2025 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
This is my last fall outlook article for North Dakota OUTDOORS as I have stepped into a new position with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department as deputy director.
So, from a personal note and beyond, some interesting happenings from the last year, including the second relatively mild winter in a row, which was good news for critters and people; a newly elected governor in Kelly Armstrong who has a passion for hunting, probably only matched by a small number of hunters in the state; and a legislative session that seemed to swirl at a faster pace than I can remember.
The Department also continued to ramp up its habitat message at the North Dakota Habitat and Access Summit in December to remind North Dakotans of the importance of having quality habitat on the landscape and its positive influence on wildlife populations. In concert with that effort, we also gathered input on ways to improve our hunting and outdoor traditions that many hold so dear. We have folks in the Department working tirelessly on many of the recommendations from the summit with Gov. Armstrong and his staff, to help turn the tide.
In the interim, I encourage readers to build a better understanding of the reality that not all our wildlife species are created equal, especially when it comes to their habitat needs and distribution.
The big game hunting world is an interesting one. Deer licenses were obviously drastically cut again for 2025. Adequate habitat is in short supply for deer in North Dakota. To stimulate a rebound, deer, compared to other hunted species, not only need larger expanses of habitat during the hunting season, but need it year-round. While Mother Nature helped us out with back-to-back mild winters, the process is slow, and without adequate habitat that process is even slower.
Mule deer are holding their own but some drought conditions, epizootic hemorrhagic disease, and maybe even some competition from elk in the badlands, is slowing their rebound. Elk and moose are doing well, and those unique hunting opportunities are still good in the state. Pronghorn should have benefited from the easy winter, but they did have some EHD problems last summer and fall that influenced the number of licenses made available to hunters this fall compared to 2024.
On another note, pheasants have done extremely well and those who pursue them will likely see that this fall. While biologists at this time of this writing have yet to complete the Department’s brood counts, the possibility is there to have an impressive 2025 pheasant season. So, why is that? Habitat is in short supply you said. Well, pheasants don’t require massive expanses of habitat, although that doesn’t hurt them. They thrive on the edge with adequate habitat, small grains and decent winters. If these stars align, they can bounce back extremely fast, and it looks like that might be the case.
Gray (Hungarian) partridge are on the same edge but like it a little drier, and their numbers are looking good as well. Our native sharp-tailed grouse, however, are holding their own, but need much larger expanses of grass with a more native grass/forb component to thrive. Sharptails are showing more signs of the reduced habitat conditions on the landscape in certain areas but have not quite taken the population dive as some other species.
Waterfowl are still struggling as well. Although they migrate to avoid winter conditions, it’s all about nesting and brood rearing for them. North Dakota is called the Duck Factory for a reason. We raise a high proportion of the ducks people see in the Central Flyway. Yet, without wetlands and grasslands to accommodate the birds, the difference is noted throughout the entire flyway.
Now don’t get me wrong, there are ducks to harvest, and I will make sure to have a few plucked mallards for the smoker myself, but the long-term trend is down and needs to be reversed to provide quality hunting opportunities in the future.
So, if you didn’t draw a deer tag, it’s a good year to put a few rounds through your shotgun and spend some time hunting upland game. For those who drew a big game tag, relish the opportunity. Just know that the Department is working hard and exploring new avenues to improve these populations, as well as their habitats, and help maintain our hunting heritage. The Department can’t do it alone, but North Dakota can if it wants too.
Happy hunting.
CASEY ANDERSON is the Game and Fish Department’s deputy director.
Upland and Small Game
--- Ring-necked Pheasants ---
Opens: Oct. 11
Closes: Jan. 4, 2026
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 12
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Pheasants in North Dakota had back-to-back mild winters, beginning in 2023-24, with most of the state receiving little to no snow.
Results of the spring crowing count survey showed higher numbers of breeding roosters throughout the entire pheasant range. The number of roosters heard calling was up anywhere from 8-30% throughout the state’s good pheasant range, reinforcing the Department’s results from last summer’s roadside brood counts that showed improved production of all upland birds.
