Spring Turkey Season Opens April 12 (Photo/ Ashley Peterson NDGF)

ND Outdoors

Doug Leier | Outreach Biologist

I don’t need my kids, wife or you to tell me I’m old. I know it. I embrace it. I’ll argue there are a few things done the old-fashioned way which still works just fine for me. I have portable jump starters in all our vehicles. But I also have jumper cables too. If you know why, you are old just like me.
I still read printed newspapers and magazines when they arrive in my mailbox even though I’ve already read them online. While I cut stories, comics and reminders out of the paper, if I see something online I need, I don’t use the new electronic snipping tools. Not because I don’t know how but when I store them online, odds are I’ll forget what I saved.
It’s with that reminder I’ll suggest you grab a scissor and prepare to cut the following. If you use your phone or device then get ready to screenshot and save. Knowing full well this information on application openings and deadlines, along with season openers, is available on the Game and Fish website (gf.nd.gov) or in the North Dakota OUTDOORS calendar, which I have three hanging in front of me.
Without further delay, here’s how applications and season openers are scheduled for 2025.
Moose, elk and bighorn sheep applications should be available online around March 6 with the deadline to apply March 26. Look for deer applications to go live May 8 with a deadline of June 4. The next lottery is for pronghorn and those would be online approximately July 22 and due August 6. Swan applications open July 16 and close August 20 and fall turkey is available online August 12 and due September 3.
The next round of important dates are the tentative season opening dates. I cannot stress enough how these are all pending proclamation approval.

Spring Turkey April 12
Deer and Pronghorn Bow, Mountain Lion Aug. 29
Dove Sept. 1
Sharptail, Hun, Ruffed Grouse, Squirrel Sept. 13
Youth Deer Sept. 19
Youth Waterfowl Sept. 20
Early Resident Waterfowl Sept. 27
Pronghorn Gun Oct. 3
Regular Waterfowl, Youth Pheasant Oct. 4
Pheasant, Fall Turkey Oct. 11
Mink, Muskrat, Weasel Trapping Oct. 25
Deer Gun Nov. 7
Deer Muzzleloader Nov. 28

We all know changes can and have happened. Computer delays and a host of other factors can change dates, so at this time I’d suggest a few electronic connections and reminders.
Let me close by admitting the hard copy paper and calendar can’t change once printed so you’d do well to keep updated just in case.
Download the official Game and Fish Android and Apple App. Subscribe to the Game and Fish email news alerts. Check out the Game and Fish Facebook, YouTube and Instagram pages. Subscribe to the podcast and even more immediate is the text message service for important Game and Fish reminders.
Stay safe, obey the rules and enjoy the great outdoors.