North Dakota Hunting Laws
North Dakota's deer-rifle rule is unusually simple: any centerfire rifle of .22 caliber or larger is legal. There is no minimum cartridge case length, no muzzle-energy threshold, and no magazine limit. Shotgun slugs for deer must be 20 gauge or larger, muzzleloaders run .45 caliber (long gun) or .50 caliber (handgun) with flint or percussion ignition only, and North Dakota Century Code expressly authorizes hunting with a suppressor.
Rules checked against North Dakota Game and Fish Department regulations, August 30, 2026.
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Sourced Rules
Each rule links to the regulation we read and the month we checked it.
Rifle
3 rulesDeer rifles must be centerfire (rimfire rifles are not among the legal types listed); magazine capacity is unlimited.
"Centerfire rifles of .22 caliber or larger, and muzzleloading rifles of .45 caliber or larger, are legal for deer. Magazine capacity is unlimited. Centerfire and muzzleloader rifles must be designed to be fired from t..."
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Deer Gun and Youth Deer Seasons · verified Aug 2026
Deer rifles need only be .22 caliber or larger centerfire — there is no separate minimum case-length or muzzle-energy requirement in the current guide.
"Centerfire rifles of .22 caliber or larger... are legal for deer."
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Deer Gun and Youth Deer Seasons · verified Aug 2026
Ordinary centerfire and rimfire rifles are not legal for turkey — only muzzleloading long guns, shotguns, handguns, and bow equipment may be used.
"Rifles – Only muzzleloading long guns are legal. Muzzleloading rifles must have all components loaded through the muzzle. Centerfire and rimfire rifles are not legal for hunting wild turkeys."
2026 Fall Wild Turkey Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Rifles · verified Aug 2026
| Species | Rule | Citation | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
|
White-tailed / Mule Deer
|
Deer rifles must be centerfire (rimfire rifles are not among the legal types listed); magazine capacity is unlimited.
"Centerfire rifles of .22 caliber or larger, and muzzleloading rifles of .45 caliber or larger, are legal for deer. Magazine capacity is unlimited. Centerfire and muzzleloader rifles must be designed to be fired from t..." |
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Deer Gun and Youth Deer Seasons | Aug 2026 |
|
White-tailed / Mule Deer
|
Deer rifles need only be .22 caliber or larger centerfire — there is no separate minimum case-length or muzzle-energy requirement in the current guide.
"Centerfire rifles of .22 caliber or larger... are legal for deer." |
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Deer Gun and Youth Deer Seasons | Aug 2026 |
|
Wild Turkey
|
Ordinary centerfire and rimfire rifles are not legal for turkey — only muzzleloading long guns, shotguns, handguns, and bow equipment may be used.
"Rifles – Only muzzleloading long guns are legal. Muzzleloading rifles must have all components loaded through the muzzle. Centerfire and rimfire rifles are not legal for hunting wild turkeys." |
2026 Fall Wild Turkey Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Rifles | Aug 2026 |
Shotgun
5 rulesDeer shotguns (rifled slugs or patched round balls) must be 20 gauge or larger — .410 and 28 gauge are not legal for deer.
"Rifled slugs or patched round balls of 20 gauge or larger are legal for shotguns and muzzleloaders."
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Deer Gun and Youth Deer Seasons · verified Aug 2026
Deer shotguns need a barrel of at least 18 inches.
"Minimum barrel length of shotguns is 18 inches."
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Deer Gun and Youth Deer Seasons · verified Aug 2026
Nontoxic shot is required statewide for ducks, geese, tundra swans, mergansers, sandhill cranes, snipe, and coot.
"The possession or use of shot other than federally approved nontoxic shot is prohibited while hunting ducks, geese, sandhill cranes, tundra swans, mergansers, snipe and coot statewide."
ND Upland Game, Migratory Game Birds and Furbearer Guide 2026-27 — Nontoxic Shot Regulations · verified Aug 2026
On U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands (federal refuges and waterfowl production areas), nontoxic shot is required for all shotgun hunting except turkey and big game.
