2022 Hunting Season Outlook
Index
- Upland and Small Game
- Ring-necked Pheasants
- Wild Turkey
- Ruffed Grouse
- Sharp-tailed Grouse
- Hungarian Partridge
- Tree Squirrels
- Big Game
- White-tailed Deer
- Mule Deer
- Pronghorn
- Bighorn Sheep
- Moose
- Elk
Introduction
Since this is my first fall outlook article, I should introduce myself to readers. I grew up in central North Dakota where I still reside with my wonderful wife and two sons. We live on a small ranch where we have polled Herefords, goats, chickens, cats and a golden retriever. I loved hunting, fishing, and the outdoors since the beginning of my memories. Staying connected to the land, camping in the badlands chasing mule deer, and wading waist-deep in a pothole for waterfowl is the good life if you ask me. I’ve been with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department as a full-time employee for just over 20 years, starting in our private land section working with landowners as a private land biologist for 13 years. Then I was assistant chief of the wildlife division for seven years before being named wildlife division chief in October 2021.
Time flies.
Speaking of which, what a difference 10 months can make. Coming off an almost two-year drought, the countryside looks a little different this year. It shows how well nature’s plants and animals can endure the hard times and flourish in the good times. Wildlife populations made it through the drought but did struggle in some areas of the state, if not statewide.
Waterfowl production was down last year in North Dakota but with water on the landscape today, it should improve this year’s fall hunting opportunities for waterfowlers. One thing to note is that biologists noticed the hatch for waterfowl, and most ground-nesting birds, was later than typical with the cool spring. Even so, at this point it should be an improvement over last year’s fall flight of waterfowl.
Upland game birds, especially pheasants and sharp-tailed grouse, struggled to pull off broods last year during the drought, according to Department harvest wing data and other field surveys that we do. Conditions this year should be good, where habitat is present, to pull off a brood but the spring was late and cool and nesting seems to have been pushed a little later. We have just started to get into our roadside brood counts at the time of this writing, so we should have a better idea by the end of August on nesting success and brood survival of these upland game birds.
Big game species for the most part came through the drought in fairly good shape, with the exception of white-tailed deer in some areas of the state. Conditions on the landscape last year were ideal for the nasty midge that spreads epizootic hemorrhagic disease and the outbreak in whitetails along the Missouri River corridor was swift and noticeable as deer died in significant numbers. EHD also showed up in a few other areas of the state to varying degrees.
The fallout is deer hunting opportunities were greatly reduced for the 2022 season in these areas. The good news is the midge’s ability to reproduce should have been dampened as the drought finally loosened its grip. Whitetails in these areas should now have a level of immunity from EHD. While we know deer can, and usually do, rebound from this disease, how soon and to what level will have much to do with available habitat and Mother Nature.
While the habitat on the landscape looks good and the potential is there for it to produce the wildlife we all enjoy, the amount of habitat across the state is quite low compared to 10 or more years ago. North Dakota likely can’t get back to the wildlife populations we had in the early to mid-2000s without a significant increase in habitat.
The Department and its wildlife division is really putting a lot of emphasis and effort into habitat creation and enhancement across North Dakota. The private lands initiative section, the folks who manage our Private Lands Open To Sportsmen program, are working relentlessly to improve habitat on private lands. Many of these habitat enhancements can also help farmers and ranchers improve the productivity of their land. Along with the programs already in place, many initiatives and opportunities for landowners may be coming to help make these improvements.
Our resource management section, the folks who manage our more than 200 wildlife management areas across the state, are really trying to increase wildlife production on these areas by getting creative and adding tools to the toolbox to increase habitat diversity and improve habitat health. The main purpose of our WMAs is to produce wildlife and guarantee a place for the public to hunt and enjoy some of that production.
In my time with the Department, I have heard a lot of different opinions on what should be done as wildlife populations have declined on the landscape. Everything from changes to the deer lottery system, to access to wildlife on the landscape. However, if you look deep into these issues, the fixes suggested are more band-aid than a solution. The one thing that makes most of these issues go away is habitat, which can improve soil health, water quality, water quantity, and ultimately wildlife populations.
So, my hope is that readers of this magazine, many of which are likely hunters, will go out and enjoy the outdoors, because North Dakota has many good opportunities to explore. But please consider how you can be a part of improving those opportunities for your neighbors and the next generation.
CASEY ANDERSON is the Game and Fish Department’s wildlife division chief.
Upland and Small Game
--- Ring-necked Pheasants ---
Opens: Oct. 8
Closes: Jan. 1, 2023
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 12
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Pheasants in North Dakota had a mostly mild winter in 2021-22, but these birds and other wildlife were then greeted with two April snowstorms across much of the state.
