The Ohio hunting season is a favorite time of year for sportsmen and outdoor lovers alike. The Buckeye State offers a wide variety of hunting opportunities, from white-tailed deer and wild turkey to waterfowl and migratory birds. It’s crucial to educate yourself with Ohio’s hunting rules and restrictions before venturing out into the field. This entails getting the required permits and licenses, observing bag and possession restrictions, and sticking to the precise rules for using weapons, archery equipment, and other hunting tools. To guarantee a secure and productive hunting season for everyone, we will present an outline of Ohio’s hunting laws in this blog post.
Ohio Hunting Seasons
Hunting options in the state include those for deer, wild turkey, ducks, and other animals. It’s important for hunters to be informed of the laws and guidelines established to guarantee a safe and productive hunting experience. For instance, in order to hunt for particular species, such as ducks or wild turkeys, hunters must possess a current Ohio hunting license. Hunters should also be aware of bag limitations, hunting seasons, and prohibitions on certain hunting techniques, such the use of lures or electronic calling devices. The need for the HIP certification, the Federal Migratory Bird Shooting Stamp (Duck Stamp), and the Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp endorsement for hunting waterfowl should also be known to hunters.
Below here are the lists of schedules for the season
Deer Hunting Seasons
| Ohio Deer Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer (Archery) | Saturday, September 24, 2022 | Sunday, February 05, 2023 | Statewide, there is a bag limit of six, but you are not allowed to go beyond it. There can only be one antlerered. |
| Deer (Youth Gun) | Saturday, November 19, 2022 | Sunday, November 20, 2022 | Statewide, there is a bag limit of six, but you are not allowed to go beyond it. There can only be one antlerered. |
| Deer (Early Gun) | Monday, November 28, 2022 | Sunday, December 04, 2022 | Statewide, there is a bag limit of six, but you are not allowed to go beyond it. There can only be one antlerered. |
| Deer (Late Gun) | Saturday, December 17, 2022 | Sunday, December 18, 2022 | Statewide, there is a bag limit of six, but you are not allowed to go beyond it. There can only be one antlerered. |
| Deer (Muzzleloader) | Saturday, January 07, 2023 | Tuesday, January 10, 2023 | Statewide, there is a bag limit of six, but you are not allowed to go beyond it. There can only be one antlerered. |
Coyote Season
| Ohio Coyote Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote | Saturday, January 01, 2022 | Saturday, December 31, 2022 | There is no limit and Open all season. |
Dove Season
| Ohio Dove Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dove (Early) | Thursday, September 01, 2022 | Sunday, November 06, 2022 | A bag limit of 15 |
| Dove (Late) | Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Sunday, January 01, 2023 | A bag limit of 15 |
Duck Season
| Ohio Duck Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duck (North-2) | Saturday, November 12, 2022 | Sunday, January 01, 2023 | Zone North. Six ducks are allowed in the daily bag limit, although they cannot exceed four mallards (only two hens), three wood ducks, two redheads, two canvasbacks, one pintail, two black ducks, or one mottled duck. |
| Duck (South-2) | Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Sunday, January 29, 2023 | Southern Zone. Six ducks are allowed in the daily bag limit, although they cannot exceed four mallards (only two hens), three wood ducks, two redheads, two canvasbacks, one pintail, two black ducks, or one mottled duck. |
| Duck (Early Teal) | Saturday, September 03, 2022 | Sunday, September 18, 2022 | A bag limit of 6. |
| Duck (Youth and Veteran Waterfowl) | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Sunday, October 02, 2022 | A bag limit same as regular season. |
| Duck (Lake Erie Marsh-1) | Saturday, October 15, 2022 | Sunday, October 30, 2022 | Marsh Zone of Lake Erie. Six ducks are allowed in the daily bag limit, although they cannot exceed four mallards (only two hens), three wood ducks, two redheads, two canvasbacks, one pintail, two black ducks, or one mottled duck. |
| Duck (South-1) | Saturday, October 22, 2022 | Sunday, October 30, 2022 | Southern Zone. Six ducks are allowed in the daily bag limit, although they cannot exceed four mallards (only two hens), three wood ducks, two redheads, two canvasbacks, one pintail, two black ducks, or one mottled duck. |
