When and Where to Hunt Over 70 Game Species

Your Guide to Hunting Seasons by Game Species

Hunting is a tradition that dates back thousands of years across North America. Each fall and winter, millions of hunters head outdoors to harvest game meat and connect with nature. However, with over 70 species that can legally be hunted across the continent, keeping track of all the various hunting seasons can be challenging.

Most North American jurisdictions set hunting regulations and seasons for wildlife management purposes. Seasons aim to balance hunter opportunity with maintaining healthy populations of game animals. Regulations are developed using the best available science on animal biology and habitat needs. Some general trends exist, but hunters need to check the specific rules for the state or province they will be hunting in.

Many ungulate species have fall/early winter seasons. White-tailed deer, the most popular big game animal in North America, has an archery season that typically runs from September through January in many states like Indiana. Muzzleloader seasons often follow in October/November, and gun seasons are usually in November and sometimes December. Elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and other deer species like mule deer have similar fall/early winter seasons structured around their rutting periods.

Waterfowl seasons are carefully regulated based on migration patterns. Ducks, geese, coots, and other waterbirds have designated seasons between September and January, with the longest seasons typically occurring in the central flyway states. The earliest seasons are in the southern U.S., with later seasons further north as birds migrate. Daily bag limits and possession limits vary by species and location.

Small game like rabbits, squirrels, grouse and doves have longer seasons, often running until the end of winter. In Iowa, for example, cottontail rabbit season extends from September through February. Upland bird seasons tend to run concurrently with waterfowl seasons in the fall and early winter months. Furbearers like fox, bobcat, marten and fisher can usually be hunted until hibernation in late winter/early spring depending on location.

This introductory text provides a broad overview of general timing trends for big game, waterfowl and small game/furbearer hunting seasons across North America. Hunters should always check the specific dates, rules and regulations in their own jurisdictions. With careful planning using up-to-date regulations, hunters can enjoy pursuing a wide variety of species throughout the year.

Hunting Seasons by Game Species

We have gathered hunting seasons details for over 70 common game species. Please click on any of the links below to learn more.

👉 Alligator Hunting Seasons

👉 Antelope Hunting Seasons

👉 Axis Deer Hunting Seasons

👉 Badger Hunting Seasons

👉 Bear Hunting Seasons

👉 Beaver Hunting Seasons

👉 Bighorn Sheep Hunting Seasons

👉 Bison Hunting Seasons

👉 Black Bear Hunting Seasons

👉 Black Hawaiian Sheep Hunting Seasons

👉 Black-Tailed Deer Hunting Seasons

👉 Boar Hunting Seasons

👉 Bobcat Hunting Seasons

👉 Bobwhite Quail Hunting Seasons

👉 Caribou Hunting Seasons

👉 Chukar Hunting Seasons

👉 Coots Hunting Seasons

👉 Cottontail Rabbit Hunting Seasons

👉 Coyote Hunting Seasons

👉 Crow Hunting Seasons

👉 Dall Sheep Hunting Seasons

👉 Deer Hunting Seasons

👉 Dove Hunting Seasons

👉 Duck Hunting Seasons

👉 Elk Hunting Seasons

👉 Feral Goat Hunting Seasons

👉 Fisher Hunting Seasons

👉 Flying Squirrel Hunting Seasons

👉 Fox Hunting Seasons

👉 Gallinule Hunting Seasons

👉 Goose Hunting Seasons

👉 Gray Partridge Hunting Seasons

👉 Grizzley Bear Hunting Seasons

👉 Groundhog Hunting Seasons

👉 Grouse Hunting Seasons

👉 Javelina Hunting Seasons

👉 Mallard Hunting Seasons

👉 Marten Hunting Seasons

👉 Maskox Hunting Seasons

👉 Mink Hunting Seasons

👉 Moose Hunting Seasons

👉 Mouflon Sheep Hunting Seasons

👉 Mountain Goat Hunting Seasons

👉 Mountain Lion Hunting Seasons

👉 Mourning Dove Hunting Seasons

👉 Mule Deer Hunting Seasons

👉 Muskrat Hunting Seasons

👉 Nutria Hunting Seasons

👉 Opossum Hunting Seasons

👉 Otter Hunting Seasons

👉 Pheasant Hunting Seasons

👉 Pintail Hunting Seasons

👉 Porcupine Hunting Seasons

👉 Prairie Dog Hunting Seasons

👉 Pronghorn Hunting Seasons

👉 Ptarmigan Hunting Seasons

👉 Quail Hunting Seasons

👉 Rabbit Hunting Seasons

👉 Raccoon Hunting Seasons

👉 Rail Hunting Seasons

👉 Ruffed Grouse Hunting Seasons

👉 Sandhill Crane Hunting Seasons

👉 Sharp-Tailed Grouse Hunting Seasons

👉 Sitka Deer Hunting Seasons

👉 Skunk Hunting Seasons

👉 Snipe Hunting Seasons

👉 Snowshoe Hare Hunting Seasons

👉 Squirral Hunting Seasons

👉 Teal Hunting Seasons

👉 Turkey Hunting Seasons

👉 Upland Game Bird Hunting Seasons

👉 Waterfowl Hunting Seasons

👉 Weasel Hunting Seasons

👉 White-tailed Deer Hunting Seasons

👉 Wolf Hunting Seasons

👉 Wood Duck Hunting Seasons

👉 Woodcock Hunting Seasons

👉 Rail Hunting Seasons

👉 Fisher Hunting Seasons