How to Get Your North Dakota Hunting License
North Dakota requires hunter education for anyone born after December 31, 1961, before buying a hunting license. However, hunters born on or before that date are exempt regardless of current age.
Once you're certified, if required, you'll need the state's core license package, which costs $20 for a Small Game License plus a $20 General Game and Habitat License and a small Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate fee, whether you're a resident or a non-resident.
You can purchase a license through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGFD) website or an approved vendor, and licenses run on North Dakota's license year, from April 1 through March 31. Hunter-Ed is a delegated provider for North Dakota's hunter safety course, and the certificate itself never expires once you've earned it.
Let's walk through how to get your North Dakota hunting license and Hunter Education Certificate, step by step.
What Is a Hunting License in North Dakota?
North Dakota doesn't use a single "hunting license" the way many states do. Instead, NDGFD requires a Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate and a General Game and Habitat License as prerequisites, purchased once per year, before you can add any species-specific license, such as Small Game or Deer.
Your Hunter Education Certificate works differently. It's a one-time credential proving you completed an NDGFD-approved safety course, and it lasts for life, while your license package has to be renewed every license year.
Who Needs a Hunting License in North Dakota?
North Dakota requires a license package for anyone who hunts game in the state, and hunter education adds an extra requirement tied to your birth date rather than your current age. Whether you were born after December 31, 1961, determines which path applies to you.
Hunter education runs on a separate track from the license itself. Anyone born after December 31, 1961, must complete an approved hunter education course before buying a license, unless they qualify for one of North Dakota's exceptions instead:
- Under 12, hunting with a parent or legal guardian: No hunter education required, though appropriate youth licenses are still needed for the species hunted.
- 12 and older, born after December 31, 1961, not yet certified: May receive a one-time Apprentice Hunter Validation, valid for one license year in a lifetime, to hunt small game and deer while accompanied by a licensed adult 18 or older.
- 12 and older, born after December 31, 1961: Must complete an approved hunter education course, including both the Initial and Final Classroom Sessions.
- Born on or before December 31, 1961: Exempt from the hunter education requirement, regardless of current age.
How to Get Your North Dakota Hunting License (Step-by-Step)
Getting licensed in North Dakota comes down to a few main steps, though the order shifts slightly depending on your birth date. Here's the full process from start to finish.
- Complete an approved hunter education course if you were born after December 31, 1961, starting with the required Initial Classroom Session.
- Purchase your Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate and General Game and Habitat License, the two prerequisites required for nearly every hunting license type.
- Add your species-specific license: Small Game ($20 resident, $150 non-resident) or a Combination License ($62 resident) that bundles several license types together.
- Apply for any lottery-based licenses you need, such as Deer Gun or Wild Turkey, well ahead of the application deadline.
- Carry your certificate, certificate number, and all required licenses any time you hunt.
Deer Gun, Elk, Moose, Bighorn Sheep, and Wild Turkey licenses are all issued through NDGFD's lottery system, so plan ahead if any of those are on your list. Once your license package is in hand, you're ready for the field.
The sections below cover the hunter education course and license purchase in more detail.
Step 1: Complete an Approved Hunter Education Course
North Dakota's course runs in a different order than most states: the classroom session comes first, not last.
- Attend the Initial Classroom Session: Register and attend this in-person session first, where you'll receive your homework materials and a scheduled date for the Final Classroom Session.
- Complete the online course: Finish the Hunter-Ed North Dakota course ($24.95) within two weeks of your Initial Classroom Session, then print your completion voucher as proof.
- Attend the Final Classroom Session: Pass the written and practical exams in person to receive your permanent Hunter Education Certificate, mailed to you within 10 to 14 days.
You can't register for the Final Classroom Session until you've completed the Initial Classroom Session, so don't wait until the last minute to get started.
Step 2: Buy Your Hunting License
Once you have your Hunter Education Certificate, if it applies to you, you can buy your license package through the NDGFD website, by phone, or at an approved vendor.
You'll need your hunter education certificate number, a valid North Dakota driver's license or non-driver ID number if you're 18 or older applying for resident rates, and payment.
Step 3: Add Species Licenses and Go Hunting
The Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate and General Game and Habitat License don't authorize you to hunt any particular species on their own. Small Game, Deer, and other species each require their own license added on top.
Once your full license package is in hand, you're ready to hunt.
North Dakota Hunting License Requirements by Age
Here's a high-level overview of the requirements for hunting licenses in North Dakota by age.
North Dakota Hunting License Requirements (by Age) | ||
| Age | Requirement | Supervision/Hunter Education |
| Under 12 | Youth licenses required for the species hunted, though many are free | Must hunt under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian, or adult authorized by a parent or guardian |
| 12 through 15, resident or non-resident | Species licenses free or reduced-fee, plus the $2 to $5 certificate and $20 General Game license | Certification required if born after December 31, 1961 |
| 16 and older, resident | Small Game License ($20) or Combination License ($62), plus prerequisites | Certification required if born after December 31, 1961 |
| 16 and older, non-resident | Small Game License ($150), plus prerequisites | Certification required if born after December 31, 1961 |
| Born on or before December 31, 1961, any age | Same license types and costs as above | Certification not required |
| Landowners on their own land | No license required | Certification not required |
| 12 and older, not yet certified | Apprentice Hunter Validation, one-time, one license year in a lifetime | Must hunt under direct accompaniment of a licensed adult 18 or older |
Privileges and stamps:
- Deer, Pronghorn, Moose, Elk, Bighorn Sheep, and Wild Turkey each require a separate species license beyond the base package, and several are lottery-only.
