North Dakota Waterfowl Season 2026
North Dakota waterfowl season dates start with opens Oct 5, 2026. The table below keeps every listed waterfowl row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
North Dakota's listed 2026 waterfowl season runs opens Oct 5, 2026.
Regular - Nonresident Canada Geese opens Oct 5, 2026.
Regular - Nonresident Canada Geese opens Oct 5, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to North Dakota Game & Fish.
Waterfowl
22 listed rowsCanada Geese
Regular - Resident
Tentative. No end date listed.
Zone: Missouri River Zone
Canada Geese
Regular - Resident
Tentative. No end date listed.
Zone: Eastern Zone
Canada Geese
Regular - Resident
Tentative. No end date listed.
Zone: Western Zone
Canada Geese
Regular - Nonresident
Tentative. No end date listed.
Zone: Missouri River Zone
Canada Geese
Regular - Nonresident
Tentative. No end date listed.
Zone: Western Zone
Canada Geese
Regular - Nonresident
Tentative. No end date listed.
Zone: Eastern Zone
Canada Geese (Early Season)
August Management Take/Early September Season
Tentative. No end date listed.
Zone: Eastern Zone
Canada Geese (Early Season)
August Management Take/Early September Season
Tentative. No end date listed.
Zone: Missouri River Zone
Canada Geese (Early Season)
August Management Take/Early September Season
Tentative. No end date listed.
Zone: Western Zone
Ducks (Special Veteran and Active Military Personnel Season)
Veteran/Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Season
Tentative. No end date listed.
Zone: Statewide
Ducks (Youth Waterfowl Season)
Youth Waterfowl
Tentative. No end date listed.
Zone: Statewide
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Regular - Resident
Tentative. No end date listed.
Zone: High Plains Unit
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Bonus Blue-winged Teal
Tentative. No end date listed.
Zone: All Units
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Regular - Resident
Tentative. No end date listed.
Zone: Low Plains Unit
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Regular - Nonresident
Tentative. No end date listed.
Zone: Low Plains Unit
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Regular - Nonresident
Tentative. No end date listed.
Zone: High Plains Unit
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Regular - Resident/Nonresident
Tentative. No end date listed.
Zone: High Plains Unit
Light Geese
Regular - Resident
Tentative. No end date listed.
Zone: Statewide
Light Geese
Regular - Nonresident
Tentative. No end date listed.
Zone: Statewide
Light Geese (Spring Conservation Order)
Spring Conservation Order
Finalized.
Zone: Statewide
White-fronted Geese
Regular - Resident
Tentative. No end date listed.
Zone: Statewide
White-fronted Geese
Regular - Nonresident
Tentative. No end date listed.
Zone: Statewide
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Nearby waterfowl seasons
North Dakota Waterfowl Season FAQ
When does waterfowl season open in North Dakota?
February 21, 2026 is the earliest listed waterfowl opener in North Dakota — spring conservation order light geese (spring conservation order) runs Feb 21-May 10, 2026. Confirm zone and permit details with North Dakota Game & Fish.
What are the 2026 waterfowl season dates in North Dakota?
North Dakota lists 22 waterfowl season windows: Regular - Resident Canada Geese (opens Sep 26, 2026); Regular - Resident Canada Geese (opens Sep 26, 2026); Regular - Resident Canada Geese (opens Sep 26, 2026); Regular - Nonresident Canada Geese (opens Oct 5, 2026); Regular - Nonresident Canada Geese (opens Oct 5, 2026); Regular - Nonresident Canada Geese (opens Oct 5, 2026); August Management Take/Early September Season Canada Geese (Early Season) (opens Aug 15, 2026); August Management Take/Early September Season Canada Geese (Early Season) (opens Aug 15, 2026); and more. Always verify against North Dakota Game & Fish before hunting.
Are there different waterfowl seasons in North Dakota?
Yes — North Dakota lists separate waterfowl seasons for Regular - Resident Canada Geese, Regular - Nonresident Canada Geese, August Management Take/Early September Season Canada Geese (Early Season), Veteran/Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Season Ducks (Special Veteran and Active Military Personnel Season), Youth Waterfowl Ducks (Youth Waterfowl Season), Regular - Resident Ducks, Coots, Mergansers. Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and North Dakota Game & Fish.
Do I need a license to hunt waterfowl in North Dakota?
Yes. North Dakota generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and waterfowl hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with North Dakota Game & Fish.