This guide is provided for informational purposes and is not intended as a complete listing of regulations. For more specific information on regulations and laws, visit the Game and Fish Department website (for season proclamations) or for North Dakota state laws go to www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/T201.html.
Licensing on the Web and Telephone, Downloadable Applications, & Regulations
2008 Deer Hunting Guide (903Kb PDF)
2008 Deer Proclamation (247Kb
PDF)
Opens: Aug. 29 (12 noon Central Daylight Time)
Closes: Jan. 4
Areas: Statewide
Restrictions: Orange clothing required of all bow hunters during regular gun
season (exception see Special Herd Reduction Deer Bow Sea-sons) and bow hunters in units 2C and 2D
during September antler-less deer gun season. Nonresidents – Restricted to species of deer
described on license. Nonresidents are also not allowed to hunt deer with a bow on Game and Fish
Department wildlife management areas or Private Land Open to Sportsmen (PLOTS) areas from Oct.
11-17, 2008.
Opens: Sept. 12 (12 noon Central Daylight Time)
Closes: Sept. 21
Areas: Statewide
Restrictions: Any deer is legal except in units 3B1, 3B2, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and
4F a special restricted license is required to hunt antlered mule deer. No unit restrictions except
those possessing restricted antlered mule deer licenses for units 3B1, 3B2, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and
4F must hunt in their unit the entire season. Orange clothing required.
Opens: Nov. 7 (12 noon Central Standard Time)
Closes: Nov. 23
Areas: All units
Restrictions: Restricted to type of deer and unit described on license. Type of
deer includes species and sex. See map on back for unit descriptions. Note exception for
white-tailed deer hunters in units 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E (see below). Orange clothing required.
Opens: Nov. 28 (12 noon Central Standard Time)
Closes: Dec. 14
Areas: Statewide
Restrictions: Restricted to antlered or antlerless white-tailed deer only as
described on license. No unit restrictions. Orange clothing required.
Opens: Sept. 26 (12 noon Central Daylight Time)
Closes: Oct. 2
Restrictions: Restricted to units 2C and 2D antlerless license holders only.
Orange clothing required.
Hunting Hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sun-set except opening day. Hunters must cease any hunting activity, leave any stand or blind, and must be in the process of leaving the field at the close of shooting hours.
Deer Bow – Resident – not limited. Nonresident bow licenses valid for any white-tailed deer statewide are not limited. Nonresident any-deer bow licenses, valid for any deer, are limited to 1,252, a number equal to 15 percent of the total mule deer gun season licenses made available during the previous year.
Youth Deer – Restricted youth (type I) antlered mule deer licenses (valid for any deer including antlered mule deer) are limited as follows: unit 3B1-50, 3B2-25, 4A-45, 4B-65, 4C-50, 4D-55, 4E-35, and 4F-20. Regular youth (type H) licenses are valid statewide for any deer (except antlered mule deer in units 3B1, 3B2, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, and 4F) and are not limited. If the licensee is unsuccessful in harvesting a deer during the youth deer season, the license will also be valid during the regular deer gun season. Restricted youth antlered mule deer licenses are valid only for the specific unit during either season.
Deer Gun – No more than 149,400 licenses will be issued. Special permits designating type of deer and unit are a part of the gun license.
Muzzleloader – State law allows 2 percent of the total number of white-tailed deer gun licenses available each year to be issued as muzzleloader licenses. For 2008, 2,816 total muzzleloader licenses may be issued, one half (1,408) as antlered whitetail and one half (1,408) as antlerless whitetail. Muzzleloader licenses are valid statewide.
White-tailed deer license holders for units 4B and 4C must hunt in their assigned unit for the first 2-1/2 days (Nov. 7-9). For the remainder of the season they may hunt either or both units.
White-tailed deer license holders for units 4D and 4E must hunt in their assigned unit for the first 2-1/2 days (Nov. 7-9). For the remainder of the season they may hunt either or both units.
Who May Apply – Residents and nonresidents are eligible for deer bow, deer gun, and muzzleloader seasons. Resident first-time deer gun hunters ages 14 and 15 who have never received a deer gun license are eligible to receive a youth deer license. (Youth who turn age 14 between the opening date of the youth deer season and the opening date of the regular deer gun season may apply for and receive a special youth deer license but may hunt only during the regular deer gun season.)
