How to Know What Hunting Season is Open Right Now
Ever-changing season dates might be our collective number one complaint as hunters. Indeed, understanding what hunting season is open right now isn't always straightforward.
It's no wonder we're confused so often about dates. With different seasons for deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game, plus variations by state, species, and weapon type, keeping track can feel like researching a term paper.
Today, we'll cut through the red tape and make it easy to find up-to-date open season info for your area. You'll learn how to use state websites, online apps, and local resources to make sure you're always hunting legally, safely, and ethically.
What Does "Open Season" Mean?
Open season is the specific time frame when it's legal to hunt a particular animal in a given area. Hunting is illegal outside the open season window — even if you see others in the field, you were told it's fine by a buddy, or remember it was legal last year.
So, why does it matter? Well, it matters because hunting out of season can lead to getting fined, losing your hunting license, and sometimes even getting arrested.
Just as important, open seasons are carefully chosen by wildlife agencies to support conservation goals. Wildlife biologists carefully plan hunting windows with breeding cycles and migration patterns to ensure sustainable populations.
How to Know What Hunting Season is Open Right Now
So, how can you know when it's legal to hunt the game you're after? Let's break down the tools and tactics you can use to check what's in season where you are.
Check Your State Wildlife Agency Website
Your state's fish and wildlife agency is the most direct source for current hunting season information. These websites will include sections called "Seasons and Regulations" or "Hunting Calendar," listing:
- Season start and end dates by species
- Legal hunting methods (archery, muzzleloader, rifle, etc.)
- Area-specific rules and unit maps
Many state agencies offer downloadable PDFs with the season dates and regulations for each species in the state. Some even have interactive calendars you can search by species or region, making it easier to filter out what doesn't apply to you.
No matter what, I always bookmark the hunting regs page for the state I'm in or visiting.
Use a Hunting App
Apps like HuntWise make it simple to stay up to date on open seasons. You'll know the regs of the GMU you're in and be able to track your location with GPS, preventing mistakes.
You can also see shooting hours, tag availability, and public/private land boundaries. These apps are indispensable when you travel across state lines or hunt in remote areas.
You can also check a site like eRegulations, offering hunting and fishing information by state.
Understand Season Types
Most open season dates are specific to how you plan to hunt.
The most common seasons are:
- Archery Season: Typically opens first. Hunting is limited to bows and crossbows.
- Muzzleloader Season: The typically short period when only black powder firearms are legal.
- General Firearm Season: The most popular season, usually allowing hunting with rifles and shotguns.
- Youth or Senior Hunts: Special seasons for young or older hunters, often before or after general dates.
- Late Season Hunts: Extra hunting opportunities, typically for harvesting antlerless deer or surplus game in specific areas.
Knowing what kind of season you're in is just as important as knowing the dates. Don't be the one who shows up with a rifle to smokepole week!
Know the Game You're After
Different animals have different open seasons, often staggered throughout the year. Here's what to keep in mind:
- Big game like deer, elk, and moose usually have limited open dates and require specific tags.
- Waterfowl seasons follow migratory patterns and are often split into early and late segments.
- Small game (like squirrels and rabbits) usually have higher limits and longer seasons
- Predators like coyotes or bobcats may even have year-round seasons in some states.
- Invasives like hogs and pythons often have open seasons and no limits.
Remember: Bag limits apply for every season, so know what's in season and how many of those animals you're allowed to harvest.
Pay Attention to Zones or Management Units
Most states divide hunting areas into game management units (GMUs) or zones. Season dates, legal methods, and bag limits can vary even if the management areas are close to each other.
For example, Unit A might allow hunting from Nov. 10-20, but Unit B runs from Nov. 17-30, even though it's only three miles away. Always find out what hunting season is open right now, and stay aware of your boundary lines.
Watch for Emergency Updates or Closures
Wildlife agencies sometimes change hunting seasons on short notice due to emergency conditions, including:
- Wildfire risk
- Flooding
- Disease outbreaks (e.g., CWD)
- Overharvest in a specific region
These updates may be posted on the agency's website or sent out through email alerts or mobile apps. Always do a last-minute check before your trip.
Use the Hunting Regulations Booklet for Your State
Nearly every state publishes a detailed hunting regulations booklet each year. You can pick one up at most locations that sell licenses, or download a copy from your state agency's website.
These guides include:
- Species-by-species season charts
- Zone-specific maps
- Legal methods of take (i.e., when you can use a bow vs. a rifle)
- Youth/senior/adaptive hunt information
- Tagging, reporting, and check-in requirements
Even if you've hunted in your state for years, it's worth reviewing the latest version each season.
Talk to Local Conservation Officers or Game Wardens
Game wardens and conservation officers are often the best real-time resource available. They're out in the field and can give you first-hand updates on:
- Season changes
- Unit closures
- New rules
- Legal interpretations
They're also the ones enforcing wildlife laws, so it pays to ask rather than guess. Just call them.
I use this resource often. A quick phone call can prevent a costly mistake.
Don't Assume You Know What Open Season is Open Right Now
Always verify! Seeing someone out scouting has caused more than one hunter to think the season was underway, and it's often a costly mistake.
Always double-check the official regulations for the species, location, and gear you plan to use. The rules change by the year, and ignorance won't get you out of a ticket.
Knowing what hunting season is open right now is essential for staying legal, ethical, and safe in the field. It's also crucial to know how to stay safe when hunting throughout every open season.
Use all the tools we mentioned to confirm what's in season, and remember that taking a hunter safety course through Hunter-Ed is one of the smartest moves you can make for safe hunts! Doing this also helps meet your state's requirements for hunter education.
So, before the next open season, take the online Hunter-Ed course for your state!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Check out these answers to common questions about what hunting season is open right now!
Q: What is open season in hunting?
A: "Open season" is the specific time of year when hunters are legally allowed to hunt specific game animals.
Q: How to find your current open season.
A: Check your state’s wildlife agency website or hunting regulations guide for the latest open season dates.
Q: Is there a season for deer hunting?
A: Yes! However, deer hunting seasons vary by state and are usually split into archery, muzzleloader, and firearm periods.
Q: When should I start deer hunting?
A: Start at the beginning of your state’s designated deer season. This is typically an early archery season that often opens in the fall.
Q: How late can you shoot a deer?
A: Legal shooting hours are usually from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, but exact times depend on local laws. It's also "too late" to shoot a deer after the season ends.
Before the next open season, take the online Hunter-Ed course for your state!
