1. Hunt Research Tools
  2. Application Season
  3. North Dakota

North Dakota Hunting

Everything you need to plan your hunting trips in North Dakota, from maps and regulations to season dates, game animals, quotas, and hunting units. Plus much more! Start your research right here.

Overview

Known For

North Dakota is part of the Central Flyway and offers some of the best waterfowl hunting in the country. Millions of breeding ducks settle in North Dakota each season. Additionally, upland bird hunting, especially for pheasant, is unparalleled here. Add on all the major big game and North Dakota is off the charts for a hunting experience.

Terrain

North Dakota’s grasslands are central to its geographic identity. The state is home to the Prairie Pothole region, which is the core of what once was the largest grassland expanse in the world. Over 10,000 years ago, when glaciers receded, there were small prairie potholes left that filled with water and became wetlands.

the best hunting app, onX Hunt, on an iPhone screen with the mapping app up
Get The App
Try Before You Buy

Sign up for a 7-day free trial of onX Hunt and unlock, explore, and master all the map tools and features we offer.

Asset 1apple Asset 2droidAsset 3droid

North Dakota Hunting Seasons

Filter By:
Season
Start Date
End Date
Antelope
Sep 1, 2023 – Sep 24, 2023
Antelope – Archery
Units 1-A, 1-D, 2-A, 2-B, 3-A, 3-B, 4-A, 4-C, 5-A, 6-A, 7-A, 8-A, 10-A, 11-A, 13-A
Sep 1, 2023
Sep 24, 2023
Antelope
Oct 6, 2023 – Oct 22, 2023
Antelope – Gun or Bow
Units 1-A, 1-D, 2-A, 2-B, 3-A, 3-B, 4-A, 4-C, 5-A, 6-A, 7-A, 8-A, 10-A, 11-A, 13-A
Oct 6, 2023
Oct 22, 2023
Bobcat
Nov 11, 2023 – Mar 15, 2024
Bobcat – Zone 1
Firearms, pre-charged pneumatic air guns, archery equipment (including crossbows), traps
Nov 11, 2023
Mar 15, 2024
Bobcat
Nov 27, 2023 – Mar 15, 2024
Bobcat – Zone 2
Firearms, pre-charged pneumatic air guns, archery equipment (including crossbows), traps, cable devices (snares), pursuing with dogs
Nov 27, 2023
Mar 15, 2024
Coyote
Apr 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024
Coyote – Day Hunting & Traps
All year, statewide. No limit.
Apr 1, 2023
Mar 31, 2024
Coyote
Nov 27, 2023 – Mar 15, 2024
Coyote – Firearms Night Hunting
Statewide.
Nov 27, 2023
Mar 15, 2024
Coyote
Nov 27, 2023 – Mar 15, 2024
Coyote – Cable devices
Statewide.
Nov 27, 2023
Mar 15, 2024
Deer
Sep 15, 2023 – Sep 24, 2023
Deer – Youth Antlerless
Ages 11 (by the end of the calendar year), 12 and 13 – statewide antlerless white-tailed deer only
Sep 15, 2023
Sep 24, 2023
Deer
Sep 15, 2023 – Sep 24, 2023
Deer – Youth Any Deer
Ages 14 (by the end of the calendar year) and 15 – any deer (with exceptions)
Sep 15, 2023
Sep 24, 2023
Deer
Sep 15, 2023 – Sep 24, 2023
Deer – Youth Antlered Deer
Ages 14 (by the end of the calendar year) and 15 – antlered mule deer (unit restrictions)
Sep 15, 2023
Sep 24, 2023
Duck
Sep 17, 2023 – Sep 17, 2023
Duck – Youth Waterfowl
Sep 17, 2023
Sep 17, 2023
Elk
Sep 1, 2023 – Sep 24, 2023
Elk – Archery
Units E1E, E1W, E2, E6.
Sep 1, 2023
Sep 24, 2023
Elk
Oct 6, 2023 – Nov 9, 2023
Elk – E6 Regular
Oct 6, 2023
Nov 9, 2023
Fox
Apr 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024
Fox – Day hunting & Traps
All year statewide. No limit.
Apr 1, 2023
Mar 31, 2024
Fox
Nov 27, 2023 – Mar 15, 2024
Fox – Night hunting
Statewide.
Nov 27, 2023
Mar 15, 2024
Fox
Nov 27, 2023 – Mar 15, 2024
Fox – Cable devices
Statewide.
Nov 27, 2023
Mar 15, 2024
Goose
Feb 18, 2023 – May 14, 2023
Goose – Spring Conservation Order
Light Goose. Statewide.
Feb 18, 2023
May 14, 2023
Goose
Aug 15, 2023 – Sep 15, 2023
Goose – Canada Geese – August Management Take/Early September Season
Western Zone
Aug 15, 2023
Sep 15, 2023
Goose
Aug 15, 2023 – Sep 7, 2023
Goose – Canada Geese – August Management Take/Early September Season
Missouri River Zone
Aug 15, 2023
Sep 7, 2023
Goose
Aug 15, 2023 – Sep 22, 2023
Goose – Canada Geese – August Management Take/Early September Season
Eastern Zone
Aug 15, 2023
Sep 22, 2023
Grouse
Sep 9, 2023 – Dec 7, 2024
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Statewide.
Sep 9, 2023
Dec 7, 2024
Moose
Sep 1, 2023 – Sep 24, 2023
Moose – Archery
Units M5, M6, M8, M9, M10, M11.
Sep 1, 2023
Sep 24, 2023
Moose
Oct 13, 2023 – Nov 5, 2023
Moose – Regular
Units M5, M6, M8, M9, M10, M11.
Oct 13, 2023
Nov 5, 2023
Mountain Lion
Sep 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024
Mountain Lion – Zone 2
Sep 1, 2023
Mar 31, 2024
Mountain Lion
Nov 27, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024
Mountain Lion – Zone 1 (Late season)
Nov 27, 2023
Mar 31, 2024
Pheasant
Sep 30, 2023 – Oct 1, 2023
Pheasant – Youth
Statewide.
Sep 30, 2023
Oct 1, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Apr 8, 2023 – May 14, 2023
Turkey – Spring Youth

