Resident Licenses
Notes
- The following prerequisites are required in addition to a hunting and/or fishing license:
- Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate: Required to hunt or fish in North Dakota. Need only purchase one per year per licensee.
- General Game and Habitat License: Required for all hunting licenses except furbearer. Need only purchase one per year per licensee.
- Lotteries: Deer gun, moose, elk, bighorn sheep, tundra swan and wild turkey licenses are issued by lottery.
- HIP Registration: All hunters regardless of age must obtain a new Harvest Information Program registration number each year for each state in which they hunt ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, coots, cranes, snipe, doves and woodcock. Registration is free.
- Federal Waterfowl Stamp (Duck Stamp): Required of all hunters ages 16 and older to hunt ducks, geese, swans, mergansers and coot. Exception: Not required to hunt during spring light goose conservation season. Stamps cost $25 + $2 shipping and handling.
Licenses
Combination Licenses
| License | License Fee | *Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate |
|---|
| Combination License (ages 16 and older) - includes fishing, general game and habitat, small game and furbearer licenses. | $52 | $1 |
| Veteran Combined Hunting (requires 100% service-related disability) includes general game and habitat, small game, and fur-bearer licenses | $3 | $1 |
| *Need only purchase one per year per licensee. |
Fishing
| License | License Fee | *Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate |
|---|
| Fishing License (ages 16 and older) | $18 | $1 |
| Fishing License (ages 15 and younger not required, except for paddlefish tags, which are required for all paddlefish snaggers.) | n/a | n/a |
| Married Couple Fishing License | $24 | $1 |
| Senior Citizen Fishing License (65 or older) | $5 | $1 |
| Active Military - North Dakota residents who are on leave from active duty with the United States military can fish without a license. | n/a | n/a |
| Totally or Permanently Disabled Fishing License (proof of disability required) | $5 | $1 |
| Veteran with a 50 percent service-related disability | $5 | $1 |
| Paddlefish (A regular fishing license is also required for paddlefish snagging) | $10 | $1 |
| *Need only purchase one certificate and one General Game and Habitat license per year per licensee. A combination license may be purchased instead of a general game and habitat license. |
Big Game
| License | License Fee | *Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate | *General Game and Habitat | Nonrefundable Application Fee |
|---|
| **Deer Gun (1st lottery) | $30 | $1 | $20 | n/a |
| Deer Gun (ages 15 and younger) | $10 | $1 | $20 | n/a |
| Deer Bow (age 16 or older) | $30 | $1 | $20 | n/a |
| Deer Bow (ages 15 and younger) | $10 | $1 | $20 | n/a |
| Pronghorn (age 16 or older) | $30 | $1 | $20 | n/a |
| Pronghorn (ages 15 and younger) | $10 | $1 | $20 | n/a |
| Moose (age 16 or older) | $30 | $1 | $20 | $5 |
| Moose (ages 15 and younger) | $10 | $1 | $20 | $5 |
| Elk (age 16 or older) | $30 | $1 | $20 | $5 |
| Elk (ages 15 and younger) | $10 | $1 | $20 | $5 |
| Bighorn Sheep (age 16 or older) | $30 | $1 | $20 | $5 |
| Bighorn Sheep (ages 15 and younger) | $10 | $1 | $20 | $5 |
| *Need only purchase one certificate and one General Game and Habitat license per year per licensee. A combination license may be purchased instead of a general game and habitat license. |
**Military Deer Gun Licenses
- A resident of North Dakota who is a member of the United States Armed Forces stationed outside this state, who shows proof of North Dakota residency, including a driver’s license number or a non-driver photo identification number from this state, and who pays the appropriate licensing fee, is eligible to be issued a deer gun season license without having to participate in the lottery.
