As the 2025 hunting season approaches, the Spirit Lake Fish and Wildlife Department is implementing a significant change regarding hunting on tribal lands.

Effective this season, all nonmember hunters will be required to have a Spirit Lake tribal member serve as a guide or chaperone while hunting on tribal lands. This requirement mandates that the tribal member guide must sign the non-member hunter’s license, assuming responsibility for the hunter’s activities throughout the duration of their hunt. Furthermore, the enrolled member must possess a valid tribal license that designates them as a guide/chaperone, regardless of whether they intend to hunt themselves. Non-member hunters will not be able to purchase a tribal hunting license without this mandatory sign-off from an enrolled member.

To obtain a list of approved guides, contact the Spirit Lake Fish and Wildlife office.