"Nontoxic shot is required for all hunting on all U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands, including federal refuges and waterfowl production areas. This regulation applies to all hunters using shotguns, except while hunt..."
ND Upland Game, Migratory Game Birds and Furbearer Guide 2026-27 — Nontoxic Shot Regulations · verified Aug 2026
Turkey shotguns may be no larger than 10 gauge, must hold no more than three shells combined in magazine and chamber, and need an 18-inch minimum barrel; no shot-size limit is specified. Fully automatic firearms are illegal.
"Shotguns – Only shotguns no larger than 10 gauge and capable of holding not more than three shells in the magazine and chamber are legal. Minimum barrel length is 18 inches. Fully automatic firearms are illegal."
2026 Fall Wild Turkey Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Shotguns · verified Aug 2026
| Species | Rule | Citation | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
|
White-tailed / Mule Deer
|
Deer shotguns (rifled slugs or patched round balls) must be 20 gauge or larger — .410 and 28 gauge are not legal for deer.
"Rifled slugs or patched round balls of 20 gauge or larger are legal for shotguns and muzzleloaders." |
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Deer Gun and Youth Deer Seasons | Aug 2026 |
|
White-tailed / Mule Deer
|
Deer shotguns need a barrel of at least 18 inches.
"Minimum barrel length of shotguns is 18 inches." |
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Deer Gun and Youth Deer Seasons | Aug 2026 |
|
Waterfowl
|
Nontoxic shot is required statewide for ducks, geese, tundra swans, mergansers, sandhill cranes, snipe, and coot.
"The possession or use of shot other than federally approved nontoxic shot is prohibited while hunting ducks, geese, sandhill cranes, tundra swans, mergansers, snipe and coot statewide." |
ND Upland Game, Migratory Game Birds and Furbearer Guide 2026-27 — Nontoxic Shot Regulations | Aug 2026 |
|
All species
|
On U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands (federal refuges and waterfowl production areas), nontoxic shot is required for all shotgun hunting except turkey and big game.
"Nontoxic shot is required for all hunting on all U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands, including federal refuges and waterfowl production areas. This regulation applies to all hunters using shotguns, except while hunt..." |
ND Upland Game, Migratory Game Birds and Furbearer Guide 2026-27 — Nontoxic Shot Regulations | Aug 2026 |
|
Wild Turkey
|
Turkey shotguns may be no larger than 10 gauge, must hold no more than three shells combined in magazine and chamber, and need an 18-inch minimum barrel; no shot-size limit is specified. Fully automatic firearms are illegal.
"Shotguns – Only shotguns no larger than 10 gauge and capable of holding not more than three shells in the magazine and chamber are legal. Minimum barrel length is 18 inches. Fully automatic firearms are illegal." |
2026 Fall Wild Turkey Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Shotguns | Aug 2026 |
Handgun
3 rulesDeer handguns must be .35 caliber or larger (or any centerfire handgun chambered for a legal deer-rifle cartridge); fully automatic firearms, nonexpanding FMJ bullets, and altered projectiles are prohibited.
"Handguns must have a minimum barrel length of 4 inches and be .35 caliber or larger. In addition, any centerfire handgun designed to fire a legal rifle cartridge is legal."
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Deer Gun and Youth Deer Seasons · verified Aug 2026
Deer handguns need a barrel of at least 4 inches.
"Handguns must have a minimum barrel length of 4 inches and be .35 caliber or larger."
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Deer Gun and Youth Deer Seasons · verified Aug 2026
Turkey handguns must be .35 caliber or larger with a barrel of at least 4 inches — the same standard used for deer handguns.
"Handguns – Handguns of .35 caliber or larger with 4 inch or greater barrel length are legal."