Results of the spring crowing count survey showed lower numbers of breeding roosters throughout the entire pheasant range. The number of roosters heard calling was down anywhere from 4-42% throughout the state’s good pheasant range. This was not a surprise, as last summer’s drought and poor reproduction caused a decrease in late summer roadside counts.
Cover for nesting hens was far below average in spring due to the lack of moisture from the 2021 drought. Habitat was either hayed/grazed or simply did not grow well enough for early nesting attempts to be successful. On the plus side, we experienced a better spring/summer when it comes to moisture and habitat conditions.
At the time of this writing, Game and Fish biologists were conducting late summer roadside brood counts, and preliminary numbers are similar to 2020. Parts of the state should have good production, so hunters need to be mobile and willing to move to different locations to find optimal hunting opportunities. Northwestern North Dakota is expected to have the best fall pheasant hunting opportunities.
Rodney Gross, Upland Game Management Biologist, Bismarck
--- Youth Pheasant ---
(For legally licensed residents and nonresidents ages 15 and younger.)
Opens: Oct. 1
Closes: Oct. 2
Daily limit: 3
Possession limit: 6
Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
--- Wild Turkeys ---
Opens: Oct. 8
Closes: Jan. 1, 2023
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
The turkey population in many of North Dakota’s hunting units has been higher than normal the past few years due to increased production in the western half of the state. Last year, conditions were less than ideal for a successful turkey hatch, and Department surveys showed that. North Dakota had below average production last spring, but still had a high breeding population of hens, so fall numbers were higher in parts of the state.
The eastern part of the state has seen decreasing numbers of birds the last few years in response to the loss of quality turkey habitat. Early reports from brood surveys showed a slight decrease in the number of turkey broods on the ground in the west. Biologists expect similar production numbers as last year.
Game and Fish increased fall licenses for wild turkeys slightly this fall in attempt to give hunters more opportunities in areas where turkey populations are too high for Department management goals. Biologists suspect the central and west-central parts of the state along river corridors will provide some of the better turkey fall hunting opportunities.
Rodney Gross
--- Ruffed Grouse ---
Opens: Sept. 10
Closes: Jan. 1, 2023
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 12
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Ruffed grouse remain at low numbers in both the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills. Compared to 2021, biologists heard more ruffed grouse drumming in the Turtle Mountains this year and fewer in the Pembina Hills. However, the Turtle Mountains has not had a peak in ruffed grouse since 2009-10, whereas the Pembina Hills had a recent peak in 2020.
Ruffed grouse are an uncommon grouse in North Dakota because they live almost exclusively in aspen forests. They are only found in the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills. Although there was a small population in the J. Clark Salyer Wildlife Refuge (McHenry County), but wildlife managers have not heard ruffed grouse there since 2006.
Jesse Kolar, Upland Game Management Supervisor, Dickinson
Statewide, sharp-tailed grouse numbers were down 13% in spring with the strongest declines in the west (minus 24%). It’s possible some of the declines observed were due to delayed surveys because many of the Department survey blocks were inaccessible during the peak lekking period due to statewide blizzard events.
Department reproduction surveys are showing smaller declines (minus 8% statewide) in grouse observed per mile, but these are roadside surveys and are a better index of reproduction. Reproduction in 2022 looked poor early on (likely because there was more snow than grass at the beginning of the nesting season, and summer started off cool and wet), but observation of broods are picking up.
From this year’s brood counts biologists are seeing an age ratio of 1.8 chicks per adult grouse. For a good sharptail year, biologists expect to see chick-to-adult ratios of 2.0 or higher, but reproduction has been below that since 2020 (based on brood observations and juvenile-to-adult ratios from hunter-submitted wings). The chick-to-adult age ratio has increased this year notably in southwestern North Dakota and Prairie Pothole regions (by 48% and 82%, respectively), so hopefully biologists will observe stable to increasing numbers this fall, despite declines last spring.
Statewide, sharptail populations remain above the lows following the 2017 drought in most of the state. Little Missouri Grassland numbers remain below the 10-year average, while the Prairie Pothole Region, arching along the east side of the Missouri River, remains just above the 10-year average. Grouse numbers are well above normal in the eastern third of North Dakota, however, the eastern part of the state never has really high sharptail densities.
Although conditions were much better for the later part of the nesting season in 2022, it is normal for grouse numbers to bottom out the year following a drought, as was seen following the 2017 drought. The abundant cover on the landscape this summer should provide ample winter cover and should result in adequate nest cover for the early-nesting period beginning next May.
Sharp-tailed grouse nest almost exclusively in native prairie, pastures and planted grasses, so even though they move between nesting season and fall, the best places to find them are in areas near grasslands resembling native prairies. In fall they can often be found in shrub patches on hillsides, alfalfa fields, sunflower fields and near harvested canola fields.
