North Dakota hunting
Public hunting land in North Dakota
Caliber maps 244 public hunting areas in North Dakota, with North Dakota Game and Fish Department's license fees, hunter education rules and official links in one place. Find the closest land to you on a list or a map, free.
North Dakota · 244 areas
Little Missouri National Grassland
National grassland · 1,025,179 acres
J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife refuge · 110,059 acres
Sheyenne National Grassland
National grassland · 70,428 acres
Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife refuge · 63,102 acres
North Dakota Field Office
BLM land · 58,891 acres
Largest areas shown. Caliber sorts all 244 by distance from you.
- 196
- State wildlife areas
- 2
- National forests
- 3
- National grasslands
- 1
- BLM land
- 42
- National wildlife refuges
North Dakota hunting licenses and rules
- Wildlife agency
- North Dakota Game and Fish Department
- Phone
- 701-328-6300
- Resident license
- $20 — Small Game License (resident, 16+); also needs $2 certificate + $20 General Game and Habitat License
- Nonresident license
- $150 — Nonresident Small Game License (16+, 14 days); also $5 certificate + $20 General Game and Habitat License
- Hunter education
- Hunters born after 1961 must complete a certified hunter education course (limited exemptions, e.g. landowners on own land).
- Good to know
- Posted land (signs or electronic) needs landowner permission; PLOTS tracts are walk-in only. No public-land access fee is listed.
Fees and rules as published by North Dakota Game and Fish Department, checked Oct 31, 2026. They change, so confirm on the agency's site. This isn't legal advice.
Official links
- Hunting licenses
- Season dates
- Regulations
- Public hunting lands
- North Dakota Game and Fish Department website
Practicing for hunter ed?
Caliber has unofficial hunter education practice questions with explanations.
Try sample questions →Largest public hunting areas in North Dakota
The 12 biggest of 244 areas. Caliber has every one, with a map, and sorts them by distance from you.
| Area | Type | Acres | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Missouri National Grassland | National grassland | 1,025,179 | Open |
| J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 110,059 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Sheyenne National Grassland | National grassland | 70,428 | Open |
| Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 63,102 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| North Dakota Field Office | BLM land | 58,891 | Open |
| Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 54,662 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Lonetree | State wildlife area | 32,248 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 27,974 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 27,889 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 26,702 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Lake Alice National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 17,281 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Oahe Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 16,734 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
State wildlife areas · 196
Run for wildlife and, usually, hunting. Many need a state license plus a land-use permit or have their own season dates, draw hunts or weapon limits.
National forests · 2
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws, except near developed sites and where posted. Some areas close for fire or wildlife.
National grasslands · 3
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws. Grasslands are often mixed with private land, so know the boundaries.
BLM land · 1
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws. BLM land is often scattered between private parcels, so legal access can be the hard part.
National wildlife refuges · 42
Refuges allow hunting only where and when each refuge opens it, often with its own permit and rules. Check the refuge's hunt page before you go.
North Dakota hunting FAQ
Where can I find public hunting land in North Dakota?
Caliber lists 244 public hunting areas in North Dakota: 196 state wildlife areas, 2 national forests, 3 national grasslands, 1 blm land, 42 national wildlife refuges. Open Caliber, enter your ZIP and see the closest areas on a list or a map. North Dakota Game and Fish Department also publishes its own public hunting land information on its website.
How much is a hunting license in North Dakota?
As published by North Dakota Game and Fish Department (checked Oct 31, 2026): resident, $20 — Small Game License (resident, 16+); also needs $2 certificate + $20 General Game and Habitat License; nonresident, $150 — Nonresident Small Game License (16+, 14 days); also $5 certificate + $20 General Game and Habitat License. Fees change, so confirm on the agency's licensing page before you buy.
Do I need hunter education to hunt in North Dakota?
Hunters born after 1961 must complete a certified hunter education course (limited exemptions, e.g. landowners on own land). Check North Dakota Game and Fish Department for exemptions and current rules.
When is hunting season in North Dakota?
Seasons vary by species, zone and year, so Caliber links to North Dakota Game and Fish Department's official season-date page instead of listing dates. Always check current regulations before you hunt.
Find North Dakota hunting land near you
All 244 North Dakota areas on a list or a map, sorted by distance, plus a free bullet drop calculator and DOPE book. Free on iPhone.
Free download · Optional Caliber Pro upgrade · iPhone and iPad
Public hunting land in other states
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Area data: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1, public domain. Access as recorded in PAD-US. Always check current regulations, seasons and access rules with North Dakota Game and Fish Department and the managing agency before you hunt.
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