North Dakota's 2026 small game, waterfowl and furbearer regulations are set, with some noteworthy changes from last year.
These changes include:
- Opening day for ducks, geese, coots and mergansers for North Dakota residents is Sept. 26. Nonresidents may begin hunting waterfowl in North Dakota on Monday, Oct. 5.
- Starting Nov. 29, shooting hours for geese will be one-half hour before sunrise to sunset to the end of the respective goose season.
- American marten will be allowed for take for the first time in 2026. The season will mirror the fisher season.
- Fisher can now be trapped statewide, removing the restricted area in the Turtle Mountains where American martens are located.
- River otter harvest will change to a three-week season, running from Nov. 23 through Dec. 13. Previously, the season was Nov. 23 through March 15, closing after the quota of 30 otters was met.
Hunters and trappers can find upland game, migratory game bird and furbearer/trapping regulations, on the Game and Fish website. Printed guides will be available at vendor locations.
Swan Hunt Applications
A total of 2,200 tundra swan licenses are available by lottery for the 2026 season. The deadline to apply is Aug. 19
North Dakota residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply. The resident swan license is $10, while the nonresident fee is $50. Successful applicants will receive a tag to take one swan during the season.
The statewide tundra swan hunting season opens on Oct. 3. Since swans are classified as waterfowl, nonresidents may hunt them only during the period their nonresident waterfowl licenses are valid.
All swan hunters, regardless of age, are required to have a general game and habitat license, and a waterfowl habitat restoration stamp. In addition, nonresidents must have a waterfowl license, and residents 16 and older need a small game or combination license.
Early Canada Goose Dates Announced
North Dakota's early Canada goose season dates are set, with bag limits and licensing requirements the same as last year.
Opening day is Aug. 15 in all three zones. Closing dates are Sept. 7 in the Missouri River zone; Sept. 15 in the western zone; and Sept. 22 in the eastern zone.
Early Canada goose limits are 15 daily and 45 in possession.
Limits and shooting hours are different from the regular season, while the zone boundaries remain the same. Shooting hours for early Canada goose are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Residents need a $10 early Canada goose license and a general game and habitat license. Also, residents 16 and older need a small game license. Nonresidents need only a $50 early Canada goose license. In addition, all early Canada goose hunters need a waterfowl habitat restoration stamp. Licenses can be purchased online by visiting the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.
Harvest Information Program certification is required and beginning Sept. 1 a federal duck stamp for hunters 16 and older is needed. Those who HIP registered to hunt the spring light goose conservation order in North Dakota do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required in each state only once per year.
Waterfowl rest areas, closed to hunting during the regular season, are open during the early season. Most land in these rest areas is private, so hunters may need permission to access them.
Early Canada goose regulations can be found in the small game, waterfowl and furbearer proclamation and hunting regulations on the Game and Fish website. Printed guides will be at vendors by late August.
Hunting of Canada geese in August and early September is intended to reduce local Canada goose numbers. Game and Fish is attempting to provide additional hunting opportunities to increase pressure on locally breeding Canada geese.