September Marks the Start of Ohio’s Fall Hunting Seasons
COLUMBUS — Ohio hunters can look forward to the return of fall hunting opportunities beginning in September, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Seasons for squirrel, dove, waterfowl, and more open early in the month, while white-tailed deer archery season begins later in September.
Early Season Openers
Hunting seasons for squirrel (fox, red, and gray), dove, rail (Virginia and sora), snipe, and gallinule open Monday, Sept. 1. Early Canada goose and teal (blue-winged and green-winged) hunting runs from Saturday, Sept. 6, through Sunday, Sept. 14.
Squirrels remain plentiful statewide, with fox squirrels most abundant in western Ohio and gray squirrels common in eastern counties. Their season will run through Jan. 31, 2026.
Dove hunting, a long-time favorite since 1995, begins Sept. 1 through Nov. 9, with a second season from Dec. 13 through Jan. 1, 2026. Doves are found in open fields and agricultural areas during early fall before migrating south for the winter.
Waterfowl hunters can expect to see some of the earliest migratory arrivals, including Canada geese and teal. ODNR emphasizes the importance of waterfowl identification during the early season to avoid harvesting non-legal species.
Deer Archery Season
Ohio’s highly anticipated white-tailed deer archery season begins statewide on Saturday, Sept. 27. Hunters in disease surveillance areas may start earlier, on Saturday, Sept. 13.
This year, deer management permits for antlerless deer are valid on both public hunting areas and private land through Sunday, Dec. 21, coinciding with the end of the bonus deer gun hunting season. Antlerless bag limits on public land remain capped at two deer.
New Opportunities for Access
Through the Ohio Landowner-Hunter Access Partnership program, hunters can gain access to private lands with a free daily permit, while landowners receive incentives for participation. New properties have been added for the 2025-26 season. Details are available at wildohio.gov
