Season guide · last checked Sep 26, 2026
Deer season dates by state, 2026–27
When archery and gun deer seasons open for 2026–27 in 19 states. Each date is copied from the state wildlife agency’s own page, and each state links to its full zone-by-zone dates and the public land in that state.
Last checked Sep 26, 2026 (Georgia added Oct 14, 2026). Openers often differ by zone, unit or county, and the table shows the earliest general opener. Agencies can change dates, so always confirm with the state agency before you hunt. This is not legal advice or an official source.
| State | Archery opens | Firearms opens | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Oct. 15, 2026 (Zones A–C); Oct. 1 (Zones D, E) | Nov. 21, 2026 (Zones A–C); Nov. 7 (Zones D, E) Gun deer (stalk hunting) | Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Arkansas | Sept. 26, 2026 | Nov. 14, 2026 Modern gun (all zones) | Arkansas Game and Fish Commission |
| Georgia | September 2026 (see the WRD 2026–27 guide) | Oct. 17, 2026 Statewide firearms | Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division |
| Illinois | Oct. 1, 2026 | Nov. 20, 2026 First firearm season | Illinois Department of Natural Resources |
| Indiana | Oct. 1, 2026 | Nov. 14, 2026 Firearms season | Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife |
| Iowa | Oct. 1, 2026 | Dec. 5, 2026 Shotgun season 1 | Iowa Department of Natural Resources |
| Kentucky | Sept. 5, 2026 | Nov. 14, 2026 Modern gun (statewide) | Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources |
| Michigan | Oct. 1, 2026 | Nov. 15, 2026 Regular firearm (statewide) | Michigan Department of Natural Resources |
| Minnesota | Sept. 19, 2026 | Nov. 7, 2026 Firearm Season A | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources |
| Missouri | Sept. 15, 2026 | Nov. 14, 2026 Firearms November portion | Missouri Department of Conservation |
| New York | Sept. 27, 2026 (Northern Zone); Oct. 1, 2026 (Southern Zone) | Oct. 24, 2026 (Northern) / Nov. 21, 2026 (Southern) Regular season | New York State Department of Environmental Conservation |
| North Carolina | Sept. 12, 2026 | Oct. 17 – Nov. 28, 2026 (by zone) Gun (antlered) | North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission |
| Ohio | Sept. 26, 2026 | Nov. 30, 2026 Deer gun (statewide) | Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife |
| Oklahoma | Oct. 1, 2026 | Nov. 21, 2026 Deer gun | Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation |
| Pennsylvania | Oct. 3, 2026 (Sept. 19 in WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D) | Nov. 28, 2026 Regular firearms (statewide) | Pennsylvania Game Commission |
| Tennessee | Sept. 26, 2026 | Nov. 21, 2026 Gun/muzzleloader/archery | Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency |
| Texas | Oct. 3, 2026 | Nov. 7, 2026 General season (North & South zones) | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |
| Virginia | Oct. 3, 2026 | Nov. 14, 2026 (most counties) General firearms (private lands) | Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources |
| Wisconsin | Sept. 12, 2026 | Nov. 21, 2026 Gun (statewide) | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
Open a state for every season (youth, muzzleloader, late segments), zone details and public land that may allow hunting. Early special hunts (for example, August or CWD-area seasons) are listed on the state pages.
States not in the table yet
We only publish dates we could verify on the agency’s own website this week. For these states, check the agency directly. Our public land lists are linked too.
- Alaska: Alaska Department of Fish and Game
- Arizona: Arizona Game and Fish Department
- California: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Colorado: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- Connecticut: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
- Delaware: Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife
- Florida: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Hawaii: Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife
- Idaho: Idaho Department of Fish and Game
- Kansas: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
- Louisiana: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
- Maine: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
- Maryland: Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service
- Massachusetts: Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
- Mississippi: Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks
- Montana: Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks
- Nebraska: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
- Nevada: Nevada Department of Wildlife
- New Hampshire: New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
- New Jersey: New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife
- New Mexico: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
- North Dakota: North Dakota Game and Fish Department
- Oregon: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Rhode Island: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Fish and Wildlife
- South Carolina: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
- South Dakota: South Dakota Game Fish and Parks
- Utah: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
- Vermont: Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department
- Washington: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
- West Virginia: West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
- Wyoming: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
How these dates are checked
For each state we open the wildlife agency’s current season page or official season-dates PDF, copy the dates exactly as published, and link that page. We don’t list bag limits, license or weapon rules. Those have too many local exceptions to summarize safely. Dates will be re-checked during the season. The “last checked” date on each page shows when.
Hunting public land?
Many WMAs, game lands, refuges and national forests set their own deer dates, quotas or permit requirements that differ from the statewide dates. Find the area in our state lists or the WMA directory by state, then confirm its rules with the managing agency.
Texas hunters: see our Texas Annual Public Hunting Permit guide.
Not legal advice and not an official source. This independent site is not affiliated with any government agency. Season dates are copied from the agency pages linked above as of the “last checked” date and may have changed since. The agency’s current regulations are what count. Full disclaimer.