Ohio 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Ohio's 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Nov 30-Dec 6, 2026, and Dec 19-20, 2026.
Archery deer season opens between September 12, 2026 and September 26, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes February 7, 2027.
Duck season opens October 17, 2026 in every zone and runs in split segments through January 31, 2027; the dates for each zone are in the table below.
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 and Dec 19-20, 2026
- archery deer
- opens Sep 12-26, 2026 by zone
- duck
- opens Oct 17, 2026; split dates by zone
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Key seasons by species
How to read Ohio's seasons
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.
New 2026-27
federal openings
in Ohio
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened or expanded hunting and fishing access at 2 stations in Ohio. The final rule took effect August 31, 2026.
Deer
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Zone: Disease Surveillance Area
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Youth Deer Gun
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Deer Gun
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Deer Gun
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Early Deer Gun
Zone: Disease Surveillance Area
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Spring
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
To be announced
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Fall
Zone: 70 Counties
Waterfowl
15 listed rowsDuck
Regular
Daily bag limit of 6 ducks, not to include more than 4 mallards (only 2 of which may be hens), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, or 1 mottled duck. Scaup: 1 bird daily for first 15 days, 2 birds for final 45 days.
Zone: Duck Zone A
Goose
Regular
Zone: Zone A
Duck
Regular
Daily bag limit of 6 ducks, not to include more than 4 mallards (only 2 of which may be hens), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, or 1 mottled duck. Scaup: 1 bird daily for first 15 days, 2 birds for final 45 days.
Zone: Duck Zone B
Goose
Regular
Zone: Zone C
Goose
Regular
Zone: Zone B
Duck
Regular
Daily bag limit of 6 ducks, not to include more than 4 mallards (only 2 of which may be hens), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, or 1 mottled duck. Scaup: 1 bird daily for first 15 days, 2 birds for final 45 days.
Zone: Duck Zone C
Canada Goose, Cackling Goose
Early Goose
Zone: Statewide
Duck
Regular
Daily bag limit of 6 ducks, not to include more than 4 mallards (only 2 of which may be hens), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, or 1 mottled duck. Scaup: 1 bird daily for first 15 days, 2 birds for final 45 days.
Zone: Duck Zone B
Duck
Regular
Daily bag limit of 6 ducks, not to include more than 4 mallards (only 2 of which may be hens), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, or 1 mottled duck. Scaup: 1 bird daily for first 15 days, 2 birds for final 45 days.
Zone: Duck Zone C
Duck
Regular
Daily bag limit of 6 ducks, not to include more than 4 mallards (only 2 of which may be hens), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, or 1 mottled duck. Scaup: 1 bird daily for first 15 days, 2 birds for final 45 days.
Zone: Duck Zone A
Goose
Regular
Zone: Zone C
Goose
Regular
Zone: Zone A
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| GooseRegular · Zone B | Closed | |
| TealEarly Teal · Statewide | Closed | |
| WaterfowlYouth, Active Military, and Veterans · Statewide | Closed |
Dove
Mourning Dove
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Mourning Dove
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Pheasant
Ring-necked Pheasant
Regular
Roosters only
Zone: Statewide
Quail
Bobwhite Quail
Regular
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
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel
Squirrel
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Furbearer
Fox, Raccoon, Skunk, Opossum, Weasel
Hunting and Trapping
Zone: Statewide
Mink, Muskrat
Trapping
Zone: Statewide
Mink, Muskrat, Skunk, Opossum, Weasel
Trapping
Zone: Lake Erie Marsh
Beaver
Trapping
Zone: Statewide
River Otter
Trapping
3 in Zone A (season), 1 in Zone B (season), season limit of 3
Zone: Statewide
Small Game
Chukar
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Cottontail Rabbit, Ring-necked Pheasant, Bobwhite Quail
Youth Small Game
Youth season
Zone: Statewide
Cottontail Rabbit, Ring-necked Pheasant, Bobwhite Quail
Youth Small Game
Youth season
Zone: Statewide
Migratory Birds
American Woodcock
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Gallinule (Moorhen)
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Rail
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Wilson's Snipe
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Wilson's Snipe
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Coyote
Coyote
No Closed Season
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No closed season
Zone: Statewide
Other
Crow
Regular
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only.
Zone: Statewide
Crow
Regular
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only.
Zone: Statewide
Woodchuck
No Closed Season
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Zone: Statewide
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Ohio Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Ohio?
Archery deer season opens between September 12, 2026 and September 26, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes February 7, 2027. Firearm deer season runs Nov 30-Dec 6, 2026, and Dec 19-20, 2026. Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with Ohio DNR.
When is Ohio's firearm deer season?
Firearm deer season runs Nov 30-Dec 6, 2026, and Dec 19-20, 2026. Check zone and permit details with Ohio DNR before hunting.
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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