2017 Small Game and Furbearer Regulations Set
North Dakota's 2017 small game and furbearer regulations are set and most season structures are similar to last year.
Notable changes include:
Fur harvesters will have an opportunity to take river otters, with a season quota of 15 taken by traps and cable devices. A limit of one per person is allowed during this season.
As per North Dakota Century Code, snares (cable devices) must be permanently affixed with a metal or plastic tag to include the person's name, address and telephone number, or an equipment number.
The delayed pheasant opening area in Williams and McKenzie counties is eliminated. The pheasant season will open statewide Oct. 7.
Prairie chicken and sage grouse seasons will remain closed due to low populations.
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 Oct. 7-13.
Hunters should refer to the North Dakota 2017-18 Small Game and Furbearer guides (available mid-August) for more details on small game and furbearer seasons. Printed waterfowl guides will be available in early September.
Species | Opens | Closes | Daily Limit | Possession Limit |
---|---|---|---|---|
Early Canada Goose | Aug. 15 | Sept. 15 (Sept. 7 Missouri River Zone) | 15 | 45 |
Crows (fall) | Aug. 19 | Nov. 6 | No limit | No limit |
Dove | Sept. 1 | Nov. 29 | 15 | 45 |
Mountain lion zone 1 early (zone limit 8) | Sept. 1 | Nov. 26 (or when zone limit is reached) | Season limit of 1 per hunter | |
Mountain lion zone 2 | Sept. 1 | March 31 | Season limit of 1 per hunter | |
Mountain lion zone 1 late (zone limit 7 or 3 females) | Nov. 27 | March 31 (or when zone limit is reached) | Season limit of 1 per hunter | |
Hungarian partridge | Sept. 9 | Jan. 7 | 3 | 12 |
Sharp-tailed grouse | Sept. 9 | Jan. 7 | 3 | 12 |
Ruffed grouse | Sept. 9 | Jan. 7 | 3 | 12 |
Tree squirrels | Sept. 9 | Jan. 7 | 4 | 12 |
Sandhill crane unit 1 | Sept. 16 | Nov. 12 | 3 | 9 |
Sandhill crane unit 2 | Sept. 16 | Nov. 12 | 2 | 6 |
Snipe | Sept. 16 | Dec. 3 | 8 | 24 |
Woodcock | Sept. 23 | Nov. 6 | 3 | 9 |
Tundra swan | Sept. 30 | Dec. 31 | Season limit of 1 per hunter (license issued by lottery) | |
Pheasants | Oct. 7 | Jan. 7 | 3 | 12 |
Weasel trapping | Oct. 28 | March 15 | ||
Mink, Muskrat trapping | Oct. 28 | May 10 | ||
Fisher trapping | Nov. 27 | Dec. 3 | Season limit of 1 per trapper | |
River Otter | Nov. 27 | March 15 | Season limit of 1 per trapper |