- North Dakota residents who were on federal active duty with the U.S. Armed Forces under Title 10, stationed outside of the state during the previous year’s deer gun season, and who received the expeditionary medal or campaign badge, and submit an application and appropriate license fee by the deer gun application deadline, are eligible for one white-tailed deer gun license in the unit of their choice, without having to participate in the lottery. Applications received after the deer gun deadline will be issued licenses based on availability.
|
Upland and Small Game
Crow, Doves, Hungarian Partridge, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Ruffed Grouse, Sandhill Cranes, Snipe, Woodcock, Pheasants, Tree Squirrels, Waterfowl (also see crane, early Canada goose and swan requirements sections below).
| License | License Fee | *Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate | *General Game and Habitat License |
|---|
| Small Game License (age 16 or older) | $10 | $1 | $20 |
| Small Game License (age 15 or younger) | n/a | $1 | $20 |
| *Need only purchase one certificate and one General Game and Habitat license per year per licensee. A combination license may be purchased instead of a general game and habitat license. |
| If hunting ducks, geese, swans, mergansers and coot, a Federal Waterfowl Stamp is required (exceptions: not required to hunt during spring light goose conservation season and not required for hunters ages 15 and younger). |
| If hunting ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, coots, cranes, snipe, doves or woodcock, HIP registration is required. |
Early Canada Goose
| License | License Fee | *Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate | *General Game and Habitat License | Small Game License | Federal Waterfowl Stamp |
|---|
| Early Canada Goose (ages 16 and older) | $5 | $1 | $20 | $10 | $27 |
| Early Canada Goose - (ages 15 and younger) | $5 | $1 | $20 | n/a | n/a |
| *Need only purchase one certificate and one General Game and Habitat license per year per licensee. A combination license may be purchased instead of a general game and habitat license. |
| HIP registration is required. |
Spring Light Goose Conservation Order
Snow, Blue and Ross's geese only
| License | License Fee | *Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate | *General Game and Habitat License | Small Game License | Federal Waterfowl Stamp |
|---|
| Spring Light Goose Conservation Order (ages 16 and older) | n/a | $1 | $20 | $10 | n/a |
| Spring Light Goose Conservation Order (ages 15 and younger) | n/a | $1 | $20 | n/a | n/a |
| *Need only purchase one certificate and one General Game and Habitat license per year per licensee. A combination license may be purchased instead of a general game and habitat license. |
| A Federal Waterfowl Stamp is not required. |
| HIP registration is required. |
| Resident spring goose hunters must have a current year license beginning April 1. The past year's license expires March 31 |
Wild Turkey
| License | License Fee | *Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate | *General Game and Habitat License | Small Game License |
|---|
| Wild Turkey, spring and fall (ages 16 and older, 1st lottery) | $15 | $1 | $20 | $10 |
| Wild Turkey, spring and fall (ages 15 and younger) | $15 | $1 | $20 | n/a |
| *Need only purchase one certificate and one General Game and Habitat license per year per licensee. A combination license may be purchased instead of a general game and habitat license. |
Sandhill Crane
| License | License Fee | *Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate | *General Game and Habitat License | Small Game License |
|---|
| Sandhill Crane Permit (ages 16 and older) | $10 | $1 | $20 | $10 |
| Sandhill Crane Permit (ages 15 and younger) | $10 | $1 | $20 | n/a |
| *Need only purchase one certificate and one General Game and Habitat license per year per licensee. A combination license may be purchased instead of a general game and habitat license. |
| HIP registration is required. |
Swan
| License | License Fee | *Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate | *General Game and Habitat License | Federal Waterfowl Stamp |
|---|
| Swan (ages 16 and older) | $10 | $1 | $20 | $27 |
| Swan (ages 15 and younger) | $10 | $1 | $20 | n/a |
| *Need only purchase one certificate and one General Game and Habitat license per year per licensee. A combination license may be purchased instead of a general game and habitat license. |
| HIP registration is required. |
Furbearer
| License | License Fee | *Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate |
|---|
| Furbearer (ages 16 and older) | $15 | $1 |
| Furbearer (ages 15 and younger) - No license needed | n/a | n/a |
| Active Military - No license needed. Upon presentation of valid leave papers and a valid North Dakota operator's license, a resident who is on leave and is an active duty as a member of the United States armed forces or the United States merchant marine may hunt small game, fish, or trap during the open season without a license. | n/a | n/a |
| *Need only purchase one certificate license per year per licensee. |
| Hunters and trappers are required to purchase licenses, except any resident, or member of his or her family permanently residing with him or her, may hunt small game, trap or use cable devices during the open season without a license upon land owned or leased by him or her, but otherwise is governed by seasons, limits and all other regulations. |
Other
| License |
|---|
| North Dakota residents do not need a license to hunt prairie dog, skunk, porcupine, rabbits or ground squirrels. |
Nonresident Licenses
Notes
- The following prerequisites are required in addition to a hunting and/or fishing license:
- Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate: Required to hunt or fish in North Dakota except spring light goose and early Canada goose licenses. Need only purchase one per year per licensee.
