Hunting
Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge is made up of 19,500 acres along the Des Lacs River and has a mix of natural lakes and managed wetlands for migratory birds and other wildlife. Portions of the Refuge are open to hunting deer, elk, moose, pronghorn, coyote, fox, rabbit, raccoon, skunk, squirrel, grouse, partridge, pheasant, and turkey. Hunting any other wildlife species on the Refuge is prohibited. It is the hunter’s responsibility to be aware of all special Refuge regulations and the boundaries of the areas open and closed to hunting before going afield.
All hunting must follow North Dakota Game and Fish Department regulations.
Hunting regulations can change frequently. Always check with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department for the most current information before heading into the field.
North Dakota Game and Fish Hunting Regulations
In addition to state hunting regulations, please review the following Refuge regulations to help ensure a safe and enjoyable visit:
Refuge Hunting Regulations
Hunting is allowed in accordance with Federal regulations governing public use on national wildlife refuges as set forth in Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, State regulations, and Refuge specific regulations.
Hours
- Hunting hours follow those set in the State hunting regulations, unless noted otherwise in the Refuge regulations.
- The Refuge is open to the public from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm daily.
Access and Vehicle Use
- Snowmobiles, bicycles, e-bikes, and all other off road vehicles are prohibited.
- Hunters may drive authorized vehicles on the auto tour route while hunting.
- Driving an authorized vehicle on designated retrieval roads to retrieve a deer is allowed, but hunting and dropping hunters off on retrieval roads is not allowed. Refuge retrieval roads are identified with signs and are also shown on the hunting brochure map.
- Hunters must carry, drag, or use a cart to transport harvested big game to their vehicle.
Firearms
Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on National Wildlife Refuge System lands must comply with all provisions of State and local law. Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and specific refuge regulations in 50 CFR Part 32.)
Prohibited Activities
- By law, recreational activities on national wildlife refuges are prohibited unless expressly permitted.
- Use of electronic or photographic trail monitoring devices.
- Using artificial light, night vision, thermal vision, or infrared light to locate or hunt game is prohibited.
- Marking or flagging any tree, brush, or other refuge feature with reflectors, paint, or other substance.
- Baiting or use of scent wicks/lures.
- Drones (UAVs) taking off, landing and/or flying on or over refuge lands.
- Permanent tree stands, nails, screw-in steps, or other items that penetrate the outer bark of a tree.
- Searching for or removal of any natural items such as antlers, skulls, plants, and/or historic and archaeological features protected by Federal law.
- Use or possession of alcoholic beverages while hunting.
- Use of watercraft.
- Use of horses.
- Camping and fires
- Littering
- Fishing
Big Game: Deer, Elk, Moose, Pronghorn
- Hunting is in accordance with State seasons (including youth deer season).
- On opening day of each deer hunting season, hunters must wait to enter the Refuge until 12:00 pm (noon).
- Portable tree stands and ground blinds may be used, but they must be removed daily.
- During deer gun season only, hunters may drive authorized vehicles on designated Refuge retrieval roads to retrieve harvested deer from 9:30 am to 10:00 am; 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm; and for ½-hour following legal shooting time.
Upland Game Birds: Grouse, Partridge, Pheasant
- Late season hunting opens on the day following the close of the state deer gun season through the end of the State season.
- Non-lead shot is required for all shotgun hunting.
- The use of dogs in accordance with state regulations is encouraged but they must be under the handler’s control at all times.
Turkey
- Hunting is in accordance with State seasons (spring and fall).
- Lead-free shot is not required for turkey hunting.
Coyote, Fox, Raccoon, Skunk, Rabbit, Squirrel
- Hunting season opens on the day following the close of the state deer gun season through the end of the regular season for each species or March 31st, whichever is earlier.
- Hunt hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
- Non-lead shot is required for all shotgun hunting.
- The use of dogs is prohibited per 50 CFR 32.53(q)(2)(ii).
- Use of traps and cable devices is prohibited.
Additional Information
For additional updates, details, or clarifications, contact the Refuge Headquarters: (701) 385-4046.
Please review the Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge hunting brochure for more information and a map.
