North Dakota Hunting License: Cost, Requirements & How to Apply
Complete guide to North Dakota hunting licenses — costs, seasons, and how to buy through ND Game and Fish.
North Dakota Hunting License — Quick Facts
- Listed resident option: from $20.00 — Listed non-resident option: from $5.00
- Managed by: North Dakota Game and Fish Department
- License year: 2025-2026 (valid for dates within this period)
- Hunter education required for first-time buyers — verify with the state agency
- Discounts available for: senior, youth, disabled veteran, active military
- Buy online through the agency-linked portal at https://gf.nd.gov/buy-apply
North Dakota Hunting License Fees (2025-2026)
North Dakota hunting licenses are managed by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. For nonresidents, the important planning point is that NDGF fee tables use prerequisite rows in addition to species licenses: an adult nonresident small-game or pheasant path starts with the $150 Small Game row plus the annual Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate and General Game and Habitat License rows. Regular nonresident waterfowl uses a separate zone-restricted waterfowl license with two 7-day periods, HIP, Waterfowl Restoration Stamp, and Federal Waterfowl Stamp proof when required. Deer gun and any deer bow are lottery paths, not simple OTC small-game purchases. PLOTS can be valuable for access, but nonresidents may not hunt any game during the first seven days of pheasant season on NDGF-owned or leased lands, state wildlife management areas, or Conservation PLOTS areas unless a narrow owner exception applies.
| License Type | Resident | Non-Resident | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Small Game | $20.00 | — | 1 year | |
| NR Small Game | — | $150.00 | 1 year | |
| Resident Big Game | $35.00 | — | Season | Youth under 16: $10 |
| NR Big Game/Bow | — | $350.00 | Season | |
| Resident Combination | $62.00 | — | 1 year | Fish + game + habitat + small game + furbearer |
| Resident Turkey Permit | $20.00 | — | Season | |
| NR Turkey Permit | — | $100.00 | Season | |
| Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate | — | $5.00 | 1 year | NDGF prerequisite row for most adult nonresident hunting and fishing licenses; youth certificate rows can differ. |
| General Game and Habitat License | — | $20.00 | 1 year | NDGF prerequisite row for most nonresident hunting licenses except listed exceptions such as furbearer, nongame, spring light goose, and early Canada goose. |
| NR Regular Waterfowl | — | $153.00 | Two 7-day periods | Zone-restricted license; add certificate, General Game and Habitat, Waterfowl Restoration Stamp, HIP, and Federal Waterfowl Stamp proof when required. |
| NR Nongame Hunting | — | $25.00 | 1 year | |
| Waterfowl Restoration Stamp | — | $5.00 | 1 year | Required of all hunters to hunt waterfowl per NDGF nonresident requirements. |
| Federal Waterfowl Stamp Proof | — | — | 1 year | Required for hunters age 16+ to hunt ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, brant, and coot unless an official exception applies; confirm current checkout through the official purchase path. |
Prices from North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Last verified: 2026-06-13. Always confirm current fees with the official state agency before purchase.
When does your North Dakota license expire? See our license validity guide →
Hunter Education Requirements
NDGF says hunters born after December 31, 1961 must have passed a certified state or provincial hunter education course before purchasing a North Dakota hunting license.
How to Buy a North Dakota Hunting License
- 1
Complete Hunter Education
If required, complete a state-approved hunter education course before purchasing your license.
- 2
Gather Required Documents
Have your government-issued photo ID, Social Security Number, and proof of residency (if applicable) ready.
- 3
Visit the Official Portal
Go to North Dakota Game and Fish Department or an authorized retail agent listed by the state agency.
- 4
Select License Type & Pay
Choose the appropriate license type for your needs, add any required endorsements or tags, and complete payment.
- 5
Print or Save Your License
Print your license or save a digital copy. You must carry your valid license while hunting in North Dakota.