Cover for nesting hens was above average in spring due to excess precipitation from timely fall and spring rains. Habitat was lush and green for early nesting attempts to be successful. However, summer had its fair share of severe weather events that included hail, heavy rain and damaging winds. It is expected that conditions during peak hatch were not favorable for high chick survival in some parts of the state, especially northwestern North Dakota.
As of this late August writing, Department personnel are conducting late summer roadside brood counts, and preliminary numbers indicate hunters will see a similar number of adult birds and fewer juveniles this fall compared to 2024.
As always, hunters need to be mobile and willing to move to different locations to find localized optimal hunting opportunities. It’s expected the southwestern part of the state will provide the best opportunities this fall.
Rodney Gross, Upland Game Management Biologist, Bismarck
--- Youth Pheasant ---
(For legally licensed residents and nonresidents ages 15 and younger.)
Opens: Oct. 4
Closes: Oct. 5
Daily limit: 3
Possession limit: 6
Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
--- Wild Turkeys ---
Opens: Oct. 11
Closes: Jan. 4, 2026
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 favorable for a successful turkey hatch, and surveys showed that. Turkey production was good last spring. Coupled with a high breeding population of hens, 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 indicated a slight decrease in the number of turkey broods on the ground, and fewer adults in the west. Turkey production numbers are expected to be slightly lower this year due to extreme weather during the nesting season.
The Department decreased fall licenses for wild turkeys slightly this fall in response to low brood observations. It’s suspected the central and west-central parts of the state along river corridors will provide some of the better turkey hunting opportunities in the state this fall.
Rodney Gross
--- Ruffed Grouse ---
Opens: Sept. 13
Closes: Jan. 4, 2026
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 12
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
The spring ruffed grouse survey in the Turtle Mountains indicated a 23% decrease from 2024 in the number of drums heard, but 2024 was the highest number of drums in the Turtle Mountains since 2009-10. Ruffed grouse drums heard in the Pembina Hills were almost identical between 2024 and 2025.
Ruffed grouse hunting should be average to above average in North Dakota this year.
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), ruffed grouse have not been heard there since 2006.
Jesse Kolar, Upland Game Management Supervisor, Dickinson
The sharp-tailed grouse index (weighted average by area surveyed) for 2025 was down 13% statewide from 2024. The mild winter facilitated the fairly stable population from 2024.
Although Department 2025 brood routes are still ongoing at the time of this writing in late August, preliminary results are showing about 40-50% declines in grouse density, brood sizes (average fewer than 4 chicks per brood), and age ratio (about 1.4 chicks per adult). These numbers are quite concerning heading into fall, and either indicate relatively poor detectability this year (possibly due to exceptional vegetation cover; fingers crossed), or a statewide die-off, which is also possible considering increased rates of West Nile virus in North Dakota this year.
Department brood routes are not designed to measure grouse density like spring lek counts are, but even if we only have 13% declines in the adult population, the small brood sizes and low juvenile-to-adult ratios are likely to be noticed since most sharptails harvested for a given year are juveniles.
Lower reproduction is likely due to extreme rain and cold weather events at the onset of nest incubation dates (mid-May) and extended wet weather throughout the reproductive season. Sharptails are adapted to drier climates, so they might not have been able to withstand the moisture as well as pheasants and partridge.
Statewide, sharptail populations are back to their 10-year average. The numbers appear to be declining in the northwest, where we had above-average densities from 2019-23, and the southwest had remained stable until the poor reproduction this year. The eastern third of the state continues to hold very few grouse, as sharptails primarily reproduce on pastures and other grasslands.
Sharptail 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 the fall they can often be found in shrub patches on hillsides, alfalfa fields, sunflower fields, and near harvested canola fields.
The sharp-tailed hunting regulations changed last year, no longer being closed to hunting in northern Grand Forks County. This area had been closed to prevent incidental take of greater prairie chickens after they were reintroduced to the area. However, sharptails have taken over the area, and prairie chickens have all but disappeared, so the area will be re-opened. The season remains closed for prairie chickens, so hunters in Grand Forks County are encouraged to see identification pages on the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov, and they should be prepared to pass up anything they are not able to identify as a sharp-tailed grouse with certainty.
