Deer Hunting Seasons By State

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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

This is my source.

Alaska

Deer Seasons

General Season

August through December, dates vary greatly by area

This is my source.

 

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

This is my source. 

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.

This is my source.

 

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.

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