Key Changes In North Dakota’s 2025 Hunting Season

The North Dakota hunting season for 2025 got underway today with the early Canada Goose season kicking off.

I saw my first grain fields being harvested in southeast North Dakota last weekend, and that is always a sure sign that hunting season is right around the corner.

No doubt, Canada Geese will be feeding in those fields, and especially as it gets colder. This will give field hunters opportunities that they have been waiting for all offseason.

Waterfowl hunters, especially, will find some key changes to hunting in North Dakota this year.

What are some key changes to this year's North Dakota hunting seasons?

Let's take a look at duck and goose hunters and how they will have to adapt to new regulations. There are 4 significant changes, according to the North Dakota Game and Fish website.

#1 Nonresident Zones have increased to six, with no statewide licenses available.

#2 Waterfowl hunters are now required to purchase a "Waterfowl Habitat Restoration Stamp."

#3 Boat hunters will now be allowed to float while waterfowl hunting, but the motor must be off when using a motorized boat.

#4 Goose hunters will have extended shooting hours from sunrise to sunset on Fridays, starting November 28th. Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays will also offer extended shooting hours.

Other notable changes to this year's hunting season:

River Otter harvest: the quota increased to 30.

Night hunting for fox and coyote has been extended through May 31st, 2026.

What are the season outlooks this year for the big 3 in North Dakota (waterfowl, upland game birds, and deer)?

Duck numbers continue to decline in North Dakota. According to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, spring breeding duck surveys show an index of 2.66 million birds, down from 2.9 million in 2024 and 3.4 million in 2023.

With that being said, duck numbers are still well above the long-term average, and hunting should be pretty good overall.

Let's take a look at the most stunning waterfowl you are likely to encounter across North Dakota.

Now, back to changes to the 2025 hunting season in North Dakota.

Canada geese and Snow geese numbers are on the decline as well.

Upland game bird hunting should be very good. The numbers are strong for pheasants, grouse, and partridge with back-to-back mild winters across the state.

Deer hunting could be a challenge again this year, with a reduction of licenses statewide by 7,800 from last year.

Good or bad hunting, it's still the most wonderful time of the year. The fall hunting seasons are here or right around the corner. Make the most of fall, because you know what comes after that.