Hunters can request prepaid wing envelopes here.
Jesse Kolar
--- Hungarian Partridge ---
Opens: Sept. 10
Closes: Jan. 1, 2023
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 12
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
While the Department does not have a spring index for partridge, the numbers continue to look good for reproduction based on late summer roadside counts. The statewide average brood size this year is around 9.5 chicks per brood, and 2.1 chicks per adult. Partridge reproduction has been above average for the past 3-5 years, and biologists continue to see good numbers of partridge per mile on roadside surveys, although they are slightly down in southwestern North Dakota and the Prairie Pothole Region (minus 10.7% and minus 6.6%, respectively).
Hunters rarely go “partridge hunting,” but similar to last year, it’s possible that upland hunters could continue to put up a covey every 1-2 days. These numbers are not what they were in the 1980s and early 1990s, but they continue to be higher than the past 20 years.
Partridge overlap with pheasants and sharptails in North Dakota, but their preferred habitat is weedy edges, so hunters should focus on rockpile islands in the middle of harvested fields, lone trees or shrub patches in ditches, field edges, fence lines and so on.
Rodney Gross
--- Tree Squirrels ---
Opens: Sept. 10
Closes: Feb. 28, 2023
Daily Limit: 4
Possession Limit: 12
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Tree squirrels may be taken statewide with firearms loaded with shot, rimfire rifles, or with bows and arrows legal for taking upland game.
Big Game
--- White-tailed Deer ---
Archery Opens: Sep. 3
Archery Closes: Jan. 1, 2023
Regular Gun Season Opens: Nov. 4
Regular Gun Season Closes: Nov. 20
Muzzleloader Opens: Nov. 25
Muzzleloader Closes: Dec. 11
Game and Fish made available 64,200 licenses for the 2022 deer gun hunting season, a decrease of 8,000 from 2021.
Population and harvest data indicate the state’s deer population is stable to decreasing and below management goals, primarily in eastern hunting units. Due to very dry conditions, and a delay in of the first frost by more than a month, a significant epizootic hemorrhagic disease die-off of white-tailed deer occurred during summer and fall of 2021. This EHD die-off was particularly severe along the Missouri River corridor and in some hunting units south and west of the Missouri River. Consequently, there was a decrease in deer licenses allocated in 2022 to encourage population growth. The statewide hunter success rate in 2021 was 57%, which was 9% lower than 2020 and below the goal of 70%.
A total of 26 deer harvested in 2021 tested positive for chronic wasting disease, with CWD being detected for the first time in three hunting units (3D1, 3E2 and 3C). From the 2021 hunter-harvested surveillance, CWD-positive deer were also detected in 3A1 (six mule deer and three white-tailed deer), 3B1 (one mule deer) and 3F2 (11 mule deer and two white-tailed deer). Surveillance will continue in these units to better understand CWD prevalence. As a result, this altered deer management strategies in these and surrounding units. The goal is to minimize the CWD prevalence rate and reduce the spread of the disease outside infected units; therefore, a more aggressive harvest strategy remains in parts of the state. Baiting restrictions for deer now include hunting units 1, 2B, 3A1, 3A2, 3A3, 3A4, 3B1, 3C, 3D1, 3D2, 3E1, 3E2, 3F1, 3F2, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 4F.
Biologists were able to conduct winter aerial surveys in 18 hunting units during winter 2022. Population indices were about the same as when last flown in 2019. However, quality deer habitat is not as abundant as in the past, which has limited the potential for population recovery, particularly in the eastern third of the state. This is due in part to these hunting units having lost more than 70% of CRP grass cover. If CRP contracts continue to expire, by 2026 we will have lost 85% of the once 3.4 million acres present in 2007.
Landowners interested in having more antlerless deer harvested are encouraged to call Game and Fish at 701-328-6300, and Department personnel will direct the number of doe hunters that landowners are comfortable hosting.
A summary of deer licenses for 2022:
- Any-antlered licenses decreased by 150.
- Any-antlerless licenses decreased by 350.
- Antlered white-tailed deer licenses decreased by 4,150.
- Antlerless white-tailed deer licenses decreased by 3,700.
- 1,168 muzzleloader licenses available in 2022 – 584 antlered white-tailed deer licenses and 584 antlerless white-tailed deer licenses. This is an increase of 168 muzzleloader licenses from 2021.
- 305 “I” licenses available for the youth deer hunting season, the same as 2021. “I” licenses are limited in number for units 3B1, 3B2, and 4A-4F, and are valid for any deer. There are unlimited “H” youth deer hunting licenses valid for any deer statewide except antlered mule deer in the above restricted units.