Hunter Education Requirement – Hunters born after Dec. 31, 1961, must have passed a certified state or provincial hunter education course in order to purchase a North Dakota hunting license. Persons who hunt only on land they own or operate are exempt from this requirement.
Minimum Age – The minimum age to purchase a youth deer, deer gun or muzzleloader license is 14 on opening day of the season. Anyone under age 15 afield with firearms must be under direct supervision of a parent, guardian, or adult authorized by their parent or guardian.
Nonresidents – State law allocates nonresidents 1 percent of deer gun and muzzleloader licenses available in any unit (through the second deer gun lottery). One half of the nonresident allocation of antlered white-tailed deer licenses, up to a maximum of 100 licenses, are available to licensed guides or outfitters. Nonresidents may apply for a deer gun license after the second lottery at a fee of $50. Nonresident full-time students living in North Dakota, who are attending a state or tribal college or a private institution of higher education, may qualify for nonlottery resident licenses. Contact the Department for details.
Military – North Dakota residents who are on active duty with the Nation-al Guard or Reserve and who were stationed outside of the state during the initial 2008 deer gun lottery are eligible to purchase one deer gun license for a white-tailed deer in a unit of their choice. Also, North Dakota residents who were on active duty with the U.S. Armed Forces and stationed outside of the state during the 2007 deer gun season and there-fore were unable to participate in the season, are eligible to purchase one deer gun license for any deer in a unit of their choice.
General – Licenses must be signed in ink and are nontransferable. No person may give away, barter or sell an issued license.
Deer bow – All resident licenses, and nonresident licenses for white-tailed deer only, are issued by county auditors, license vendors, the Department, or by calling 800-406-6409. Nonresident any-deer licenses are issued on a first-come, first-served basis only from the Department's’s Bismarck office. It is illegal to buy more than one deer bow license per season.
Youth deer – Licenses are issued only through the Department’s Bismarck office. The deadline for submitting a restricted youth antlered mule deer lottery application is June 4, 2008. The deadline for submitting regular youth season applications is Sept. 1, 2008.
Deer gun – Licenses are issued by a weighted lottery. The deadline for submitting lottery applications is June 4, 2008. Any remaining licenses are also issued by lottery, or on a first-come, first-served basis. Check with the Department for details.
Muzzleloader – Licenses are issued by a weighted lottery. The deadline for submitting applications is June 4, 2008.
Resident Gratis and Nonresident Landowner – Licenses are available to residents and nonresidents who own, or residents who lease for agricultural purposes and actively farm or ranch, at least 160 acres of land located in an open hunting area. These licenses are valid only upon land described on the license. The resident gratis or nonresident landowner license may be used during the deer bow, deer gun or muzzleloader seasons until the license is filled. Resident gratis and nonresident landowner licenses are issued only through the Department’s Bismarck office and are subtracted from the maximum number of deer gun licenses available (nonresident landowner from the one percent allocation), for each unit. A resident who holds a valid lottery license to hunt deer may hunt the same species and sex of deer, for which that person’s license is valid, on land in an adjoining unit for which that person would be eligible for a resident gratis deer license. A person, that person’s spouse, and their children who have a gratis deer license may hunt together on any qualifying land described on any of their licenses provided they hunt within the same unit in which their described land is located. No other licenses are required for resident gratis licensees.
License Fees
Other Licenses Required – In addition to the deer license, hunters must also possess a fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate ($1 for residents and $2 for nonresidents) and a general game and habitat license ($13) or combination license ($32). All stamps must be affixed to the back of a licensee’s fishing, hunting, and furbearer certificate. Stamps and licenses must be signed in ink.
All big game hunters, including bow hunters, are required to wear orange clothing while the regular deer gun season is in progress. All youth deer season and muzzleloader season hunters are required to wear orange clothing. Legal orange clothing is a head covering and outer garment above the waistline of solid daylight fluorescent orange color, totaling at least 400 square inches.
Hunting big game over bait on Department wildlife management areas is prohibited. Hunting over bait is defined as the placement and/or use of bait(s) for attracting big game and other wildlife to a specific location for the purpose of hunting. Baits include but are not limited to grains, minerals, salts, fruits, vegetables, hay or any other natural or manufactured foods. The designation does not apply to the use of scents and lures, water, food plots, standing crops, or livestock feeds being used in standard practices.
