Ohio Hunting Seasons 2023-24: Dates Approved

Hunting in Ohio is one of the most fun activities that you can do, even if you’re not an outdoorsy person. If you’re a first-time hunter, it’s important to note that there are different types of hunting seasons in Ohio. 

Don’t worry if this all sounds like too much information! We’re going to break down the hunting seasons in Ohio in this guide. We’ll look at the hunting regulations within this state, the approved dates for the various types of hunting, and the dos and don’ts of hunting. Additionally, to learn more about  hunting statistics and other information about hunting, we encourage you to do thorough research on your own. 

Let’s dive right in. 

Understanding Ohio's Hunting Regulations

Just like any other state, Ohio has a set of hunting regulations. In this section, we’re going to look more closely at them.

• Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources helps you with various hunting related queries, like places to go, lodges to stay at, shooting ranges, and more. 

It also has several divisions, including wildlife, forestry, state parks and watercraft, geological surveys, and more. This department is responsible for maintaining and upholding Ohio’s natural areas, wildlife, and forests. 

• Licensing and Permits in Ohio

Even though hunting is a fun recreational activity, it’s important to note that there are several factors that go into preparing for a hunting trip! One of the most important factors is acquiring a license and permit before you go hunting. 

It’s essential to note that all annual licenses in Ohio are valid from the first of March to the 28th or 29th of February, depending on the year. Additionally, hunters can buy multi year licenses. These licenses are valid from the date of the purchase, and will last to the same date in any number of years, whichever is applicable. 

If you are a hunter, you must carry your license on you at all times while hunting or trapping game. 

In this section, we’ll look at the types of licenses that are available, and what the permit requirements are for different types of game. 

1. Types of Licenses

The table below shows the types of licenses required for people to hunt in Ohio. 

Type of Hunter	Category
Youth	People aged 17 and younger
Resident Adult	Residents of Ohio aged 18-65.
Non-resident Adult	Non-Ohio residents aged 18-65.
Resident senior	Ohio residents 66 or born after 1st January, 1938.
Resident-free Senior	Ohio residents born after 31st December, 1937.
Apprentice	Any residents or non-residents accompanied by a licensed hunter.

1.  Permit requirements for specific game

It’s important to note that if you’re hunting turkey, waterfowl, or deer, or if you’re hunting or trapping furbearers, you need a separate game-specific permit. 

The different types of permits are listed as follows: 

• Either-sex deer permits
• Deer management permits
• Fall turkey permits
• Spring turkey permits 
• Fur taker permits 
• Shooting range permits 

You can also get a migratory bird and waterfowl stamp. 

Ohio Hunting Seasons With Dates Approved

Here is a detailed list of the hunting seasons in Ohio with the approved dates. 

• Deer Hunting Season

Type of Deer	Type of Season	Opening Date	Closing Date
White-tail Deer Hunting	Deer Archery	Sept. 30, 2023	Feb. 4, 2024
White-tail Deer Hunting	Youth Deer Gun	Nov. 18, 2023	Nov. 19, 2023
White-tail Deer Hunting	Gun	Nov. 27, 2023 and Dec. 16, 2023	Dec. 3, 2023 and Dec. 17, 2023
White-tail Deer Hunting	Muzzleloader	Jan. 6, 2024	Jan. 9, 2024

• Turkey Hunting Season

Type of Turkey	Type of Season	Opening Date	Closing Date
Youth	Spring	To be announced	To be announced
	Spring Turkey: South Zone	To be announced	To be announced
	Spring Turkey: Northeast Zone	To be announced	To be announced
Fall	Fall turkey in select counties	Oct. 14, 2023	Nov. 12, 2023

• Upland Game Bird Hunting Season

In case you’re unfamiliar, upland birds refer to non-water fowl game birds like pheasant, quail, and dove. 

Type of Bird	Type of Season	Opening Date	Closing Date
Ring-necked Pheasant and Chukar Partridge	Upland Game Bird Hunting	Nov. 3, 2023	Jan. 14, 2024
Bobwhite Quail (select counties and wildlife areas)	Upland Game Bird Hunting	Nov. 3, 2023	Nov. 26, 2023
Dove	Upland Game Bird Hunting	Sept. 1, 2023	Nov. 5, 2023

• Small Game Hunting Season

Type of Small Game	Type of Season	Opening Date	Closing Date
Squirrel	Small Game Hunting	Nov. 10, 2023	Jan. 31, 2024
Raccoon	Small Game Hunting	Nov. 10, 2023	Jan. 31, 2024
Opossum	Small Game Hunting	Nov. 10, 2023	Jan. 31, 2024

