Doug Leier: North Dakota's fall 2026 planning calendar

North Dakota’s 2026 fall hunting calendar begins with the early Canada goose management season on Aug. 15. Closures vary by zone, with the first ending Sept. 7 in the Missouri River zone, then Sept. 15 in the western zone and Sept. 22 in the eastern zone. The schedule is dominated by openings through early November, covering weekend-by-weekend hunting and trapping seasons. Dove season opens Sept. 1, while Sept. 4 marks archery deer season and bow hunting for pronghorn license holders. Grouse and partridge seasons begin Sept. 12, youth deer on Sept. 18, and youth waterfowl and sandhill crane seasons on Sept. 19. Resident waterfowl starts Sept. 26, rifle pronghorn Oct. 2, youth pheasant Oct. 3, and fall turkey and pheasant Oct. 10. Deer gun season runs Nov. 6 at noon. The guide is at gf.nd.gov, with printed copies available on request.