Ohio 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Ohio's listed 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Nov 30-Dec 6, 2026.
Archery White-tailed Deer opens Sep 12, 2026 and closes Feb 7, 2027.
Youth/Active Military/Veterans Waterfowl opens Oct 3, 2026 and closes Oct 4, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Ohio DNR.
- firearm deer
- Nov 30-Dec 6, 2026
- archery deer
- Sep 12, 2026-Feb 7, 2027
- waterfowl
- Oct 3-4, 2026
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Key seasons by species
What changed for 2026-27
The statewide dates are only half the story
Ohio's deer and turkey seasons are simple at a glance, but bag limits, controlled hunts, and public-land details can change the practical answer for a specific hunter.
Before heading out, confirm the official Ohio wildlife source for county bag limits, disease surveillance areas, and public-land restrictions.
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Ohio DNR before hunting.
Proposed 2026-27
federal openings
in Ohio
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing hunting and fishing access changes at 2 stations in Ohio. Public comment closes June 26, 2026.
Deer
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 12, 2026-Feb 7, 2027
Zone: Disease Surveillance Area
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 26, 2026-Feb 7, 2027
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Early Firearm
Oct 10-12, 2026
Zone: Disease Surveillance Area
White-tailed Deer
Youth Gun
Nov 21-22, 2026
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Nov 30-Dec 6, 2026
Two separate firearm periods: Nov. 30-Dec. 6 and Dec. 19-Dec. 20
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Dec 19-20, 2026
Second firearm period
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
Jan 2-5, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Spring
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Dates to be announced
Wild Turkey
Fall
Oct 1-25, 2026
Zone: 70 counties
Waterfowl
Canada Goose, Cackling Goose
Early Season
Sep 5-13, 2026
Early goose season
Zone: Statewide
Duck
General
Oct 17, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Two periods: Oct. 17 - Oct. 25, 2026 and Dec. 12, 2026 - Jan. 31, 2027. Bag limit restrictions on mallards, wood ducks, pintails, black ducks, redheads, canvasbacks, mottled duck, and scaup.
Zone: Zone C
Duck
General
Oct 17-Dec 27, 2026
Two periods: Oct. 17 - Nov. 1, 2026 and Nov. 14 - Dec. 27, 2026. Bag limit restrictions on mallards, wood ducks, pintails, black ducks, redheads, canvasbacks, mottled duck, and scaup.
Zone: Zone A
Duck
General
Oct 17, 2026-Jan 10, 2027
Two periods: Oct. 17 - Oct. 25, 2026 and Nov. 21, 2026 - Jan. 10, 2027. Bag limit restrictions on mallards, wood ducks, pintails, black ducks, redheads, canvasbacks, mottled duck, and scaup.
Zone: Zone B
Goose
General
Oct 17, 2026-Feb 15, 2027
Two periods: Oct. 17 - Oct. 25, 2026 and Nov. 21, 2026 - Feb. 15, 2027
Zone: Zone B
Goose
General
Oct 17, 2026-Feb 15, 2027
Two periods: Oct. 17 - Oct. 25, 2026 and Nov. 21, 2026 - Feb. 15, 2027
Zone: Zone C
Goose
General
Oct 17, 2026-Feb 1, 2027
Two periods: Oct. 17 - Nov. 1, 2026 and Nov. 14, 2026 - Feb. 1, 2027
Zone: Zone A
Teal
Early Teal
Sep 5-13, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Waterfowl
Youth/Active Military/Veterans
Oct 3-4, 2026
Youth, active military, and veterans only
Zone: Statewide
Dove
Mourning Dove
General
Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Two periods: Sept. 1 - Nov. 8, 2026 and Dec. 12, 2026 - Jan. 1, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Pheasant
Ring-necked Pheasant
General
Nov 6, 2026-Jan 10, 2027
Roosters only
Zone: Statewide
Quail
Bobwhite Quail
General
Nov 6-29, 2026
Zone: 16 counties and specific wildlife areas only
Grouse
Ruffed Grouse
Controlled Hunt
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Limited to controlled hunts on four designated areas
Zone: Four designated areas
Rabbit
Cottontail Rabbit
General
Nov 6, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel
Squirrel
General
Sep 1, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Furbearer
Beaver
Trapping
Dec 26, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Fox, Raccoon, Skunk, Opossum, Weasel
Hunting and Trapping
Nov 10, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Mink, Muskrat
Trapping
Nov 10, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Mink, Muskrat, Skunk, Opossum, Weasel
Trapping
Nov 10, 2026-Mar 15, 2027
Zone: Lake Erie Marsh
River Otter
Trapping
Dec 26, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
3 per season in Zone A, 1 per season in Zone B, overall season limit of 3
Zone: Zone A and Zone B
Small Game
Cottontail Rabbit, Ring-necked Pheasant, Bobwhite Quail
Youth Small Game
Oct 24-Nov 1, 2026
Two youth small game weekends: Oct. 24-25 and Oct. 31-Nov. 1
Zone: Statewide
Migratory Birds
American Woodcock
General
Oct 16-Nov 29, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Gallinule (Moorhen)
General
Sep 1-Nov 9, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Rail
General
Sep 1-Nov 9, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Wilson's Snipe
General
Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Two periods: Sept. 1 - Nov. 25, 2026 and Dec. 12, 2026 - Jan. 1, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Coyote
Coyote
General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No closed season
Zone: Statewide
Other
Chukar
General
Nov 6, 2026-Jan 10, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Crow
General
Jun 5, 2026-Mar 7, 2027
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only. Season 1: June 5, 2026 - March 7, 2027. Season 2: June 4, 2027 - March 5, 2028.
Zone: Statewide
Woodchuck
General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No closed season
Zone: Statewide
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Ohio Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Ohio?
September 12, 2026 is the first listed deer opener for Ohio; it is archery white-tailed deer Sep 12, 2026-Feb 7, 2027.
When is Ohio's firearm deer season?
Nov 30-Dec 6, 2026 is the listed firearm deer window for Ohio. Check zone and permit details with Ohio DNR before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in Ohio?
A current spring turkey opener is not listed for Ohio yet. Check Ohio DNR for the latest turkey dates.
Do I need a license to hunt in Ohio?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Ohio hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Ohio DNR.
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