North Dakota 2025-2026 Game Season Calendar – Tag Draws & Wildlife Units
North Dakota’s diverse landscapes offer some of the nation’s most rewarding outdoor pursuits for sportsmen and women. From the rolling prairies to the rugged badlands, the Peace Garden State provides exceptional opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts of all experience levels. This comprehensive guide covers the upcoming 2025-26 game pursuits calendar, featuring essential dates, licensing information, and vital zone details to ensure your next expedition is both successful and compliant with state regulations.
Quick Reference: North Dakota Game Season Highlights
Below is a summary table of key species with their corresponding pursuit periods and methods for the 2025-26 season:
| Species | Method | Units/Zones | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer (Mule & White-tailed) | Archery | Statewide | Aug 29, 2025 | Jan 4, 2026 |
| Deer (Mule & White-tailed) | Gun | All Units | Nov 7, 2025 | Nov 23, 2025 |
| Deer (White-tailed only) | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2025 | Dec 14, 2025 |
| Elk | Archery | E1E, E1W, E2, E6, E7 | Sep 5, 2025 | Sep 28, 2025 |
| Elk | Firearm (various units) | E3, E4, E5, E6, E7 | Sep 5, 2025 | Jan 4, 2026 |
| Moose | Archery | M5–M11 | Sep 5, 2025 | Sep 28, 2025 |
| Moose | Regular | M5–M11 | Oct 10, 2025 | Nov 2, 2025 |
| Pronghorn | Archery | Select Units | Aug 29, 2025 | Sep 21, 2025 |
| Pronghorn | Firearm/Bow | Select Units | Oct 3, 2025 | Oct 19, 2025 |
| Bighorn Sheep | Regular | B1–B5 | Oct 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2025 |
| Turkey (Spring) | Regular | All Open Units | Apr 12, 2025 | May 18, 2025 |
| Turkey (Fall) | Regular | All Open Units | Oct 11, 2025 | Jan 4, 2026 |
| Canada Geese (Resident) | Missouri River Zone | Sep 27, 2025 | Jan 2, 2026 | |
| Ducks, Coots, Mergansers | High Plains Unit | Sep 27, 2025 | Dec 7, 2025 |
(Full detailed lists by category below ⬇️)
🦌 Big Game Seasons
Deer (Mule & White-tailed)
- Archery: Aug 29, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026 (Statewide) 🎯
- Regular Firearm: Nov 7 – Nov 23, 2025 (All Units)
- Muzzleloader (Whitetail only): Nov 28 – Dec 14, 2025
👉 Youth Opportunity:
- Youth Season: Sep 19 – Sep 28, 2025 (Statewide)
Elk
- Bow (E1E, E1W, E2, E6, E7): Sep 5 – Sep 28, 2025
- Regular Seasons:
- E3, E4, E5: Sep 5 – Jan 4, 2026
- E6: Oct 3 – Nov 6, then Nov 24 – Jan 4
- E7: Oct 3 – Jan 4
- E1E, E1W, E2: Oct 3 – Jan 4
🎟️ Tag Deadline: Mar 26, 2025
Moose
- Bow (M5–M11): Sep 5 – Sep 28, 2025
- Regular (M5–M11): Oct 10 – Nov 2, 2025
Pronghorn
- Archery (select western units): Aug 29 – Sep 21, 2025
- Gun or Bow: Oct 3 – Oct 19, 2025
🎟️ Tag Deadline: Aug 6, 2025
Bighorn Sheep
- B1–B5: Oct 31 – Dec 31, 2025
🎟️ Tag Deadline: Mar 26, 2025
Mountain Lion
- Zone 1 (Early): Aug 29 – Nov 23, 2025
- Zone 1 (Late): Nov 24 – Mar 31, 2026
- Zone 2: Aug 29, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026
🦃 Turkey
- Spring Regular: Apr 12 – May 18, 2025
- Youth Spring: Apr 12 – May 18, 2025
- Fall Regular: Oct 11, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
🦊 Furbearers (Trapping & Cable Devices)
- Badger:
- Day hunt/traps: Apr 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026
- Cable devices: Nov 24, 2025 – Mar 15, 2026
- Beaver:
- Traps, firearms, archery: Apr 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026
- Cable on land: Nov 24, 2025 – Mar 15, 2026
- Cable within 50 ft. of water: Mar 16 – May 10, 2026
- Bobcat:
- Zone 1: Nov 8, 2025 – Mar 15, 2026
- Zone 2: Nov 24, 2025 – Mar 15, 2026
- Coyote:
- Day hunt/traps: Apr 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026
- Night: Nov 24, 2025 – May 31, 2026
- Cable devices: Nov 24, 2025 – Mar 15, 2026
- Fox (Red & Gray): Same dates as coyotes
- Fisher: Nov 24 – Nov 30, 2025 (open area only)
- Mink & Muskrat:
- Traps: Oct 25, 2025 – May 10, 2026
- Cable devices/firearms/archery: Nov 24, 2025 – May 10, 2026
- Raccoon:
- General (dogs allowed): Apr 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026
- Cable on land: Nov 24, 2025 – Mar 15, 2026
- Cable within 50 ft. of water: Mar 16 – May 10, 2026
- River Otter: Nov 24, 2025 – Mar 15, 2026
- Weasel:
- Traps: Oct 25, 2025 – Mar 15, 2026
- Firearms/cable devices: Nov 24, 2025 – Mar 15, 2026
🦆 Migratory Birds & Waterfowl
Ducks, Coots & Mergansers
- Bonus Blue-winged Teal: Sep 27 – Oct 5, 2025
- High Plains (Resident): Sep 27 – Dec 7, 2025
- Low Plains (Resident): Sep 27 – Dec 7, 2025
- High Plains (Nonresident): Oct 4 – Dec 7, 2025
- Low Plains (Nonresident): Oct 4 – Dec 7, 2025
- High Plains (Both): Dec 13, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
Geese
- Canada Geese (Early Season):
- Eastern Zone: Aug 15 – Sep 22, 2025
- Missouri River Zone: Aug 15 – Sep 7, 2025
- Western Zone: Aug 15 – Sep 15, 2025
- Canada Geese (Regular Resident):
- Eastern Zone: Sep 27 – Dec 20, 2025
