NDGF Deer Hunting
By Doug Leier
North Dakota’s first 2025 deer season opened on Aug. 29 at noon and runs through Jan. 4, 2026. For many hunters the “real deer season” is the gun/rifle season which runs from Nov. 7 Nov. 23.
This year 42,300 licenses were available to hunters, down 7,800 from last year.
In addition, muzzleloader licenses decreased by 150 while restricted youth antlered mule deer licenses remained the same.
Total deer licenses are determined by harvest rates, aerial surveys, depredation reports, hunter observations, input at advisory board meetings, and comments from the public, landowners and department field staff.
Casey Anderson, North Dakota Game and Fish Department deputy director, said population, harvest and survey data indicate the state’s deer population is stable to decreasing throughout the state.
“The state’s deer population continues to recover from the 2021 EHD outbreak and the severe winter of 2022-23, which limited population growth despite reduced gun licenses during 2023
and 2024 hunting seasons,” Anderson said. “Modest license allocations are intended to maintain hunting opportunities while encouraging population growth in the state.”
High-quality deer habitat is not abundant, which has limited the potential for population recovery. If CRP contracts continue to expire, Anderson said 85% of the once 3.4 million acres present in 2007 will be lost by 2026.
The spring mule deer survey showed western North Dakota’s population is 14% lower than last year despite a reduced harvest and consecutive mild winters.
Here’s a list of frequently asked questions:
I shot a deer, but it was rotten. What can I do?
You must take possession of the animal by tagging it. A license only allows you the opportunity to hunt. It is not a guarantee to harvest a deer, or to the quality of the animal.
What should I do if I find a wounded deer?
Contact a game warden. Do not shoot the deer unless you want to tag it, or are instructed by the warden to do so.
What if I have an antlerless deer permit and I shoot a deer with two-inch spikes, but I could not see them when I shot?
Game wardens have some leeway about what’s an antlered deer. However, it is always a hunter’s responsibility to fully identify your target before shooting.
Can I hunt road rights-of-way?
Do not hunt on road rights-of-way unless you are certain they are open to public use. Most road rights-of-way are under control of the adjacent landowner and are closed to hunting when the adjacent land is posted closed to hunting.
Can I hunt on a section line if it is posted on both sides?
No. If the land is posted on both sides, the section line is closed to hunting, but is still open for travel.
Can I retrieve a wounded deer from posted land?
If the deer was shot on land where you had a legal right to be and it ran on posted land, you may retrieve it. However, you may not take a firearm or bow with you. The department suggests contacting the landowner as a courtesy prior to entering.
What if the landowner says I cannot retrieve a deer from posted land that was shot on land where I had a right to be?
Contact a game warden.
Can I drive off a trail on private land to retrieve a deer?
Unless prohibited by a landowner or operator, you may drive off-trail on private land once a deer has been killed and properly tagged. You must proceed to the carcass by the shortest accessible route, and return to the road or trail by the same route. However, off-trail driving is prohibited in all circumstances on state wildlife management areas, Bureau of Land Management lands, national wildlife refuges, national grasslands, federal waterfowl production areas and state school land.
A full list of frequently asked questions is available on the department’s website at gf.nd.gov.
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