North Dakota’s 2013 Small Game and Furbearer Regulations Set

   07.24.13

North Dakota’s 2013 Small Game and Furbearer Regulations Set

North Dakota’s 2013 small game and furbearer regulations are set and most season structures are similar to last year.

Continued expansion of fishers in eastern North Dakota has allowed the Game and Fish Department to change from a quota system to a limited number of days with no quota. The season will run from Nov. 25 – Dec. 1. Fishers can only be taken by traps and cable devices. A limit of one fisher per person is allowed during this season.

This year, states can offer a possession limit of three times the daily bag limit for most migratory birds.

Prairie chicken and sage grouse seasons will remain closed due to low populations.

Only North Dakota residents are permitted to hunt waterfowl from Sept. 21-27. Nonresidents are allowed to hunt waterfowl in North Dakota beginning Sept. 28. Other waterfowl season details will be finalized in mid-August in the waterfowl amendment to the small game and furbearer proclamation.

In accordance with state law, nonresidents are not allowed to hunt on Game and Fish Department wildlife management areas or conservation PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) areas from Oct. 12-18.

Hunters should refer to the North Dakota 2013-14 Small Game and Furbearer guides (available mid-August) for more details on small game and furbearer seasons. Waterfowl regulations will be available in early September.

Species Opens Closes Daily Limit Poss Limit
Crows (fall) Aug. 10 Oct. 20 No limit No limit
Early Canada Goose Aug. 15 Sept. 15 (Sept. 7 Missouri River Zone) 15 45
Mountain lion zone 1 early (zone quota 14) Aug. 30 Nov. 24 (or when zone quota is reached) Season limit of 1 per hunter
Mountain lion zone 1 late
(zone quota 7)
Nov. 25 March 31 (or when zone quota is reached) Season limit of 1 per hunter
Mountain lion zone 2 Aug. 30 March 31 Season limit of 1 per hunter
Doves Sept. 1 Oct. 30 15 45
Hungarian partridge Sept. 14 Jan. 5 3 12
Sharp-tailed grouse Sept. 14 Jan. 5 3 12
Ruffed grouse Sept. 14 Jan. 5 3 12
Tree squirrels Sept. 14 Jan. 5 4 12
Sandhill crane unit 1 Sept. 14 Nov. 10 3 9
Sandhill crane unit 2 Sept. 14 Nov. 10 2 6
Snipe Sept. 14 Dec. 1 8 24
Woodcock Sept. 21 Nov. 4 3 9
Tundra swan Sept. 28 Dec. 29 Season limit of 1 per hunter
Pheasants Oct. 12 Jan. 5 3 12
Weasel trapping Oct. 26 March 15
Mink, Muskrat trapping Oct. 26 April 30
Fisher trapping Nov. 25 December 1 Season limit of 1 per trapper
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The North Dakota Game and Fish Department – Headed by the Director, the department oversees the state's game and fish industry, regulates hunting and fishing licenses, and educates the public on safety relating to the outdoors.

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