September Marks the Start of Ohio’s Fall Hunting Seasons
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(Columbus) – Ohio’s hunting seasons for squirrel, dove, Canada geese, teal, and more open in early September, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Bowhunters can look forward to the start of white-tailed deer archery season later in the month.
Hunting seasons for squirrel (fox, red, and gray), dove, rail (Virginia and sora), snipe, and gallinule begin Monday, Sept. 1. Early Canada goose hunting and early teal (blue-winged and green-winged) hunting run from Saturday, Sept. 6 to Sunday, Sept. 14. The deer archery season is not far behind, with statewide hunting opening on Saturday, Sept. 27.
Squirrels are plentiful statewide. Fox squirrels are more abundant in western Ohio and gray squirrels are most bountiful in eastern counties. Squirrels are most often found in forests and woodlands that have nut-producing beech, oak, and hickory trees. Once squirrel season begins, it will run through the rest of this year to Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026.
Doves have been a popular game bird in Ohio since 1995. They are plentiful during the start of the season, especially in agricultural areas and open fields, and migrate to southern habitats for the winter. Dove season will begin Monday, Sept. 1 through to Sunday Nov. 9, with a second season open from Dec. 13 to Jan. 1, 2026.
Canada geese, blue-winged teal, and green-winged teal are some of the earliest migratory waterfowl to arrive in Ohio’s wetlands. Waterfowl hunting is best in agricultural fields, from the shores of wetlands or ponds, or from a boat. Waterfowl identification is important in the early season, when similar species are not legal game, so it is a good idea to review an identification guide before an early season hunt.
Hunters are reminded to check the current regulations for changes to season dates and daily limits as the 2025 fall seasons begin. A summary of the 2025-26 hunting and trapping regulations can be found at wildohio.gov, on the HuntFish OH app, or anywhere licenses are sold.
Ohio’s deer archery season will kick off in late September. The statewide season opens Saturday, Sept. 27. Hunters in the disease surveillance area (see regulations on wildohio.gov) can begin archery hunting on Saturday, Sept. 13. This year, hunters can use deer management permits, valid for antlerless deer, on both public hunting areas and private land through Sunday, Dec. 21, which is the last day of the bonus deer gun hunting season. Additionally, the bag limit for antlerless deer on public hunting areas is two deer. Check the hunting regulations booklet for more info.
The Ohio Landowner-Hunter Access Partnership program opens an avenue for hunters to access private land and landowners to receive incentives for allowing hunter access. New properties were added for the 2025-26 season. Find more information about the program, sign up as a hunter or landowner, and discover property near you at wildohio.gov. Hunters can access enrolled properties with a free daily permit.
The free HuntFish OH app is available to conveniently purchase hunting and fishing licenses, check game, view wildlife area maps, and much more. The HuntFish OH mobile app is available for iOS and Android users in the app store or Google Play. Users can check deer and wild turkey harvests through the app, even without an internet connection.
