Hunters, make sure your licenses are up to date.
Several hunting seasons in Ohio are kicking off in early September, and 2026-27 deer season isn't far behind.
Ohio hunters checked more than 230,000 deer during the 2025-26 season, which includes all deer taken during archery, gun, muzzleloader and youth seasons. However, that total of 232,142 was less than the 238,137 deer checked during the 2024-25 season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
As fall approaches, ODNR has announced the opening dates for squirrel, dove, Canada goose and teal hunting. And deer season will follow at the end of September. Here are the dates.
When is squirrel season in Ohio?
Squirrel season is open from Tuesday, Sept.
1 until Sunday, Jan. 31, 2027. Squirrels are plentiful statewide, according to ODNR, with fox squirrels more abundant in western Ohio and gray squirrels more prevalent in eastern counties. They are most often found in forests and woodlands featuring beech, oak and hickory trees.
When does dove season open in Ohio?
Dove season is open from Tuesday, Sept. 1 to Sunday, Nov. 8, with a second season open from Dec. 12 to Jan. 1, 2027. Doves have been a popular game bird in Ohio since 1995, per ODNR. They are abundant at the start of the season, especially in agricultural areas and open fields, and migrate to southern habitats for the winter.
When is Canada goose and teal season in Ohio?
Early Canada goose and early teal (blue-winged and green-winged) hunting seasons run from Saturday, Sept. 5 to Sunday, Sept. 13. Canada geese, blue-winged teal, and green-winged teal are among the earliest migratory waterfowl to arrive in Ohio's wetlands, according to ODNR. Waterfowl hunting is best in agricultural fields, from the shores of wetlands or ponds, or from a boat. It is suggested to review an identification guide before an early season hunt, especially since waterfowl can be mistaken for similar species that are not legal game.
When does Ohio deer season start? Some areas get early start, bigger bag limits
Ohio’s statewide deer archery hunting season opens on Saturday, Sept. 26. Hunters in the disease surveillance area, which includes all of Allen, Hardin and Wyandot counties and portions of some surrounding counties (Delaware, Union and others; see regulations on wildohio.gov), can begin archery hunting on Saturday, Sept. 12. Hunters in the DSA zones have also been granted bigger bag limits.
This year, hunters can use deer management permits, valid for antlerless deer, on both public hunting areas and private land throughout the season, which runs through Sunday, Feb. 7, 2027. Check the hunting regulations booklet for more information.
Hunting regulation changes in Ohio
As the 2026 fall seasons begin, ODNR is reminding hunters to check the current regulations for changes to season dates and daily limits. New waterfowl hunting zones take effect this year, so hunters should confirm the zone of their hunting location before the regular seasons kick off in October. Also, county bag limits for deer hunting changed in Athens, Defiance, Meigs, Paulding, Warren, and Washington counties
Ohio deer hunting regulations
All rules governing hunting in Ohio can be found in the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting & Trapping Regulations handbook.
ODNR hunting license: Buy, renew, tag deer, check game online at WildOhio.gov or with HuntFish app
Hunters are required to have a valid hunting license and deer permit before heading into the field.
You can buy a license online at WildOhio.gov. Also, the free HuntFish OH app lets hunters purchase hunting and fishing licenses, check game, view wildlife area maps, and more. The HuntFish OH mobile app is available for iOS and Android users in the App Store or Google Play.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio deer season nears, and some hunting seasons start Sept. 1