Hunters can request prepaid wing envelopes here.
Jesse Kolar
--- Gray Partridge ---
Opens: Sept. 13
Closes: Jan. 4, 2026
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 12
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Although the Department does not have a spring index for gray partridge, commonly referred to as Hungarian partridge, biologists continue to hear reports across the state of how many partridge people are seeing. However, this is the second year since 2019 that Department reproduction surveys for partridge are lower than where they were from 2019-23.
So far, biologists are seeing similar brood sizes, number of broods, and densities compared to 2024. Partridge reproduction had been excellent from 2019-23, so despite declines, the population still looks healthy with higher-than-average numbers of partridge across the state.
Hunters rarely go “partridge hunting,” but like last year, upland hunters could expect to put up a covey of partridge every one to two days (or more in some areas). One downside with lower reproduction is that coveys will be smaller. Instead of seeing coveys of 12-15 birds, it’s likely hunters will notice many more coveys with fewer than 10 partridge.
Partridge overlap with pheasants and sharptails in North Dakota, but their preferred habitat is weedy edges, so focus on rock pile 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. 13
Closes: Feb. 28, 2026
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: Aug. 29
Archery Closes: Jan. 4, 2026
Youth Gun Season Opens: Sept. 19
Youth Gun Season Closes: Sept. 28
Regular Gun Season Opens: Nov. 7
Regular Gun Season Closes: Nov. 23
Muzzleloader Opens: Nov. 28
Muzzleloader Closes: Dec. 14
The Game and Fish Department made available 42,300 licenses for the 2025 deer gun hunting season, a decrease of 7,800 from 2024. Statewide hunter success for the 2024 regular gun season was similar to 2023 at 55%.
Hunter observations and harvest indices indicate deer populations are stable to decreasing with populations below objectives in most hunting units. Several units south and west of the Missouri River were affected by epizootic hemorrhagic disease late last summer resulting in lower success rates for white-tailed deer and a reduction in whitetail tags for this season.
Big game biologists were unable to conduct winter aerial surveys last winter due to lack of conditions required to effectively survey white-tailed deer. Back-to-back mild winters have resulted in minimal winter losses, though any benefits gained from these winters were tempered due to drought conditions and lack of quality habitat.
Loss of quality habitat, particularly winter cover and fawning habitat, continues to be a challenge for deer throughout the state. These losses limit carrying capacity resulting in an overall lower population and slow the potential for population growth after disturbances such as EHD and severe winters. Without a significant increase in the amount of quality white-tailed deer habitat, lower deer numbers and slower recovery after disturbances will likely be the “new normal” for the state’s deer population.
A total of 17 deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease in 2024, 15 of which were harvested by hunters during the regular gun season. CWD was found in two new units: 3B2 (one mule deer) and 3B3 (one white-tailed deer). Other units where deer tested positive include 3A1 (seven mule deer), 3E1 (one mule deer), 3E2 (one mule deer) and 3F2 (four mule deer and two white-tailed deer).
Surveillance for the 2025 season will focus on units in the northwestern portion of the state in units 3A1, 3A2, 3A3, 3B1, 3B2, 4A, 4B and 4C. Hunters wishing to have their deer tested regardless of the hunting unit may request a sampling kit online at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov, visit a Game and Fish district office, or drop the head off at one of the Department’s drop-off sites.
Landowners interested in having more antlerless deer harvested are encouraged to call the 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 2025:
- Any antlered licenses decreased by 2,700.
- Any antlerless licenses decreased by 2,150.
- Antlered white-tailed deer licenses decreased by 950.
- Antlerless white-tailed deer licenses decreased by 1,750.
- 806 muzzleloader licenses were made available – 403 antlered white-tailed deer licenses and 403 antlerless white-tailed deer licenses. This is a decrease of 150 muzzleloader licenses from 2024.
- 160 “I” licenses were made available for the youth deer hunting season (ages 14 and 15). “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.
