North Dakota 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
North Dakota's 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Nov 6-22, 2026 (All Units).
Archery deer season runs Sep 4, 2026-Jan 3, 2027.
Duck season runs Sep 26-Dec 6, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to North Dakota Game & Fish.
- firearm deer
- Nov 6-22, 2026
- archery deer
- Sep 4, 2026-Jan 3, 2027
- duck
- Sep 26-Dec 6, 2026
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Key seasons by species
How to read North Dakota's seasons
Deer gun licenses are drawn by unit
North Dakota issues deer gun licenses by unit through a lottery, so the firearm dates below apply only once you have drawn a license for a specific unit and antler/antlerless type. Archery is broader but still unit-aware.
Confirm unit boundaries, license types, and lottery deadlines with the official North Dakota Game and Fish Department source.
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with North Dakota Game & Fish before hunting.
New 2026-27
federal openings
in North Dakota
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened or expanded hunting and fishing access at 15 stations in North Dakota. The final rule took effect August 31, 2026.
- ND · NWR
Arrowwood NWR
North DakotaUPLAND GAME: OPENINGBIG GAME: OPENING - ND · NWR
Audubon NWR
North DakotaUPLAND GAME: OPENINGBIG GAME: OPENING - ND · NWR
Des Lacs NWR
North DakotaUPLAND GAME: OPENINGBIG GAME: OPENING - ND · NWR
Florence Lake NWR
North DakotaUPLAND GAME: NEW STATIONBIG GAME: NEW STATION - ND · NWR
J. Clark Salyer NWR
North DakotaUPLAND GAME: OPENINGBIG GAME: OPENING - ND · NWR
Lake Alice NWR
North DakotaUPLAND GAME: OPENINGBIG GAME: OPENING - ND · NWR
Lake Nettie NWR
North DakotaUPLAND GAME: OPENINGBIG GAME: OPENING - ND · NWR
Long Lake NWR
North DakotaUPLAND GAME: OPENINGBIG GAME: OPENING - ND · NWR
Lostwood NWR
North DakotaUPLAND GAME: OPENINGBIG GAME: OPENING - ND · NWR
Mclean NWR
North DakotaUPLAND GAME: NEW STATIONBIG GAME: NEW STATION - ND · NWR
Slade NWR
North DakotaUPLAND GAME: OPENINGBIG GAME: OPENING - ND · NWR
Stewart Lake NWR
North DakotaUPLAND GAME: NEW STATIONBIG GAME: NEW STATION - ND · NWR
Tewaukon NWR
North DakotaUPLAND GAME: OPENINGBIG GAME: OPENING - ND · NWR
Upper Souris NWR
North DakotaUPLAND GAME: OPENINGBIG GAME: OPENING - ND · NWR
White Lake NWR
North DakotaUPLAND GAME: NEW STATIONBIG GAME: NEW STATION
Deer
Deer, Mule and White-tailed
Bow (Nonresident)
Nonresidents may hunt only on private land, excluding Private Land Open To Sportsman, during the first 9 1/2 days of the Deer Bow season. Exemption: PLOTS landowners may hunt on their enrolled property.
