Deer Hunting Seasons By State

Alabama
Stalk Or Dog Hunting
Antlered Bucks
Zones A, B, and C: November 19 - January 15
Unantlered Deer (Privately Owned or Leased Land Only)
Zones A & B: November 19 - January 15
Zone C: November 19 - November 27 & December 23 - January 2
Unantlered Deer (Open Permit- Public Land)
Stalk Hunting (No Dogs)
Antlered Bucks
Zone A, B & C: January 16 - February 10
Unantlered Deer (Privately Owned or Leased Land Only)
Zones A & B: January 16 - February 10
Special Muzzeloader & Air Rifle
Privately Owned or Leased Land and National Forest Service Land - Stalk Hunting Only, No Dogs
Zones A, B & C: November 14 - November 18
Bow & Arrow & Spear
Stalk Hunting Only, No Dogs
Zones A & C, Either Sex: October 15 - February 10
Zone B, Antlered Buck Only: October 15 - October 24
Zone B, Either Sex: October 25 - February 10
Alaska
Deer Seasons
General Season
August through December, dates vary greatly by area
Arizona
The OTC Hunt Season Dates
Summer Velvet Bucks
August 21 - September 10
Pre-rut (Mule Deer)
December 11 - December 31
Rut (Mule Deer & Coues Deer)
January 1 - January 31
Arkansas
Archery
Spetember 24 - February 28
Firearms
November 12 - December 25
Muzzleloader
October 15 - 23
December 10 - 19
Firearms, Private Land, Antlerless
October 29 - November 2
Youth Firearms Hunt
November 5 - 6
January 7 - 8
California
Archery
Zone A: July 9 - 31
Zone B: July 23 - September 11
Zone D: August 20 - September 25
General Season
Zone A: August 13 - September 25
Zone B: August 27 - October 23
Zone C: September 17 - October 23
Zone C: September 17 - October 23
Zone D: September 17 - November 6
Colorado
Archery
August 27 - September 25
Muzzleloaders
September 10 - September 18
Plains Muzzleloader
September 10 - 18
Plains Rifle
October 29 - November 8
Connecticut
Deer Seasons- Bowhunting
Private Land (Zones 11-12): January 1 - 31
Private Land (All Zones): September 15 - December 31
State Land Bowhunting Only Areas: September 15 - December 31
State Land: September 15 - November 15, December 21 - 31
Archery- Only Controlled Hunt Lottery: September 15 - November 15
Deer Seasons- Rifle/Shotgun
Shotgun-No Lottery "A" Season: State Control Areas: November 16 - 25
Shotgun- No Lottery "B" Season": State Controlled Areas: November 26 - December 6
Shotgun/Rifle- Lottery "A" Season: State Land and Controlled Hunt: November 16 - 25
Shotgun/Rifle- Lottery "B" Season: State Land and Controlled Hunt: November 26 - December 6
Shotgun/Rifle: Private Lands: November 16 - December 6
Shotgun/Rifle: Landowner: November 1 - December 31
Deer Seasons- Muzzleloader
Private Land: December 7 - 31
State Land: December 7 - 20
Delaware
Archery & Crossbow
September 1 - January 31
Muzzleloader
October 7- 15
January 23 - 28
Shotgun
November 11- 10
January 14 -21
Handgun
January 7 - 14
Special Antlerless
October. 1, 17, 21, 22, 24, 28, 29, 31. December 10 - 17
Youth and Disability Hunt
November 5
Florida
Archery
Zone A: July 30 - August 28
Zone B: October 15 - November 13
Zone C: September 17 - October 16
Zone D: October 22 - November 23
Crossbow
Zone A: July 30 - September 2
Zone B: October 15 - November 14
Zone C: September 17 - October 16
Zone D: October 22 - November 23
Firearms
Zone A: September 3 - 16
Zone B: November 19 - December 2
Zone C: October 22 - November 4
Zone D: December 3 - 9; February 20 - 26
Muzzleloader
Zone A: September 17 - October 16; November 19 - January 1
Zone B: December 3 - February 19
Zone C: November 5 - January 22
Zone D: November 24 - 27; December 10 - February 19
Georgia
Archery- Bucks & Does Statewide
September 10 - January 8
Extended Archery- Bucks & Does Clayton, Cobb, Dekalb, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett & Rockdale Counties
September 10 - January 31
Primitive Weapons
October 15 - January 8
Firearms
October 22 - January 8* Permits are required for deer hunting. Only 7,500 permits are issued. Specialty hunts, such as the disability hunting season, require permits. Nonresident junior hunters are not allowed to hunt during the youth hunting season.