Hunting over bait is also not allowed on all U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service national wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas; all North Dakota state school lands; and all North Dakota state park lands.
License holders must accompany their own game animal, or parts thereof, (excluding hide) during transportation, except that a permit for the transportation of game may be issued by the Department upon request. Game may be shipped by common carrier in receipt of proper bill of lading. A deer carcass must be accompanied by the head to the final place of storage. No resident of the state may ship big game or parts thereof (other than hides) out of the state without a permit from the Department. It is illegal to possess or transport another’s game animal or parts thereof (excluding hide) without the license holder accompanying or as otherwise permitted. Processed and packaged meat (cut, ground and wrapped meat) of legally harvested game may be gifted to another. Unprocessed, unpackaged meat of legally harvested game may be gifted as follows: 1) Prior to reaching the licensee’s permanent residence a transportation permit must be obtained and accompany the game meat. 2) After reaching the licensee’s permanent residence if accompanied by the carcass tag of the person who harvested the game. Commercial processors and common carriers (shipping companies, commercial meat processors, and taxidermists) may possess any person’s legally taken possession limit of game. The carcass tag from the individual’s license shall accompany the carcass through processing and must be returned to the individual to be kept until the meat is consumed or until March 31, 2009.
IMMEDIATELY after an animal has been killed, the hunter must indicate the date of kill by cutting out the appropriate month and day from the tag provided with the license, and attach it to the base of the antler on antlered deer, or in a slit in the ear on antlerless deer as illustrated on the tag backing. The tag, when properly placed, shall remain with the antlers or head until March 31, 2009. After the antlers, head, or hide have been removed from the carcass, the carcass tag shall remain with the carcass or processed meat until consumed or until March 31, 2009. No person may reuse or attempt to reuse any tag issued. When any part of an animal is mounted, if the tag is removed from the antlers or ear, the tag must be securely fastened to the back or bottom of the mount and remain there. Tags are not transferable.
Deer Bow Season – A bow must be pulled, held, and released by hand. Any release aid may be used providing it is hand operated, the shooter supports the draw weight of the bow, and the release is not attached to any part of the bow other than at the bowstring. A compound bow used for hunting deer must have at least 35 pounds of draw at 28 inches or less draw length. Recurve and long bows used for hunting deer must have at least 35 pounds of draw at 28 inches. Arrows must be at least 24 inches long, tipped with a metal broadhead, with at least two sharp cutting edges, and have a cutting diameter of at least 3/4 inch (i.e., not able to pass through a 3/4 inch ring). It is illegal to hunt big game with barbed arrows. Broadheads with mechanical or retractable blades not manufactured to stay open are legal. 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. Handheld range finding devices are legal. Arrows capable of causing damage or injury in excess of that inflicted by the cutting edges of the broadhead are prohibited (e.g., explosive arrow points, arrows tipped with drugs or chemicals, and pneumatic or hydraulic shafts are illegal). No firearms, except handguns, may be in the hunter’s possession while hunting with a deer bow license. However, handguns may not be used in any manner to assist in the harvest of a deer with an archery license.
Youth Deer Season – All firearms and archery equipment allowed during the regular deer gun season are legal during the youth deer season. In addition, each youth licensee must be accompanied by at least one unarmed parent, guardian, or adult authorized by their parent or guardian. (No licensee hunting in the field during the youth deer season may be accompanied by a nonlicensee carrying a firearm or bow and arrow. A nonlicensee is a person not having a youth deer season license.) Quadriplegics of any age having a regular deer season lottery license may also hunt during the youth deer season but are restricted to the type of deer and unit as described on their license.
Deer Gun Season – Centerfire rifles of .22 to .49 caliber, and muzzleloading rifles of .45 caliber or larger, are legal for deer. Centerfire rifles of .50 caliber or larger using smokeless powder are prohibited. Rifles must have a minimum barrel length of 16 inches. Rifled slugs or patched round balls of 20 gauge or larger are legal for shotguns and muzzleloaders. Minimum barrel length of shotguns is 18 inches. Handguns must have a minimum barrel length of 4 inches and be .35 caliber or larger. In addition, any centerfire handgun designed to fire a legal rifle cartridge is legal. All legal bow equipment as listed in the deer bow season section is legal during the deer gun season. Fully automatic firearms, full metal jacketed bullets, or altered projectiles are prohibited.