- 810 nonresident any-deer archery licenses available in 2022, up 30 licenses from 2021. The number of nonresident any-deer archery licenses will be 862 in 2023.
- For areas in south Bismarck and Mandan, a limited number of special deer bow season licenses will be available. The areas include private land south and east of Bismarck in Burleigh County, land within Bismarck designated by the Bismarck chief of police, private land in Morton County, and the USDA-ARS Northern Great Plains Research lab in Mandan. Wording was refined to allow for more flexibility by the managing entity of each specified management zone. Watford City is now participating in the special deer-bow herd reduction. The bag limit is one any-antlerless deer for each license.
- A deer 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 photos using a cellphone with location and date and time stamp turned on. One photo of the entire animal at the kill site with tag attached, and a second photo 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 deer head in the field at the kill site, after taking photos 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 deer must be shown to any game warden or other law enforcement officer upon request.
Bill Jensen, Big Game Management Biologist, Bismarck
--- Mule Deer ---
Archery Opens: Sep. 2
Archery Closes: Jan. 1, 2023
Regular Gun Season Opens: Nov. 4
Regular Gun Season Closes: Nov. 20
Bruce Stillings, Big Game Management Supervisor, Dickinson
--- Pronghorn ---
Archery Only Opens: Sept. 2
Archery Only Closes: Sept. 25
Gun/Archery Season Opens: Oct. 7
Gun/Archery Season Closes: Oct. 23
North Dakota hunters will have slightly more opportunities to hunt pronghorn this year due to a minor population increase. Biologists conducted aerial surveys of 14,360 square miles in early July and found that the number of pronghorn in the state increased by 5% from last year.
Pronghorn numbers varied considerably by management region due to nearly two years of drought conditions, epizootic hemorrhagic disease and historic spring blizzards. Hunting unit 4A was affected the most by these factors and the population was down considerably from recent years with record low fawn production, therefore licenses were significantly reduced in this unit. Hunting units 1A, 2A, 2B, 1D and 10A were not affected nearly as much as the extreme southwestern part of the state, as pronghorn increased slightly even with below-average fawn production. Pronghorn remained stable to slightly increasing in units 3A, 3B, 4C, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A, 9A, 9C, 11A and 13A.
In 2022, 1,970 licenses were made available, 250 more than 2021. Hunting units 9A and 9C will be open this fall for the first time since 2009, allowing all hunting units to be open – 1A, 1D, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4C, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A, 9A, 9C, 10A, 11A and 13A. Pronghorn are at a level in hunting units 1A, 2A, 2B, 3B, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A and 11A that allows doe/fawn licenses to be issued to provide additional hunting opportunities.
Lottery licenses can be used during the archery season (Sept. 2-25) with archery equipment or during the rifle season (Oct. 7- 23) using legal firearm or archery equipment for those who do not hunt or harvest during the archery season.
During last year’s season, 1,457 hunters harvested 991 pronghorn for a success rate of 68%.
Bruce Stillings
--- Bighorn Sheep ---
For season details, refer to the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov, or the 2022 bighorn sheep, elk and moose hunting guide.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 2021 bighorn sheep survey, completed by recounting lambs in March, revealed a record 335 bighorn sheep in western North Dakota, up 4% from 2020 and 15% above the five-year average. The count surpassed the previous record of 322 bighorns in 2020.
In total, biologists counted 99 rams, 175 ewes and 61 lambs. Not included are approximately 40 bighorn sheep in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and bighorns introduced to the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in 2020.
This was the fourth consecutive year the survey saw an increase.
The northern badlands population increased 6% from 2020 and was the highest count on record. The southern badlands population declined again to the lowest level since bighorns were reintroduced there in 1966.
Biologists were encouraged to see the count of adult rams increase to near record levels, and adult ewes were at record numbers. Most encouraging was a record lamb count corresponding with a record recruitment rate.
Department biologists count and classify all bighorn sheep in late summer, and then recount lambs the following March as they approach one year of age to determine recruitment.
Department staff, in conjunction with biologists from the Three Affiliated Tribes Fish and Wildlife Division, also reported the bighorn sheep translocated in January 2020 from Rocky Boy’s Reservation in Montana to the Fort Berthold Reservation performed exceptionally well their second year in the state. The population has nearly doubled in just two years, which is exceptional population performance for bighorn sheep.
There are currently almost 450 bighorn sheep among populations managed by the Game and Fish Department, National Park Service and Three Affiliated Tribes Fish and Wildlife Division. The next benchmark is 500 bighorns in the state, which seemed improbable just a few years ago.
A bighorn sheep hunting season is scheduled for 2022. Game and Fish issued five licenses in 2021 and four hunters were successful in harvesting a ram.
