This North Dakota moose guide collects the official dates, fees and field rules. It is written for residents planning this fall’s hunt and for those preparing for the 2027 draw. Non-residents will find an answer on eligibility and some other ways to hunt North Dakota.
Inside:
- The 2026 seasons, units and field rules
- License costs, prerequisites and how the moose lottery works
- Where to hunt, including public land and private land access through Hunting Locator, plus tactics hunters commonly use to fill a moose tag
North Dakota Moose Season 2026 Quick Overview
North Dakota organizes moose hunting by “units,” the licensed areas you must hunt within. Under NDGF’s 2026 elk, moose and sheep proclamation, license holders may hunt both the bow and regular seasons as long as they stay inside their unit and use legal archery equipment during bow season.
| Bow Season | Regular Season | |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | Sept 4 – Sept 27, 2026 | Oct 9 – Nov 1, 2026 |
| Units | M5, M6, M8, M9, M10, M11 | M5, M6, M8, M9, M10, M11 |
| Bag limit | One moose of the type on your license (any moose or antlerless) | Same |
| Equipment | Legal archery equipment only | Per proclamation |
| Blaze orange | Not required | Required |
| Hunting hours | ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset | Same |
| Status (as of Oct 5) | Closed | Opens Oct 9 |
The NDGF moose lottery is open only to North Dakota residents, and moose licenses are once-in-a-lifetime. Non-residents should go to the FAQ and the “where to hunt” section for other options.
Before you head out, make sure you have:
- A valid moose license from the lottery: $35 for ages 16 and older, $10 for ages 15 and younger
- A General Game and Habitat License ($20), if not already purchased for the year. This is the base license North Dakota requires alongside big game licenses.
- A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($2), if not already purchased for the year
- Hunter education certificate if you were born after 1961, per NDGF. An apprentice hunting license is an alternative.
- The $5 non-refundable application fee, paid when you entered the lottery
Confirm current fees and rules with NDGF before purchasing.
Moose Hunting Seasons
North Dakota runs two moose seasons in 2026, both across the same six units: M5, M6, M8, M9, M10 and M11. According to the NDGF season outlook, unit M4 was absorbed into M8 and M1C into M5, so no units are closed to moose hunting this year.
Bow Season (September 4 – September 27, 2026)
Bow season required legal archery equipment and no blaze orange, with the same hunting hours as the regular season. It closed September 27.
If your tag is still unfilled, the regular season is your second chance, since license holders may hunt both seasons within their unit. Hunters commonly limit archery shots to close, broadside opportunities, a habit worth carrying into any season.
Regular Season (October 9 – November 1, 2026)
The regular season opens October 9 and runs through November 1 in all six units. This is the season most drawn hunters are preparing for now. A few rules to keep straight:
- Blaze orange is required. Pack it before anything else.
- Hunting hours run from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
- Stay inside your unit. Your license is valid only in the unit printed on it. Check the NDGF proclamation for unit maps.
Know your license type before you shoot. An “any moose” license makes a bull or a cow legal. An “antlerless” license means the animal must have no antlers, so verify head gear carefully.
Run through this checklist before opening day:
- License, General Game and Habitat License and certificate in hand
- Hunter education proof on you if required
- Permission confirmed for any private land you plan to hunt
- Unit map reviewed
- Blaze orange packed
- Retrieval plan, hunting partners and meat cooling plan arranged
North Dakota Moose Licenses and Permits
Moose hunting in North Dakota has two parts: you win a spot in the lottery, then pay for the licenses that make the hunt legal. Knowing both the cost and how the lottery works helps you budget, whether you’re hunting this fall or aiming for the 2027 draw.
North Dakota Hunting Licenses
| Item | Cost | When You Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Moose lottery application | $5.00 (non-refundable) | When applying |
| Moose license, ages 16+ | $35.00 | After drawing |
| Moose license, ages 15 and younger | $10.00 | After drawing |
| General Game and Habitat License | $20 | If not already purchased for the year |
| Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate | $2.00 | If not already purchased for the year |
An adult first-time buyer pays $5 to apply, then $35 + $20 + $2 = $57 after drawing, for $62 total. That assumes the General Game and Habitat License and the certificate haven’t already been bought for the year.
NDGF issues moose licenses as once-in-a-lifetime licenses, so a hunter who has drawn one cannot apply for moose again. The lottery is open only to North Dakota residents. Confirm all details with NDGF before you pay.
North Dakota Hunting Permits
The lottery is how you earn your tag. According to the department’s hunting season outlook, NDGF made 296 licenses available for the 2026 fall season, unchanged from the previous year. Applications are submitted online, and the 2026 deadline was March 25. For 2027, applications typically close in late March, so watch NDGF for the official date.
The application process:
- Log in to My Account on gf.nd.gov.
- Choose your unit and license type (any moose or antlerless).
- Pay the $5 application fee.
- Wait for results from the lottery.
Draw statistics vary widely between units and between “any” and antlerless licenses. If you’re planning for 2027, compare units and license types using the lottery statistics NDGF posts online. Hunters who weren’t drawn this year can use the offseason to study those numbers, scout and line up access before the next application window.
North Dakota Moose: Where to Hunt
The NDGF hunting season outlook says moose hunter success has historically exceeded 90%, while moose densities remain lower in the traditional areas of the Turtle Mountains, Pembina Hills and the Red River corridor. Where you hunt, and how you get access to it, matters.
Best Public Lands
Within your licensed unit, public access options generally include:
- Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs): Managed by NDGF and open to public hunting, with seasonal access rules.
- PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen): A voluntary program between landowners and NDGF that opens private land to public walk-in hunting.
- State school and trust lands: Often open to hunting where posted as such.
Check each tract’s rules before you go, and confirm it falls inside your unit. Your license is valid only in the unit printed on it.
Private Land Hunting with Hunting Locator
NDGF’s outlook stresses that landowner contacts, securing access and preseason scouting are critical components of a successful moose hunt. With a once-in-a-lifetime tag, access is not something to leave to chance.
There are two main paths to private ground:
- Leasing gives you predictable access and room to scout well before the opener.
- Buying land gives you long-term access for moose, deer and other North Dakota seasons.
Either way, get permission before you go and respect posted land.
Hunting Locator is a marketplace that connects hunters with landowners who lease or sell ground. You can search listings, contact landowners directly and arrange access on your own timeline. Current listings are on our North Dakota hunting leases page, which includes both leases and land for sale.
Guided Hunts
A guide or outfitter can make sense when:
- You’re hunting an unfamiliar unit
- You want help with the retrieval and meat care of a very large animal
- You have limited time to scout
Before you book, ask any guide or outfitter about:
- State licensing
- References from past clients
- Their meat recovery plan
- How they secure landowner access
For context on how guided hunting works in the state, our North Dakota deer hunting guide notes that North Dakota allows up to half of the non-resident antlered whitetail allocation to be made available through licensed guides and outfitters.
Moose Hunting Tips
These are tactics hunters commonly use to get into position for a clean, ethical shot and a manageable recovery:
- Scout before the opener: Hunters commonly glass river bottoms and willow edges at first and last light. Good optics are worth the money here.
- Use the rut: October is rut season, and hunters commonly use calls to draw moose into range.
- Confirm your target: Check that the animal is legal for your license type, any moose or antlerless, before you raise your rifle.
- Wear your orange: Blaze orange is required in the regular season. Pack a vest and hat before you leave.
- Shoot ethically: Hunters commonly wait for broadside, vital-zone shots with an adequate firearm. Passing on a bad angle is always the right call.
- Plan the retrieval: A mature bull takes as much effort to move as a small car, so line up hunting partners ahead of time. A game cart helps.
- Field dress and cool fast: Quarter the animal, use game bags, and get the meat cooled quickly. A quality knife and saw kit make the work easier.
Optics, calls, blaze orange, game carts, knife and saw kits and game bags are available in the Hunting Locator store.
More Resources from Hunting Locator
These Hunting Locator pages cover access, gear and other North Dakota hunting opportunities.
Land Access
- North Dakota hunting leases: Browse current listings for hunting leases and land for sale in the state.
Gear
- Hunting Locator store: Shop optics, calls, blaze orange, game carts and other gear for the field.
Other North Dakota Hunting
- North Dakota deer hunting guide: Seasons, non-resident rules and land access for whitetail and mule deer hunters.
FAQ
When is moose season in North Dakota 2026?
According to NDGF, the 2026 moose bow season ran September 4–27, and the regular season runs October 9 through November 1. Both seasons cover Units M5, M6, M8, M9, M10 and M11. Bow season has closed, and the regular season opens October 9.
Can non-residents hunt moose in North Dakota?
No. The NDGF moose lottery is open only to North Dakota residents. Non-residents still have other options. Our North Dakota deer hunting guide explains that non-resident archers are restricted to private land for the first 9½ days of bow season, and that refuge permits are no longer required for gun deer at J. Clark Salyer, Upper Souris and Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuges. You can also browse North Dakota hunting leases and land for sale.
How much does a North Dakota moose license cost?
The moose license costs $35 for ages 16 and older and $10 for ages 15 and younger, plus a $5 non-refundable application fee. You also need a $20 General Game and Habitat License and a $2 Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate if not already purchased. An adult’s total in this example is $62. Confirm figures with NDGF.
How do I apply for the 2027 North Dakota moose lottery?
Apply online through My Account on gf.nd.gov, choose your unit and license type, and pay the $5 application fee. The 2026 deadline was March 25. For 2027, applications typically close in late March, so watch NDGF for the official date.
Can I apply again after drawing a moose license?
No. NDGF issues moose, elk and bighorn sheep lottery licenses as once-in-a-lifetime licenses, and hunters who have received a license through the lottery are not eligible to apply for that species again.
What’s the difference between an any moose and an antlerless license?
The bag limit is one moose of the type specified on your license. An “any moose” license makes a bull or a cow legal. An “antlerless” license means the animal must have no antlers. Per NDGF, verify head gear carefully before you shoot.
Do I need blaze orange for moose hunting in North Dakota?
According to NDGF’s proclamation, blaze orange is required during the regular season (October 9 – November 1) and not required during bow season. Pack your orange before opening day.
Where can I find private land to hunt moose in North Dakota?
Public options include WMAs and PLOTS land within your unit. For private ground, browse Hunting Locator’s North Dakota hunting leases page to find landowners who lease or sell hunting land.
The Final Shot
The regular season runs October 9 through November 1 across Units M5, M6, M8, M9, M10 and M11. The cost starts with the $5 application, then the $35 license, the $20 General Game and Habitat License and the $2 certificate if you haven’t already bought them. Know whether you hold an any-moose or antlerless license, and keep in mind NDGF’s point that access and preseason scouting are critical.
If you drew a tag, lock in your ground before October 9 through the North Dakota hunting leases page. If you didn’t draw this year, the offseason is the time to secure access for 2027 and other North Dakota seasons.