Areas Closed To Hunting with Centerfire Rifles
During the open deer gun season only handguns, shotguns with rifled slugs, legal
muzzleloading firearms and legal bow equipment may be used for taking deer on the following
areas:
Other Firearms/Archery Equipment Restrictions
Federal or state properties such as refuges, sanctuaries, military installations, parks*, or
historic sites posted to no trespassing or no hunting are closed to the hunting of deer.
*(Exception: Portions of Fort Stevenson State Park in Unit 3A3 will be open during the deer
bow season. Contact the park office for details – (701) 337-5576.)
*(Exception: Grahams Island State Park in Unit 2L. In addition to a Unit 2L deer hunting license, a special park permit will be required.) Special restrictions will be required when hunting in the park. Contact the park office for additional information and for obtaining permits – (701) 766-4015.
Also closed for the deer gun and muzzleloader seasons is that portion of unit 2L starting at the junction of U.S. Highway 2 and ND Highway 20, then south along ND Highway 20 and ND Highway 57 to the north shore of Devils Lake, then northwest along the north shore of Devils Lake to the west edge of South Creel Township, then north along the township line to ND Highway 19, then east along ND Highway 19 to its junction with US Highway 2, then southeast along US Highway 2 to the point of origin, except Camp Grafton where a limited number of special permits will be issued to disabled veterans. Check with the headquarters at Camp Grafton for details – (701) 662-0200.
State school land is open to public access including hunting unless posted with State Land Department signs. Contact the State Land Department for additional information regarding state school lands.
When hunting near boundaries of closed refuges, sanctuaries, military installations, parks or historic sites – make sure you are familiar with any retrieval restrictions that may apply.
Do not hunt on road rights of way unless you are certain that they are open to public use. Most road rights of way are under the control of the adjacent landowner and are closed to hunting when the adjacent land is posted closed to hunting.
No person shall kill, cripple, waste, destroy, spoil, or abandon the edible flesh of any big game animal without making a reasonable effort to retrieve and retain the big game animal in his/her actual custody, at the place where taken and between that place and either (a) his/her permanent residence (b) a taxidermist (c) a common carrier or (d) a commercial processor.
“Edible Flesh” (big game animals) is both front quarters, both hind quarters and back straps but does not include meat ruined by bullet or natural causes.
Animals – It is unlawful to use any animal except horses or mules as an aid in the hunting or taking of big game.
Tree Stands – No person may construct or use a permanent tree stand or permanent steps to a tree stand on any state wildlife management area, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service national wildlife refuge or waterfowl production area. Portable tree stands and portable steps, and natural tree stands may be used. Portable tree stands and portable steps are defined as those which are held to the tree with ropes, straps, cables, chains or bars. The use of nails, wire, screws or bolts to attach steps or a stand to a tree is prohibited on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service national wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas. Screw-in steps (allowed on state wildlife management areas) are those that are screwed into the tree by hand without the aid of any tools. Ladder type stands which lean against the tree are portable stands. A notched board placed in a tree crotch is a portable stand. Natural stands are those crotches, trunks, down trees, etc., where no platform is used. Tree stands do not preempt hunting rights in the vicinity of the tree stand. Tree stands and steps may not be put up on state wildlife management areas before Aug. 20, 2008, and they shall be taken down by Jan. 10, 2009. Stands and steps not removed by Jan. 10, 2009, are considered abandoned property and are subject to removal and confiscation by the Game and Fish Department. Tree stands must be removed daily on national wildlife refuges. Portable tree stands on waterfowl production areas may be used in accordance with state regulations.
National wildlife refuges open to deer hunting during the youth deer season include: Arrowwood, Chase Lake, Des Lacs, J. Clark Salyer, Long Lake, Lostwood, Lake Alice, Lake Nettie, Sibley Lake, Slade, Tewaukon, Upper Souris and Zahl. Youth hunters are required to contact refuge headquarters for permission and details.
Certain national wildlife refuges may be open to deer hunting during the bow and muzzleloader seasons. Contact refuge headquarters for details. Some national wildlife refuges will be open during the deer gun season (see table below), including some requiring a special refuge permit which controls the amount of access during the season. Special refuge permits are determined by lottery and must be applied for through the initial lottery drawing process. To receive a special refuge permit, an individual must first be successful in drawing a unit permit.
