COLUMBUS, OH — The Ohio Wildlife Council has officially approved the hunting and trapping seasons for 2025-2026, covering white-tailed deer, waterfowl, small game, and furbearers, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife announced Wednesday.
Deer Season Dates and Regulations
The upcoming deer hunting season largely mirrors previous years, with archery season running from September 27, 2025, to February 1, 2026. The youth gun season is scheduled for November 22-23, followed by the main gun season from December 1-7 and December 20-21. Muzzleloader season will be held January 3-6, 2026.
Hunters are again limited to harvesting just one antlered deer throughout the season. However, new changes will increase the antlerless deer limit on public hunting lands from one to two, and deer management permits will now be allowed on public lands through December 21, 2025.
Two counties—Defiance and Paulding—will see a reduction in their county bag limit, now capped at two deer.
Expanded Surveillance for Chronic Wasting Disease
Surveillance efforts for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) will expand across several counties and townships, including Hardin, Marion, and Wyandot, as well as designated areas in Allen, Crawford, Delaware, Hancock, Morrow, and Union counties.
Hunters in these surveillance zones will have access to additional early hunting opportunities, including:
- Early archery: Sept. 13, 2025 – Feb. 1, 2026
- Early gun: Oct. 11–13, 2025
2025-26 Waterfowl Seasons Finalized
Waterfowl hunting dates were also approved, with some changes based on hunter input. Key season dates include:
- Early Goose and Teal: Sept. 6–14, 2025
- Youth, Active Military & Veterans Weekend: Oct. 4–5, 2025
Duck and Goose Zones:
- Lake Erie Marsh Zone: Oct. 18–Nov. 2, 2025; Nov. 15–Feb. 2, 2026
- North Zone: Oct. 18–26, 2025; Nov. 15–Feb. 9, 2026
- South Zone: Oct. 18–27, 2025; Nov. 16–Feb. 9, 2026 (Ducks season in South Zone resumes Dec. 13, 2025–Jan. 31, 2026)
Additional Game Seasons
- Fall Wild Turkey: Oct. 1–26, 2025 (Limit: 1 turkey)
- Ruffed Grouse: Nov. 7–30, 2025 (Limit: 1 per day)
Season dates for Spring 2026 wild turkey hunting will be announced later this year.
Full details and regulations for all 2025-26 hunting seasons can be found at wildohio.gov.
About the Ohio Wildlife Council
The Ohio Wildlife Council is an eight-member board responsible for approving all Division of Wildlife proposals. Meetings are open to the public. Those wishing to provide comments must register at least two days in advance by calling 614-265-6304 and will be given three minutes to speak.
