Fall Hunting in North Dakota

As the crisp autumn air begins to sweep across the Great Plains, North Dakota transforms into a haven for hunters. The fall hunting season is a time-honored tradition in this region, drawing both locals and visitors eager to experience the state's diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife. From sprawling prairies to dense woodlands, North Dakota offers a unique backdrop for a variety of hunting opportunities.

Prime Hunting Grounds

North Dakota’s vast and varied terrain is home to a wide range of game species. The state's public lands, including wildlife management areas, national grasslands, and state forests, provide ample hunting grounds. Additionally, many private lands offer access through the state’s Private Land Open To Sportsmen (PLOTS) program, ensuring hunters have plenty of options to explore.

Popular Game Species

North Dakota is renowned for its diverse game populations. This fall, hunters can look forward to:

• Upland Birds: The state is famous for its pheasant hunting, with sharp-tailed grouse and Hungarian partridge also popular targets. The golden prairies provide ideal habitats, making upland bird hunting a must for enthusiasts.
• Waterfowl: North Dakota is a central stopover in the Central Flyway, attracting a plethora of ducks and geese. The state’s numerous wetlands and lakes offer prime locations for waterfowl hunting, particularly in the northeastern region.
• Big Game: Whitetail and mule deer are abundant across the state, with the badlands and river bottoms being prime spots.
• Furbearers: Furbearer hunting in North Dakota is a tradition that offers both a challenging and rewarding outdoor experience. The state has a variety of furbearing species, including coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and beavers. Fall is an ideal time to hunt, as cooler temperatures lead to better fur quality, and the animals become more active in preparation for winter.

North Dakota 2025 Upland Game Hunting Forecast by Species

North Dakota’s upland game hunting outlook for 2025 is shaped by strong habitat conditions, favorable weather through spring and early summer, and stable breeding populations for several key species. While localized challenges remain—particularly tied to habitat loss and wetland pressures—hunters can expect generally good opportunities this fall across much of the state.

• Pheasants: Pheasant numbers are expected to remain steady to slightly above average in 2025. A mild winter followed by timely spring rains created good nesting and brood-rearing conditions. Early roadside surveys indicate strong chick survival, especially in central and southern counties where grassland and CRP acres remain intact. Hunters should find the best pheasant opportunities in the southwest, around Hettinger, Bowman, and Stark counties, with expanding opportunities in the James River Valley and scattered areas of the southeast. Harvest success will still depend heavily on quality cover, and areas with intensive row cropping or lost CRP acres may show thinner bird numbers.
• Sharptail Grouse: Sharptail grouse populations remain strong in western and north-central North Dakota, though the long-term trend reflects fluctuations tied to habitat availability. Spring lek counts showed modest increases over 2024, a sign of stable breeding populations. Wet spring conditions provided abundant insect life for chicks, leading to good brood survival. Hunters will find the best success in McKenzie, Williams, and Mountrail counties, with additional opportunities in Burke and Ward counties. Prairie areas with mixed-grass and shrub cover are expected to produce well.
• Hungarian Partridge: Hungarian partridge numbers continue to show localized growth after several years of decline. Often found near agricultural edges and farmsteads, partridge benefited from mild overwintering conditions and a strong hatch. Hunters in the northwest and along the Missouri River breaks should see more coveys this fall. While populations are not yet at historical highs, 2025 could be one of the better years recently for this species.

Habitat quality remains the most important factor influencing upland bird success. CRP enrollment stabilized somewhat in 2024, but grassland loss continues to be a concern. However, a wet early summer provided strong insect production and good nesting cover, improving chick survival rates across most upland species. Hunters will again have broad access through the Private Land Open to Sportsmen (PLOTS) program, which is expected to remain near 800,000 acres for 2025. Many of the best pheasant and sharptail hunting opportunities will be found on these enrolled parcels.

Overall North Dakota hunters can expect a good upland season in 2025. Pheasants and sharptail grouse will provide the most consistent opportunities, with Hungarian partridge showing signs of recovery and potentially offering bonus covey encounters. Habitat quality will continue to determine local success, so hunters who scout and target areas with strong grassland and edge cover will have the best hunts. The best success will come to hunters that have worked to build good landowner relationships.

Culture of Community and Conservation

Hunting in North Dakota is more than just a sport; it’s a tradition that connects people to the land and to each other. Many hunters participate in local events and conservation efforts, contributing to the preservation of the state's natural resources and wildlife. Many use the traditions of hunting to gather friends and family in the fall, recalling the pioneer native peoples heritage on the northern plains.

Whether you're a seasoned hunter or a newcomer eager to experience the thrill of the hunt, North Dakota’s fall hunting season promises adventure, camaraderie, and a deep connection to the great outdoors.

More on Pheasant Hunting

More on Duck Hunting

Now is the time to make sure all of your hunting needs - including purchasing licenses - are taken care of. And don't forget your hunting partner. Gun Dog magazine recommends a pre-hunt vet checkup and vaccinations to prevent infections that can be transmitted from wildlife to dogs. And if your dog hasn't been in the field for a while, it might be time to start conditioning for the hunt ahead.

Finally, in early November, hunters put down their shotguns and take up their rifles as deer season gets under way. Deer hunting is a traditional rite of passage for young hunting enthusiasts in North Dakota.

Click Here for Opening Dates

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has comprehensive details regarding big game, upland game, waterfowl, furbearers, other migratory birds, and more.

You can also find information on public (PLOTS) land.