Zone: Statewide
Deer, Mule and White-tailed
Bow (Resident Youth)
Zone: Statewide
Deer, Mule and White-tailed
Bow (Resident)
Zone: Statewide
Deer, Mule and White-tailed
Regular
Lottery application deadline: Wed, 06/03/2026
Zone: All Units
Deer, White-tailed only
Muzzleloader
Lottery application deadline: Wed, 06/03/2026
Zone: Statewide
Deer, Mule and White-tailed
Youth Season
Lottery application deadline: Wed, 06/03/2026
Zone: Statewide
Turkey
Turkey
Fall - Regular
Lottery application deadline: Wed, 09/02/2026
Zone: All open units
Turkey
Spring Regular
Zone: All open units
Turkey
Spring - Youth
Zone: All open units
Elk
Elk
Regular
Lottery application deadline: Wed, 03/25/2026
Zone: E5
Elk
Regular
Lottery application deadline: Wed, 03/25/2026
Zone: E3, E4
Elk
Regular
Lottery application deadline: Wed, 03/25/2026
Zone: E7
Elk
Regular
Lottery application deadline: Wed, 03/25/2026
Zone: E1E, E2, E1W
Elk
Regular
Lottery application deadline: Wed, 03/25/2026
Zone: E6
Elk
Regular
Lottery application deadline: Wed, 03/25/2026
Zone: E6
Elk
Antlerless
Lottery application deadline: Wed, 03/25/2026
Zone: E1E, E1W, E2, E3, E4, E6, E7
Elk
Antlerless
Restricted to private land only within the boundaries of the hunter's assigned unit. Hunting on private land enrolled in the Private Land Open To Sportsman program is prohibited, except by the enrolled landowner. Lottery application deadline: Wed, 03/25/2026
Zone: E3, E4
Elk
Antlerless
Restricted to private land only within the boundaries of the hunter's assigned unit. Hunting on private land enrolled in the Private Land Open To Sportsman program is prohibited, except by the enrolled landowner. Lottery application deadline: Wed, 03/25/2026
Zone: E1E, E1W, E2, E6, E7
Elk
Bow
Lottery application deadline: Wed, 03/25/2026
Zone: E1E, E1W, E2, E6, E7
Moose
Moose
Bow
Lottery application deadline: Wed, 03/25/2026
Zone: M5, M6, M8, M9, M10, M11
Moose
Regular
Lottery application deadline: Wed, 03/25/2026
Zone: M5, M6, M8, M9, M10, M11
Waterfowl
22 listed rowsCanada Geese
Regular - Resident
Zone: Eastern Zone
Canada Geese
Regular - Resident
Zone: Missouri River Zone
Canada Geese
Regular - Resident
Zone: Western Zone
Canada Geese
Regular - Nonresident
Zone: Missouri River Zone
Canada Geese
Regular - Nonresident
Zone: Western Zone
Canada Geese
Regular - Nonresident
Zone: Eastern Zone
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Regular - Resident
Zone: Low Plains Unit
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Regular - Resident
Zone: High Plains Unit
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Regular - Nonresident
Zone: High Plains Unit
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Regular - Nonresident
Zone: Low Plains Unit
Light Geese
Regular - Resident
Zone: Statewide
Light Geese
Regular - Nonresident
Zone: Statewide
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Canada GeeseAugust Management Take/Early September Season · Western Zone | Closed | |
| Canada GeeseAugust Management Take/Early September Season · Missouri River Zone | Closed | |
| Canada GeeseAugust Management Take/Early September Season · Eastern Zone | Closed | |
| DucksYouth Waterfowl · Statewide | Closed | |
| DucksVeteran/Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Season · Statewide | Closed | |
| Ducks, Coots, MergansersBonus Blue-winged Teal · All Units | Closed | |
| Ducks, Coots, MergansersRegular - Resident/Nonresident · High Plains Unit | Upcoming | |
| Light GeeseSpring Conservation Order · Statewide | Closed | |
| White-fronted GeeseRegular - Resident · Statewide | Open | |
| White-fronted GeeseRegular - Nonresident · Statewide | Open |
Dove
Doves
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Pheasant
Ring-necked Pheasants
Regular (Male Pheasants Only)
Zone: Statewide
Ring-necked Pheasants
Youth
Zone: Statewide
Grouse
Hungarian Partridge
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Ruffed Grouse
Regular
Zone: Restricted
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Regular
Zone: Statewide (see exceptions)
