COLUMBUS, Ohio (AVC News) — Ohio’s fall hunting seasons begin Sept. 1, with squirrel and dove seasons opening that day and early Canada goose and teal seasons following later in the month, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
The squirrel hunting season runs from Sept. 1 through Jan. 31, 2027. ODNR says squirrels are plentiful statewide, with fox squirrels more common in western Ohio and gray squirrels more prevalent in eastern counties.
The first dove season also opens Sept. 1 and runs through Nov. 8. A second dove season is scheduled for Dec. 12 through Jan. 1, 2027.
The early Canada goose and early teal seasons run Sept. 5 through Sept. 13. The early teal season includes blue-winged and green-winged teal.
ODNR reminds hunters to review current hunting regulations before heading into the field, including season dates and daily bag limits.
New waterfowl hunting zones take effect this year, so hunters are encouraged to confirm the zone where they plan to hunt before regular waterfowl seasons begin in October.
The statewide deer archery season opens Sept. 26. Hunters in the state’s disease surveillance area can begin archery hunting Sept. 12.
The deer archery season runs through Feb. 7, 2027. ODNR says deer management permits, which are valid for antlerless deer, can be used on both public hunting areas and private property throughout the season.
ODNR also announced new properties for the 2026-27 season through the Ohio Landowner-Hunter Access Partnership. The program allows hunters to access participating private property with a free daily permit while landowners can receive incentives for allowing hunting access.
Hunters can find regulations, purchase licenses and view wildlife area maps through ODNR’s HuntFish OH mobile app. The app also allows users to check deer and wild turkey harvests, including when an internet connection is unavailable.
ODNR encourages hunters to review the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations before the season and use wildlife identification resources, particularly when hunting early waterfowl.
Additional information is available through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife at wildohio.gov.
Last Updated on August 26, 2026 by AVC News
