Reviewing the 202 Legislative Session Impacts on North Dakota Outdoors

Many hunters and anglers understand the work of the Game and Fish Department—from game wardens checking hunting and fishing licenses and keeping everyone outdoors safe, to fisheries biologists stocking and surveying lakes, to wildlife biologists and land managers maintaining and enhancing habitat, assessing wildlife populations, and setting seasons.

One often overlooked area in North Dakota’s outdoors is the recently completed legislative session. Director Jeb Williams, Deputy Director Scott Peterson, along with division chiefs and expert staff, worked diligently for the sportsmen and women throughout the legislative session.

As a biologist in the field, it’s interesting to see Department leaders confidently testify on issues of significance—such as the social impacts of distributing deer tags or addressing hunter congestion and competition for high-interest areas like Badlands mule deer hunting.

While the official session began in early January and concluded in May, the work began well before with potential legislation and will continue as the Department adjusts to the changes new legislation requires.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department tracked 20 outdoors-related bills during the 2025 legislative session. Fourteen passed both chambers and were signed into law. The following bills take effect August 1. A complete list is available at gf.nd.gov.

HB 1017 – Appropriates $114,864,690 to the Game and Fish Department for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027.

HB 1082 – Defines farmed elk as mammals of the North American elk genus and species (Cervus canadensis) confined in a manmade enclosure designed to prevent escape.

HB 1094 – Nonprofit organizations eligible to apply for special allocation big game licenses for fundraising must be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) and contribute at least 20% of net raffle proceeds to a conservation-related project.

HB 1147 – A resident disabled veteran with at least a 50% service-connected disability qualifies for a $3 combined general game, habitat, small game, and furbearer license.

HB 1174 – The Department may establish educational and community outreach programs, including job shadowing, to promote public understanding and interest in fisheries and wildlife careers.

HB 1260 – Fifteen percent of mule deer gun licenses must be made available as nonresident any-deer bow licenses.

HB 1412 – Deer lottery applications must include an option for unsuccessful applicants to donate the license fee to the Private Land Open To Sportsmen (PLOTS) program.

HB 1470 – Increases some hunting and fishing license fees and updates guide and outfitter requirements.

HB 1598 – Prohibits motor vehicle use off established roads or trails while hunting big or small game (excluding waterfowl or cranes) without landowner permission, unless retrieving downed big game.

SB 2137 – Prohibits the Department from banning or restricting supplemental feed for big game hunting on private property; includes a sunset clause of July 31, 2029.

SB 2155 – Limits pronghorn gratis licenses to half of available pronghorn licenses; unsuccessful landowner applicants may be included in the general lottery.

SB 2216 – Requires a $5 waterfowl habitat restoration e-stamp for all waterfowl hunters; establishes a habitat improvement fund for restoration and youth programs.

SB 2245 – Permits waterfowl hunting from unpowered floating craft or powered craft at rest with the motor turned off.

SB 2309 – Allows the statewide antlerless white-tailed youth deer license to be issued via governor’s proclamation.

The next legislative session will take place in 2027. If you’re interested in future legislation, consider connecting with your local senators and representatives to build relationships and better understand how outdoor policy is shaped.

Not sure who represents you? Find out here: https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/68-2023/regular/members/members-by-district