- General Game and Habitat License: Required for all hunting licenses except furbearer, nongame, spring light goose and early Canada goose. Need only purchase one per year per licensee.
- Lotteries: Deer gun, bighorn sheep, tundra swan licenses are issued by lottery.
- HIP Registration: All hunters regardless of age must obtain a new Harvest Information Program registration number each year for each state in which they hunt ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, coots, cranes, snipe, doves and woodcock. Registration is free.
- Federal Waterfowl Stamp (Duck Stamp): Required of all hunters ages 16 and older to hunt ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, brant and coot. Exception: Not required to hunt during spring light goose conservation season. Stamps cost $25 + $2 shipping and handling.
Licenses
Fishing
| License | License Fee | *Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate |
|---|
| Individual Season Fishing (ages 16 and older) | $53 | $2 |
| Individual Season Fishing (ages 15 and younger) - Ages 15 and younger do not need a fishing license if accompanied by a licensed adult, except that paddlefish tags are required for all paddlefish snaggers. | n/a | n/a |
| Married Couple Season Fishing | $68 | $2 |
| 3 Day Fishing | $33 | $2 |
| 10 Day Fishing | $43 | $2 |
| Paddlefish Tag (A fishing license is also required for paddlefish snagging) | $25.50 | $2 |
| *Need only purchase one certificate and one General Game and Habitat license per year per licensee. |
Big Game
| License | License Fee | *Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate | *General Game and Habitat License |
|---|
Deer Gun (1st Lottery) - Includes a $5 nonrefundable application fee. All but application fee is refunded if application is unsuccessful.
After second lottery is held, a nonresident deer gun license is $55, if available. | $255 | $2 | $20 |
| Deer Gun (ages 15 and younger) | $55 | $1 | $20 |
| White-Tailed Deer Bow (ages 16 and older) | $250 | $2 | $20 |
| White-Tailed Deer Bow (ages 15 and younger) | $250 | $1 | $20 |
| Bighorn Sheep - Includes $100 nonrefundable application fee. Successful applicants must pay an additional $500 for the license. | $600 | $2 | $20 |
| *Need only purchase one certificate and one General Game and Habitat license per year per licensee. |
Upland and Small Game
Crow, Doves, Hungarian Partridge, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Ruffed Grouse, Sandhill Cranes (see additional requirements under the crane section), Snipe, Woodcock, Pheasants, Tree Squirrels
| License | License Fee | *Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate | *General Game and Habitat License |
|---|
|
| Small Game (ages 16 and older) - a nonresident must choose between a 14-consecutive-day or two 7-consecutive-day license periods and may purchase more than one license per year. | $100 | $2 | $20 |
| Small Game (ages 15 and younger) | n/a | $1 | $20 |
| *Need only purchase one certificate and one General Game and Habitat license per year per licensee. |
| HIP registration is required to hunt cranes, snipe, doves and woodcock. |
Waterfowl Licenses. There are two types available.
| License | License Fee | *Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate | *General Game and Habitat License | Federal Waterfowl Stamp |
|---|
| 1) A statewide license, allows hunting statewide for two 7-day periods or one 14-day period. | $153 | $2 | $20 | $27 |
| 2) A zone-restricted license that requires selection of hunting zones (zone map) according to the following restrictions: | $103 | $2 | $20 | $27 |
| Youth (ages 15 and younger) | n/a | $1 | $20 | n/a |
- A nonresident must select Zone 1 or Zone 2 for one seven-day period and Zone 3 for the other seven-day period or
- Zone 3 for the full 14 days or two seven-day periods or
- Zones 1 and 3 concurrently for the same 7-day period or zones 2 and 3 concurrently for the same 7-day period. This option effectively reduces the license to seven days only, as the two 7-day periods are run at the same time.