- Western Zone: Sep 27 – Dec 25, 2025
- Missouri River Zone: Sep 27, 2025 – Jan 2, 2026
- Canada Geese (Nonresident):
- Eastern Zone: Oct 4 – Dec 20, 2025
- Western Zone: Oct 4 – Dec 25, 2025
- Missouri River Zone: Oct 4, 2025 – Jan 2, 2026
- White-fronted Geese:
- Resident: Sep 27 – Dec 7, 2025
- Nonresident: Oct 4 – Dec 7, 2025
- Light Geese:
- Resident: Sep 27, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
- Nonresident: Oct 4, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
- Spring Conservation Order (Light Geese): Feb 15 – May 11, 2025
Other Waterfowl
- Sandhill Crane: Sep 20 – Nov 16, 2025 (Units 1 & 2)
- Tundra Swan: Oct 4, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026 (Lottery, deadline Aug 20, 2025)
🐦 Upland Birds & Small Game
- Ruffed Grouse: Sep 13, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026 (restricted areas)
- Sharp-tailed Grouse: Sep 13, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
- Hungarian Partridge: Sep 13, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
- Ring-necked Pheasants (Male Only): Oct 11, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
- Pheasants (Youth): Oct 4–5, 2025
- Tree Squirrel: Sep 13, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
- Doves: Sep 1 – Nov 29, 2025
- Crows:
- Spring: Mar 8 – Apr 20, 2025
- Fall: Aug 16 – Nov 4, 2025
- Woodcock: Sep 20 – Nov 3, 2025
- Wilson’s Snipe: Sep 13 – Nov 30, 2025
- Special Youth Waterfowl Weekend: Sep 20–21, 2025
- Veterans & Active Military Waterfowl Weekend: Sep 20–21, 2025
Additional Game Opportunities 🎣
Aquatic Furbearers
Beaver: Year-round opportunities (April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026)
- Cable devices on land: November 24, 2025 – March 15, 2026
- Extended cable device period near water: March 16, 2026 – May 10, 2026
Muskrat: October 25, 2025 – May 10, 2026 (Traps) Mink: October 25, 2025 – May 10, 2026 (Traps) River Otter: November 24, 2025 – March 15, 2026
Other Furbearers
Weasel: October 25, 2025 – March 15, 2026 (Traps) Fisher: November 24, 2025 – November 30, 2026 (Open Areas Only) Badger: Year-round day activities (April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026)
For detailed zone maps, visit the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website.
🎟️ License Information
Resident Licenses
- Regular season tags available through lottery systems
- Application deadlines vary by species (see tables above)
- Youth opportunities available at reduced fees
Nonresident Options
- Limited allocation for popular species
- Different season start dates than residents (typically one week later for waterfowl)
- Premium fees compared to resident options
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When do I need to apply for big game tags?
A: Application deadlines vary by species – deer (June 4), elk/moose/bighorn sheep (March 26), and pronghorn (August 6). All dates for 2025 are tentative except for elk, moose, and bighorn sheep which are finalized.
Q: Can I hunt on public lands in North Dakota?
A: Yes, North Dakota offers extensive public access opportunities through PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen), Wildlife Management Areas, National Grasslands, and more.
Q: Are night pursuits allowed for predators?
A: Yes, night pursuit for species like coyote and fox typically opens November 24, 2025 with specific regulations.
Q: When do lottery results become available?
A: Results are typically posted several weeks after application deadlines. Check the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website for specific dates.
Q: What are the special regulations for youth adventurers?
A: North Dakota offers youth-specific seasons for deer, pheasant, turkey, and waterfowl with unique dates and often more relaxed regulations to encourage participation.
Related Resources
Looking for more information about wildlife opportunities? Check out these related pages:
Final Thoughts for Peace Garden State Adventurers
The 2025-26 wildlife management seasons in North Dakota offer exceptional opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts across a diverse spectrum of species. From the adrenaline of a trophy elk pursuit in the badlands to the tradition of chasing ringnecks across the prairie, the state delivers memorable experiences for sportspeople of all skill levels.
Remember that many of the dates listed remain tentative until officially proclaimed, so always verify current regulations before your expedition. By understanding zone boundaries, adhering to application deadlines, and properly preparing for your adventure, you’ll maximize your chance of success while contributing to wildlife conservation efforts throughout the Peace Garden State.
Whether you’re a resident or visitor, North Dakota’s field and stream opportunities provide the perfect backdrop for creating lasting memories while experiencing some of America’s most stunning natural landscapes.
