State Guide

North Dakota Hunting Guide 2026

Complete North Dakota hunting guide for 2026: seasons, license costs, draw odds, GMU boundaries, bag limits, and regulations. Compare every game species at a glance.

Wildlife Agency

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

Official Site

Hunter safety course required for first-time buyers

North Dakota Hunting Seasons

Whitetail Deer

Res: $30 Non-res: $250

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Archery	Aug 26	Jan 7
Rifle	Nov 10	Nov 26
Muzzleloader	Dec 1	Jan 7

Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with North Dakota Game and Fish Department before you plan around them.

Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 + additional doe/fawn tags

Excellent whitetail hunting in river bottom timber. Non-resident gun deer licenses limited by lottery. Bonus doe/fawn tags available.

Mule Deer

Res: $30 Non-res: $250

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Rifle	Nov 10	Nov 26
Archery	Aug 26	Jan 7

Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1

Mule deer in the Badlands and western prairie. Separate tag from whitetail. Good buck-to-doe ratios.

Turkey

Res: $15 Non-res: $70

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Shotgun	Apr 13	May 19
Archery	Apr 13	May 19

Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 2 (spring)

Merriam's turkeys in the western Badlands. Spring and fall seasons. Growing populations along river corridors.

Pheasant

Res: $15 Non-res: $120

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Shotgun	Oct 14	Jan 7

Bag limits: daily: 3, season: No limit

Premier pheasant state. CRP grasslands provide excellent habitat. PLOTS program provides millions of acres of public access.

Duck/Waterfowl

Res: $15 Non-res: $120

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Shotgun	Sep 23	Dec 3

Bag limits: daily: 6, season: No season limit

One of the top waterfowl states. Prairie pothole breeding grounds. Federal duck stamp required. PLOTS access.

Elk

Res: $30 Non-res: $300

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Rifle	Sep 1	Dec 31

Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 per draw

Limited draw.

Pronghorn

Res: $20 Non-res: $200

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Archery	Aug 15	Sep 20
Rifle	Sep 25	Oct 31

Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 per year

Draw-only in most western states

Planning Tools

Tag-to-Trail Planner — interactive map: public land, harvest records, water, burns
Hunt Cost Calculator — budget your full hunt cost
Application Timeline — never miss an application deadline
Preference Point Tracker — track points across all your states

North Dakota Hunting Guides

destinations

North Dakota Deer Hunting: Whitetail and Mule Deer

North Dakota Hunting FAQ

Do I need a hunting license in North Dakota?

Yes. All hunters in North Dakota must hold a valid hunting license from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Non-residents typically pay higher fees. A hunter safety course is required for first-time license buyers.

What is the hunting license cost in North Dakota?

North Dakota license costs vary by species. Whitetail Deer: resident $30, non-resident $250. Mule Deer: resident $30, non-resident $250.

When is deer season in North Dakota?

North Dakota deer seasons: Archery: Aug 26 - Jan 7, Rifle: Nov 10 - Nov 26, Muzzleloader: Dec 1 - Jan 7.

Does North Dakota require a hunter safety course?

Yes, North Dakota requires hunter education certification for all first-time hunters. The course covers firearm safety, hunting laws, wildlife conservation, and ethical hunting practices.

Who manages hunting regulations in North Dakota?

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department manages all hunting licenses, regulations, and wildlife management in North Dakota. Their website (https://gf.nd.gov) has current season dates, license purchasing, and regulation booklets.