- Nonresidents under age 16 can purchase license at resident fee.
|
| *Need only purchase one certificate and one General Game and Habitat license per year per licensee. |
| HIP registration is required. |
Spring Light Goose Conservation Order
Snow, Blue and Ross's geese only
| License | License Fee | *Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate | *General Game and Habitat License |
|---|
| Spring Light Goose Conservation Order (ages 16 and older) | $50 | n/a | n/a |
| Spring Light Goose Conservation Order (ages 15 and younger) | n/a | $1 | $20 |
| *Need only purchase one certificate and one General Game and Habitat license per year per licensee. |
| A Federal Waterfowl Stamp is not required. |
| HIP registration is required. |
| Spring light goose license does not count against the 14-day regular season license. |
Early Canada Goose
| License | License Fee | Federal Waterfowl Stamp |
|---|
| Early Canada Goose (ages 16 and older) | $50 | $27 |
| Early Canada Goose - (ages 15 and younger) | $5 | n/a |
| HIP registration is required. |
| Early Canada goose license does not count against the 14-day regular season nonresident license. |
Fall Wild Turkey
| License | License Fee | *Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate | *General Game and Habitat License | Small Game License |
|---|
| Fall Wild Turkey (ages 16 and older) - After the first lottery has been held, if licenses remain, nonresidents may purchase a fall wild turkey license. | $80 | $2 | $20 | $100 |
| Fall Wild Turkey (ages 15 and younger) - After the first lottery has been held, if licenses remain, nonresidents may purchase a fall wild turkey license. | $15 | $1 | $20 | n/a |
| *Need only purchase one certificate and one General Game and Habitat license per year per licensee. |
Sandhill Crane
| License | License Fee | *Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate | *General Game and Habitat License | Small Game or Waterfowl License |
|---|
| Sandhill Crane Permit (ages 16 and older) | $30 | $2 | $20 | $100 (Small Game) or $103-$153 (Waterfowl) |
| Sandhill Crane Permit (ages 15 and younger) | $10 | $1 | $20 | n/a |
| *Need only purchase one certificate and one General Game and Habitat license per year per licensee. |
| HIP registration is required. |
Swan
| License | License Fee | *Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate | *General Game and Habitat License | Waterfowl License | Federal Waterfowl Stamp |
|---|
| Swan (ages 16 and older) | $30 | $2 | $20 | $103-$153 | $27 |
| Swan (ages 15 and younger) | $10 | $1 | $20 | n/a | n/a |
| *Need only purchase one certificate and one General Game and Habitat license per year per licensee. |
| HIP registration is required. |
Nongame
Allows taking unprotected species such as prairie dog, skunk, rabbits and ground squirrels
| License | License Fee | *Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate |
|---|
| Nongame (ages 16 and older) | $15 | $2 |
| Nongame (ages 15 and younger) | $15 | $1 |
| *Need only purchase one certificate per year per licensee. |
Furbearer and Nongame
| License | License Fee | *Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate |
|---|
| Furbearer and Nongame (ages 16 and older) - allows taking unprotected species and for hunting fox and coyote. | $40 | $2 |
| Furbearer and Nongame (ages 15 and younger) - allows taking unprotected species and for hunting fox and coyote. | $40 | $1 |
| Nonresidents Reciprocal Trapping License (ages 16 and older) - Reciprocal trapping (includes snaring) licenses are offered to nonresidents whose home state allows North Dakota residents to trap. Nonresidents having this license may not take bobcats, mountain lions, fishers or river otter. | $350 | $2 |
| Nonresidents Reciprocal Trapping License (ages 15 and younger) - Reciprocal trapping (includes snaring) licenses are offered to nonresidents whose home state allows North Dakota residents to trap. Nonresidents having this license may not take bobcats, mountain lions, fishers or river otter. | $350 | $1 |
| *Need only purchase one certificate per year per licensee. |
A Nonresident May Not Hunt Game and Fish Department Lands the First Week of Pheasant Season
Nonresidents may not hunt on lands owned or leased by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, including state wildlife management areas and Private Lands Open To Sportsmen (PLOTS), for the first week of pheasant season. This restriction applies to all types of hunting, not just pheasants. This restriction does not apply to lands owned or managed by other state agencies that may be open to hunting, such as state school lands, federal lands that may be open to hunting, such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service waterfowl production areas, or to private lands not enrolled in the Game and Fish PLOTS program.
