Pronghorn Applications Due
The deadline to apply for the 2026 pronghorn hunting season is Aug. 5.
Only North Dakota residents are eligible to apply.
News Releases
North Dakota Game and Fish Department
North Dakota Game and Fish Department
News Releases
Fall Flight Forecast
Duck brood numbers are up 55% from 2025, and North Dakota Game and Fish Department migratory game bird biologists expect a fall flight of ducks about 9% higher than last year.
The fall flight forecast is based on information collected during the department's annual May breeding duck survey and July duck brood survey, which together estimate the number of adult ducks and ducklings expected to enter the fall population.
John Palarski, department migratory game bird management supervisor, said timely rains during late May and June greatly improved brood-rearing habitat across parts of North Dakota.
"The 2026 mid-July water index was up 36% from last year, creating favorable habitat during much of the nesting and brood-rearing period," he said. "Far northwestern North Dakota received considerable rainfall and was noticeably wetter than last year. Additional precipitation in the Devils Lake area created excellent wetland conditions in northeastern North Dakota, where intact seasonal and semi-permanent wetlands provided high-quality brood habitat."
Palarski added that although temporary water was abundant in some areas this year, North Dakota's long-term duck production continues to depend on intact prairie wetlands.
Blue-winged teal and gadwall were the most common broods recorded during the survey, accounting for nearly 53% of all identified broods. Most duck species showed increases in brood numbers compared to 2025, with notable increases in gadwall (97%), northern pintail (76%), and redheads (76%). The redhead brood count was the highest recorded during the survey's 62-year history.
2026 Pronghorn Season Set
The 2026 pronghorn hunting season is set with 1,310 licenses available in 18 units, the same number as last year.
Biologists flew 15,292 survey miles in June and July to estimate pronghorn populations and set tag allocations. The statewide population increased 12% from 2025 but conservative harvest strategies continue to encourage population growth.
Each unit will once again have a season that is split into an early bow-only portion, and a later gun/bow season.
The bow-only portion of the season is Sep. 4 (noon) – Sept. 27. Anyone who draws a license can hunt pronghorn with a bow in the unit printed on their license.
From Oct. 2 (noon) – Oct. 18, hunters who still have a valid license can use legal firearms or archery equipment, but must stay in their assigned unit.
Only North Dakota residents are eligible to apply for a pronghorn license. Applicants must be at least 12 on or before Dec. 31.
Hunters can apply online. The application deadline is Aug. 5.
First-Come, First-Served Deer Gun Licenses Available
Ninety-five deer licenses are available in unit 3F2 for North Dakota’s 2026 deer gun season. These licenses will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Aug.12 at 10 a.m. Central time. Residents and nonresidents who have not already received a lottery or landowner license are eligible to apply online by visiting the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.
Hunters who want to purchase additional licenses may do so Aug. 26 at 10 a.m. Central time. At that time, any remaining licenses will be issued as a concurrent season license, which can be used during the archery season with a bow; deer gun season with a bow, rifle or muzzleloader; or during the muzzleloader season with a muzzleloader. However, youth under age 14 (at the end of the calendar year) will be issued a concurrent season license for archery only. There is no limit on the number of concurrent season licenses a hunter can purchase.
Hunters with concurrent season licenses are restricted to the type of antlerless deer printed on the license and must stay in the unit in which the license is assigned.
Unit | Type | Available |
|---|---|---|
3F2 | Antlerless whitetail | 95 |
Near Record Walleye Production Will Bolster Fisheries
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department stocked nearly 12 million walleye fingerlings statewide earlier this summer, about 11 million of which were raised at Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery and 1.1 million at Valley City National Fish Hatchery.
The record combined walleye production from both federal hatcheries was more than 12 million in 2017.
“Traditionally, on large production years, significant numbers of walleye fingerlings would go to big systems”, according to Jerry Weigel, North Dakota Game and Fish Department fish production and development section supervisor, “but this year, 2.3 million walleye went into Lake Sakakawea and just under 500,000 into Stump, Darling and Ashtabula, with the remaining fish stocked into over 150 other lakes”.
Each spring, walleye eggs are collected by fisheries personnel and taken to Garrison Dam and Valley City national fish hatcheries where they are hatched. Shortly after, the walleye fry are stocked into production ponds and after a month of growth, 1-inch or larger fingerlings are collected and stocked across the state.
Distribution trucks traveled more than 12,000 miles over a two-week period in June to stock fingerlings.
“Stocking conditions in 2026 were optimal given the unusually cool temperatures over the weeks in June when fish were being stocked,” Weigel said.
The receiving waters were rich in invertebrates, critical food for the survival of the newly stocked walleye. Conditions are favorable for good survival and growth of young walleyes.
Additionally, 1.1 million northern pike fingerlings where stocked into 37 waters statewide. These pike stockings are generally limited to waters that do not support walleye but provide unique fishing opportunities and enjoyment from the fast-growing pike.
Department partnerships with national hatcheries, department stocking efforts and favorable conditions continue to bolster excellent fishing opportunities across the state for years to come.
Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest Open
The 2026 Watchable Wildlife Contest is open and the deadline for submitting photos is Oct. 1.
The contest has three categories; nongame species, game species and plants and insects. An overall winning photograph will be chosen, with the number of place winners in each category determined by the number of qualified entries.