- 100 “N” licenses were made available for the youth deer hunting season (ages 11, 12 and 13). “N” licenses are limited in number for units 3B1, 3B2 and 4A-4F, and are valid for any antlerless deer. There are unlimited “O” youth deer hunting licenses valid for any antlerless deer statewide except for antlerless mule deer in the above restricted units.
- 300 nonresident any deer archery licenses were made available, down 37 from 2024.
Benjamin Matykiewicz, Big Game Management Biologist, Bismarck
--- Mule Deer ---
Archery Opens: Aug. 29
Archery Closes: Jan. 4, 2026
Regular Gun Season Opens: Nov. 7
Regular Gun Season Closes: Nov. 23
The 2025 spring index for mule deer in the badlands was 14% lower than 2024 and 18% below the long-term average. Mule deer in the badlands have been stable to declining since 2018 due to below average fawn production.
For the 2025 season, 1,600 antlered and 400 antlerless licenses were made available. A mule deer buck license remains one of the most difficult licenses to draw, but for those lucky few, it should result in a very high-quality hunt. Hunter success for mule deer buck hunters was 80% in 2024.
There remain many challenges facing the future population recovery of mule deer in the badlands. Encroachment of juniper in mule deer habitat, direct and indirect habitat loss due to oil development, predators, and weather conditions, including extreme winters, are all challenges facing long-term population recovery of mule deer in the badlands.
Bruce Stillings, Big Game Management Supervisor, Dickinson
--- Pronghorn ---
Archery Only Opens: Aug. 29
Archery Only Closes: Sept. 21
Gun/Archery Season Opens: Oct. 3
Gun/Archery Season Closes: Oct. 19
North Dakota hunters will have similar opportunities to hunt pronghorn this fall compared to 2024 with 45 more licenses issued this season. Also, a new unit with limited hunting opportunities will be opened east of the Missouri River in Emmons, Mcintosh and Logan counties for the first time due to a change in law regulating allocation of licenses.
Although last winter was mild, range-wide increase of pronghorn did not occur in 2025. The population estimate of 7,138 was down slightly from 2024. The lack of range-wide population growth was due to record low fawn production. Fawn production in 2025 was 39 fawns per 100 does, which is well below the 20 year-average of 56 fawns per 100 does.
It appears the lack of pronghorn population growth was due to the EHD virus. Six pronghorn were confirmed to have died from EHD across western North Dakota which accounted for 10% of EHD reports in 2024. EHD can cause direct mortality in pronghorn and negatively impact next year’s fawn production due to fetal loss in pregnant does infected by the virus. Future population recovery will be dependent on upcoming winter conditions and fawning success in 2026.
Lottery licenses can be used during the archery season (Aug. 29 (noon) – Sept. 21) with archery equipment or during the rifle season (Oct. 3 – Oct. 19) using legal firearm or archery equipment for those who do not hunt or harvest during the archery season.
Last year’s season was successful with 1,019 hunters harvesting 700 pronghorn for a success rate of 69%.
Bruce Stillings
--- Bighorn Sheep ---
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 2024 bighorn sheep survey, completed by recounting lambs in March, revealed a minimum of 350 bighorn sheep in the grasslands of western North Dakota, down 4% from 2023 and 6% above the five-year average. Despite a slight decrease from the record count in 2023, the 2024 survey was still the second highest count on record.
Altogether, biologists counted 105 rams, 199 ewes and 46 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.
Department big game biologists were pleased to see the population remain near record levels for the seventh consecutive year.
The northern badlands population declined by 4% from 2023 but was the second highest count on record. The southern badlands population increased slightly but remained near its lowest level since bighorns were reintroduced there in 1966.
Biologists were encouraged to see adult rams and adult ewes near record numbers. The streak of four consecutive record counts was broken due to below-average lamb recruitment in 2024, as lambs recruited into the population declined 21% compared to 2023.
The decline in lamb recruitment was likely not related to disease, but a combination of drought, predation and ewes recovering after several years of high lamb recruitment. The state’s adult ewes have invested a lot of energy in rearing lambs the last four years, so sometimes they just need to take a break and concentrate on improving body condition.
