Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in North Dakota
May, April and December is the best time to see great horned owls in North Dakota. Based on 139 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls are most active across the year in North Dakota.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
Great Horned Owl · Public domain CC0
Great Horned Owl · Sandra Keller CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Public domain CC0
139 verified observations of great horned owls in North Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in North Dakota
Peak month
May
32 records (23% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5 | 3.6% |
| February | 5 | 3.6% |
| March | 11 | 7.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 19 | 13.7% |
| Maypeak | 32 | 23% |
| June | 14 | 10.1% |
| July | 14 | 10.1% |
| August | 6 | 4.3% |
| September | 5 | 3.6% |
| October | 4 | 2.9% |
| November | 9 | 6.5% |
| Decemberpeak | 15 | 10.8% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 139 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in North Dakota
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when great horned owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for great horned owls sit around 11 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21°F | 6°F | 0.7" |
| Feb | 18°F | 1°F | 0.7" |
| Mar | 34°F | 17°F | 0.7" |
| Aprbest time | 46°F | 28°F | 2.1" |
| Maybest time | 64°F | 43°F | 2.3" |
| Jun | 77°F | 57°F | 2.8" |
| Jul | 80°F | 61°F | 2" |
| Aug | 79°F | 60°F | 2" |
| Sep | 71°F | 52°F | 2.3" |
| Oct | 51°F | 36°F | 2.4" |
| Nov | 37°F | 23°F | 1" |
| Decbest time | 25°F | 11°F | 1.2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for North Dakota. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great horned owls in North Dakota peak in May, when 32 of the year's 139 verified observations are logged — about 23% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and December.
The quietest stretch is October, January and February, when great horned owls are hardest to find — October sees just 4 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The great horned owls you are most likely to encounter in North Dakota are Great Horned Owl — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see great horned owls in North Dakota
- Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park — National Park
- Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Arrowwood NWR (general)
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great horned owls in North Dakota?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and December, based on 139 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in North Dakota?+
October is the quietest month for great horned owls in North Dakota, with only 4 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in North Dakota?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in North Dakota, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in North Dakota