Ohio fall hunting season draws near for squirrel, dove, more

Ohio’s hunting seasons for squirrels, doves, and specific waterfowl open in early September. Archers can look forward to white-tailed deer hunting beginning later in the month.

Hunting seasons for squirrel (fox, red, and gray), dove, rail (Virginia and sora), snipe, and gallinule begin Sunday, Sept. 1, according to an Aug. 17 news release from Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Early Canada goose hunting runs from Saturday, Sept. 7, to Sunday, Sept. 15, and early teal (blue-winged and green-winged) hunting is Saturday, Sept. 7, to Sunday, Sept. 22. The deer archery season is not far behind, with statewide hunting opening on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Speaking of squirrel season: How about this shotgun vs. rifle debate?

Squirrels are plentiful statewide. Fox squirrels are more abundant in western Ohio, and gray squirrels are most bountiful in eastern counties. Early in the hunting season, squirrels are found in forests and woodlands that have beech, oak, and hickory trees. Squirrel season continues through Jan. 31, 2025.

Doves have been a popular game bird in Ohio since 1995, according to the release. They are plentiful during the start of the season, especially in agricultural areas and open fields, and migrate to southern habitats for the winter. Dove season runs through Nov. 3, with a second season open from Dec. 7 to Jan. 1, 2025.

Canada geese, blue-winged teal, and green-winged teal are some of the earliest migratory waterfowl to arrive in Ohio's wetlands. Waterfowl hunting is best in agricultural fields, from the shores of wetlands or ponds, or from a boat. Waterfowl identification is important in the early season, when similar species are not legal game, so it is a good idea to review an identification guide before an early-season hunt, according to the release.

Hunters are reminded to check the current regulations for changes to season dates and daily limits as the 2024 fall seasons begin. A summary of the 2024-25 hunting and trapping regulations can be found at wildohio.gov, on the HuntFish OH app, or anywhere licenses are sold.

Ohio’s deer archery season will begin soon. The statewide season opens Saturday, Sept. 28. Hunters in the disease surveillance area (all of Hardin, Marion, and Wyandot counties and Auglaize and Jackson townships in Allen County) can begin archery hunting Saturday, Sept. 14. This year, hunters may use deer management permits, valid for antlerless deer, through Sunday, Dec. 22, which is the last day of the bonus deer gun hunting season. Check the hunting regulations booklet for more information.

The Ohio Landowner-Hunter Access Partnership program opens an avenue for hunters to access private land and landowners to receive incentives for allowing hunter access. New properties were added for the 2024-25 season. Find more information about the program, sign up as a hunter or landowner, and discover property near you at wildohio.gov. Hunters may access enrolled properties with a free daily permit.