On national wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas, hunting with horses or mules is prohibited and the distribution of bait and hunting over bait is also prohibited.
| Refuge | Permits | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Souris (701-468-5467) | 125 Antlered | 3A2 |
| Tewaukon (701-724-3598) | 15 Antlered | 2G2 |
| Restrictions: Only holders of refuge permits may hunt antlered deer on the refuge. Refuge permit holders may hunt off the refuge anywhere in the unit. No refuge permit required to hunt antlerless deer. | ||
| J. Clark Salyer (701-768-2548) | 175 Antlered | 3A4 |
| Restrictions: Only holders of refuge permits may hunt antlered deer on the refuge and permit holders may not hunt off the refuge. No refuge permit required to hunt antlerless deer. | ||
| Arrowwood (701-285-3341) | No refuge permit required | 2F2 |
| Audubon (701-442-5474) | No refuge permit required | 2K1 |
| Chase Lake (701-752-4218) | No refuge permit required | 2J2 |
| Des Lacs (701-385-4046) | No refuge permit required | 3A2 & 3A3 |
| Lake Alice (701-662-8611) | No refuge permit required | 2E |
| Lake Nettie (701-442-5474) | No refuge permit required | 2K1 |
| Lake Zahl (701-965-6488) | No refuge permit required | 3A1 |
| Long Lake (701-387-4397) | No refuge permit required | 2I |
| Lostwood (701-848-2722) | No refuge permit required | 3A1 |
| Slade (701-387-4397) | No refuge permit required | 2I |
| Sibley Lake (701-845-3466) | No refuge permit required | 2F1 |
| Restrictions: Open for entire season for persons possessing a license in the unit. | ||
Earlier this year, the North Dakota Department of Health participated in a small study that identified the presence of lead fragments in some venison donated to three North Dakota food pantries. Since then, other states have conducted similar research and found similar results. More information on this issue is available on the North Dakota Department of Health website at http://www.health.state.nd.us/lead/venison/. The Game and Fish Department will also post more information on its website as it becomes available.
Fire danger indexes provide an indication of wildland fire potential.
Fire danger indexes are calculated considering temperature, humidity, wind speed, cloud cover and vegetative condition, and are classified as Low, Medium, High, Very High, or Extreme.
Fires are more likely to occur on higher index days. Certain outdoor activities may be prohibited when a fire danger index is considered Very High or Extreme.
Hunters are asked to be aware of current fire danger indexes. Updated information is available through NOAA Weather Radio, the National Weather Service at www.crh.noaa.gov/bis/, or from your county sheriff’s office.
If the Game and Fish director determines after the regular lottery that an adequate number of licenses remain unissued, additional seasons may be proclaimed for antlerless deer only and they would run concurrently with the regular gun, muzzleloader and bow seasons. Additional concur-rent season licenses may be used during any open season provided the unit, sex, and species printed on the license is adhered to. Only firearms or bows legal during the appropriate season time frame may be used. Youth under age 14 may purchase a first-come, first-served (concurrent season) deer license and use legal archery equipment to harvest a deer.
If an individual hunts exclusively on Indian lands within an Indian reservation, a tribal license is required and a state hunting license is not required. Hunting on nontribal lands within an Indian reservation requires a state hunting license. Game taken legally with a tribal license within an Indian reservation may be possessed and transported anywhere in North Dakota.
Portions of some units are located on Indian reservations. Contact reservation tribal offices for more information.
Rap (Report All Poachers) Program. This program encourages reporting of wildlife violations. Callers can remain anonymous if they prefer and rewards range from $100 to $1,000 depending on the nature and seriousness of the crime. Call 800-472-2121. Call this number only to report game and fish violations. Note: If calling from outside North Dakota, the number is (701) 328-9921.The reward fund is supported by private donations. If you wish to donate to the RAP program, tax deductible contributions can be sent to RAP, Box 188, Valley City, ND 58072-0188.

View enlarged deer units map (340Kb jpg).
A high quality, enlargable map is also available in Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™ format.
All units are bounded by interstate highways, U.S. highways or North Dakota state highways as noted on the map, with the following exceptions:
Contribute your deer hide to a local collection point for the charity of your choice.