2026 Fall Wild Turkey Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Handguns · verified Aug 2026
| Species | Rule | Citation | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
|
White-tailed / Mule Deer
|
Deer handguns must be .35 caliber or larger (or any centerfire handgun chambered for a legal deer-rifle cartridge); fully automatic firearms, nonexpanding FMJ bullets, and altered projectiles are prohibited.
"Handguns must have a minimum barrel length of 4 inches and be .35 caliber or larger. In addition, any centerfire handgun designed to fire a legal rifle cartridge is legal." |
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Deer Gun and Youth Deer Seasons | Aug 2026 |
|
White-tailed / Mule Deer
|
Deer handguns need a barrel of at least 4 inches.
"Handguns must have a minimum barrel length of 4 inches and be .35 caliber or larger." |
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Deer Gun and Youth Deer Seasons | Aug 2026 |
|
Wild Turkey
|
Turkey handguns must be .35 caliber or larger with a barrel of at least 4 inches — the same standard used for deer handguns.
"Handguns – Handguns of .35 caliber or larger with 4 inch or greater barrel length are legal." |
2026 Fall Wild Turkey Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Handguns | Aug 2026 |
Muzzleloader
3 rulesMuzzleloading long guns must be .45 caliber or larger; muzzleloading handguns (also legal during muzzleloader season) must be .50 caliber or larger.
"Muzzleloading long guns of .45 caliber or larger, and handguns .50 caliber or larger, having all components loaded through the muzzle, with flint or percussion ignition, firing black powder or black powder substitutes..."
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Muzzleloader Season · verified Aug 2026
Muzzleloaders must be flint or percussion ignition loaded with black powder or an approved substitute — smokeless powder is not legal.
"with flint or percussion ignition, firing black powder or black powder substitutes are legal. Smokeless powders are not legal."
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Muzzleloader Season · verified Aug 2026
Magnified telescopic sights are prohibited on muzzleloaders during muzzleloader season; unmagnified (1x) scopes are allowed.
"Telescopic sights are prohibited. (Exception: No magnification (1x) scopes are legal.)"
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Muzzleloader Season · verified Aug 2026
| Species | Rule | Citation | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
|
White-tailed / Mule Deer
|
Muzzleloading long guns must be .45 caliber or larger; muzzleloading handguns (also legal during muzzleloader season) must be .50 caliber or larger.
"Muzzleloading long guns of .45 caliber or larger, and handguns .50 caliber or larger, having all components loaded through the muzzle, with flint or percussion ignition, firing black powder or black powder substitutes..." |
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Muzzleloader Season | Aug 2026 |
|
White-tailed / Mule Deer
|
Muzzleloaders must be flint or percussion ignition loaded with black powder or an approved substitute — smokeless powder is not legal.
"with flint or percussion ignition, firing black powder or black powder substitutes are legal. Smokeless powders are not legal." |
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Muzzleloader Season | Aug 2026 |
|
White-tailed / Mule Deer
|
Magnified telescopic sights are prohibited on muzzleloaders during muzzleloader season; unmagnified (1x) scopes are allowed.
"Telescopic sights are prohibited. (Exception: No magnification (1x) scopes are legal.)" |
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Muzzleloader Season | Aug 2026 |
Air Gun
2 rulesPrecharged pneumatic (PCP) air guns are legal for deer gun season only (not muzzleloader season) if they fire a projectile at least .35 caliber, at least 150 grains, at a minimum muzzle velocity of 600 fps.
"Precharged pneumatic air guns, charged from an external high compression source such as an air compressor, air tank or an external hand pump are legal for deer but must fire a projectile (excluding air bolts) of at le..."
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Deer Gun and Youth Deer Seasons · verified Aug 2026
PCP air-gun projectiles for deer must weigh at least 150 grains, in addition to the .35 caliber and 600 fps minimums.