Brett Wiedmann, Big Game Management Biologist, Dickinson
--- Moose ---
The number of once-in-a-lifetime moose licenses were slightly reduced in 2022 for this popular big game species. The decrease in licenses is due to a decrease in hunter success and a stable to decreasing moose population based on winter aerial surveys. The reductions are from the northwest region of the state for moose management units M9, M10 and M11. The number of moose licenses will be unchanged for moose units M5, M6 and M8 based on a stable population and good hunter success.
Moose numbers continue to remain lower in historical hunting units in the Turtle Mountains, Pembina Hills and along the Red River corridor. Moose unit M1C, located in the Pembina Hills region, has been closed since 2006 and will remain closed again this year. Moose unit M4, which encompasses the Turtle Mountains, was closed in 2013 and will also remain closed this fall.
Game and Fish issued 404 licenses for 2022. Expectations for the season are high as success for moose historically runs above 90%.
Jason Smith, Big Game Management Biologist, Jamestown
--- Elk ---
North Dakota’s 2022 elk season features an increase in licenses from 2021. The primary increase in licenses is for elk units E1W and E1E in response to an increasing elk population in those areas and landowner tolerance concerns. Licenses in elk units E2, E3, E4 and E6 remained the same as 2021. Elk numbers in these units appear stable based on aerial surveys of core habitat and minimum counts of winter herds.
Game and Fish issued 563 licenses in 2022. Elk hunting in North Dakota can be challenging, both mentally and physically. Although high when compared to western states, success rates for North Dakota elk hunters average just over 60% over the past five years. Antlerless licenses are easier to draw but are the most difficult to fill. Hunters with antlerless licenses should be prepared for a challenging hunt, with many days in the field.
The season outlook for 2022 is expected to be good, with success similar to previous years. As always, making landowner contacts and preseason scouting are essential components to a successful elk hunt.
Jason Smith
Migratory Birds
--- Ducks and Geese ---
North Dakota wetland habitats rebounded nicely following severe drought conditions in 2021. April blizzards and abundant rainfall brought a dramatic swing from dry to wet on our landscape, setting up better prospects for duck production in the state this year. The Game and Fish Department’s 75th annual breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of 3.4 million ducks in the state. Wetland conditions across the state varied from good to excellent, and following extreme dryness, the wetland index skyrocketed 616%; the largest single-year percentage increase on record. Overall, this year’s breeding duck index was the 23rd highest in the 75 years of the survey, up 16% from last year, and 38% above the long-term average.
Except for blue-winged teal, gadwall, green-winged teal and wigeon, all of North Dakota’s primary breeding duck species had indices that increased from 2021. Mallards were up 58% from their 2021 estimate and represented their 25th highest index on record. Ruddy ducks increased 157%, while shovelers and pintails increased 126% and 108%, respectively. Other species’ indices increased from 4% (scaup) to 69% (canvasbacks).
Increased abundance this year brought most species above their 74-year averages. However, some species are still below their long-term average, most notably pintails (minus 32%) and wigeon (minus 24%). Indices above the long-term average ranged from plus 5% (scaup) to plus 112% (redheads); mallards were 48% above their long-term average.
Not surprisingly, the number of broods observed during the Department’s July brood survey increased considerably, up 36% from last year’s count and 5% above the 1965-2021 average. Average brood size was 7.15 ducklings, up 11% from last year’s estimate.
Following the second highest wetland index on the May survey, North Dakota’s landscape has dried up a bit following a very wet spring. July wetland counts were up 81% from 2021, and 12% above the long-term average. Precipitation has persisted enough to keep duck brood habitats in good to excellent condition. For the most part, numbers and conditions of wetlands were good to very good, with wetter conditions in the eastern half of the state.
The fall flight forecast of ducks from North Dakota is up 26% from last year and is the 25th highest fall flight from the state on record.
Numbers of temperate-breeding Canada geese, Western Prairie Canada geese and arctic nesting Tallgrass Prairie Canada geese, snow geese and Ross’s geese all remain high. Production of Canada geese in the state was surprisingly good this year, and large-type Canada geese in the state are very abundant because of strong production in the Dakotas the last three years. Indications from central and western arctic breeding areas are that arctic goose production should be average, with some areas possibly negatively affected by late ice-out.
Hunters should expect favorable conditions for waterfowl hunting in North Dakota this year. Canada goose hunting should be good, but early season hunting may be difficult due to crop harvests that are expected to be later. Canada geese probably won’t start grouping up and moving around much until September due to late reproduction efforts and later crop harvests. We do not expect an overly strong duck migration due to long-term dry conditions in Prairie Canada. Hunters should take advantage of early-migrants like blue-winged teal during the first two weeks of the season as teal production appears to be very good. North Dakota’s waterfowl hunting seasons are always affected by fall weather, and weather patterns from early to late seasons usually are not consistent from year to year. An increase in the percentage of young birds in the fall flight this year should help hunter success.
