The next guide and outfitter written examination is Jan. 10 at 1 p.m. at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department office in Bismarck. Preregistration is required no later than Jan. 2 by calling the Department’s enforcement office at 701-328-6604.
In addition to passing a written exam, qualifications for becoming a guide include a background check for criminal and game and fish violations; certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and standard first aid; and employment by or contract with a licensed hunting outfitter.
Hunting outfitter eligibility requirements not only includes the guide qualifications, but the individual is also required to have held a hunting guide license for two years and have proof of liability insurance.
The test is given periodically to anyone interested in becoming a guide or outfitter in the state.
2025 River Otter Trapping Season Closed
North Dakota’s river otter trapping season is closed. The statewide season’s predetermined harvest limit of 30 has been reached.
Only North Dakota residents were eligible to participate, with a season limit of one otter per trapper.
Special Allocation Lottery Application Deadline
Nonprofit organizations eligible to receive big game hunting licenses in 2026 must have the application submitted to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department no later than Jan. 1.
North Dakota state law provides direction for the Game and Fish director to allocate big game hunting licenses to eligible organizations. Under this directive, up to two elk, moose and pronghorn licenses, and 10 white-tailed deer licenses, can be issued to organizations for fundraising.
Eligible organizations must be exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(c)(3) or, new this year, 501(c)(19), and must provide proof from the Internal Revenue Service to that effect. In addition, organizations must be active and in good standing with the office of the North Dakota Secretary of State.
Successful lottery applicants must agree to donate at least 20% of the net proceeds of any license fundraiser to a conservation-related project, such as hunting access, conservation education, habitat development or shooting range management.
HuntLink
HuntLink is a new, voluntary program designed to help North Dakota landowners easily connect with hunters and trappers. The program offers a simple way to allow managed access for antlerless deer, coyotes, turkeys, and other species. For landowners experiencing wildlife depredation or looking for additional management tools, HuntLink can help.
Landowners can enroll through their North Dakota Game and Fish My Account page and may remove their listing at any time once they’ve connected with enough participants.
Hunters can view landowner requests across the state through the HuntLink Map, but must contact landowners directly to obtain permission before hunting or trapping.
Officials Monitor Bird Flu During Fall Migration
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is monitoring sick and dead birds across the state in response to increasing reports from the public.
Dr. Logan Weyand, Department wildlife veterinarian, said Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is likely the cause and has been confirmed through testing this fall.
Understandably, most of the reports of sick and dead birds in the last two weeks have been snow geese and other waterfowl as HPAI is documented to coincide with seasonal migrations of these species and is expected this time of year.
Weyand said disease risk to humans and pets is low but can occur. While limited contact with dead birds is recommended, if carcasses must be removed, the public is encouraged to wear disposable gloves, and to wash their hands and clothes after placing carcasses in a garbage bag and disposing of them via a waste management provider.
Hunters Should Be Aware of Early Ice
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department warns hunters to be wary of ice conditions.
In some parts of the state, there are smaller waters that show the appearance of safe ice. Hunters should be cautious of walking on frozen stock ponds, sloughs, creeks and rivers.
Ice can form overnight, resulting in unstable conditions. Ice thickness is not consistent, as it can vary significantly within a few inches. Hunters walking the edge of a cattail slough will not find the same ice thickness in the middle, as the edges firm up faster than farther out from shore.
A few reminders:
Snow insulates ice, which in turn inhibits solid ice formation, and hides cracks, weak and open water areas.
Avoid cracks, pressure ridges, slushy or darker areas that signal thinner ice. The same goes for ice that forms around partially submerged trees, brush, embankments or other structures.
Daily temperature changes cause ice to expand and contract, affecting its strength.
Administrative Rules Hearing Set Nov. 19
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will hold a public hearing to address proposed rules changes to Title 30 of the North Dakota Administrative Code. The hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Nov. 19 at the agency's main office in Bismarck.
The purpose and explanation of the proposed rule changes are listed below.
Chapter 30-03-06. Section 30-03-06-05. Water prohibited. An amendment to update the requirements for the transportation of water.