| Duck (North-1) | Saturday, October 22, 2022 | Sunday, October 30, 2022 | Zone North. Six ducks are allowed in the daily bag limit, although they cannot exceed four mallards (only two hens), three wood ducks, two redheads, two canvasbacks, one pintail, two black ducks, or one mottled duck. |
| Duck (Lake Erie Marsh-2) | Saturday, November 05, 2022 | Sunday, December 18, 2022 | Marsh Zone of Lake Erie. Six ducks are allowed in the daily bag limit, although they cannot exceed four mallards (only two hens), three wood ducks, two redheads, two canvasbacks, one pintail, two black ducks, or one mottled duck. |
Fox Season
| Ohio Fox Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fox (Red & Gray) | Thursday, November 10, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | There is no limit. |
Goose Season
| Ohio Goose Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goose (Early Canada Geese) | Saturday, September 03, 2022 | Sunday, September 11, 2022 | A bag limit of 5. |
| Goose (Youth and Veteran Waterfowl) | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Sunday, October 02, 2022 | Bag limit same as regular season. |
| Goose (Lake Erie Marsh-1) | Saturday, October 15, 2022 | Sunday, October 30, 2022 | (Lake Erie Marsh Zone) 5 combined: Canada goose, white-fronted goose, and may not include more than 1 brant. 10 combined: Snow goose, blue goose, Ross’s goose. |
| Goose (North-1) | Saturday, October 22, 2022 | Sunday, October 30, 2022 | (North Zone) 5 combined: Canada goose, white-fronted goose, and may include no more than 1 brant. 10 combined: Snow goose, blue goose, Ross’s goose. |
| Goose (South-1) | Saturday, October 22, 2022 | Sunday, October 30, 2022 | (South Zone) 5 combined: Canada goose, white-fronted goose, and may include no more than 1 brant. 10 combined: Snow goose, blue goose, Ross’s goose. |
| Goose (Lake Erie Marsh-2) | Saturday, November 05, 2022 | Sunday, December 18, 2022 | (Lake Erie Marsh Zone) 5 combined: Canada goose, white-fronted goose, and may include no more than 1 brant. 10 combined: Snow goose, blue goose, Ross’s goose. |
| Goose (North-2) | Saturday, November 12, 2022 | Monday, February 06, 2023 | (North Zone) 5 combined: Canada goose, white-fronted goose, and may include no more than 1 brant. 10 combined: Snow goose, blue goose, Ross’s goose. |
| Goose (South-2) | Saturday, November 19, 2022 | Monday, February 13, 2023 | (South Zone) 5 combined: Canada goose, white-fronted goose, and may include no more than 1 brant. 10 combined: Snow goose, blue goose, Ross’s goose. |
| Goose (Lake Erie Marsh-3) | Sunday, January 01, 2023 | Sunday, February 05, 2023 | (Lake Erie Marsh Zone) 5 combined: Canada goose, white-fronted goose, and may not include more than 1 brant. 10 combined: Snow goose, blue goose, Ross’s goose. |
Grouse Season
| Ohio Grouse Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruffed Grouse | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Sunday, January 01, 2023 | (Private Land) A bag limit of 1. |
| Ruffed Grouse | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Sunday, November 27, 2022 | (Public Land) A bag limit of 1. |
Hog Season
| Ohio Hog Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Pig | Saturday, January 01, 2022 | Saturday, December 31, 2022 | There is no limit. Open all season |
Pheasant Season
| Ohio Pheasant Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ring-necked Pheasant | Friday, November 04, 2022 | Sunday, January 08, 2023 | A bag limit of 2 (males only). |
Quail Season
| Ohio Quail Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bobwhite Quail | Friday, November 04, 2022 | Sunday, November 27, 2022 | Bag limit 2. |
Rabbit Season
| Ohio Rabbit Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail Rabbit | Friday, November 04, 2022 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | A bag limit of 4. |
Turkey Season
| Ohio Turkey Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey (Fall) | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Sunday, November 13, 2022 | (Select counties only) A Bag limit of1 either sex. |
| Turkey (Spring Youth) | Saturday, April 15, 2023 | Sunday, April 16, 2023 | 2 bearded turkeys, 1 per day. (No more than 1 on public land.) |
| Turkey (Spring South Zone) | Saturday, April 22, 2023 | Sunday, May 21, 2023 | 2 bearded turkeys, 1 per day. (No more than 1 on public land.) |
| Turkey (Spring Northeast Zone) | Saturday, April 29, 2023 | Sunday, May 28, 2023 | 2 bearded turkeys, 1 per day. (No more than 1 on public land.) |
Upland Bird Season
| Ohio Upland Bird Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodcock | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Monday, November 21, 2022 | A bag limit of 3 daily. |