The Department’s fall wetland survey will give one last look at wetland conditions in September.
Mike Szymanski, Migratory Game Bird Management Supervisor, Bismarck
--- Youth Waterfowl Season ---
(For legally licensed residents and nonresidents ages 15 and younger.)
Opens: Sept. 17
Closes: Sept. 18
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Daily Limit: Ducks and geese – same as regular season.
--- Special Veteran and Active Military Waterfowl Season ---
(For legally licensed veterans and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty, other than for training.)
Opens: Sept. 17
Closes: Sept. 18
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Daily Limit: Ducks and geese – same as regular season (does not include bonus blue-winged teal).
--- Early Canada Goose Hunting ---
Opens: Aug. 15 (statewide)
Closes: Sept. 7 (Missouri River Canada Goose Zone), Sept. 15 (Western Canada Goose Zone), Sept. 22 (Eastern Canada Goose Zone)
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Daily Limit: 15
Possession Limit: 45
--- Canada Geese Regular Season ---
Opens: Sept. 24 (residents only), Oct. 1 (nonresidents)
Closes: Dec. 30 (Missouri River Canada Goose Zone), Dec. 22 (Western Canada Goose Zone), Dec. 17 (Eastern Canada Goose Zone)
Daily Limit: 5 (Missouri River zone), 8 (all other zones)
Possession Limit: 15 (Missouri River zone), 24 (all other zones)
--- White-fronted Geese (Statewide) ---
Opens: Sept. 24 (residents only), Oct. 1 (nonresidents)
Closes: Dec. 4
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 9
--- Light (Snow) Geese (Statewide) ---
Opens: Sept. 24 (residents only), Oct. 1 (nonresidents)
Closes: Dec. 30
Daily Limit: 50, no possession limit
Shooting Hours for all Geese: Half-hour before sunrise to 2 p.m. Exception: Shooting hours are a half-hour before sunrise to sunset on all Saturdays and Wednesdays through the end of each season. Starting Nov. 27, all-day hunting is also allowed on Sundays through the end of each season.
--- Regular Duck Season ---
Low Plains Unit
Opens: Sept. 24 (residents only), Oct. 1 (nonresidents)
Closes: Dec. 4
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
High Plains Unit
Opens: Sept. 24 (residents only), Oct. 1 (nonresidents)
Closes: Dec. 4
Opens: Dec. 10
Closes: Jan. 1
Shooting-hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Daily Limit: Six ducks (including mergansers), which may include no more than five mallards (two of which may be hens), one pintail, one scaup, two redheads, two canvasbacks, and three wood ducks. In addition to the daily bag limit of ducks, an additional two blue-winged teal may be taken from Sept. 24 through Oct. 9.
Possession Limit: Three times the daily limit.
--- Sandhill Cranes ---
Opens: Zone 1 and 2: Sept. 17
Closes: Zone 1 and 2: Nov. 13
Daily Limit Zone 1: 3
Daily Limit Zone 2: 2
Possession Limit Zone 1: 9
Possession Limit Zone 2: 6
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to 2 p.m. daily.
The mid-continent population of sandhill cranes is in good shape heading into fall. The Northern Great Plains experienced a relatively cool spring this year, which slowed down spring migration of most migratory birds. As a result, few sandhill cranes made it north of the central Platte River in Nebraska where the annual spring survey is conducted. Given these conditions, a large proportion of the population was likely captured during the survey. Survey numbers have yet to be finalized for 2022, but initial reports from survey crews are promising. In addition, the three-year population index used for guiding hunting season regulations has been stable to slightly increasing for several years.
Wetland conditions throughout much of North Dakota have also improved tremendously this summer, which will provide plenty of options for roosting sandhill cranes during fall migration.
The two zone – Zone 1 west of U.S. Highway 281 and Zone 2 east of U.S. Highway 281 – structure for sandhill cranes continues. The two zones will have the same season lengths (58 days) and dates, but will continue to have different bag limits. Zone 1 has a daily bag limit of three cranes; in Zone 2 the daily bag limit is two. The possession limit in Zone 1 is nine cranes, and six in Zone 2.
Nonresident sandhill crane hunters can pursue sandhill cranes with either a valid nonresident small game or waterfowl license, in addition to a crane permit. Nonresident sandhill crane permits are valid for use within the dates and zones of nonresident waterfowl or small game licenses selected during purchase.
Hunters are also reminded to be sure of their target before shooting, as federally endangered whooping cranes may be present throughout North Dakota during fall. Report all whooping crane sightings to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Bismarck at 701-328-6300.