Wildlife photographers interested in submitting photos should go to the Game and Fish Department’s website at gf.nd.gov/wildlife/watchable-photo-contest. Please follow all directions and enter required information to assist department staff in managing submissions.
Contestants are limited to no more than five entries. Photos must have been taken in North Dakota.
By submitting an entry, photographers grant permission to Game and Fish to publish winning photographs in North Dakota OUTDOORS, on the department’s website and social media channels.
For more information or questions, contact Patrick Isakson, department conservation supervisor, at pisakson@nd.gov.
Fur Harvester Classes Scheduled
The North Dakota Cooperative Fur Harvester Education Program is holding a class Aug. 4, 6, and 8 at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Bismarck and a class Oct. 1, 2 and 3 at the Velva Wildlife Club.
Fur harvester education classes are 16 hours in length, free, voluntary, and cover topics associated with trapping and fur hunting. Much of the instruction includes hands-on experience with traps and equipment commonly used for harvesting furbearers and properly caring for the pelts.
Successful completion of this training provides certification recognized by other states where mandatory trapper education training is required. Participants can enroll in the August class now on the Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov/education/fur-harvester. Enrollment for the October class will open at a later date.
The North Dakota Cooperative Fur Harvester Education Program is also hosting a training seminar on using cable devices in North Dakota Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Velva Wildlife Club.
The seminar is free and available to anyone who would like information and experience using cable devices. All aspects of cable device construction, care, use, ethics, responsibility and legal requirements are covered. Much of the instruction includes hands-on field application and set construction. Preregistration is required by contacting Rick Tischaefer at 701-460-1055.
State Fair Conservation and Outdoor Skills Park
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will host thousands of visitors to its free Conservation and Outdoors Skills Park July 17-25 at the State Fair in Minot.
Visitors of all ages can try their hand at the fishing pond, air rifle shooting gallery and archery range.
In addition to these hands-on outdoor activities, the area offers a live fish display, boat and water safety station, furbearer exhibit and native prairie plantings. An information center staffed by Game and Fish Department personnel is located in the Conservation and Outdoors Skills Park, on the north end of the fairgrounds near the State Fair Center.
The park is open daily during the fair from 1-7 p.m.
Report Boat Accidents
Boat accidents involving injury, death or disappearance of a person must be reported to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department within 48 hours of the occurrence. If property damage exceeds $2,000, but no deaths or injuries occur, a boat operator has five days to file a report.
These reporting requirements are mandatory whether one or more boats are involved.
To request a boat accident form, contact your local game warden.
Guide and Outfitter Exam Scheduled
The next guide and outfitter written examination is Aug. 15 at 1 p.m. at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department office in Bismarck. Preregistration is required no later than Aug. 7 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 include the guide qualifications, as well as an individual must have held a hunting guide license for two years; and must have proof of liability insurance.
The test is given periodically to anyone interested in becoming a guide or outfitter in the state.
Operation Dry Water: Heightened Boating Enforcement July 3-5
As boating traffic increases over the Fourth of July weekend, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, along with other law enforcement agencies, will increase on-the-water patrols and enforcement as part of Operation Dry Water, a national campaign focused on preventing boating under the influence. From July 3–5, officers will take part in the initiative in partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Alcohol use remains the leading contributing factor in recreational boating fatalities. As part of Operation Dry Water, Game and Fish will focus on public education, compliance checks, and enforcement efforts designed to identify and remove impaired vessel operators from the water. Boaters can expect an increased law enforcement presence, including targeted patrols and sobriety checks in high-traffic areas.
"The Fourth of July weekend is one of the busiest times of the year on the water," said Jackie Lundstrom, Department enforcement operation supervisor, "Boating under the influence is completely preventable, and it puts everyone at risk. Our wardens will be actively enforcing BUI laws to help ensure a safe holiday weekend for all waterway users."
Regardless of whether you are operating a vessel or riding as a passenger, alcohol- or drug-impaired boating increases the risk of incidents, injuries and fatalities. In North Dakota, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher. The department urges boaters to always boat sober and utilize a life jacket when on or near water.
Visit operationdrywater.org or gf.nd.gov for more information about safe boating.
Inspect All Boats, Docks and Lifts Before Buying or Selling
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department urges people to check boats, trailers, docks, lifts, and all other water-related equipment for aquatic nuisance species before buying or selling. During summer, there is an elevated risk of having ANS, like zebra mussels, attached to submerged equipment.
North Dakota requires all docks, lifts and related equipment to be dried and left out of the water for at least 21 days before being placed in another water.
Ben Holen, Game and Fish Department ANS coordinator, said “While often overlooked, docks and lifts are one of the highest risk vectors for starting new zebra mussel infestations. Following the 21-day out-of-water rule is critical to preventing the spread of mussels to cabin lakes in North Dakota.”
Protecting our waters is everyone’s responsibility. Please remember to follow all North Dakota regulations:
- Remove aquatic vegetation before leaving the water access and do not import into North Dakota.
- Drain all water before leaving the water access.
- Remove drain plugs and devices that hold back water and leave open and out during transport.
- Do not import aquatic bait into the state. For Class I ANS Infested waters, aquatic bait cannot be transported away from the water during the open-water months. At all other waters, bait must be transported in a container that holds 5 gallons or less. It is illegal to dump unused bait on shore or into the lake.
For more information on aquatic nuisance species, visit the department’s website at gf.nd.gov.