All open units.

Apr 8, 2023
May 14, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Apr 8, 2023 – May 14, 2023
Turkey – Spring

All open units.

Apr 8, 2023
May 14, 2023
Upland Bird
Sep 23, 2023 – Nov 6, 2023
Woodcock
Daily bag limit 3, possession of 9.
Sep 23, 2023
Nov 6, 2023

North Dakota Licenses, Permits, and Regulations

North Dakota hunting licenses, permits, and regulations for resident and non-resident hunters can be purchased on the official website of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Click below to view the website.

Hunting GPS Maps

Every North Dakota hunter should have hunting GPS maps on hand. North Dakota hunting maps are available from onX Hunt. With a paid membership you can access Satellite, Topo, or Hybrid Basemaps, over which you can view maps of hunting units, along with State, Forest Service, and other public and private property boundaries. You can view trails and roads, and even download maps to the Hunt App for use offline. Click below to get onX Hunt for North Dakota.

Hunting Units

North Dakota’s hunting units vary from species to species. With its big game animals (elk, Bighorn sheep, antelope, moose, and both mule deer and whitetail deer) there are different hunting units and regulations for each species. Even some upland birds have specified hunting units. Click below to view North Dakota’s hunting units in more detail through an interactive map.

Hunting Layers

ND Private Lands Preview

ND Private Lands

Over 380,000 parcels mapped by the onX team, this layer helps you know who the property owners are in North Dakota. Tap any parcel to learn more info about the owner and acreage.

ND Gov Lands Preview

ND Gov Lands

onX has the most accurate maps of Gov Lands, covering over 4,400,000 acres in North Dakota. Not all Gov Lands offer access opportunities, check regulations before recreating.

ND Possible Access Preview

ND Possible Access

onX has mapped 16,000 acres of possible access lands in North Dakota including timber and land conservation groups. Research rules on these private lands before recreating.

SUBLAYERS (16) Expand Sublayers
ND GMUs Preview

ND GMUs

North Dakota Game Management Units. Please hunt responsibly, obey all signage and have a safe legal hunt.

Includes 16 Sublayers

  • Bighorn Sheep Hunt Units
  • Bobcat Hunt Units
  • Deer Hunt Units
  • Elk Hunt Units
  • Fisher Hunt Units
  • Goose Hunt Zones
  • Moose Hunt Units
  • Mountain Lion Hunt Units
  • Non-Residential Waterfowl Hunt Units
  • Pheasant Hunt Zone
  • Pronghorn Hunt Units
  • Ruffed Grouse Hunt Units
  • Sharp-tailed Grouse Hunt Units
  • Sandhill Crane Hunt Units
  • Turkey (Fall) Hunt Units
  • Turkey (Spring) Hunt Units
ND PLOTS Preview

ND PLOTS

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department Private Land Open to Sportsmen. All hunters are expected to know the rules of the program.

SUBLAYERS (10) Expand Sublayers
ND Species Range and Habitat Preview

ND Species Range and Habitat

North Dakota Various Species Range and Habitat locations

Includes 10 Sublayers

  • Bighorn Sheep
  • Elk
  • Greater Prairie Chicken
  • Moose
  • Mountain Lion
  • Mule Deer
  • Pronghorn
  • Sage Grouse
  • Turkey
  • Whitetail Deer
ND Electronically Posted Land Preview

ND Electronically Posted Land

ND Electronically Posted Land, Land that has been posted by land owner as No Hunting. Land can still be posted with signs on the ground so double check when at the location.

hunter looking at onX Hunt on their phone


The #1 GPS Hunting App

  • 975 million acres of public land
  • 10,668 unique hunting units
  • 421 map overlays and counting
  • 5,000 game wardens approve