"must fire a projectile (excluding air bolts) of at least .35 caliber in diameter and at least 150 grains in weight with a minimum muzzle velocity of 600 feet per second"
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Deer Gun and Youth Deer Seasons · verified Aug 2026
| Species | Rule | Citation | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
|
White-tailed / Mule Deer
|
Precharged pneumatic (PCP) air guns are legal for deer gun season only (not muzzleloader season) if they fire a projectile at least .35 caliber, at least 150 grains, at a minimum muzzle velocity of 600 fps.
"Precharged pneumatic air guns, charged from an external high compression source such as an air compressor, air tank or an external hand pump are legal for deer but must fire a projectile (excluding air bolts) of at le..." |
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Deer Gun and Youth Deer Seasons | Aug 2026 |
|
White-tailed / Mule Deer
|
PCP air-gun projectiles for deer must weigh at least 150 grains, in addition to the .35 caliber and 600 fps minimums.
"must fire a projectile (excluding air bolts) of at least .35 caliber in diameter and at least 150 grains in weight with a minimum muzzle velocity of 600 feet per second" |
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Firearms and Archery Equipment — Deer Gun and Youth Deer Seasons | Aug 2026 |
All Weapons
2 rulesDeer gun, youth, muzzleloader, and archery deer hunters must wear at least 400 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange as a head covering plus an outer garment above the waistline.
"All big game hunters, including bowhunters, are required to wear orange clothing while the regular deer gun season is in progress. All youth deer season and muzzleloader season hunters are required to wear orange clot..."
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Orange Clothing Requirements · verified Aug 2026
North Dakota law expressly allows hunting with a suppressor, and with a short-barreled rifle, for any game you are licensed to take with a firearm. The only condition in the hunting statute is that you be in lawful possession of the device; the game code itself says nothing about federal registration, so whether your suppressor is lawfully possessed is settled by North Dakota's separate weapons statute (N.D.C.C. § 62.1-05-01), which keys legality to compliance with the National Firearms Act.
Suppressor law in 2026: what changed · suppressor prices
"20.1-01-36. Suppressor and short-barreled rifle allowed for hunting. 1. An individual in lawful possession of a device that will silence or deaden the sound or natural report of a firearm when the firearm is discharge..."
N.D.C.C. § 20.1-01-36 — Suppressor and short-barreled rifle allowed for hunting · verified Oct 2026
| Species | Rule | Citation | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
|
White-tailed / Mule Deer
|
Deer gun, youth, muzzleloader, and archery deer hunters must wear at least 400 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange as a head covering plus an outer garment above the waistline.
"All big game hunters, including bowhunters, are required to wear orange clothing while the regular deer gun season is in progress. All youth deer season and muzzleloader season hunters are required to wear orange clot..." |
2026 Deer Hunting Guide — Orange Clothing Requirements | Aug 2026 |
|
All species
|
North Dakota law expressly allows hunting with a suppressor, and with a short-barreled rifle, for any game you are licensed to take with a firearm. The only condition in the hunting statute is that you be in lawful possession of the device; the game code itself says nothing about federal registration, so whether your suppressor is lawfully possessed is settled by North Dakota's separate weapons statute (N.D.C.C. § 62.1-05-01), which keys legality to compliance with the National Firearms Act.
Suppressor law in 2026: what changed · suppressor prices
"20.1-01-36. Suppressor and short-barreled rifle allowed for hunting. 1. An individual in lawful possession of a device that will silence or deaden the sound or natural report of a firearm when the firearm is discharge..." |
N.D.C.C. § 20.1-01-36 — Suppressor and short-barreled rifle allowed for hunting | Oct 2026 |
Federal Rules That Apply in Every State
These federal requirements apply in North Dakota on top of state law.
Sources
How to Use This Page
Each rule links to the regulation we read and the month we checked it. Rules marked needs review come from summaries rather than the regulation text, and never produce a green answer in the checker. The checker's energy figures are typical factory loads, so where a rule sets an energy or bullet-weight floor, check your own load's rating. This page covers equipment only, not seasons, tags or local ordinances, and it isn't legal advice. The current North Dakota Game and Fish Department regulations are the final word.