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.
Currently, about 480 bighorns make up the populations managed by the Game and Fish Department, National Park Service and the Three Affiliated Tribes Fish and Wildlife Division, just shy of the benchmark of 500 bighorns in the state.
A bighorn sheep hunting season is scheduled for 2025. Game and Fish issued seven licenses in 2024, and all hunters were successful in harvesting a ram.
Brett Wiedmann, Big Game Management Biologist, Dickinson
--- Moose ---
The number of once-in-a-lifetime licenses for moose increased in 2025 for this popular big game species. The increase in licenses is due to an observed increase in the population based on previous winter aerial surveys and a slight increase in hunter success.
The increases are from the northwest region of the state for moose management units M10 and M1. The number of moose licenses slightly decreased for moose unit M5 and remain unchanged for units M6, M8 and M9 based on a stable population and good hunter success.
Numbers of moose 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.
The Department made available 296 licenses for the 2025 moose season. 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 2025 elk season features an increase in licenses from 2024. The primary increase in licenses were for elk units E2 and E3. This was in response to an increasing elk population in those areas and landowner tolerance concerns. License numbers in elk unit E1E were reduced slightly for antlerless licenses due to low hunter success. Licenses in E1W, E4 and E6 remained the same as 2024. Elk numbers in these units appear stable based on aerial surveys of core habitat and minimum counts of winter herds.
A new unit, unit E7, was created to increase elk hunting opportunities and to accommodate landowners surrounding J Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge who have elk on their property. General lottery license holders in unit E7 can transition to E1W beginning Nov. 24, due to the uncertainty of elk behavior and movements with the opening of the refuge to elk hunting for the first time in 2025.
The Department made available 960 licenses for the 2025 elk season. Elk hunting in North Dakota can be very challenging, both mentally and physically. Although high compared to other western states, success rates for North Dakota elk hunters averaged just over 60% for 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 very challenging hunt with many days in the field. The season outlook for elk in 2025 is expected to be good with success similar to previous years.
As always, making landowner contacts and preseason scouting prior to the season opener is recommended and is an essential component to a successful moose or elk hunt.
Jason Smith
--- Ducks and Geese ---
Migratory Birds
As we look ahead to the 2025 waterfowl season, North Dakota experienced a wide range of weather conditions that influenced both wetlands and waterfowl populations. Considerable shifts in rainfall patterns shaped the landscape in different ways over the past year. While many population trends remain concerning, there are some positives, and hunters still have reasons to look forward to the coming season.
Much of the western half of North Dakota experienced significant dryness last year. By late summer 2024, most wetlands under five acres and some larger, shallow basins had dried up. With the exception of central and northeastern areas, much of the state faced drought or excessive dryness by mid-October. These conditions persisted into mid-November as warm, dry weather lingered. Winter brought below-average snowfall, and an early spring arrived with little snow cover and above-average temperatures in March.
Mallards and pintails were seen moving through North Dakota as early as mid-March, but the lack of meltwater in temporary ponds, coupled with frozen semi-permanent wetlands, meant that many early migrants simply passed through without stopping. Fortunately, April brought a welcome change; seasonal spring temperatures and widespread precipitation delivered 1.5 to 4 inches of precipitation across most of the state.
North Dakota’s May breeding duck survey is carefully timed to match the settling patterns of waterfowl in the state. This year’s 78th survey was the earliest on record, starting May 6. The May index was 2.6 million ducks; a notable drop and the lowest count since 1994. Still, this number sits 7% above the long-term (1948-2024) average, but is down 34% from the 1994-2016 average.
Breeding duck numbers typically follow wetland conditions. This year, the wetland index was down 38% from last year and 33% below the long-term average. Most dabbler species, with the exception of wigeon, saw declines compared to 2024. Mallards were down 26%, and blue-winged teal dropped nearly 16%. The mallard count, while lower than usual, was still the 33rd highest in survey history.
Not all the news was gloomy, though. Diving duck species showed a strong increase, with redheads up 23%, the highest count on record. The total diver index was the highest since 2020 and the second highest in the past two decades.