• Waterfowl Hunting Season

Type of Waterfowl	Type of Season	Opening Date	Closing Date
Duck	Lake Erie Marsh Zone Waterfowl Hunting	Oct. 14, 2023 and 23 Nov. 4, 2023	Oct. 29, 2023 and Dec. 17, 2023
Goose	EarlyWaterfowl Hunting	Sept. 2, 2023	Sept. 10, 2023
Woodcock	Migratory Bird Hunting	Oct. 13, 2023	Nov. 26, 2023
Snipe	Migratory Bird Hunting	Sept. 1, 2023 and 22 Dec. 9, 2023	Nov. 22, 2023 and  Jan. 1, 2024

• Furbearer Trapping Season

Type of Furbearer	Type of Season	Opening Date	Closing Date
Fox (red and grey	Furbearer Trapping	Nov. 10, 2023	Jan. 31, 2024
Mink, Muskrat	Furbearer Trapping	Nov. 10, 2023	Feb. 29, 2024
Beaver	Furbearer Trapping	Dec. 26, 2023	Feb. 29, 2024
River Otter	Furbearer Trapping	Dec. 26, 2023	Feb. 29, 2024

Overview of trapping regulations

Before we dive into hunting hours and hunting equipment, let’s look more closely at some of the trapping regulations in Ohio. 

1. There aren't any restrictions on bag limits except for river otters. 
2. All deadfalls are illegal. 
3. Every snare and trap must be checked every calendar day, and all animals must be removed. 
4. With the exception of cage traps, you cannot set snares or traps within 150 feet of a person’s residence without advising said resident first. 
5. You must cover all flesh baits completely. 
6. Traps that have teeth in the gripping surface are prohibited. 

Please note that there are several other trapping regulations. Click this link to learn more.

Hunting Hours

Hunting hours in Ohio are anywhere from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. 

Legal Deer Hunting Equipment

The table below shows you what equipment is needed for legal deer hunting. 

Season	Equipment	Description
Archery	Longbow or Bow	The minimum draw weight is 40 pounds, and includes compound and recurve bows. The tip of the arrow must have a minimum of two cutting edges.
	Crossbow	The minimum draw weight is 75 pounds. The tip of the arrow must have a minimum of two cutting edges.
Gun	Shotgun	10 gauge or smaller shotgun using one ball or one rifled slug per barrel (rifled shotgun barrels are permitted when using shotgun slug ammunition).
	Straight-walled cartridge rifles	All straight-walled cartridge calibers from a minimum of .357 to a maximum of .50 (includes .350 Legend).
Muzzleloader	Muzzleloading rifle	Muzzleloading rifle
	Muzzleloading shotgun	10 gauge or smaller using one ball per barrel

Do’s and Don’t for Hunter In Ohio

Here’s a quick list of do’s and don’ts for a hunter in Ohio. 

• Do’s 

1. Educate yourself on the weapons you’re using. 

If you’re a first-time hunter, it’s important to educate yourself about your hunting weapons before you go out to use them. By learning more about how they function and work, you’re setting yourself up for a successful hunting trip and protecting your safety. 

1. Always point your weapon in a safe direction. 

When hunting, it’s a good idea to operate with the idea that your weapon is always loaded, even if it isn’t. Don’t play around and try taking unnecessary risks, because it isn’t worth it. Point your weapon to the ground when you’re not using it, and don’t point it at other people. 

1. Keep the weather in mind. 

When packing for a hunting trip, make sure you’re prepared for any kind of weather. Pack water-repellant clothing, a foil-blanket, and non-perishable food items. Also, ensure that you’ve packed enough rain gear in case of a sudden downpour. 

1. Always be sure of where your target is. 

If you’re a first-time or inexperienced shooter, or even if you’ve got years of experience under your belt, make sure that you’re always aware of your target. If you’re even slightly unsure, don’t shoot. You could injure a person or even yourself if you aren’t careful. 

1. Remain aware of your surroundings. 

It can be easy to daydream or forget about the purpose of a hunting trip if you’re taking a break from hunting. Constantly be vigilant about your surroundings and stay focused throughout your hunting trip.

• Don’ts

1. Don’t hunt alone. 

This goes without saying, but hunting alone is a bad idea. Always hunt with at least one other person. 

1. Don’t hunt when the weather is bad. 

Hunting when the weather is bad could learn to your getting sick, and more importantly, could lead to a fruitless hunting trip. 

1. Don’t underestimate the weather. 

Always ensure that you’re warmly dressed and that you have enough gear to protect yourself again bad weather conditions. 

1. Don’t hunt without practicing your shooting skills. 

If you’re an experienced shooter, we recommend learning some basic shooting skills before going on a hunting trip. 

1. Don’t spread your scent. 

Try to avoid learning on trees or unnecessarily touching surfaces in the wild. Doing so could lead to the animals picking up on your scent and avoiding the areas you’re hunting in. 

Conclusion

In this article, we walked you through an extensive guide through the Ohio hunting seasons. We looked at the dates, equipment required, and some important do’s and don’ts for hunters. We encourage you to learn more about hunting before getting into it for the first time, and we also encourage you to hunt responsibly and safely every time!