As summer winds down, hunters across Ohio are preparing for the start of fall hunting seasons. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, early September brings the opening days for squirrel, dove, Canada geese, teal, and more. Later in the month, bowhunters will get their turn with the beginning of white-tailed deer archery season.
September 1: A Busy Opening Day
Monday, September 1 marks the start of several small game and migratory bird seasons. Hunters will be able to pursue squirrel (fox, red, and gray), dove, rail (Virginia and sora), snipe, and gallinule.
Squirrels remain one of the most popular early-season game animals. Fox squirrels are most common in the west, while gray squirrels are more abundant in the east. They thrive in forests with nut-bearing trees like oak, beech, and hickory. Once open, squirrel season will continue all the way through Saturday, January 31, 2026.
Dove hunting will also begin on September 1 and run through Sunday, November 9, with a second season reopening from December 13 to January 1, 2026. Doves are plentiful early on, especially in farm fields and other open areas, before they migrate south for winter.
September 6–14: Early Waterfowl
Waterfowl hunters will have their chance beginning Saturday, September 6, with early seasons for Canada geese and teal (both blue-winged and green-winged). These hunts run through Sunday, September 14.
Because several similar species are not legal game during the early season, hunters are encouraged to brush up on their waterfowl identification skills. Popular spots include agricultural fields, wetland edges, and boats on ponds and marshes.
Deer Archery: The Big Event
Ohio’s white-tailed deer archery season is one of the most anticipated dates on the calendar. Statewide, the season begins Saturday, September 27. Hunters in the disease surveillance area can get an early start on Saturday, September 13.
This year, deer management permits are valid for antlerless deer on both public and private lands through Sunday, December 21, the last day of the bonus deer gun season. The antlerless bag limit on public hunting areas is set at two.
Access and Resources
The Ohio Landowner-Hunter Access Partnership continues to grow, offering hunters the chance to access private property while providing landowners with incentives. New properties have been added for the 2025–26 season, and free daily permits are available online at wildohio.gov.
For convenience in the field, the HuntFish OH mobile app allows hunters to purchase licenses, check game, and view maps. The app works offline for reporting deer and turkey harvests, and is available for both iOS and Android.
Before You Head Out
Hunters should always review the current regulations for changes to season dates, bag limits, and other requirements. A summary of the 2025–26 hunting and trapping regulations is available at wildohio.gov, on the HuntFish OH app, or wherever licenses are sold.
Source: ODNR