** Some counties have special regulations regarding the use of firearms and what is considered a legal deer.
Hawaii
Island of Kauai
Black-tailed Deer: Year Round
Island of Lanai
Axis Deer: Mid- February through Mid- May
First weekend in March (Youth Hunt)
* Some units or regions on the island limit hunting to particular dates and hunting methods. To ensure you hunt legally, visit the Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife website.
Idaho
General Deer Season
October 10 - December 1
* Dates vary greatly by region and type of animal since Idaho relies on wildlife management units to control hunting and populations.
Illinois
Illinois offers online hunting permit registration and purchase, and permits are available for state residents and nonresidents.Archery
October 1 - January 15
Muzzleloader
December 1 - 4
December 9 - 11
Firearms
November 18 - 20
December 1 - 4
Antlerless Deer/Special CWD Season
December 29 - January 1
January 13 - 15
Youth Hunt, Firearms
October 10 - 12
November 20 - 22
* Season may vary by county. For more on hunting in a specific region, visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Website.
Indiana
Reduction Hunt (Formerly Called Urban Hunt)
September 15 - January 31
Youth Hunt
September 24 - 25
Archery
October 1 - January 1
Firearms
November 12 - 27
Muzzleloader
December 3 - 19
Antlerless Special Season
December 26 - January 1
* Deer bag limits vary by region, season and license. Licenses for deer harvest are required. Be sure to visit the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to obtain a license and additional information before heading into the woods.
Iowa
Youth Season: September 17 - October 2
Disabled Hunter Season: September 17 - October 2
Early Muzzleloader: October 15 - 23
Muzzleloader: December 19 - January 10
Regular Gun Season 1: December 3 - 7
Regular Gun Season 2: December 10 - 18
Non-Resident Holiday Season: December 24 - January 2
* Deer hunters are required to purchase permits for each deer collected.
Kansas
Archery: September 12- December 31
General Youth & Disabled Hunt: September 3 - 11
Muzzleloader: September 12 -25
Pre-Rut Antlerless Deer: October 8 - 9
General Firearms: November 30 - December 11
Whitetail Antlerless Only- Firearms: January 1 - 15
Whitetail Antlerless Only- Archery: January 16 - 31
* Whitetail only seasons can vary in length by unit
Kentucky
Archery: September 3 - January 16
Crossbow: October 1 - 16, November 12 - December 31
Early Muzzleloader: October 15 - 16, December 10 - 18*
Firearms: November 12- 27
Youth Only Firearms: October 8 - 9
Free Youth Weekend: December 31 - January 1
* Some season dates and regulations may vary by zone. Be sure to visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources website for more information.
Louisiana
Area 1
Archery: October 1 - January 31
Muzzleloader: November 12 - 18, January 23 - 31
Firearms (No Dogs): November 10 - December 9, January 9 - 22
Firearms (Dogs): December 10 - January 8
Area 2
Archery: October 1 - January 31
Muzzleloader: October 22 - 28, January 16 -22
Firearms (No Dogs): October 29 - December 7
Firearms (Dogs): December 8 - January 15
Area 3
Archery: September 19 - January 15
Muzzleloader: October 8 - 14, November 28 - December 2
Firearms (No Dogs): October 15 - November 27, December 4 - January 8
Firearms (Dogs): N/A
Area 4
Archery: October 1 - January 31
Muzzleloader: (Bucks Only) January 30 - 31 (All Deer) November 12 - 18, January 23- 29
Firearms (No Dogs): (Bucks Only) November 21 - 24 November 28 - December 2, December 5 - 9, January 9 -13, January 16 - 20 (All Deer) November 19 - 20, November 25 -27, December 3 - 4, January 14- 15, January 21 - 22
Area 5
* Archery: (Bucks Only) October 1 - 15 (All Deer) October 16 - February 15
Muzzleloader: (Bucks Only) November 12 - 18, January 30 -31 (All Deer) January 23 - 29
Firearms (No Dogs): (Bucks Only) November 19 - 24, November 28 - December 9 (All Deer) November 25 -27
Firearms (Dogs): (Bucks Only) December 12 - 30, January 2 - 13, January 16 -22 (All Deer), December 10 - 11, December 31 - January 1, January 14 -15
Area 6
Archery: (Bucks Only) October 1 - 15 (All Deer): October 16 - February 15
Muzzleloader: November 12- 18, January 23 - 31
Firearms (No Dogs): November 19 - December 9
Firearms (Dogs): December 10 - January 22
Maine
Resident Only Day: October 29
Youth Deer Day: October 22
Firearms: October 31 - November 26
Archery: September 29 - October 28
Muzzleloader: November 28 - December 3* December 5 - 10
Expanded Archery: September 10 - December 10*
* Deer season hunting requires deer permits. This is only for designated areas. For more information about legal hunting in specific areas of Maine, visit the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website.