Spring started off dry, with poor to fair wetland conditions noted across much of the state in early May. After the survey, another challenge arrived as several days of 90-degree temperatures and strong winds dried out the landscape even further. Fortunately for waterfowl, nearly a week of steady rain arrived in the third week of May. Many western and central areas received 4 to 7 inches. Although some large basins remained dry, smaller wetlands were replenished, providing good pair habitat for ducks that stayed in the state. These timely rains helped move wetland conditions back to fair-to-good levels for late-nesting birds, even if the earlier dry spell likely limited how many ducks settled here.
Total wetlands observed during the July duck brood survey were down 50% from an unusually wet 2024 and 22% below the long-term average. Many northern areas of the state remained dry through June and July, but south-central areas received enough rain for good brood habitat. The number of duck broods was up 28% from last year and just 2% below average. Overall, the fall flight forecast is up 2% from last year, ranking as the 30th highest in 61 years.
Canada geese that largely nest in North Dakota were down slightly from last year but remain plentiful. Goose production was fair across most of the state, with certain areas experiencing higher nesting success. Other goose species, such as Western Prairie and Tallgrass Prairie Canada geese, snow geese, and Ross’s geese, showed similar trends; some recent declines, but populations are still robust. Hunters can expect good goose numbers this fall.
This season also brings a couple of important regulation changes. The daily pintail bag limit has increased from one to three birds. While pintail numbers are still a concern, new science and adaptive regulations show that this increase is sustainable and that larger threats, like habitat loss, remain the primary challenge for this species. Additionally, the nonresident waterfowl license structure has been updated, removing the statewide license and creating new zones. This will help the Department track hunting pressure more effectively and distribute it more evenly across the state. Lastly, there will be an increase in shooting hours for geese. Starting Nov. 30, all day hunting for geese will now include Friday.
All told, hunters can expect a fall flight similar to last year, which will be further shaped by North Dakota’s dynamic weather patterns. Fall conditions are famously unpredictable and can change quickly, so adaptability remains key for both hunters and birds. We’ll have a clearer picture after the September wetland survey, but as always, a North Dakota fall promises variety, opportunity, and plenty for waterfowlers to look forward to.
John Palarski, Migratory Game Bird Management Supervisor, Bismarck
--- Youth Waterfowl Season ---
(For legally licensed residents and nonresidents ages 15 and younger.)
Opens: Sept. 20
Closes: Sept. 21
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Daily Limit: Ducks and geese – same as regular season (does not include bonus blue-winged teal).
--- 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. 20
Closes: Sept. 21
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. 27 (residents only), Oct. 4 (nonresidents)
Closes: Jan. 2 (Missouri River Canada Goose Zone), Dec. 25 (Western Canada Goose Zone), Dec. 20 (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. 27 (residents only), Oct. 4 (nonresidents)
Closes: Dec. 7
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 9
--- Light (Snow) Geese (Statewide) ---
Opens: Sept. 27 (residents only), Oct. 4 (nonresidents)
Closes: Jan. 4
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. 30, all-day hunting is also allowed on Fridays and Sundays through the end of each season.
--- Regular Duck Season ---
Low Plains Unit
Opens: Sept. 27 (residents only), Oct. 4 (nonresidents)
Closes: Dec. 7
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
High Plains Unit
Opens: Sept. 27 (residents only), Oct. 4 (nonresidents)
Closes: Dec. 7
Opens: Dec. 13
Closes: Jan. 4, 2026
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), three pintails, two redheads, two canvasbacks, one scaup and three wood ducks. In addition to the daily bag limit of ducks, an additional two blue-winged teal may be taken from Sept. 27 through Oct. 5.
Possession Limit: Three times the daily limit.
--- Sandhill Cranes ---
Opens: Zone 1 and 2: Sept. 20
Closes: Zone 1 and 2: Nov. 16
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. Exception: Shooting hours are a half-hour before sunrise to sunset on all Saturdays and Wednesdays beginning Sept. 27 through the end of each season.