- Waterfowl hunters need HIP registration, a Waterfowl Restoration Stamp, and a Federal Duck Stamp for hunters 16 and older.
Residents hunting their own owned or leased land can skip the license entirely for small game, trapping, and cable devices, though all seasons and bag limits still apply.
Season dates and bag limits vary by species and unit, so check before you plan a hunt.
Hunter Safety Course: Format and Cost
North Dakota is one of the few states where the classroom portion comes before the online coursework rather than after. The chart below offers a quick overview of those formats.
North Dakota Hunter Safety Course Formats Comparison | ||||
| Format | Provider | Cost | Time | Exam |
| Online course with Initial and Final Classroom Sessions | Hunter-Ed | $24.95 | Initial session, a few hours online completed within 2 weeks, then an in-person Final session | Unit quizzes, 80% passing score, plus a 90% final exam online, then a written and practical exam at the Final Classroom Session |
Volunteer-led classroom course | NDGFD volunteer instructors | Free, occasional small facility fee | Minimum 4 hours of classroom time plus 14 online quizzes | Written and practical exam included in course |
Whichever format you choose, your Hunter Education Certificate never expires once NDGFD issues it. Only your license package needs renewing, and that happens every year on April 1.
What Documents Do You Need To Buy Your License?
Make sure you have the right documentation handy to purchase your North Dakota hunting license. You'll need:
- Your hunter education certificate number, if you were born after December 31, 1961
- A valid North Dakota driver's license or non-driver photo ID number, for resident applicants 18 or older
- Payment for your certificate, General Game license, and any species-specific licenses
- Proof of North Dakota residency, if applying for resident rates
North Dakota Hunting Laws and Penalties
Buying a hunting license without completing the required hunter education course is a class 2 noncriminal offense in North Dakota. Failing to carry a license or hunting without the proper license are among the state's most commonly cited violations each year.
More serious violations, like hunting on posted land without the landowner's permission, are class B misdemeanors carrying up to 30 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,500, and loss of hunting and fishing privileges for a year. You can read more on North Dakota's hunting laws and regulations before you head out.
What About Reciprocity with Other States?
North Dakota accepts hunter education certificates from any U.S. state, Canadian province, or country that meets International Hunter Education Association (IHEA-USA) standards. States and provinces with their own mandatory hunter education requirements return the favor and accept a North Dakota Hunter Education Certificate, so your card travels with you if you hunt elsewhere.
What Out-of-State Visitors Should Know
Non-resident hunters pay $150 for a Small Game License and significantly more for big game, such as $355 for a first-lottery Deer Gun license including the application fee.
Hunters born after December 31, 1961, must still meet North Dakota's hunter education requirement regardless of home state, and non-residents may not hunt on NDGFD-owned or leased land, including wildlife management areas and PLOTS land, during the first week of pheasant season.
Start Your North Dakota Hunter Safety Course Today, Then Get Your Hunting License
Ready to get certified? The Hunter-Ed North Dakota course is approved by NDGFD, self-paced, and available on any device, with required Initial and Final Classroom Sessions to complete your certification. Complete the course and get your lifetime North Dakota hunter education certificate.
Approved by North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGFD) | Last verified August 13, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I need a hunting license to hunt in North Dakota?
A: Yes, anyone who hunts game in North Dakota needs a license package, which includes a Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate, a General Game and Habitat License, and a species-specific license. Landowners hunting their own owned or leased land are a notable exception.
Q: How much does a North Dakota hunting license cost?
A: A North Dakota resident Small Game License costs $20, plus the $2 certificate and $20 General Game license, while a non-resident Small Game License costs $150. Big game species like deer cost significantly more and are largely allocated through NDGFD's lottery.
Q: Who needs hunter education certification in North Dakota?
A: North Dakota requires hunter education certification for anyone born after December 31, 1961, before buying a hunting license. Hunters born on or before that date are exempt, no matter their current age.
Q: Does North Dakota's hunter education course start online or in person?
A: In person. North Dakota requires hunters to attend an Initial Classroom Session before starting the online coursework, then complete a Final Classroom Session in person to receive their permanent certificate.
Q: Is there a way to hunt in North Dakota before completing hunter education?
A: Yes, North Dakota offers a one-time Apprentice Hunter Validation for hunters 12 or older who haven't completed hunter education. It's valid for only one license year in a lifetime and requires the apprentice to hunt small game or deer while accompanied by a licensed adult 18 or older.
Q: Can a landowner hunt on their own land in North Dakota without a license?
A: Yes, North Dakota residents may hunt small game, trap, or use cable devices without a license on land they own or lease. All seasons, bag limits, and other hunting regulations still apply in full.