Maryland
Antlered Deer- Whitetail
Archery: September 9 - October 19, October 23 - November 25, December 12 - 16, January 2 - 5, January 9 - 31 (Region A Only) January 6 - 7
Muzzleloader: October 20 - 22, December 17 - 31
Firearms: November 25 - December 10 (Region B Only) January 6 -8
Antlerless Deer-Whitetail
Archery: (Region A) September 9 - October 19, October 20 -22, December 29 - 31 (Region A- Public Land) December 31 (Region B) October 20 - 29 December 17 -31
Muzzleloader: (Region- Private Land) October 20 - 22, December 29 - 31 (Region A - Public Land) December 31 (Region B) October 20 -29, December 17 - 31
Firearms: (Region A- Private Land) December 9 - 10 (Region A- DNR Public Land) December 10 (Region B) November 26 - December 10, January 6 -9
Massachusetts
Archery: October 17 - November 26
Shotgun: November 28 - December 10
Primitive Firearms: December 12 - 31
Youth Hunt: October 1
Paraplegic Hunt: November 3 - 5
Michigan
Early Antlerless, Firearms: September 17 - 18
Liberty Hunt: September 17 - 18
Independence Hunt: October 13- 16
Archery: October 1 - November 14, December 1 - January 1
Regular Firearm: November 15 -30
Muzzleloader: December 2 - 18*
Late Antlerless, Firearms: December 19 - January 1
* Dates vary by zone.
Minnesota
Archery: September 17 - December 31
Firearms 1A: November 5 - 20
Firearms 2A, 3A: November 5 - 13
Firearms 3B: November 19 - 27
Muzzleloader: November 26 - December 11
Youth Hunt: October 20 - 21
Licenses can be purchased from a Department of Natural Resources agent, the department's office in St. Paul, over the phone or online.
Mississippi
Mississippi is divided into three regions, especially for deer seasons: Delta (western Mississippi) Hill (middle Mississippi) and Southeast.
Archery
(Hill) October 1 - November 18
(Southeast) October 15 - November 18
(Delta) October 1 - November 18
Youth Gun
November 5 - January 31
Firearms
(Hill-Dogs) November 19 - December, December 24 - January 18
(Southeast-Dogs) November 19 - December 1, December 24 - January 18
(Delta- Dogs) November 19 - December 1, December 24 - January 18
(All Zones- Dogs) December 16 - 23
Primitive Weapon
(Hill) November 7 - 18, December 2 - 15
(Southeast) December 2 - 15
(Delta) December 2 - 15, January 19 - 31
Primitive Weapon/ Archery
(Hill) January 19 - 31
(Southeast) January 19 -31, February 1 - 15
Missouri
Archery: September 15 - November 11 / November 23 - January 15
Firearms- Antlerless: December 2 - 4
Firearms- Main Season: November 12 - 22
Firearms- Alternative Methods: December 24 - January 3
Youth Firearms Hunt: October 29 - 30, November 25 - 27
Montana
Archery: September 3 - Otober 16
Youth Hunt: October 20 - 21
Firearms: October 22 - November 27
Backcountry, Archery: September 3 - 14
Backcountry, Firearms: September 15 - November 27
Nebraska
Archery: September 1 - December 31
Muzzleloader: December 1 - 31
Firearms: November 12 - 20, January 1 - 15 (Antlerless Only)
Nevada
Mule Deer Seasons
General Season: Aug. 10 - September 9*
September 10 - September 30*
October 5 - November 2*
Antlerless Season: September 17 - November 20 *
Antlered Season: October 5 - November 30*
* Opening and closing season dates vary in some regions.
New Hampshire
Archery
September 15 - December 15
Muzzleloader
October 29 - November 8
Firearms
November 8 - December 4
Youth Hunt
October 25 - 26
* Firearms season closes early in some areas. For more information about hunting in New Hampshire's wildlife management units, visit the New Hampshire Fish and Game website. Source: huntingseasonhq.com
New Jersey
Archery
(Early Zones Only) September 10
(Statewide) October 1
(Permit Only) October 29
(Winter Hunt) January 1
Youth Archery
September 24
Youth Firearm
November 19
Firearm
December 5 - 10
New Jersey regulates deer hunting by zone. For more information on relevant regulations in your zone, visit the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife website.
New Mexico
General Season
October 15 - November 27*
Archery Only
September 1 - 24
Muzzleloader or Archery
September 27 - October 3
New York
Archery & Crossbow
September 27 - December 20*
Regular Firearms
October 1 - January 31*
Muzzleloading
October 15 - December 20*
Special Firearms
For Suffolk County only, January 1 - 31; special permit required.
