driven vehicle while hunting big game animals. The entire cylinder of a revolver is considered the chamber, requiring the revolver to be completely unloaded. Handguns with removable magazines or clips must have the magazine or clip removed from the firearm if the magazine or clip contains any loaded shells. It is illegal to carry any muzzleloading firearm in or on a motor-driven vehicle with a percussion cap or primer on the nipple or powder in the flash pan.

No person may use a motor-driven vehicle in the process of hunting big game or aid another in the process of hunting big game unless the motor-driven vehicle is on an established trail.

No person may use motor-driven vehicles on North Dakota Game and Fish Department Conservation PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) property without permission from the landowner. These areas have been entrusted to the public for walking access through written agreements by private landowners. The boundaries of these properties are delineated in the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual PLOTS Guide and on-site by large yellow triangular signs.

It shall be illegal to engage in shining for big game with any artificial light for the purpose of locating or observing big game between sunset of one day and sunrise of the next.

Use or possession of night vision equipment, electronically enhanced light gathering optics or thermal imaging equipment while locating or hunting big game is prohibited.

6. Bag Limits:

ELK. One elk restricted to type of elk described on license. Type of elk includes either antlerless or any elk (antlerless or antlered*).

MOOSE. One moose restricted to type of moose described on license. Type of moose includes either antlerless or any moose (antlerless or antlered*).

* All elk or moose with at least one visible antler are considered antlered.

BIGHORN SHEEP. One male bighorn sheep.

7. Tagging Requirements:

Immediately after an animal has been killed, the hunter must indicate the date of kill by cutting out the appropriate month and day from the tag provided with the license and securely attach it to the antler on an antlered animal, the horn on a horned animal, or in a slit in the ear on an antlerless animal to prevent its removal. A bighorn sheep may be tagged on the leg or rear quarter with evidence of sex naturally attached.

In no case is it legal to possess or transport an elk, moose or bighorn sheep unless it is properly tagged. The meat tag must remain with the edible flesh during any transportation and until it is cut up and packaged as food. No person may reuse or attempt to reuse any tag issued. Tags are non-transferable.

Anyone who harvests a bighorn sheep in North Dakota must have it plugged by North Dakota Game and Fish Department personnel.

When any part of an animal is mounted, if the tag is removed from the antlers, horns, or ear, the tag must be securely fastened to the back or bottom of the mount and remain there.

Mandatory Elk and Moose Harvest Reporting. Elk and moose lottery license holders are required to provide hunter harvest information no later than January 15, 2026. Failure to do so may result in loss of eligibility for all lottery licenses in 2026.

8. Transportation and Storage:

License holders must accompany their game animal, or parts thereof, (excluding hide) during transportation, unless a permit for the transportation of game is issued by the Department upon request. Game may be shipped by common carrier in receipt of proper bill of lading. No resident of the state may ship big game or parts thereof (other than hides) out of state without a permit from the Department.

An elk, moose, or bighorn sheep carcass or boned out meat must be accompanied by the head to the final place of storage. Exception: Tag as currently required, then take two pictures using a cellphone with location and date and time stamp turned on. One picture of the entire animal at the kill site with tag attached, and a second picture of a closeup of the tag so that tag information is readable. Drop off the head at a CWD collection site properly tagged or if you leave the head in the field at the kill site, after taking pictures and saving them, the ear or antler with the tag attached must be cut off and accompany the meat or carcass while in transport. The photographs of the tagged animal must be shown to any game warden or other law enforcement officer upon request.

It is illegal to possess or transport another’s game animal, or parts thereof, (excluding hide) without the license holder accompanying or as otherwise permitted. Processed and packaged meat of legally taken game may be gifted to another. Unprocessed, unpackaged game meat may be gifted as follows: 1) Prior to reaching the licensee’s personal residence a transportation permit must be obtained and accompany the game meat. 2) After reaching the licensee’s personal residence if accompanied by the name and address of the licensee.

Commercial processors and common carriers may possess any person’s legally taken possession limit of game.