| Chukar | Friday, November 04, 2022 | Sunday, January 08, 2023 | A bag limit of 2 daily. |
Small Game & Furbearer Season
| Ohio Small Game & Furbearer Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date |
|---|---|---|
| American Crow (Friday,Saturday,and Sunday only) | Friday, June 03, 2022 | Sunday, March 05, 2023 |
| Friday, June 02, 2023 | Sunday, March 03, 2024 | |
| Squirrel (red, gray,and fox) | Thursday, September 01, 2022 | Wednesday, January 31, 2024 |
| Ruffed Grouse (public land) | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Sunday, November 27, 2022 |
| Ruffed Grouse (private land) | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Sunday, January 01, 2023 |
| Cottontail Rabbit | Friday, November 04, 2022 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 |
| Ring-necked Pheasant | Friday, November 04, 2022 | Sunday, January 08, 2023 |
| Bobwhite Quail (Select Counties and Wildlife Areas) | Friday, November 04, 2022 | Sunday, November 27, 2022 |
| Fox (red and gray), Raccoon, Skunk, Opossum, and Weasel | Thursday, November 10, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 |
| Coyote | No closed season | |
| Feral Swine (wild boar) | No closed season | |
| Groundhog | No closed season | |
| Youth Small Game | Saturday, October 22, 2022 | Sunday, October 23, 2022 |
| Saturday, October 29, 2022 | Sunday, October 30, 2022 |
Furbearer Trapping Season
| Ohio Furbearer Trapping Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Fox (red and gray), Raccoon, Skunk, Opossum, and Weasel | Thursday, November 10, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 |
| Mink, Muskrat | Thursday, November 10, 2022 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 |
| Mink, Muskrat, Raccoon, Opossum, Skunk, Weasel: (Select Counties) | Thursday, November 10, 2022 | Wednesday, March 15, 2023 |
| Beaver | Monday, December 26, 2022 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 |
| River Otter | Monday, December 26, 2022 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 |
Migratory Bird Season
| Ohio Migratory Bird Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dove | Thursday, September 01, 2022 | Sunday, November 06, 2022 | (Mourning and Eurasian-collared) |
| Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Sunday, January 01, 2023 | ||
| Rail (Virginia, Sora) | Thursday, September 01, 2022 | Wednesday, November 09, 2022 | |
| Common Gallinule | Thursday, September 01, 2022 | Wednesday, November 09, 2022 | |
| Thursday, September 01, 2022 | Wednesday, November 23, 2022 | ||
| Wilson's Snipe | Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Sunday, January 01, 2023 | |
| American Woodcock | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Monday, November 21, 2022 |
Waterfowl Season
| Ohio Waterfowl Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Waterfowl | |||
| Canada Geese | Saturday, September 03, 2022 | Sunday, September 11, 2022 | |
| Teal | Saturday, September 03, 2022 | Sunday, September 18, 2022 | (Blue-winged, Green-winged, and Cinnamon) |
| Youth Waterfowl HUNTING | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Sunday, October 02, 2022 | (Hunters 17 years old or younger) |
| Military Waterfowl | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Sunday, October 02, 2022 | Active duty military and veterans |
| Lake Erie Marsh Zone | |||
| Geese (Canada, White-fronted, Snow, Blue, Ross's), Brant | Saturday, October 15, 2022 | Sunday, October 30, 2022 | Geese (Canada, White-fronted, Snow, Blue, Ross's), Brant |
| Saturday, November 05, 2022 | Sunday, December 18, 2022 | ||
| Sunday, January 01, 2023 | Sunday, February 05, 2023 | ||
| (Ducks, Coots, and Mergansers) | Saturday, October 15, 2022 | Sunday, October 30, 2022 | |
| Saturday, November 05, 2022 | Sunday, December 18, 2022 | ||
| North Zone | |||
| Geese (Canada, White-fronted, Snow, Blue, Ross's), Brant | Saturday, October 22, 2022 | Sunday, October 30, 2022 | |
| Saturday, November 12, 2022 | Monday, February 06, 2023 | ||
| (Ducks, Coots, and Mergansers) | Saturday, October 22, 2022 | Sunday, October 30, 2022 | |
| Saturday, November 12, 2022 | Sunday, January 01, 2023 | ||
| South Zone | |||
| Geese (Canada, White-fronted, Snow, Blue, Ross's), Brant | Saturday, October 22, 2022 | Sunday, October 30, 2022 | |
| Saturday, November 19, 2022 | Monday, February 13, 2023 | ||
| (Ducks, Coots, and Mergansers) | Saturday, October 22, 2022 | Sunday, October 30, 2022 | |
| Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Sunday, January 29, 2023 |
General Hunting Regulations
- To hunt in Ohio, you must have a current hunting license, unless you are exempt.
