If you want to hunt legally in North Dakota in license year 2026–2027, the fast answer is this: new small game, fishing, and furbearer licenses start April 1, 2026 and run through March 31, 2027, and you can buy them online or from in-state vendors—then keep a printed copy or a downloaded copy on your phone for wardens (handy when you’re out of service). That’s the core. Now let’s make sure you buy the right items (certificate, habitat, stamps, HIP, species tags) so you don’t find out the hard way at the field edge.
So instead of making you read 12 pages, use these two tables to identify what you need in minutes.
Step 1 — Identify your hunter profile
If you are…
You should focus on…
ND resident hunting upland birds
Certificate + habitat + small game (and maybe nothing else)
ND resident chasing deer
Lottery/tag rules + correct big game license + habitat items
Nonresident traveling for waterfowl
Zone rules + waterfowl license + stamps + HIP
Parent setting up a youth hunter
Age rules + supervision + youth fees + apprentice option
“I just want coyotes/prairie dogs”
Nongame / unprotected species rules and whether a license is required
Step 2 — Use this “what you must have” checklist
Requirement / add-on
Who needs it
Typical purpose
Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate
Most hunters/trappers (and anglers)
Base certificate that ties your privileges together
General Game and Habitat License
Most hunting licenses (commonly required)
Habitat support + broad eligibility requirement
HIP registration number
Migratory bird hunters
Harvest survey requirement before you hunt
Waterfowl Habitat Restoration electronic stamp
Waterfowl hunters
State-level stamp requirement
Federal Duck Stamp
Waterfowl hunters 16+
Federal requirement for waterfowl season (with specific validity rules)
Species tag / lottery license
Deer/elk/moose/etc.
Limited-quota species and seasons
Resident fees (2026–2027): the licenses most people actually buy
Below are the resident price points that matter most for planning. (Always confirm final checkout totals in the official system because add-ons vary by activity.)
Core resident licenses (common purchases)
Resident license
Typical age
Fee
Combination license (includes fishing + general game/habitat + small game + furbearer)
16+
$62
Fishing license
16+
$27
Small game license
16+
$20
Furbearer license
16+
$20
Deer gun
16+
$35
Deer bow
16+
$35
Pronghorn
16+
$35
Moose / Elk / Bighorn sheep
16+
$35 (license; allocated via lottery)
Wild turkey
—
$20
Sandhill crane permit
—
$10
Swan
—
$10
Resident “must-add” items (where people get surprised)
Add-on
When it applies
Fee
Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate
Required to hunt or fish
$2
General Game and Habitat License
Required for most hunting licenses (except furbearer)
$20
Waterfowl Habitat Restoration electronic stamp
Required to hunt waterfowl
$5
Federal Duck Stamp
Required for waterfowl hunters 16+
$29 total ($25 + $4 mailing)
HIP registration
Required for migratory birds
Free
Nonresident fees (2026–2027): plan your trip budget fast
Nonresident pricing can feel “all over the place,” so here’s a clean breakdown.
Core nonresident licenses (common travel hunts)
Nonresident license
Fee
Small game
$150
Waterfowl (zone-restricted)
$153
Spring light goose conservation season
$50
Early Canada goose
$50 (16+), $10 (youth)
Deer gun (lottery)
$355
White-tailed deer bow
$350
Fall wild turkey
$100
Sandhill crane
$30 (16+), $10 (youth)
Swan
$50
Nongame
$25
Nonresident prerequisites & “fine print” that changes trip plans
Rule / requirement
What it means in plain English
Certificate + habitat still apply
Many nonresident hunts also require the certificate and habitat items in addition to the base license fees
Waterfowl zones & time blocks
You typically select zones with limits (designed to manage pressure)
Public land timing restriction (pheasant opener week)
Nonresidents have restrictions on some lands early in pheasant season—don’t plan your whole trip around WMA/PLOTS only
Waterfowl hunters: stamps + HIP + zones
The waterfowl requirements stack (simple decision table)
If you are hunting…
You need…
Ducks/geese/swans/mergansers/coots
Waterfowl license + state waterfowl stamp + HIP; and Federal Duck Stamp if 16+
Spring light goose conservation season
Often treated differently (check season rules), and duck stamp may not apply in the same way
Cranes/doves/woodcock/snipe
HIP still applies (migratory birds), plus correct permit if required
Federal Duck Stamp: quick rules that matter
Duck stamp detail
What to remember
Who needs it
Waterfowl hunters 16 and older
When it’s required
Stamp requirement is tied to an annual cycle (official guidance matters here)
Electronic stamp
Can be purchased and printed on your certificate; physical stamp mailed later
Big game and limited species: lottery-first reality check
A lot of people search “license” but really mean “tag.” In North Dakota, several opportunities are allocated by lottery due to demand.
