ND Hunting?

[Ultra25-06]

I will be moving there come this fall. What can anyone tell me about it. Is there a general over the counter deer season or any general over the counter big game season? Is it all controlled hunts? I have a feeling I am not going to like the answer but hoping for the best. Thanks.

 

[supercalvin36]

ND is a great hunting state for a couple of reasons. The variety of game and access to hunting land. ND has huns, grouse, pheasant, fur-bearing, ducks, geese, deer, elk, moose, antelope, bighorn sheep hunting just for starters. Also, unless posted by the landowner all land is open to public hunting. There is also an abundance of state and federal lands available for public hunting. Other states may excel in one type of hunting or the other while ND does it in many, many areas that are available to all, not just the rich.

 

[Ultra25-06]

ND is a great hunting state for a couple of reasons. The variety of game and access to hunting land. ND has huns, grouse, pheasant, fur-bearing, ducks, geese, deer, elk, moose, antelope, bighorn sheep hunting just for starters. Also, unless posted by the landowner all land is open to public hunting. There is also an abundance of state and federal lands available for public hunting. Other states may excel in one type of hunting or the other while ND does it in many, many areas that are available to all, not just the rich.

Are you from ND? I only ask so I can obtain first hand knowledge. If so is my understanding correct that big game is all via controlled hunts/lottery? As far as the game that is available to hunt it is no diffrent than where I currently live, except I can get a over the counter tag for just about any species. If they are controlled hunt what is the average chance of getting a tag first time? I am hoping for a better pheasant population than Idaho has so I can make better use of my dog. A moose tag is what I really have my mind on. I am excited about the prarrie dogs. Do they get hit hard or are they pretty abundant? Sorry for all the questions. Any response is appreciated.

 

[supercalvin36]

I've lived in ND for the last 60 years. All big game is lottery. Whitetail deer are plentiful but require lottery for all applications. That is due in June for residents. You can probably buy 2 or 3 doe tags but you must apply to G&F to get them. They aren't sold over the counter. Moose, Elk, Big Horn are EXTREMELY limited so I wouldn't count on any of them. The pheasants are doing well in the SSW areas of the state. Prairie dogs are also found in western areas of the state. Finding the unposted land is becoming an issue in the game rich areas and some farmers have begun charging an access fee. Walleye fishing is outstanding in Devils Lake and the Missouri river system.

 

[Ultra25-06]

Thanks for the info. Its been quite some time since Ive caught a wallye. Grew up in Iowa used to catch them there. Havent hunted whitetail since I was in Iowa either just big old mulies around these parts as far as regular deer go. My wife is really excited about the chance to get a whitetail so that should be fun if she gets a tag. Have you ever gone into canada to hunt?

 

[blipelt]

The only big game over the counter resident is archery deer $20. All the rest are on a lottery system. Unless you get a gratis(own 160 acres) land owners tag. We have some nice whitetails and muledeer if you can get a tag for the unit. I hunt 2J1 and I usually get a buck tag every 5-7years. With such harsh winters up here lately the deer and antelope have really taken a beating. Tag numbers are down for deer and we didn't have a antelope season last year and don't expect to have one this year.

Elk, Moose, Sheep are a once in a lifetime tag. It is a non weighted lottery for them. We have been culling cow elk out of nat'l park as of last year. I think they might do it again this year.

If you want to hunt deer every year take up archery or get land. They cater to the landowner for tags in this state in my opinion. There is plenty of public land to hunt however.

Some landowners are more than willing to let you hunt. Culling does, keeping coyotes in check, fixing fence, and helping work cattle have gained land for me. Some say no to deer and yes to coyotes. I have learned in the past that is all you will get to do. I coyote hunt and cull in the land they let me hunt and there only.

I know of four 200+ deer taken last year, one whitetail and three mulies. Two of the mulies were taken on public land.

I don't bird hunt much, but we have pretty good upland and waterfowl.

Brent

 

[supercalvin36]

try this link....it might have something you're interested in.

Nodak Outdoors

 

[Ultra25-06]

I archery hunt mainly so that is good to here. Thanks.