The mid-continent population of sandhill cranes remains healthy heading into the 2025 fall hunting season. Each spring, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducts an aerial survey along Nebraska’s central Platte River Valley. Although final 2025 numbers are still pending, preliminary data indicate another strong population estimate.
Over the past decade, this population has shown an upward trend. The three-year average population estimate, which guides regulatory decisions, continues to exceed management concern thresholds. As a result, North Dakota hunters can expect abundant opportunities to pursue sandhill cranes again in 2025.
The two zone — Zone 1 west of U.S. Highway 281 and Zone 2 east of U.S. Highway 281 — structure for sandhill cranes will continue. The two zones will have the same season lengths (58 days) and dates but will again 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.
John Palarski
--- Doves ---
Opens: Sept. 1
Closes: Nov. 29
Daily Limit: 15
Possession Limit: 45
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
North Dakota continues to be an important breeding area for mourning doves within the Central Management Unit. Field observations across the state suggest strong production and abundance this year. As with the previous season, favorable weather conditions, including timely spring rainfall across much of the state, supported successful nesting and likely resulted in solid recruitment.
While official data from the Game and Fish Department’s late summer roadside counts are still pending for 2025, trends over the past five years have shown an upward trajectory in dove numbers. Furthermore, age ratios of juvenile to adult birds captured at statewide banding stations indicate productive breeding success this year.
Dove hunters can expect good to excellent hunting opportunities during early September, before cooler weather prompts migratory movement to the south. Scouting ahead of the season remains important to locate areas where birds are concentrated. Productive locations typically include harvested small grain or oil-seed fields situated near shelter belts or other stands of trees that provide cover. Proximity to water sources is also a key factor, as doves usually remain within a few miles of a water supply.
Eurasian collared doves continue to expand their range and are now common in nearly every city and small town in North Dakota. However, they are seldom found in rural areas and rarely harvested during typical dove hunts. Still, these birds may be taken during the dove hunting season and, if harvested, count toward the daily bag and possession limits along with mourning doves.
Some hunters may be randomly selected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to participate in a wing survey, which involves submitting one wing from each dove harvested early in the season for analysis. Additionally, hunters are reminded to check for leg bands on mourning doves and report any banded birds directly to the Bird Banding Laboratory at reportband.gov.
John Palarski
--- Crows ---
Fall Season Opens: Aug. 16
Closes: Nov. 3
Spring Season Opens: March 14, 2026
Closes: April 26, 2026
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. 13
Closes: Nov. 30
Daily Limit: 8
Possession Limit: 24
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
--- Woodcock ---
Opens: Sept. 20
Closes: Nov. 3
Daily Limit: 3
Possession Limit: 9
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Furbearers
For more season details, refer to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov, or the 2025-65 Hunting and Trapping Guide.
Furbearer population trends are a mixed bag for this coming season. Coyote numbers are still good, but they trended downward in spring compared to the previous year and were 37% below their 20-year average. In areas where coyote numbers are down, foxes may be more plentiful, although their numbers remain largely suppressed by coyotes overall. Muskrats continue to be at the bottom of their population cycle and numbers will be similar to last year.
Department population data collected from river otter carcasses supported a slight increase in the harvest limit this coming season going from 25 to 30. As a reminder, the river otter trapping season is for residents only with a bag limit of one per trapper.
Population trends based on the rural mail carrier survey for other furbearers were a mix of increases and decreases compared to the previous year, illustrating the typical fluctuations expected in wildlife. Badger and beaver indices were low all around compared to last year and below their long-term averages. Mink and raccoons saw increases in the eastern half of the state compared to the previous year but were still below their long-term averages. Skunks were up compared to the previous year in central North Dakota, particularly the Missouri Coteau region, and statewide their numbers were similar to their 20-year average.
Last year, hunters and trappers took 42 bobcats (36 in Zone 1 and six in Zone 2), 30 fishers, and seven mountain lions in Zone 1 (one in the early-season and six in the late-season). Population trends for these species are estimated using data collected from the carcasses of those animals taken during the hunting and trapping seasons. Trends indicate bobcat and fisher numbers are up slightly compared to the previous year and similar to their long-term averages. Mountain lions trended downward.
