When you and your friends wanted to hunt turkeys in January, you found there was no turkey hunting season. So why are hunting seasons regulated?
Wildlife development and management departments set specific hunting dates to ensure that hunting is done in an ecologically sustainable way, allowing animals enough time to survive and reproduce. The rules and restrictions of hunting seasons ensure that hunters do not hunt unfairly or excessively, helping to maintain the balance of the ecosystem. Regulating hunting also protects endangered species and prevents the overpopulation of certain animals, which could otherwise damage the environment.
Is it hunting season now? The answer is that you can hunt year-round, as different animals can be hunted in different months. However, hunting seasons change every year.
Below are the hunting season dates for a few states. If you need information for other states, you can look it up online.
Washington Hunting Season
Washington Duck Hunting Season:
October 12–20, 2025, and October 23, 2025–January 26, 2026
Note: The harvest rate of pintail ducks has exceeded the 5% threshold set by the WDFW. Therefore, starting in 2024, anyone wishing to hunt pintail ducks must apply for a permit. If selected, you will receive a harvest record card.
Washington Turkey Season:
1. Spring Youth Hunt: April 1–7, 2025
2. Spring General Season: April 15–May 31, 2025
The bag limit is a total of 3 visible-bearded turkeys. Eastern Washington has a limit of 2 turkeys, and Western Washington has a limit of 1 turkey.
Washington Small Game Hunting Season:
1. Bobcat: September 1, 2025 – March 15, 2026
2. Fox: September 1, 2025 – March 15, 2026
3. Raccoon: September 1, 2025 – March 15, 2026
4. Coyote: Year-round
5. Cottontail & Snowshoe Hares: September 1, 2025 – March 15, 2026
6. Trapping beaver, badger, weasel, mink, muskrat, and otter: November 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
Hawaii Hunting Season
In Hawaii, the most popular game to hunt is deer. Axis deer hunts require a lottery application (lottery application results).
|
Seasons |
Dates |
|
Black-tailed Deer Season-Archery |
J, K: Sep – Dec; Daily |
|
Black-tailed Deer Season- Muzzleloader Rifles Only |
A,B, L: Sep 7-8 |
|
Black-tailed Deer Season- Regular Rifle |
A: Sep 14 – Oct 27 (Saturday and Sunday ONLY) |
|
Axis Deer Season-Youth |
March 7 – 9, 2025 |
|
Axis Deer Season-Muzzleloader |
March 14 – 16, 2025 |
|
Axis Deer Season-General Rifle |
March 21 – June 1, 2025 |
|
Axis Deer Season-Archery |
Feb 5 – 9, 2025 |
|
Sheep Season-Archery |
July 16 – July 27, 2025 |
|
Sheep Season-Youth |
Aug 1 – 3, 2025 |
|
Sheep Season-Muzzleloader |
Aug 8 – 10, 2025 |
|
Sheep Season-General Rifle |
Aug 15 – Oct 12, 2025 |
|
Turkey Hunting Season |
A: March 1 – April 15, 2025 |
|
Bird Hunting Season |
Nov 2 to January 26 |
Here are the websites where you can purchase a hunting license in Hawaii (Website 1 / Website 2).
fallow deer
South Dakota Hunting Season
The most common species in this state are white-tailed deer and black-tailed deer. Hunting big game requires submitting a hunting license application, selecting the hunting unit you wish to hunt in, and then waiting for the lottery results from the state of South Dakota.
