Hunting in North Dakota: 12 Animals to Hunt in the Summer

Summer's not the big season for hunting in North Dakota. However, a couple late-summer hunts, combined with some year-round fur animal seasons, means there's always something to bring hunters to the field in the Peace Garden State.

In the summer, there are a number of animals to hunt all year long in North Dakota:

1. Canadian Geese
There is an early hunting season that begins in mid-August statewide for these Canadian geese, in advance of the fall-winter regular season. The early season closes in mid-September statewide (one week earlier in the Missouri River Canada Goose hunting zone) and there is a daily bag limit of 15 birds, according to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. The federal harvest information program rules also apply.

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2. Mountain Lions
Only state residents may take part in this tightly controlled hunt, which begins in late August and closes immediately when the harvest quota – 14 lions for the early season – is met. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department allows only one lion per season per hunter, and only adult males, or females without kittens, may be hunted, according to the department's website.

Each kill must be reported within 12 hours, and the Game and Fish Department keeps the carcass for analysis. The pelt of a legally killed lion (it's classified as a fur animal) is returned to the hunter. Bows, guns and dogs are permitted while traps and snares are not.

3. Badgers, Beavers, Coyotes, Foxes, and Raccoons
Other furbearing animals, such as badgers, beavers, coyotes, foxes, and raccoons may be hunted with bows and guns year round. Some species may be hunted at night with certain stipulations, such as limits on the power of flashlights used to shine animals.

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The North Dakota Game and Fish Department furbearer regulations page contains detailed information on licenses and regulations for hunting specific fur animals. State law also restricts the type and caliber of weapons used for some animals.

4. Other Animals
Ground squirrels, porcupines, prairie dogs, rabbits and skunks may be hunted year round with no bag limit, according to the state Game and Fish Department. State residents need no licenses, but there are specific regulations for each species linked from the department's website. Nonresidents may hunt, too, but must get licenses.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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