This is the part I wish existed years ago. I once drove out early for birds, got geared up, and realized I hadn’t written my HIP number down anywhere. Nothing catastrophic happened, but it was a dumb, avoidable stress. Use these bundles so you don’t repeat that.
Bundle table — residents (common hunts)
What you want to do
Likely items you’ll need
Notes
Hunt pheasant/grouse/partridge
Certificate + general game/habitat + small game
Validate season dates before opening weekend
Hunt ducks/geese
Certificate + general game/habitat + waterfowl stamp + HIP + (duck stamp if 16+)
Download proof to phone before you hit the marsh
Hunt deer (gun or bow)
Certificate + general game/habitat + appropriate deer license/tag
Many deer opportunities are lottery-driven
Hunt turkey
Certificate + general game/habitat + turkey license
Often allocated by lottery
Trap furbearers (16+)
Certificate + furbearer license
Habitat requirement differs for furbearers—don’t assume
Bundle table — nonresidents (common travel hunts)
Trip goal
Likely items you’ll need
Travel warning
Upland weekend
Certificate + general game/habitat + nonresident small game
Don’t assume you can hunt every public parcel opening week
Waterfowl trip
Certificate + general game/habitat + zone waterfowl license + waterfowl stamp + HIP + (duck stamp if 16+)
Zone choices can shape your whole itinerary
Deer hunt
Lottery-based deer license + prerequisites
Apply early; don’t buy flights first
Need help confirming season windows? Here’s one helpful internal reference for planning dates (use it as a calendar cross-check, not a legal substitute): North Dakota hunting season dates
Rules that are easy to miss
Quick compliance list
Rule
What it means
License proof can be paper or electronic
Either works—just make sure it’s readable
Licenses are nontransferable
You cannot give away, barter, or sell an issued license
Big game / limited species often require lottery
Buying “a license” isn’t the same as holding a valid tag
Youth firearm supervision is real
Under 15 with firearms must be supervised as defined
HIP is annual and state-specific
Register each year in each state you hunt migratory birds
Field-ready checklist
Before you leave home
In your vehicle
On your person in the field
Confirm season + legal hours
Backup charger / power bank
License/certificate (paper or offline download)
Verify correct zone/unit (if applicable)
Map/GPS + land boundaries
HIP number recorded (if migratory birds)
Confirm required stamps
Cooler/ice (if needed)
Any required stamps/validations
Check weapon legality for the season
Trash bags + gloves
Photo ID (recommended)
Review bag limits & possession rules
First aid kit
Pen/marker for notes & compliance
FAQ
1) When do I need the 2026–2027 license?
For small game, fishing, and furbearer activities, the license year starts April 1, 2026 and runs through March 31, 2027.
2) Can I keep my license on my phone?
Yes—North Dakota allows electronic license proof, and downloading it helps in areas without cellular service.
3) Do I always need the General Game and Habitat License?
It’s commonly required for hunting privileges (with exceptions depending on the activity), so most hunters should expect it as part of their purchase stack.
4) What is HIP and who has to do it?
HIP is a federal harvest survey program. Migratory bird hunters must register annually and record the HIP number as instructed.
5) I’m 16+ and hunting ducks. Do I need a federal duck stamp?
Yes—waterfowl hunters 16 and older must have a federal duck stamp, and electronic options may be available depending on purchase method.
6) Is there a minimum age to hunt in North Dakota?
There’s no minimum age for small game, waterfowl, or furbearers, but supervision and licensing requirements apply for youth using firearms.
7) Can I buy licenses for my kid under my account?
Yes—online purchase flow supports selecting the customer (you vs. another eligible person), which is useful for families.
8) Are nonresident hunts treated differently?
Often, yes. Nonresident fees differ, and there can be added restrictions (especially for waterfowl and early-season access planning).