Andrew Dinges, Migratory Game Bird Biologist, Bismarck
--- Doves ---
Opens: Sept. 1
Closes: Nov. 29
Daily Limit: 15
Possession Limit: 45
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
North Dakota has an abundant breeding population of mourning doves and based on observations throughout the state, production has been fair this year, but likely below average. A relatively wet spring and summer, including storms and strong winds in most areas of the state, likely limited nest success and reproduction in 2022.
The Game and Fish Department also tallies mourning doves during late summer roadside counts, but numbers have yet to be finalized. Although survey numbers were not yet finalized, age ratios of juvenile to adult birds captured at banding stations indicate fair production in some regions, but in other areas recruitment has been relatively poor.
Despite below average reproduction, North Dakota’s mourning dove population is still very strong, and hunters should find good to excellent opportunities during early September before cooler weather arrives in the state and pushes doves south.
Hunters are encouraged to scout before the season to find the right mix of conditions conducive to concentrating birds. Hunters should look for areas with abundant harvested small grain or oil-seed fields near shelterbelts or other diverse stands of trees. Doves also need to be within a few miles of water sources. Because wet conditions have delayed planting, harvest of small grains and oilseed crops are projected to be a little behind this year, but hunters should still have plenty of places to choose from in September.
Eurasian collared doves continue to expand throughout the state and are found in almost every city and small town. However, these birds are not often found outside of municipalities and are rarely harvested by hunters. Nonetheless, Eurasian collared doves can be pursued during the dove season and are included with mourning doves in the daily bag and possession limits.
Some dove hunters may be contacted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to participate in a wing survey, which involves clipping one wing from each dove shot early in the season to send in for analysis. Hunters are also reminded to look for banded mourning doves in their bag and report bands directly to the Bird Banding Laboratory website at reportband.gov.
Andrew Dinges
--- Crows ---
Fall Season Opens: Aug. 20
Closes: Nov. 7
Spring Season Opens: March 11, 2023
Closes: April 23, 2023
Daily Limit: No limit on crows.
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
In addition to the crow season, crows may be taken when committing or about to commit depredations as specified in federal law.
--- Snipe ---
Opens: Sept. 10
Closes: Dec. 4
Daily Limit: 8
Possession Limit: 24
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
--- Woodcock ---
Opens: Sept. 24
Closes: Nov. 7
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 9
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Furbearers
There are no significant changes to furbearer regulations this fall. Harvest limits, timing of seasons and zones remain similar to last year.
Spring surveys indicated coyote numbers were up slightly in most regions, although their 10-year trendlines are mostly flat or stable. Fox numbers remain low throughout the state but did tick up slightly in areas of western North Dakota and the Prairie Pothole Region. On the other hand, spring surveys indicated muskrat numbers decreased throughout the state, likely a result of last year’s drought. Although slightly wetter conditions maintained in the Red River Valley last year did result in more beavers and mink being observed in that region in spring.
Last season was the first time in over 40 years that bobcat hunting and trapping was allow statewide. The state was split into two management zones: Zone 1, west of U.S. Highway 83 and Zone 2, east of U.S. Highway 83. Bobcat harvest in Zone 2 was limited by both a bag limit (one per person) and an overall harvest season limit (no more than eight total). Hunters and trappers took 48 bobcats in Zone 1 and eight in Zone 2. Bobcat regulations will be the same for the 2022-23 season.
Last year, hunters and trappers also took 22 fishers, 25 river otters and seven mountain lions in Zone 1 (one in the early-season and six in the late-season) and one mountain lion in Zone 2.
Because many furbearer species are difficult to survey due to their secretive nature and naturally low densities, we encourage anyone to report sightings of black bears, bobcats, fishers, martens, mountain lions, river otters and swift foxes. Information about sightings can be submitted online at gf.nd.gov/hunting/furbearers/furbearer-observation.
Trappers are reminded to be mindful of where they place cable devices when the upland game hunting seasons are open and that written permission is required from landowners prior to placing or setting any traps or cable devices on private land, including PLOTS lands. PLOTS lands are privately owned lands leased by the Game and Fish Department for walk-in hunting only and all other activities, including trapping, require landowner permission.
Directions for releasing dogs from traps.
Stephanie Tucker, Game Management Section Leader, Bismarck
--- Mountain Lion Hunting ---
Zone 1 (early)
Opens: Sep. 2
Closes: Nov. 20
Zone 1 (late)
Opens: Nov. 21
Closes: March 31, 2023
Zone 2
Opens: Sep. 2
Closes: March 31, 2023
The overall harvest limit on mountain lions in Zone 1 is once again 15, with an early season limit of eight, and a late-season limit of seven (or three females, whichever comes first). If the early season ends before eight mountain lions are taken, a conditional season could reopen after the late season, if the late season limit is reached prior to March 25.