Another change to regulations this year was the extension of the night hunting season for coyotes and foxes from March 15 to May 31. Hunters are reminded that night hunting for coyotes and foxes must be done exclusively on foot. And, that care should be taken to properly identify your target before shooting, whether hunting during the day or night. At any given time, there is the possibility of a wolf or domestic dog wandering the state, which at first glance can look coyote-like if extra care isn’t taken to properly identify them first.
Because many furbearer species are difficult to survey due to their secretive nature and naturally low densities, we continue to encourage anyone to report their sightings of black bears, bobcats, fishers, martens, mountain lions, river otters, swift foxes and weasels. Information about sightings can be submitted online.
Directions for releasing dogs from traps.
Stephanie Tucker, Game Management Section Leader, Bismarck
--- Mountain Lion Hunting ---
Zone 1 (early)
Opens: Aug. 29
Closes: Nov. 23
Zone 1 (late)
Opens: Nov. 24
Closes: March 31, 2026
Zone 2
Opens: Aug. 29
Closes: March 31, 2026
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. 24, 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. 24
Closes: March 15, 2026
Limit of one per person. Total harvest limit of 30 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 2025-26 Hunting and Trapping Guide.
--- Fisher Trapping or Cable Devices ---
Opens: Nov. 24
Closes: Nov. 30
Open statewide except for the Turtle Mountains region, defined as the area bordered on the west by ND Highway 14, on the north by the Canadian border, on the east by ND Highway 30, and on the south by ND Highway 5. 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 2025-26 Hunting and Trapping Guide.
--- Beaver and Raccoon Hunting, Trapping or Underwater Cable Devices ---
Open: Year-round.
For more information, see the online regulations.
--- Beaver and Raccoon Cable Devices on Land ---
Opens: Nov. 24
Closes: March 15, 2026
From March 16, 2026, through May 10, 2026, cable devices must be within 50 feet of water; and must be no more than 4 inches off the ground.
Beaver dams may be dismantled when their presence causes property damage.
--- Weasel Trapping, Hunting or Cable Devices ---
Trapping
Opens: Oct. 25
Hunting and Cable Devices
Opens: Nov. 24
Closes: March 15, 2026
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. 25
Hunting and Cable Devices
Opens: Nov. 24
Closes: May 10, 2026
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, 2026, non-floating 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; foothold traps must be submerged under water at all times or must have a protective covering (except when used on float sets); 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, 2026, 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. 8
Cable Devices Opens: Nov. 24
Closes: March 15, 2026
Beginning Nov. 24, 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. 24
Closes: March 15, 2026
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.
--- Red Fox, Gray Fox, Coyote Trapping, Hunting or Cable Devices ---
Day hunting and trapping opens: Year-round
Night hunting and cable devices opens: Nov. 24
Closes: March 15, 2026
Red fox, gray fox and coyote may be hunted at any hour from Nov. 24 through May 31, 2026. 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. 24
Closes: March 15, 2026
Small Game, Waterfowl, Furbearer Regulations
North Dakota’s 2025 small game, waterfowl and furbearer regulations are set, and most season structures are similar to last year.
Noteworthy items include:
- Opening day for ducks, geese, coots and mergansers for North Dakota residents is Sept. 27. Nonresidents may begin hunting waterfowl in North Dakota Oct. 4.
- The number of nonresident waterfowl zones increased to six, and a statewide nonresident waterfowl license is no longer available.
- A waterfowl habitat restoration stamp is required to hunt waterfowl.
- Migratory game birds can be pursued with a floating craft. If the craft is propelled by a motor, it must be at rest with the motor turned off.
- Fridays will be included in extended shooting hours for geese, beginning Nov. 28.
- River otter harvest limit increased to 30.
- Night hunting for fox and coyote is extended to May 31.
In addition to these changes for 2025, in 2026 the resident-only waterfowl dates will increase from the first seven days to the first nine days.
Hunters and trappers can find upland game, migratory game bird and furbearer/trapping.