|
Seasons |
Dates |
|
Turkey Season – Spring Prairie |
Apr 12 – May 31, 2025 |
|
Turkey Season – Spring Archery |
Apr 12 – May 31, 2025 |
|
Turkey Season – Spring Mentored |
Apr 12 – May 31, 2025 |
|
Turkey Season – Spring Black Hills |
Apr 26 – May 31, 2025 |
|
Turkey Season – Spring Custer State Park |
Apr 26 – May 18, 2025 |
|
Turkey Season – Fall Mentored |
Nov 1, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026 |
|
Turkey Season – Fall Prairie |
Nov 1, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026 |
|
Mountain Lion Black Hills Fire Protection District |
Dec 26, 2025 – Apr 30, 2026 |
|
Mountain Lion Season – Statewide |
Dec 26, 2025 – Dec 25, 2026(Year Round) |
|
Antelope Season – Archery (Season closed during firearms season) |
Aug 16 – Oct 31, 2025 |
|
Antelope Season – Firearms |
Oct 4 – Oct 19, 2025 |
|
Antelope Season – Special |
Oct 4 – Oct 19, 2025 |
|
Antelope Season – Landowner |
Oct 4 – Oct 19, 2025 |
|
Antelope Season – Nonresident Archery Public/Private Land |
Aug 16 – Oct 31, 2025 |
|
Antelope Season – Archery Access Permit |
Aug 16 – Oct 31, 2025 |
|
Bighorn Sheep Season – Black Hills |
Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2025 |
|
Bighorn Sheep Season – Custer State Park |
Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2025 |
|
Custer State Park Trophy Buffalo |
Jul 23 – Aug 7, 2025 |
|
Custer State Park Non-Trophy Buffalo |
Jul 23 – Aug 7, 2025 |
|
Duck Hunting Season |
It hasn’t been released |
|
River Otter Season |
Nov 1 – Dec 31, 2025 |
|
Crow Season |
Mar 1, 2025 – Apr 30, 2025 |
|
Cottontail Rabbit Season |
Sep 1, 2024 – Mar 31, 2025 |
|
Tree Squirrel Season |
Sep 1, 2024 – Mar 31, 2025 |
To hunt in this state, you need licenses such as the Habitat Stamp, State Migratory Bird Certificate, Predator/Varmint license, Furbearer license, Federal Waterfowl Stamp, and others. Non-residents are required to obtain additional licenses, such as the Early Fall Canada Goose license, the State Migratory Bird Certificate, and other game-specific permits.
Of course, beyond the items mentioned above, there are many more important details to be aware of. If you plan to hunt in South Dakota, make sure to research all necessary information before your trip.
squirrel
Maine Hunting Season
Maine’s challenging terrain and abundant wildlife provide opportunities for hunters of all skill levels.
|
Seasons |
Dates |
|
Deer Seasons |
Sep 7 – Dec 14, 2025 |
|
Deer Seasons-Youth |
Oct 24 – Oct 25, 2025 |
|
Deer Muzzleloader Season-Statewide |
Dec 1 – Dec 6, 2025 |
|
Bear Season |
Aug 25 – Nov 29, 2025 |
|
Youth Bear Day |
45892 |
|
Bear Season with Bait |
Aug 25 – Sep 20, 2025 |
|
Turkey Season |
It hasn’t been released |
|
Bobwhite Quail and Ruffed Grouse Season |
Sep 27 – Dec 31, 2025 |
|
Pheasant Season |
Sep 27 – Dec 31, 2025 |
|
Crows Season |
Unit 1~6: Feb 6 – April 15, 2025 |
|
Woodcock Season |
Sep 28 – Nov 19, 2025 |
|
Snipe Season |
Sep 2 – January 3, 2025 |
|
Sora & Virginia Rails Season |
Sep 2 – Nov 21, 2025 |
|
Gray Squirrel Season |
Sep 27 -Dec 31, 2025 |
|
Gray Squirrel Season-Falconry |
Sep 28 -Feb 28, 2026 |
|
Snowshoe Hare Season |
Sep 27 -March 31, 2025 |
|
Bobcat Season |
Dec 1, 2025 – Feb 21, 2026 |
|
Fox Season |
Oct 20, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 |
|
Raccoon Season |
Oct 1 – Dec 31, 2025 |
|
Skunk, Opossum Season |
Oct 20 – Dec 31, 2025 |
|
Coyote Season-Daytime Hunting |
No closed season |
|
Coyote Season-Night Hunting |
Dec 16, 2025 – Aug 31, 2026 |
The most popular hunting season in Maine is deer season. In Maine, hunting licenses vary in price depending on the weapon used. For example, a deer hunting license for archery costs $26, while a muzzleloader license for deer costs $115. Different game animals also have different license fees—for instance, a pheasant license costs $27, and a waterfowl license costs $7.50. Therefore, if you plan to embark on an exhilarating hunting adventure in Maine, you’ll need to decide on your target game and prepare all the necessary materials in advance.
Campfire cooking (Be sure to fully extinguish the fire before leaving)
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