Buckeye Reporter

Ohio’s hunting season for 2025-26 is set to begin on September 1, with several game species opening early in the month. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife announced that seasons for squirrel, dove, rail, snipe, and gallinule will open on Monday, September 1. Early Canada goose and teal hunting are scheduled from Saturday, September 6 through Sunday, September 14. The statewide archery season for white-tailed deer starts later in the month on Saturday, September 27.

Squirrel populations remain high across Ohio. Fox squirrels are found more often in western parts of the state while gray squirrels are common in eastern counties. Squirrels tend to inhabit forests with nut-producing trees such as beech, oak, and hickory. Once open, squirrel season continues until January 31, 2026.

Dove hunting remains popular since its introduction in 1995. Doves can be found at the start of the season in agricultural fields and open areas before migrating south for winter. Dove season runs from September 1 through November 9 and reopens from December 13 to January 1, 2026.

Canada geese and both blue-winged and green-winged teal are among the earliest migratory waterfowl arriving in Ohio’s wetlands each year. Waterfowl hunters are encouraged to use identification guides during early hunts due to restrictions on similar species not legally hunted at this time.

Hunters should review current regulations for any changes to dates or bag limits before heading out this fall. Summaries of the rules for hunting and trapping can be accessed online at wildohio.gov or by using the HuntFish OH app—available for both iOS and Android devices—or at any location where licenses are sold.

Deer archery season begins statewide on September 27; however, hunters located within designated disease surveillance areas may start archery hunting two weeks earlier on September 13. This year introduces a rule allowing deer management permits—which apply only to antlerless deer—to be used on public hunting grounds as well as private property through December 21 (the final day of bonus gun season). There is a two-deer limit for antlerless harvests on public land.

The Ohio Landowner-Hunter Access Partnership program has added new properties for the upcoming season. This initiative offers incentives to landowners who permit hunter access while providing hunters opportunities to use enrolled private lands with a free daily permit. Further details about participation can be found at wildohio.gov.

The HuntFish OH app allows users to purchase licenses, check game harvests (even without an internet connection), view maps of wildlife areas, and more.

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