<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-06-07</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001342643</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PAXTON ENERGY INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>pxte</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001524370</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Jordan Paul A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>295 HIGHWAY 50, SUITE 2</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>LAKE VILLAGE PROFESSIONAL BUILDING</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>STATELINE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NV</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>89449</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.3</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2020-05-17</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1000000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The stock option is granted pursuant to the Issuer's 2010  Incentive Stock Plan, with options to purchase 333,333 shares shall vested as of the grant date and the remaining options to purchase 666,667 shares shall vest thereafter on a pro rata monthly basis over the subsequent twenty-four (24) full calendar month period with options to purchase 27,777 shares vesting at the end of each full calendar month after the initial vesting date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ PAUL A. JORDAN</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-06-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