9. Areas Closed to Hunting:

Unless specifically authorized, federal or state properties such as refuges, sanctuaries, military installations, parks, or historic sites posted to trespassing or hunting are closed to hunting.

10. Wanton Waste:

No person shall kill or cripple any big game animal without making a reasonable effort to retrieve and retain the big game animal in his or her actual custody. No person shall waste, destroy, spoil, or abandon the edible flesh of a big game animal at the place where taken or between that place and either (a) his or her permanent residence, (b) a taxidermist, (c) a common carrier, or (d) a commercial processor.

11. Licenses Available by Unit:

¹ The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Outdoor Adventure Foundation are each allocated one additional elk license in accordance with N.D.C.C. 20.1-05.1-01. These licenses are valid for any open unit and any elk regardless of age or sex. A recipient of one of these licenses may hunt in either the bow season or the regular season.

² Not more than two additional elk licenses may be issued to eligible organizations to conduct a raffle or auction in accordance with N.D.C.C. 20.1-05.1-02. These licenses are valid for any open unit and any elk regardless of age or sex. A recipient of one of these licenses may hunt in either the bow season or the regular season.

¹ The Outdoor Adventure Foundation and the North American Wildlife Enforcement Memorial Museum and Educational Center are each allocated one additional moose license in accordance with N.D.C.C. 20.1-05.1-01. These licenses are valid for any open unit and any moose regardless of age or sex. A recipient of one of these licenses may hunt in either the bow season or the regular season.

² Not more than two additional moose licenses may be issued to eligible organizations to conduct a raffle or auction in accordance with N.D.C.C. 20.1-05.1-02. These licenses are valid for any open unit and any moose regardless of age or sex. A recipient of one of these licenses may hunt in either the bow season or the regular season.

¹ One bighorn sheep license is authorized to be auctioned by the Wild Sheep Foundation - Midwest Chapter in accordance with N.D.C.C. 20.1-05.1-01. The recipient of this license may hunt in all open units. The amount raised shall not be paid to the Department until the population survey results are complete and the number of lottery licenses is determined. If, due to the recurrence of pneumonia and the Department determines that a season closure is warranted, the Department would not collect the funds associated with the auction license.

12. Unit Boundary Descriptions:

ELK

Unit E1E - Cavalier, Pembina, and Walsh counties, and those portions of Grand Forks, Nelson, and Ramsey counties bordered on the north by Canada, on the east by Minnesota, and on the south and west by a line starting where U.S. Highway 2 crosses the Red River, then west along U.S. Highway 2 to ND Highway 1, then north to ND Highway 17, then west to the junction of ND Highway 17 and ND Highway 20, then north to Canada.

Unit E1W - Rolette County and those portions of Bottineau, Towner, Ramsey, Pierce and Cavalier counties bordered on the north by Canada, on the east by ND Highway 20, on the south by ND highway 17 then west to the junction of ND highway 17 and ND Highway 60, then continuing west along ND Highway 60 to ND Highway 5, then west to ND Highway 14 then north to Canada.

Unit E2 - McKenzie and Dunn counties, excluding all of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Unit E3 - Billings, Golden Valley and Slope counties. Except that portion of Unit E4 in Billings and Golden Valley counties and Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Unit E4 - An area in Billings and Golden Valley counties north of Interstate 94, excluding all of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Composed of land in the following:

• Golden Valley County
  • T. 140N. R. 103W. All N. of I-94
  • T. 141N. R. 103W. Sec. 25-27 & 34-36
• Billings County
  • T. 141N. R. 100W. Sec. 19, 30 and 31
  • T. 141N. R. 101W. All except T.R.N.P.
  • T. 142N. R. 101W. Sec. 25-36
  • T. 140N. R. 102W. All except T.R.N.P. and south of I-94
  • T. 141N. R. 102W. All except T.R.N.P.
  • T. 142N. R. 102W. Sec. 19-36

Unit E5 - The remainder of the state not included in a designated unit.

