Hunting season summary
Deer hunting seasons
| Season | Zone | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Deer Season | Zone 13 & 14 only | Jan. 1 – Feb. 14, 2026 |
| Early Deer Season | Zone 13 & 14 only | Sept. 21 – Oct. 1, 2026 |
| Archery Deer Season | Zone 1-14 | Oct. 5 – Nov. 28, 2026 |
| Paraplegic Hunt | get hunt details | Oct. 29–31, 2026 |
| Shotgun Deer Season | Zone 1-14 | Nov. 30 – Dec. 12, 2026 |
| Primitive Firearms Deer Season | Zone 1-14 | Dec. 14–31 |
Other hunting seasons
| Species | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Black bear | Zones 1-14 | Sept. 7 – Dec. 12, 2026 |
| Wild turkey | Zones 1-13 | April 27 – May 23, 2026 Oct. 5 – Nov. 28, 2026 |
| Pheasant* | Zones 1-14 | Oct. 17 – Dec. 31, 2026 |
| Quail* | Zones 1-14 | Oct. 17 – Dec. 31, 2026 |
| Ruffed grouse | Zones 1-14 | Oct. 17 – Nov. 28, 2026 |
| Crow* | Zones 1-14 | Jan. 1, 2026 – Apr. 10, 2026 (Mon, Fri, Sat only) July 1, 2026 – Apr. 10, 2027 (Mon, Fri, Sat only) |
| Bobcat* | Zones 1-8 | Jan. 1 – Mar. 7, 2026 Dec. 21, 2026 –Mar. 8, 2027 |
| Coyote | Zones 1-14 | Jan. 1, 2026 – Mar. 7, 2026 Oct. 17, 2026 – Mar. 8, 2027 |
| Cottontail rabbit* | Zones 1-14 | Jan. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2026 Oct. 17, 2026 – Feb. 27, 2027 |
| Fox (red or gray)* | Zones 1-14 | Jan. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2026 Nov. 2, 2026 – Feb. 27, 2027 |
| Gray squirrel* | Zones 1-14 | Jan. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2026 Sept. 2, 2026 – Feb. 27, 2027 |
| Opossum* | Zones 1-14 | Jan. 1–31, 2026 Oct. 1, 2026 – Jan. 30, 2027 |
| Raccoon* | Zones 1-14 | Jan. 1–31, 2026 Oct. 1, 2026 – Jan. 30, 2027 |
| Snowshoe hare* | Zones 1-14 | Jan. 1, 2026–Feb. 28, 2026 Oct. 17, 2026–Feb. 27, 2027 |
*Closed during shotgun deer season.
Youth hunts
| Youth hunts | Date |
|---|---|
| Youth Deer Hunt | Oct. 3, 2026 |
| Youth Pheasant Hunt | Sept. 5, 12, 19 and Oct. 3, 10, 2026 |
| Youth Turkey Hunt (Zones 1-13) | April 25, 2026 |
Year-round hunting: The following species may be taken year-round (except during shotgun deer season) by licensed hunters and falconers with no daily or seasonal bag or possession limit: English sparrow, flying squirrel, red squirrel, chipmunk, porcupine, skunk, starling, weasel, woodchuck. Falconers may hunt pheasant, bobwhite quail, ruffed grouse, cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, and gray squirrel from the respective opening day through March 14, and crow during the regular crow season.