Chapter 30-04-03. Section 30-04-03-14. Initial application for guide and outfitter license. An amendment to update the requirements for hunting guide or outfitter license applications. (HB 1470)
Chapter 30-04-03. Section 30-04-03-17. Hunting guide and outfitter examination. An amendment to update the requirements for hunting guide or outfitter exams. (HB 1470)
Chapter 30-05-01. Section 30-05-01-02. Boat safety equipment. An amendment to update the requirements for personal flotation devices. (HB 1366)
The proposed rules may be reviewed at the Game and Fish Department’s office at 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095, or website gf.nd.gov. A copy of the proposed rules may be requested in writing from the above address, or by calling 701-328-6300, or emailing ndgf@nd.gov. Written or oral comments on the proposed rules sent to the above mailing or email address, or telephone number and received by Nov. 30, 2025, will be fully considered.
Anyone planning to attend the public hearing and needs special facilities or assistance relating to a disability should contact the Department at the above address or phone number at least seven days before the public hearing.
Hunters Encouraged to Have Deer Tested for CWD
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will continue its Hunter-Harvested Surveillance program during the 2025 hunting season by sampling deer for chronic wasting disease from select units in the northwestern portion of the state.
Samples will be tested from deer taken from units 3A1, 3A2, 3A3, 3B1, 3B2, 4A, 4B and 4C. Outside of this area, hunters can still have their animal tested by taking it to a Game and Fish district office, deer head collection site or by using a self-sampling kit.
Hunters are encouraged to drop off heads of adult or yearling deer at collection locations listed on the department’s website at gf.nd.gov. Fawns and head-shot deer cannot be tested. Hunters wishing to keep the heads can bring them to a Game and Fish district office during business hours to have them sampled.
Self-sampling kits are available for hunters who wish to have their deer tested but are unable to drop the head at a collection site. The do-it-yourself kit allows hunters to remove the lymph nodes and ship them to the department’s wildlife health lab for testing.
Results can be expected within four weeks and will be sent to your Game and Fish My Account inbox.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department Advisory Board will host public meetings this fall at eight locations across the state.
These public meetings provide citizens with an opportunity to discuss fish and wildlife issues and ask questions of their district advisors and agency personnel.
2025 Fall Advisory Board Public Meeting Schedule
District
Board Member
Date/Time
Host
Location
Contact Person
District 1
Nathan Hovde
Monday, November 17, 7 p.m. CT
McKenzie County Sportsman’s Club
McKenzie County Sportsman’s Club (2306 121X Ave NW)
Nathan Hovde, 701-580-0314
District 2
Travis Leier
Wednesday, October 29, 7 p.m. CT
Goosefest
Kenmare Fire Hall (617 Central Ave N), Kenmare
Scott Ness, 701-240-3855
District 3
Edward Dosch
Wednesday, November 5, 7 p.m. CT
Lake Region Anglers
Lake Region State College (1801 College Dr, Chautauqua Rm), Devils Lake
Cory Everson, 701-351-0648
District 4
Karissa Daws
Wednesday, November 12, 7 p.m. CT
Dakota Prairie Wildlife Club
Fordville American Legion (208 Main St N), Fordville
Lynn Baier, 701-331-1074
District 5
Doug Madsen
Tuesday, October 28, 7 p.m. CT
Buffalo Wildlife Club
Buffalo Community Center (409 Main St), Buffalo
Dalen Grieger, 701-799-2141
District 6
Jordan Svenningsen
Wednesday, November 19, 7 p.m. CT
Stutsman County Wildlife Club
North Dakota Farmers Union (1415 12th Ave SE), Jamestown
Jordan Svenningsen, 701-840-2254
District 7
Jody Sommer
Monday, November 3, 7 p.m. CT
Turtle Lake Wildlife Club
Turtle Lake Wildlife Club (724 15th Ave NW), Turtle Lake
Jody Sommer 701-527-2295
District 8
Rob Brooks
Monday, November 24, 7 p.m. MT
Medora Grazing Association
AmericInn Hotel and Conference Center (75 E River Rd S)
Rob Brooks, 701-440-8952
Game and Fish Monitoring EHD-related Mortality
The state Game and Fish Department is allowing hunters with whitetail or “any” deer gun licenses in five units in western North Dakota the option of turning those licenses in for refunds.