Unit E6 - The portion of Sioux County east of ND highway 31.

Unit E7 - Portions of Bottineau, McHenry, Pierce, Renville and Ward counties starting where ND Highway 14 crosses the US/Canadian border, continuing south to the junction of ND Highway 5, then east to the junction of ND Highway 60, then south to the junction of ND Highway 3, then south to U.S. Highway 2, then west to the junction of U.S. Highway 83, then north staying on U.S. Highway 83 to the Canadian border, then east to the point of origin.

MOOSE

Unit M1C - CLOSED in 2025. Those portions of Cavalier, Pembina, Ramsey, and Walsh counties bordered on the east by Minnesota, on the north by Canada, on the west by ND Highway 1 and on the south by ND Highway 17.

Unit M4 - CLOSED in 2025. Those portions of Bottineau and Rolette counties bordered on the west by ND Highway 14, on the south by ND Highway 5, on the east by ND Highway 30, and on the north by Canada.

Unit M5 - Those portions of Grand Forks, Nelson, Ramsey, and Walsh counties bordered on the north by ND Highway 17, on the west by ND Highway 1, on the south by U.S. Highway 2, and on the east by Minnesota.

Unit M6 - Those portions of Adams, Barnes, Benson, Billings, Bowman, Burleigh, Cass, Dickey, Dunn, Eddy, Emmons, Foster, Golden Valley, Grand Forks, Grant, Griggs, Hettinger, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, McKenzie, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Nelson, Oliver, Ramsey, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Sheridan, Sioux, Slope, Stark, Steele, Stutsman, Traill and Wells counties bordered on the east by Minnesota, on the south by South Dakota, on the west by Montana and on the north by Units M5, M9, M11 or described as a line starting at the intersection of the Montana border and US Highway 200 then east along ND Highway 200 to U.S. Highway 85, then south along U.S. Highway 85 to ND Highway 200, then east along ND Highway 200 continuing on to ND Highway 200A east to the Missouri River near Washburn , then north on ND Highway 200A to ND Highway 200, then east on ND Highway 200 to US Highway 281, then north on U.S. Highway 281 to US Highway 2, then east on U.S. Highway 2 to the Minnesota line.

Unit M8 - Those portions of Bottineau, Cavalier, Pierce, Ramsey, Rolette, and Towner counties bordered on the east by ND Highway 1, on the north by Canada and Unit M4, on the west by ND Highway 60, and on the south by ND Highway 17.

Unit M9 - Those portions of Benson, Bottineau, McHenry, McLean, Towner, Pierce, Ramsey, Renville, Sheridan, Ward and Wells counties bordered on the east by ND Highway 1 and Unit M6, on the north by Unit M8, Unit M4 and Canada. The western and southern borders are composed of ND Highway 256 and U.S. Highway 83 to the point where the highway crosses the southern portion of Lake Sakakawea, then west along Lake Sakakawea and south along the Missouri River to Washburn, then north on ND Highway 200A, then east on ND Highway 200 to the junction of U.S. Highway 281 at Carrington.

Unit M10 - Divide and Burke counties and those portions of Bottineau, Mountrail, Renville, Ward and Williams counties bordered on the east by Unit M9, on the north by Canada, on the west by Montana and on the south by U.S. Highway 2.

Unit M11 - Those portions of Dunn, McKenzie, Mercer, McLean, Mountrail, Ward and Williams counties bordered on the east by Unit M9, on the north by U.S. Highway 2 and on the west by Montana. The southern border starts at the junction of Montana and ND Highway 200, then east along ND Highway 200 to U.S. Highway 85, then south along U.S. Highway 85 to ND Highway 200, then east along ND Highway 200 on to ND Highway 200A east to the Missouri River near Washburn. Mallard Island is included within this unit.

BIGHORN SHEEP

Unit B1 - All of Slope County and those portions of Billings and Golden Valley counties south of Interstate 94.

