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Outdoors

Early Canada goose dates announced

North Dakota’s early Canada goose season dates are set, with bag limits and licensing requirements the same as last year. Opening day is Aug. 15 in all three zones. Closing dates are Sept. 7 in the Missouri River zone; Sept. 15 in the western zone; and Sept. 22 in the eastern zone. Early Canada goose limits are 15 daily and 45 in possession. Limits and shooting hours are different from the regular season, while the zone boundaries remain the same. Shooting hours for early Canada goose are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Residents need a $10 early Canada goose license ...

Pronghorn applications due

The deadline to apply for the 2025 pronghorn hunting season is Aug. 6. Only North Dakota residents are eligible to apply. Contact the North Dakota Game and Fish Department for information about applying.

Swan hunt licenses available

Hunters who would like to apply for a 2025 swan license can contact the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. North Dakota residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply. The resident swan license is $10, while the nonresident fee is $50. The application deadline is Aug. 20. The statewide tundra swan hunting season opens Oct. 4. A total of 2,200 licenses are available. Successful applicants will receive a tag to take one swan during the season. Since swans are classified as waterfowl, nonresidents may hunt them only during the period their nonresident waterfowl licenses are ...

Small game, waterfowl, furbearer regulations set

North Dakota’s 2025 small game, waterfowl and furbearer regulations are set, with some noteworthy changes from last year. These changes include: – Opening day for ducks, geese, coots and mergansers for North Dakota residents is Sept. 27. Nonresidents may begin hunting waterfowl in North Dakota Oct. 4. – The number of nonresident waterfowl zones increased to six, and a statewide nonresident waterfowl license is no longer available. – A waterfowl habitat restoration stamp is required to hunt waterfowl. – Migratory game birds can be pursued with a floating craft. If the ...

New guiding requirement on Spirit Lake tribal lands

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 ...

LOCAL OUTDOORS BRIEFS

Fall flight forecast similar to last year Duck brood numbers were up 28% from 2024, but State Game and Fish Department migratory game bird biologists expect a fall flight of ducks similar to last year. The fall flight forecast is based on data from the May breeding duck survey and the July duck brood survey, both conducted annually by Game and Fish biologists. According to John Palarski, migratory game bird management biologist, the department’s 78th annual breeding duck survey conducted in May indicated the 2025 duck index was the 33rd highest on record, down 8.7% from 2024, but ...