Hunters with antlered whitetail, antlerless whitetail, any antlered and any antlerless licenses, are eligible for refunds in units 3E1, 3F1, 3F2, 4E and 4F. Hunters who return their licenses will have their bonus points restored, if applicable, to the same number of points prior to the 2025 deer gun lottery.
Mason Ryckman, wildlife health biologist, said the decision is based on scattered reports of white-tailed deer mortality caused by epizootic hemorrhagic disease that began in early September.
“This outbreak appears mild,” Ryckman said. “We see a low level of EHD most years. It typically stays fairly localized, but every so often it can intensify into a significant die-off. The combined outbreak in 2020 and 2021 was probably the worst in memory, with extensive mortality across much of western North Dakota. Similar to 2024, we’re nowhere close to that level, but we have received around 20 reports, primarily focused across Bowman and Adams counties. We’re hopeful that the few nights with temperatures in the 20s this past week helped slow things down, but it typically takes a series of hard frosts to kill the gnats and completely end an outbreak.”
Department staff will continue to monitor reports to determine if licenses in additional units should become eligible for refunds due to the EHD outbreak. Hunters and landowners should report any dead deer along with photos, if possible, to the department through the online wildlife mortality reporting system, at gf.nd.gov/mortality-report.
“It is important to make note of the location and the approximate number of animals found,” Ryckman said. “In some cases, we may need to collect samples off fresh carcasses, so it is important to notify the department as soon as possible.”
Before deciding to turn in a license, the department urges license holders to make local contacts to find out the extent of mortality in their hunting unit as most areas within these units have not been heavily affected.
License holders who qualify and want a refund must mail their tag, along with a note requesting a refund due to EHD, to the Game and Fish Department’s Bismarck office no later than Nov. 7. Envelopes postmarked Nov. 7 will be accepted.
EHD, a viral disease transmitted by biting gnats, primarily affects white-tailed deer but other big game species are susceptible. The virus is not a danger to humans; however, hunters should not shoot or consume a deer that appears sick.
Historical Look at Waterfowl in North Dakota
The storied past of waterfowl in North Dakota is uniquely revealed in the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s publication, “The Duck Factory – A History of Waterfowl in North Dakota.”
Certainly of interest to waterfowlers and other outdoor enthusiasts, the 213-page, full color, soft-cover publication is authored by Mike Jacobs and Erik Fritzell. The book traces the history of waterfowl species and their habitats in North Dakota.
The book is sold only online for $24.99, including shipping, on the Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov, by clicking on Buy and Apply, and then Shop.
Zebra Mussel Eradication Plan for Smishek Lake
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department, in cooperation with state and federal partners and local stakeholders, have finalized a plan to eradicate zebra mussels from Smishek Lake.
“This decision was not an easy one, but we feel this plan is absolutely necessary to protect the downstream waters of Lake Sakakawea and lakes in northwestern North Dakota from zebra mussels,” said Ben Holen, aquatic nuisance species coordinator. “Generally, eradication is not a feasible option, but in this case, we believe we have a very good opportunity to eliminate zebra mussels from Smishek Lake.”
During the week of Oct. 13, Game and Fish Department staff will apply an EPA-registered copper-based molluscicide called EarthTecQZ. This product, when applied safely, will cause mussel mortality while sustaining other aquatic life. After the treatment, Game and Fish, and Department of Environmental Quality personnel, will monitor copper concentrations in Smishek Lake. In late fall or early winter, Game and Fish will also consider dewatering some of Smishek Lake and, if needed, pursue a secondary treatment with EarthTecQZ in spring 2026.
The ramp will be closed on the day of treatment (Oct. 13-17) and signs will be placed around the lake.
North Dakota Game and Fish Department