Need help? Call North Dakota Game and Fish Department at 701-328-6300
Not sure what you need? Use our License Cost Calculator to get a personalized estimate →
Step-by-step: How to buy your hunting license online for any state →
North Dakota Hunting Seasons (2025-2026)
| Species | Method | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery | August 29 | January 4 | |
| White-tailed Deer | Firearms | November 7 | November 23 | |
| Mule Deer | Firearms | November 7 | November 23 | Western units |
| Antelope | Firearms | October 3 | October 19 | |
| Turkey | Spring | April 12 | May 18 | |
| Turkey | Fall | October 11 | January 4 | |
| Pheasant | General | October 11 | January 4 | |
| Duck | General | September 27 | December 7 | |
| Sharp-tailed Grouse | General | September 13 | January 4 |
View full North Dakota season regulations on NDG&F
Compare deer tag costs and season dates across all 50 states →
Compare turkey license costs and season dates across all states →
Discounts & Exemptions
| Group | Benefit | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Senior | Reduced | Residents 65+ with reduced fishing license; may apply to hunting |
| Youth | Reduced ($10) | Youth under 16 — big game license $10 |
| Disabled Veteran | Free or Reduced | Veterans with 100% service-related disability — combination license $10 |
| Active Military | Resident rates | ND residents on active military duty — can hunt/fish on leave without license |
North Dakota Hunting Regulations Overview
Bag Limits
Check species-specific bag limits in the North Dakota official regulations. Limits vary by species, management unit, and season.
Legal Methods
Approved hunting methods include firearm, archery, and muzzleloader. Crossbows are legal. Specific rules apply to each method.
Safety Requirements
Blaze orange is required during firearms deer season.
Shooting Hours
Hunting is generally permitted from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Check local variations.
- 400 square inches of blaze orange above the waist required during firearms big game season.
- PLOTS program provides walk-in access to enrolled private land for public hunting within legal seasons or as signed.
- Nonresidents may not hunt any game during the first seven days of pheasant season on NDGF-owned or leased lands, state wildlife management areas, or Conservation PLOTS areas unless a narrow official exception applies.
- Swan permits available through special draw.
Read full North Dakota regulations on NDG&F
Not sure if you qualify for a discount? Take the Eligibility Quiz →
North Dakota Proof Checklist
Use official owner pages for license, access, education, season, and transport decisions before entering the field.
Use the official portal
Confirm the state agency, product year, cart items, receipt, and field-proof rules before buying.
Open guideVerify access owner
Check public-land, WMA, refuge, road, closure, parking, camping, and private-boundary rules at the source.
Open guideSolve transport early
Save CWD, carcass, meat, head, cape, waterfowl, transit-state, processor, and proof requirements.
Open guide
North Dakota Hunting License FAQ
How much does a hunting license cost in North Dakota?
For adult nonresidents, NDGF lists Small Game at $150, a Fishing/Hunting/Furbearer Certificate at $5, and a General Game and Habitat License at $20. Deer gun first lottery is listed at $355 including the application fee, while white-tailed deer bow is $350 before the annual prerequisite rows.
Do I need hunter education to hunt in North Dakota?
Yes if you were born after December 31, 1961. NDGF says those hunters must have passed a certified state or provincial hunter education course before purchasing a North Dakota hunting license.
Can non-residents hunt in North Dakota?
Yes, but the path depends on species. Small game is a nonlottery purchase path, regular waterfowl has zone and two-7-day-period rules, deer gun and any deer bow are lottery paths, and PLOTS/WMA first-week pheasant-season restrictions can affect access.
What is the deer season in North Dakota?
NDGF lists 2026 deer gun as November 6-22 with a June 3 lottery deadline. Nonresident deer bow is a lottery path and has an early private-land-only restriction that excludes PLOTS before public land opens to nonresidents.
Are there free hunting licenses in North Dakota?
Veterans with 100% service-related disability get the combination license for $10. Youth under 16 pay $10 for big game. Military on leave hunt free.
What is the PLOTS program?
Private Land Open To Sportsmen (PLOTS) provides walk-in public hunting access on enrolled private land. Nonresidents should check the first-seven-days pheasant-season restriction for NDGF lands, state WMAs, and Conservation PLOTS areas before entering.