10/13/2026
Saturday, October 10, marks the opening of North Dakota's 2026 regular pheasant season! It's time to lace up the boots, load up the dogs and head into the fields in search of some disco chickens!
Whether you're hunting behind an experienced bird dog or taking a young pup out for its first season, here are a few regulations to remember before heading out.
🗓️ 2026–2027 SEASON
• Opens: October 10, 2026
• Closes: January 3, 2027
• Daily limit: 3 roosters
• Possession limit: 12 roosters
• Possession at permanent residence: Unlimited
• Shooting hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset
• Legal birds: Male pheasants only. Hens are protected.
TRANSPORTING YOUR BIRDS
North Dakota requires pheasants to retain one leg and foot, a fully feathered wing or the fully feathered head attached during transportation until they reach your legal residence or are processed for immediate consumption.
🚨 NONRESIDENT REMINDER
Nonresident hunters cannot hunt on North Dakota Game and Fish wildlife management areas or Conservation PLOTS lands during the first seven days of the regular pheasant season, October 10–16. An exception applies to nonresidents hunting PLOTS land they own.
FI****MS & AM******ON
• Sh****ns: Must be limited to a maximum of three shells.
• Non-toxic shot: Required on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands, including Waterfowl Production Areas.
ENJOY THE HUNT!
Watch out for your dogs, respect landowners and their property, pick up your spent shells and leave the habitat better than you found it.
Good luck to everyone heading out this weekend! May the birds hold tight, the dogs work hard and the memories last longer than the season.
Hunt Fish Protect