Squirrel
Tree Squirrel
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Furbearer
23 listed rowsBadger
Regular - Day hunting, Traps (year-round)
Open year-round
Zone: Statewide
Beaver
Regular - Firearms, traps, underwater cable devices, archery equipment
Open year-round
Zone: Statewide
Fox (Red and Gray)
Regular - Day hunting, Traps
Open year-round
Zone: Statewide
Mink
Regular - Traps
Zone: Statewide
Muskrat
Regular - Traps
Zone: Statewide
Raccoon
Regular - Firearms, traps, underwater cable devices, archery equipment, pursue with dogs
Open year-round
Zone: Statewide
Weasel
Regular - Traps
Zone: Statewide
Bobcat
Regular - Firearms, pre-charged pneumatic air guns, archery equipment (including crossbows), traps
Zone: Zone 1
American Marten
Regular - Traps, cable devices
Zone: Statewide
Badger
Regular - Cable Devices
Zone: Statewide
Beaver
Regular - Cable devices on land
Zone: Statewide
Bobcat
Regular - Cable devices or dogs
Zone: Zone 1
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| BeaverRegular - Cable devices on land within 50 feet of water · Statewide | Upcoming | |
| BobcatRegular - Firearms, pre-charged pneumatic air guns, archery equipment (including crossbows), traps, cable devices (snares), pursuing with dogs · Zone 2 | Upcoming | |
| FisherRegular - Traps, cable devices · Statewide | Upcoming | |
| Fox (Red and Gray)Regular - Cable devices · Statewide | Upcoming | |
| Fox (Red and Gray)Regular - Night hunting · Statewide | Upcoming | |
| MinkCable Devices, Firearms, Archery Equipment · Statewide | Upcoming | |
| MuskratRegular - Cable Devices, Firearms, Archery Equipment · Statewide | Upcoming | |
| RaccoonRegular - Cable devices on land · Statewide | Upcoming | |
| RaccoonRegular - Cable devices on land within 50 ft. of water · Statewide | Upcoming | |
| River OtterRegular - Traps, cable devices · Statewide | Upcoming | |
| WeaselFirearms, Cable Devices, Archery Equipment · Statewide | Upcoming |
Small Game
Hungarian Partridge
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Migratory Birds
Sandhill Crane
Regular
Zone: Unit 1
Sandhill Crane
Regular
Zone: Unit 2
Tundra Swan
Regular
Lottery application deadline Wed, 08/19/2026.
Zone: Statewide
Wilson's Snipe
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Woodcock
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Pronghorn
Pronghorn
Bow
Zone: Units 1A, 1D, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4C, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A, 9A, 9C, 10A, 11A, 13A, 17A
Pronghorn
Gun or Bow
Lottery application deadline: Wed, 08/05/2026
Zone: Units 1A, 1D, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4C, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A, 9A, 9C, 10A, 11A, 13A, 17A
Mountain Lion
Mountain Lion
Early Season
Zone: Zone 1
Mountain Lion
Regular Season
Zone: Zone 2
Mountain Lion
Late Season
Zone: Zone 1
Bighorn Sheep
Bighorn Sheep
Regular
Lottery application deadline: Wed, 03/25/2026
Zone: B1, B2, B3, B4, B5
Bighorn Sheep
Regular
Lottery application deadline: Wed, 03/25/2026
Zone: B1, B2, B3, B4, B5
Coyote
Coyote
Regular - Day hunting, Traps
Open year-round
Zone: Statewide
Coyote
Regular - Night hunting
Zone: Statewide
Coyote
Regular - Cable devices
Zone: Statewide
Other
Crow
Spring - Regular
Zone: Statewide
Crow
Spring - Regular
Zone: Statewide
Crow
Fall - Regular
Zone: Statewide
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North Dakota Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in North Dakota?
Archery deer season runs Sep 4, 2026-Jan 3, 2027. Firearm deer season runs Nov 6-22, 2026 (All Units). Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with North Dakota Game & Fish.
When is North Dakota's firearm deer season?
Firearm deer season runs Nov 6-22, 2026 (All Units). Check zone and permit details with North Dakota Game & Fish before hunting.
Do I need a license to hunt in North Dakota?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate North Dakota hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with North Dakota Game & Fish.