North Carolina
Youth Deer Hunting Day
September 24
Eastern Deer Season
Archery: Septermber 10 - 30
Blackpowder: October 1 - 14
Gun: November 12 - January 2
Central Deer Season
Archery: September 10 - October 28
Blackpowder: October 29 - November 11
Gun: November 12 - January 2
Northwestern Deer Season
Archery: September 10 - November 4
Blackpowder: November 5 - 18
Gun: November 19 - January 2
Western Deer Season
Gun: November 21 - December 10
North Dakota
White-tailed & Mule Deer Seasons
Bow Season: September 2 - January 8
Gun Season: November 4 - 20
Muzzleloader Season: November 25 - December 11
Youth Season: September 16 - 25
before heading out on your North Dakota hunt, be sure to visit the Game and Fish Department website for more details regarding licenses, regulations and permits.
Ohio
Archery
September 24 - February 5
Youth Firearms
November 19 - 20
Firearms
November 28 - December 4
December 17 - 18
Muzzleloader
January 7 - 10
Individual Ohio counties have bag limits; counties may have two, three or four deer limits. Be sure to visit the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for additional bagging information
Oklahoma
Archery
October 1 - January 15
Youth Hunt Firearm
October 14 - 16
Muzzleloader
October 22 - 30
Firearm
November 19 - December 4
Holiday Antlerless Firearm
December 16 - 25
Oregon
Archery Season
August 27 - September 25
Novemebr 12 - December 11
General Muzzleloader Season
August 27 - September 25*
General Firearms Season
October 1 - October 30*
Youth Controlled Hunt Seasons
August 27 - 30*
Buck Deer Seasons
October 1 - November 4
* Seasons dates vary greatly in some regions of the state based on specific hunting units. Many of Oregon's deer seasons are controlled hunt seasons, which require specialty permits.
Pennsylvania
Archery & Crossbow
(Statewide) October 1 - November 12, December 26 - January 14
(Specific Areas): November 28 - December 3* Muzzleloading
October 15 - December 20*
Flintlock
(Statewide) December 26 - January 14
(Specific Areas) December 26 - January 28*
Extended Regular Firearms, Antlerless
December 26 - January 28
Military Bases, Antlerless
As determined by U.S. Army
* Additional hunting dates separate from the statewide hunting season are available in countless areas across the state. For more information on hunting within your region or in another area, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission website. Source: huntingseasonhq.com
Rhode Island
Archery
September 10 - 11
September 15 - January 31
Muzzleloader
October 1 - October 4
October 29 - 30
November 5 - November 27
December 26 - January 2
Shotgun
December 3 - December 18
December 26 - January 2
South Carolina
Zone 1
Primitive Weapons: October 1 - 10
Archery: October 17 - 29
p Gun Hunts: October 11 - 15, October 31 - December 31
Zone 2
Primitve Weapons: October 1 - 10
Archery: September 15 - 30
Gun Hunts: October 11 - December 31
Zone 3
Archery: September 15 - 30
Gun Hunts: October 1 - December 31
Zone 4
Archery: September 15 - October 10
Gun Hunts: October 11 - December 31
South Dakota
Archery
September 24 - December 31
Muzzleloader
December 1 - 31 any deer
December 1 - January 15 antlerless
Youth Hunt
September 10 - January 15
Firearms
November 1 - January 8
* Deer firearms season dates vary greatly throughout South Dakota depending on region. Find specific hunting dates and regional requirements at the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks website.
Tennessee
Archery (Includes Crossbow)
September 24 - October 28
October 31 - November 4
Muzzleloader & Archery
November 5 - 18
Gun, Muzzleloader & Archery
November 19 - January 8
Young Sportsman
October 29 - 30
January 14 - 15
Tennessee deer seasons are managed by hunting units. Specific season dates may vary per each region. For more info, visit the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency website.
Texas
Archery
October 1 - November 4
Firearms
November 5 - January 15
Muzzleloader
January 5 - 18
Special late Season
January 2 - 29
Youth Hunt
October 29 - 30
January 2 - 15
Utah
Archery
August 20 - September 16
Muzzleloader
September 28 - October 6
Firearms
October 22 - 30
Special Late Season
January 2 - 29
Vermont
Archery
October 1 - 28
December 3 - 11
Youth Weekend
November 5 - 6
Rifle
November 12 - 27
Muzzleloader
December 3 -11
Antlerless
December 3 - 11
Virginia
Youth & Apprentice
September 24 - 25
Early Archery
October 1 - November 18
Archery
December 1 - January 7
Urban Archery
September 3 - 30
January 8 - March 26
Early Muzzleloader
November 5 - 18
Late Muzzleloader
December 17 - January 7
Firearms
November 19 - January 7
Season dates vary by region. For more information on hunting dates in your region, visit the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries website.
- Tags: Hunter's Corner
- Caroline Mayou
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