- All hunters, including landowners, must have a harvest information program (HIP) certification number on their hunting license if they want to shoot migratory game birds such mourning doves, ducks, geese, woodcock, rails, coots, and snipe.
- An Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp endorsement is required for all hunters who are at least 18 years old.
- A federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp must be purchased and signed by any hunter who is 16 or older (Duck Stamp).
- After the second day, the possession restriction for migratory and ducks is three times the daily bag limit.
- With the help of or using bait, hunters are not allowed to pursue or capture wild turkeys.
- Using a live decoy to hunt wild turkeys is prohibited.
- Using or owning an electronic calling device during wild turkey hunting is prohibited.
- A wild turkey that is perched on a tree cannot be taken or attempted to be taken.
- While turkey hunting, it is forbidden to have more than one hunting tool in your possession.
- If the wild turkey permit has been completed, the hunter is in possession of a current hunting license, and is successful in taking a wild turkey, the hunter may help another hunter.
- During the youth waterfowl weekend, any hunters who are under the age of 17 may go waterfowling.
- On October 1 and 2, 2022, active-duty personnel and veterans may go waterfowl hunting.
- There is a daily limit of one turkey per hunter.
- Deer hunting with bait is prohibited everywhere save on public lands and in disease surveillance areas.
- Communication tools cannot be used by hunters to help in chasing or killing deer.
- The deer permit must be carried by hunters, whether it is paper or digital.
- A leashed dog may be used by hunters to retrieve a wounded deer.
- With a hunting license and a valid deer permit, hunters may hunt coyotes and feral swine (wild boar) during the deer gun season, the youth deer gun season, and the deer muzzleloader season while visibly donning a vest, coat, jacket, or set of coveralls in solid hunter orange or camouflage hunter orange.
- With the exception of authorized nontoxic shot, no one is allowed to capture ducks, geese (including brant), rail, snipe, moorhens, or coots while in possession of shot.
Visit OhioDNR.gov for additional information on regulations.
Hunting License
Hunting in Ohio requires a valid hunting license for both Ohio residents and non-residents . Ohio hunting licenses are valid for one year from the date of purchase. Hunting ducks requires a federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp (Duck Stamp). This requirement applies to those who are at least 16 years old. Check out the Ohio Department of Natural Resources eregulations website for additional details on license requirements, costs, and other laws.
FAQs related to Ohio Hunting Seasons
What are the hunting season dates for Ohio in 2023?
Depending on the kind of animal being hunted, different dates shall apply to Ohio’s hunting seasons in 2023. For instance, the season for shooting wild turkeys this fall might run from October 8 through November 13. In a three-county disease monitoring area in north-central Ohio, the deer archery season will have a modified start date.
What are the bag limits for hunting turkey, waterfowl and migratory birds in Ohio?
The spring wild turkey season’s bag restriction is one bearded wild turkey, while the autumn season’s bag limit is one bird.
The bag limit for waterfowl and migratory birds after the second day is three times the daily bag limit.
What equipment is legal for hunting in Ohio?
The kind of animal being pursued will determine the legal hunting gear in Ohio. For instance, shotguns that use shot and have a gauge of 10 or less, including muzzleloaders, are permitted during the autumn and spring wild turkey hunting seasons. Straight-walled cartridge rifles and muzzleloaders that are.38 caliber or bigger are permitted during the deer shooting season.
What permits are necessary for hunting in Ohio?
You need both a Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification and a current Ohio hunting license to go hunting in Ohio. Along with a signed federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp (Duck Stamp) for individuals who are 16 years of age or older, you also need an Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp endorsement to shoot waterfowl in Ohio.
Are there any special hunting regulations for active duty military and veterans in Ohio?
Yes, on October 1 and 2, members of the armed forces in active duty and veterans may go water fowling. During this special waterfowl season, minors are permitted to hunt with adults and bag restrictions are the same as during the normal season.
where do I find a “printable form of the OHIO “Game Tag” form. I cannot find it in the last 2 yrs of Hunting Regulations or on the OHIO DNR website.
Thank you
Dan