The Outdoor Wire

2025 Big 3 Harvest Statistics

North Dakota Game and Fish Department harvest statistics show overall success for the 2025 season was 100% for bighorn sheep, 87% for moose and 62% for elk.

Bighorn Sheep

The Department issued eight bighorn sheep licenses, one of which was an auction license. The Three Affiliated Tribes Fish and Wildlife issued two licenses in 2025, one to a tribal member and one to a Game and Fish Department applicant. All 10 hunters were successful.

Moose

The Department issued 292 moose licenses last year. Of that total, 281 hunters harvested 245 animals – 147 bulls and 98 cows/calves. Harvest for each unit follows:

UnitHuntersBullsCow/CalfSuccess Rate
M572142.86
M6108080
M81512186.67
M980333585
M10114614592.98
M1155311685.45

Elk

The Department issued 1,021 elk licenses last year. Of that total, 929 hunters harvested 576 elk – 280 bulls and 296 cows/calves. Harvest for each until follows:

UnitHuntersBullsCow/CalfSuccess Rate
E1E134333651.49
E1W191436254.97
E2199597567.34
E336412112166.48
E42218186.36
E6132123.08
E764066.67