ND Outdoors: Late season hunting

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - The upland game hunting season in North Dakota doesn’t close until Jan. 4, 2026, allowing for plenty of late-season hunting opportunities.

“So pheasants, grouse, partridge and even if you have a fall turkey tag running there through Jan. 4th,” said Cayla Bendel, North Dakota Game and Fish marketing coordinator.

There are some late-season waterfowl opportunities as well.

“Depending on which zone you’re in, we’ve got our light geese seasons running through Jan. 4th and then our Canada goose seasons, depending on western, eastern or Missouri, running into December as well, closing at different dates. But yeah, still some opportunity on waterfowl as well,” said Bendel.

In addition to upland game and waterfowl opportunities, there are other late-season hunting and trapping possibilities.

“Our archery season, which is an over-the-counter tag, runs through January 4th, and we’ve got our squirrel season that we extended there so that runs through Feb. 28th, and then some other furbearers. Obviously, coyote hunting is open year-round, but some other some of those other furbearers trapping, night hunting, cable devices, again, all kind of depends on your species and device, but a lot of opportunity there as we get into winter and late fall,” said Bendel.

If you’re walking on or near ice, make sure to take safety precautions at this time of year.

“Be careful of ice conditions when you’re out hunting, too. Obviously, cattail edges might not be as firm as the rest of the pond or lake, so it can be kind of soft around those. And just in general checking to make sure you’ve got good solid four plus inches of ice if you’re looking to cross or walk on anything frozen,” said Bendel.

If you plan to hunt during the late season, properly prepare for colder weather conditions.

“Just make sure if you’re out there enjoying the North Dakota outdoors in these cold temps, that you just take some extra precautions. Let people know where you’re going. Maybe you don’t go by yourself or, again, just let a friend know, have extra layers close in your car, things for emergency vehicle. Be mindful of where you’re driving, maybe don’t want to drive down a two-track if there’s some snow drifts, things like that,” said Bendel.

For more information on late-season hunting opportunities, visit the Game and Fish Department’s “Where to Hunt” page at gf.nd.gov.