There is no mountain lion harvest limit in Zone 2.
Mountain lions may be hunted statewide by residents using legal firearms or archery equipment during regular hunting hours. Beginning Nov. 21, mountain lions may also be hunted by pursuing with dogs. Cable devices and traps are not allowed. The limit is one lion per hunter. Kittens (lions with visible spots), or females accompanied by kittens, may not be taken.
Hunters must either contact the local game warden or Department field office or register their harvest online via their account and make arrangements to have their lion inspected and tagged.
--- River Otter Trapping or Cable Devices ---
Opens: Nov. 21
Closes: March 15, 2023
Limit of one per person. Total harvest limit of 25 statewide.
Trappers must either contact the local game warden or Department field office or register their harvest online via their account to report their harvest within 12 hours and make arrangements to have their river otter tagged. For more information, see the North Dakota 2022-23 Hunting and Trapping Guide.
--- Fisher Trapping or Cable Devices ---
Opens: Nov. 21
Closes: Nov. 27
Open statewide except for Bottineau and Rolette counties. Limit one per person. Trappers must contact the local game warden or Department field office or register their harvest online via their account to report their harvest within 12 hours and make arrangements to have their fisher tagged. For more information, see the North Dakota 2022-23 Hunting and Trapping Guide.
--- Beaver and Raccoon Hunting, Trapping or Underwater Cable Devices ---
Open: Year-round.
For more information, see the North Dakota 2022-23 hunting and trapping guide.
--- Beaver and Raccoon Cable Devices on Land ---
Opens: Nov. 21
Closes: March 15, 2023
From March 16, 2023, through May 10, 2023, cable devices must be within 50 feet of water; must be no more than 4 inches off the ground and must have a stop restricting loop size to 12 inches or less in diameter. Beaver dams may be dismantled when their presence causes property damage.
--- Weasel Trapping, Hunting or Cable Devices ---
Trapping
Opens: Oct. 22
Hunting and Cable Devices
Opens: Nov. 21
Closes: March 15, 2023
Weasels may be hunted statewide with rimfire or pre-charged pneumatic air guns of .22 caliber or smaller and archery equipment.
--- Muskrat and Mink Trapping, Hunting or Cable Devices ---
Trapping Opens: Oct. 22
Hunting and Cable Devices
Opens: Nov. 21
Closes: May 10, 2023
Muskrat huts may be opened for insertion of traps or cable devices; however, the huts must be restored to their approximate original condition to prevent freeze-up.
Beginning March 16, 2023, colony traps must be under at least 2 inches of water, and trapping or using cable devices on the outside of any muskrat house or structure of any size is prohibited; traps may be placed completely inside a muskrat house or structure of any size, except when used on float sets; foothold traps must be submerged under water at all times or must have a protective covering; body-gripping traps used in water can have no more than 2 inches of the trap above the water or must have a protective covering.
Beginning May 1, 2023, float sets must have a protective covering.
Mink and muskrat may be hunted statewide with rimfire cartridges or pre-charged pneumatic air guns of .22 caliber or smaller and archery equipment.
--- Bobcat Trapping, Hunting or Cable Devices ---
Zone 1
Hunting and Trapping Opens: Nov. 5
Cable Devices Opens: Nov. 21
Closes: March 15, 2023
Beginning Nov. 21, bobcats may also be trapped using cable devices and hunted by pursing with dogs.
The pelt and carcass of each bobcat taken in Zone 1 must be presented to Department personnel for inspection and tagging prior to sale or transfer of possession, but no later than 14 days after the close of the season.
Zone 2
Opens: Nov. 21
Closes: March 15, 2023
Limit is one bobcat per person in Zone 2 and total harvest limit is eight.
In Zone 2, anyone who harvests a bobcat must either contact the local game warden or Department field office or register their harvest online via their account to report their harvest within 12 hours and make arrangements to have their bobcat tagged.
For more information, see the 2022-23 Hunting and Trapping guide.
--- Red Fox, Gray Fox, Coyote Trapping, Hunting or Cable Devices ---
Day hunting and trapping opens: Year-round
Night hunting and cable devices opens: Nov. 21
Closes: March 15, 2023
Red fox, gray fox and coyote may be hunted at any hour from Nov. 21 through March 15, 2023. Any hunter who engages in the hunting of red fox, gray fox or coyote during the time from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, must hunt exclusively on foot.
Hunters can use night vision, artificial light, thermal vision, and infrared light equipment during the night hunting season. Hunters are prohibited from using archery equipment (including crossbows) for night hunting until after the close of the archery deer season.
--- Badger Trapping, Hunting or Cable Devices ---
Hunting and trapping opens: Year-round
Cable Devices Opens: Nov. 21
Closes: March 15, 2023