New Legislation

Mon, 05/05/2025

New Legislation

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department tracked 20 outdoors-related bills during the 2025 legislative session, 14 passed both chambers and signed into law.

The following bills take effect Aug. 1. A complete list of bills is on the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.

HB 1017 – Appropriates $114,864,690 to the Game and Fish Department for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027.

HB 1082 – Defines farmed elk as mammals of the North American elk genus and species (cervus canadensis) confined in a manmade enclosure designed to prevent escape.

HB 1094 – Nonprofit organizations eligible to apply for special allocation big game hunting licenses for fundraising must be exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19), and must contribute at least 20% of the net proceeds of any raffle of a license to a conservation-related project. 

HB 1147 – A resident disabled veteran who has at least a 50% service-connected disability qualifies for the $3 combined general game, habitat, small game and furbearer license.

HB 1174 – The Department may establish educational and community outreach programs to promote public understanding of fisheries and wildlife management and promote interest in pursuing careers in fields employed by the Department, including by job shadowing of field activities.

HB 1260 – Fifteen percent of the total mule deer gun licenses made available in the current year must be made available as nonresident any-deer bow licenses. 

HB 1412 – The director shall provide that each application for a deer lottery license contains the option for an unsuccessful applicant to donate the license fee to the Private Land Open To Sportsmen program. 

HB 1470 – Increases the fees of some hunting and fishing licenses, and changes hunting guide and outfitter requirements. 

HB 1598 – An individual, while hunting big game or small game, other than waterfowl or cranes, may not use a motor-driven vehicle on any land other than an established road or trail without the written permission of the landowner, unless that individual has reduced a big game animal to possession.

SB 2137 – The Department may not adopt a rule or implement a policy prohibiting or restricting the use of supplemental feed on private property for hunting a big game animal. Has a sunset clause of July 31, 2029.

SB 2155 – The number of pronghorn gratis licenses issued may not exceed one-half of any pronghorn licenses available. In addition, if the individual is unsuccessful in the landowner lottery, that application may be included in a lottery for remaining licenses. 

SB 2216 – A waterfowl habitat restoration electronic stamp is required for every resident and nonresident to hunt waterfowl at a fee of $5. In addition, creates a waterfowl habitat improvement fund for improving and restoring waterfowl habitat and supporting youth hunting programs. 

SB 2245 – Allows the hunting of waterfowl from a floating craft without a motor propelled exclusively by paddle, oars or pole; or with a motor if the craft is at rest and the motor has been turned off.

SB 2309 – Allows the statewide antlerless white-tailed youth deer license to be issued as an antlerless license through governor's proclamation. 

ANS Awareness Week

Mon, 05/05/2025

May 4-10 is Aquatic Nuisance Species Awareness Week in North Dakota in an effort to raise public understanding of the preventative steps recreationists need to follow to stop the introduction and spread of ANS in the state’s waterways.

ANS are nonnative plants, animals or pathogens that can affect the ecology of our lakes and rivers and the economic and recreational value of those waterways. 

Ben Holen, state Game and Fish Department ANS coordinator, said ANS awareness week is comprised of state and federal agencies highlighting the ongoing efforts taking place in North Dakota.

“The pathways of ANS introductions are vast, so it is important to relay ANS awareness across diverse platforms to reach many unique water users,” he said. “Raising awareness is a collaborative approach among partners and conscientious citizens.”

North Dakota currently has low numbers of aquatic nuisance species. Other than zebra mussels, just a few invasive plants and animals – curly leaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, flowering rush, and grass, bighead, silver and common carp – are found in some state waters.

To fight the introduction and spread of unwanted invasives, Holen said some of the shared burden falls on water users. The Game and Fish Department encourages anglers, pleasure boaters and others to clean, drain and dry all equipment after every use. Clean and remove all plants or animals from watercraft or equipment prior to leaving any recreational area. Drain and remove water from all equipment prior to exiting designated access points. Not draining water can be extremely hazardous and may cause negligent transportation of ANS to various locations. Afterwards, verify that all equipment is completely dry before using again.

For more information on aquatic nuisance species, visit the department’s website at gf.nd.gov.

Fish Challenge Open

Thu, 05/01/2025

Anglers are once again invited to participate in the North Dakota Fish Challenge. The challenges, which started in 2022, encourage exploration of North Dakota's many fisheries, and this year, promote active stewardship of the resource.

This year anglers can choose to complete the Total Catch Challenge by coaching a new angler, cleaning up a local water body, cooking a catch and casting a story.

In addition, anglers can complete the Rough Fish Challenge by catching a bullhead, carp and sucker; the Sportfish Challenge by catching a bluegill, walleye, bass and trout; or the inaugural Classic Challenge requiring a northern pike, yellow perch, smallmouth bass and channel catfish.

Either way, the process is simple – snap a photo of each and submit your entry on the North Dakota Game and Fish website through Aug. 15.

Anglers who complete a challenge will receive a decal and certificate.