Quick Links
North Dakota Hunting Overview
North Dakota often gets overlooked when searching for western hunting opportunities, but robust wildlife populations and beautiful landscapes make it an excellent destination for big game hunting. North Dakota offers a range of species to target, with deer being the most popular and available. Over 100,000 hunters pursue opportunities annually, which also includes pronghorn, elk, moose, and bighorn sheep.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGFD) manages hunting opportunities in the state. Most North Dakota hunting opportunities are managed and allocated through various draws in the state. Many resident deer tags are available over-the-counter in the state.
Big Game Species
North Dakota offers a range of big game species opportunities, including mule and whitetail deer, elk, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, and moose. Residents are eligible for all species, while nonresidents are only eligible for deer and bighorn sheep opportunities. That said, nonresident tag allocation for sheep is extremely low making it cost prohibitive for most nonresidents to apply.
Draw and OTC Sales and Dates
North Dakota has a tendency to finalize draw dates very shortly before deadlines arrive. Tentative closing dates are posted long in advance, and generally are finalized without changes, however it is important to check the NDGF website frequently to validate these dates. Opening dates below are estimates, as they are rarely posted and generally not “finalized” until after the draws are already open.
Below is a table of tentative and finalized dates for 2024 North Dakota applications.
| Event | Residency | Species | Opening | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Spring Turkey Application | Resident | Turkey | January 22, 2024 | February 14, 2024 |
| North Dakota Big Game Draw | Resident | Bighorn Sheep, Elk, Moose | March 14, 2024 | March 27, 2024 |
| North Dakota Nonresident Any Deer Bow Draw | Non-resident | Deer | April 15, 2024 | May 15, 2024 |
| North Dakota Deer Draw | Both | Deer | March 10, 2024 | June 5, 2024 (tentative) |
| North Dakota Antelope Draw | Resident | Antelope | July 1, 2024 | August 7, 2024 (tentative) |
North Dakota Hunting Point System
North Dakota uses a weighted bonus points system for deer gun, muzzleloader deer, nonresident archery deer, pronghorn, swan, and spring and fall wild turkey lotteries. This system behaves as a hybrid between standard bonus and preference point systems. However, the system provides a substantial increase in draw odds when reaching 4 points, based on the calculation system. The method of calculating total draw entries based on points is below, where “P” is the number of points an applicant has:
- 0 to 3 points: (P * 2) + 1
- 4+ points: (P^3) + 1
Applicants can miss one year and retain their points. However, if an applicant fails to apply for two consecutive years, they will lose their points for that species. Bonus points only apply to a hunters first choice in each lottery. A hunter can draw a tag on their second or later choice applications and still receive a point for that species.
North Dakota Point Types
| Point | Type | Residency |
|---|---|---|
| Deer | Bonus Point | Both |
| Pronghorn | Bonus Point | Resident |
How to build points
Points are acquired through the annual draws for each respective species. An applicant that is unsuccessful in drawing their first choice selection will receive a bonus point for the following year. Applicants can also choose to purchase a point only through the draw, and must pay a fee equivalent to the standard application fee for the species.
Tags, Licenses, and Pricing
A valid hunting General Game and Habitat License is required for all applications. Hunters must also get a Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate in order to apply for licenses or acquire bonus points. Below is a list of pricing for hunting licenses, fees, and tags in the state.
General License Pricing
| Item | Resident Price | Non-Resident Price |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate | $1.00 | $2.00 |
| General Game and Habitat License | $20.00 | $20.00 |
| Combination License | $52.00 |
Species Specific Pricing
| Item | Resident Price | Non-Resident Price |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Tag | $30.00 | $250.00 |
| Deer Tag - Leftover Gun | $50.00 | |
| Pronghorn Tag | $30.00 | |
| Elk Tag | $30.00 | |
| Moose Tag | $30.00 | |
| Bighorn Sheep Tag | $30.00 | $500.00 |
| Application Fee - Firearm Deer | $5.00 | |
| Application Fee - Moose, Elk, Sheep | $5.00 | $100.00 |
North Dakota Hunting Regulations
Hunters Education
- Hunters Education is required for individuals born after December 31st, 1961. The certification must be registered with the state prior to applying.
Age Restrictions
- Hunters must be 12 years of age.
Archery Limitations
- Mechanical broadheads and lighted nocks are allowed.
- Telescopic sights, range finding devices, battery-powered or electronically lighted sights or other electronic devices attached to the bow, or the arrow, are not permitted.
Group Hunting
Group hunting applications are allowed in North Dakota. For non-resident any deer archery, up to 5 hunters may apply as a group.
When applying as a group, bonus points are based on the lowest party member’s points level.
North Dakota Hunting FAQ
Waiting Periods
Youth Hunting
Landowner Tag Options
Weapon Restrictions
Return / Transfer Tags
Get the OnPoint app!
Get the OnPoint app!
Get every application, details, deadlines, and more at your fingertips with the OnPoint mobile app!
