Hunting Seasons and Dates

When Can I Hunt in Ohio?

Planning a successful hunting season in Ohio takes time—especially if you're chasing different species throughout the year.

That’s where HuntiWise comes in. We've put together this guide with the latest information to help you get into the field faster—and more often—this season.

Keep in mind that regulations and season dates can change. We strongly recommend checking with official state agencies to confirm current rules, season dates, and bag limits before each hunt.

This guide includes updated information for the 2025 season, and we’ll continue to make updates as new details are released.

Deer

• Archery: September 27, 2025 – February 1, 2026
• Youth Gun: November 22 – 23, 2025
• Gun: December 1 – 7, 2025 and December 20 – 21, 2025
• Muzzleloader: January 3 – 6, 2026
• DSA Archery: September 13, 2025 – February 1, 2026
• DSA Early Gun: October 11 – 13, 2025

For more information about deer seasons and to check for changes to bag limits and Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance areas (DSA areas), check the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife website.

Turkey Seasons

• Spring 2026:
  • Youth: TBD
  • South Zone: TBD
  • Northeast Zone: TBD
• Fall 2025: October 1 – 26, 2025

Small Game & Furbearers

• Ruffed Grouse: November 7 – 30, 2025
• Squirrel: Septemer 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026
• Cottontail Rabbit: November 7, 2025 – February 28, 2026
• Pheasant: November 1, 2025 – January 11, 2026
• Chukar: November 7, 2025 – January 11, 2026
• Quail: November 1 – 30, 2025
• Fox, Raccoon, Skunk, Weasel, Opossum (hunting and trapping): November 10, 2025 – January 31, 2026
• Mink and Muskrat (trapping): November 10, 2025 – February 28, 2026
• Beaver and River Otter (trapping): December 26, 2025 – February 28, 2026

Youth Small Game: October 25 – 26, 2025 and November 1 – 2, 2025

Migratory Birds

• Dove: September 1 – November 9, 2025 an December 13, 2025 – January 1, 2026
• Rail: September 1 – November 9, 2025
• Gallinule: September 1 – November 9, 2025
• Snipe: September 1 – November 19, 2025 and Decemberr 6, 2025 – January 1, 2026
• Woodcock: October 11 – November 24, 2025

Waterfowl

• Youth Hunting: October 4 – 5, 2025
• Military & Veteran Hunting: October 4 – 5, 2025
  
• Early Waterfowl:
  • Canada Geese: September 6 – 14, 2025
  • Teal: September 6 – 14, 2025
• Lake Eerie Marsh Zone:
  • Geese: October 18 – November 2, 2025 and November 15, 2025 – February 2, 2026
  • Ducks, Coots, Mergansers: October 18 – November 2, 2025 and November 15 – Decemberr 28, 2025
• North Zone:
  • Geese: October 18 – 26, 2025 and November 15, 2025 – February 9, 2026
  • Ducks, Coots, Mergansers: October 18 – 26, 2025 and November 15, 2025 – January 4, 2026
• South Zone:
  • Geese: October 18 – October 27, 2025 and November 16, 2025 – February 9, 2026
  • Ducks, Coots, Mergansers: October 18 – 27, 2025 and December 13, 2025 – January 31, 2026

Wild Pig, Coyote, and Woodchuck

No closed seasons and no bag limit.