Unit B2 - Those portions of Golden Valley, Billings, and Stark counties starting at a point where Interstate 94 enters North Dakota, then following Interstate 94 east to HWY 85, then north to USFS 712 (Magpie Creek Road), then west to USFS 711, then west to the Maah Daah Hey Trail, then west and south to USFS 708, then south and west to Divide Road, then north and west to the McKenzie/Golden Valley County line, then west to Montana State Line, then south to point of origin.

Unit B3 - Those portions of Golden Valley, Billings, and McKenzie counties starting at a point where US Highway 85 meets USFS 712 (Magpie Creek Road), then west to USFS 711, then west to the Maah Daah Hey Trail, then west and south to USFS 708, then south and west to Divide Road, then north and west to the McKenzie/Golden Valley County line, then west to the Montana State Line, then north to McKenzie County Road 3 (Hay Draw Road), then east to McKenzie County Road 27 (Red Wing Creek Road), then south to McKenzie County Road 50 (Beicegel Creek Road), the east to US Highway 85, then south to point of origin.

Unit B4 - Those portions of McKenzie and Dunn counties (excluding Unit B5) starting at the intersection of McKenzie County Road 38 (Hay Draw Road) and the Montana State Line, then east to McKenzie County Road 27 (Red Wing Creek Road), then south to McKenzie County Road 50, then east to U.S. Highway 85, then south to ND Highway 200, then east to ND Highway 22 (Killdeer Bypass), then north to ND Highway 73, then west to ND Highway 23, then west to US Highway 85, then north and west to the McKenzie County line, then west to the Montana State line, then south to the point of origin.

Unit B5 - That portion of McKenzie County starting at US Highway 85 and USFS 828, then east and north to USFS 829 (Long X Road), then north to the Little Missouri River, then west on the Little Missouri River to the intersection of US Highway 85 and TRNP North Unit boundary, then west and south along the TRNP boundary to the intersection of Corral Creek and TRNP boundary, then east on Corral Creek to US Highway 85, then north to the point of origin.

13. Special Elk Depredation Management License:

Special elk depredation management licenses may be issued as allowed by N.D.C.C. 20.1-08-04.6 by lottery from the current year’s applicant list when a wild elk is deemed by the Director to be a nuisance to farmed elk operations and other non-lethal measures have been attempted and determined to be ineffective. The Director shall establish specific requirements for each individual license.

14. Special Moose Management Action:

Special moose management actions after the regular season may be utilized by the Department using the current year’s list of licensed moose hunters that were unsuccessful during the regular season. The action will target site-specific problematic moose for harvest specified by the Director where non-lethal measures have been determined to be ineffective or inappropriate. The Director shall establish specific action requirements.

15. Antlerless Elk Depredation Licenses:

Antlerless elk depredation licenses may be allocated according to N.D.C.C 20.1-03-11(7(f)). Licenses issued under this subsection are only valid on land owned or leased and described on the license application. Leased land must be actively farmed or ranched by the lessee.

16. Violations and Penalties:

The following violations have the listed penalties:

• Hunting before or after legal hours (Section 1) up to 30 minutes--penalty--$100. In excess of 30 minutes--Class B misdemeanor.
• Use of motor-driven vehicle in a restricted area (Section 5)--penalty--$50.
• Failure to possess the meat tag before being packaged as food or during transportation (Section 7) --penalty--$250.
• Fail to accompany, possessing or transporting another's game animal or parts thereof excluding hides (Section 8)--penalty--$100.
• Use of illegal equipment (Section 4)--penalty--noncriminal--$100.

Signed by Governor Kelly Armstrong on January 17, 2025

Attest by Secretary of State

Hunting Units Maps

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Appendix 1. Landowner Preference License for Elk: Qualifying Areas.

Unit E1E

Cavalier County

Pembina County

Walsh County

Unit E1W

Bottineau County

Rolette County

Unit E2

Dunn County

McKenzie County

Unit E3

Billings County

Golden Valley County County

Slope County

Unit E4

Billings County

Golden Valley County County

Unit E6

Sioux County

Unit E7

McHenry County