Hunting draw & tag deadlines

October 2026

• Oct 18Montana · Deer Elk · Season CloseArchery deer & elk seasonMT 2026 archery deer & elk: Sept 5 - Oct 18 (FWP official seasons page).Source · verified 2026-06-26
• Oct 18Minnesota · Deer · Season CloseYouth deer season and the early antlerless season close October 18, 2026, statewideSource · verified 2026-10-07
• Oct 18Colorado · Elk · Season CloseFirst rifle elk seasonOfficially adopted 2026 date from CPW 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure (west of I-25 and GMU 140 where applicable). Unit-specific dates and license types vary by GMU/DAU — confirm on your license and the CPW big game brochure.Source · verified 2026-07-30
• Oct 18Texas · Pronghorn · Season ClosePronghorn seasonSource · verified 2026-09-19
• Oct 18Minnesota · Bear · Season CloseBear season closes October 18, 2026 (permit areas and no-quota area)Source · verified 2026-10-07
• Oct 19New Mexico · Duck · Season OpenDuck season opens (South Zone)Source · verified 2026-09-21
• Oct 23New York · Deer · Season CloseNorthern Zone early bowhunting and early muzzleloading deer seasons close October 23, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-09
• Oct 23New York · Bear · Season CloseNorthern Zone early bowhunting and early muzzleloading bear seasons close October 23, 2026 in WMUs 6A, 6G, 6K and 6NSource · verified 2026-10-09
• Oct 24Montana · Deer Elk · Season OpenGeneral (rifle) deer & elk seasonMT 2026 general deer & elk: Oct 24 - Nov 29 (FWP official seasons page).Source · verified 2026-06-26
• Oct 24Minnesota · Raccoon · Season OpenRaccoon, fox, badger and opossum seasons open October 24, 2026 in the South zone onlySource · verified 2026-10-07
• Oct 24Colorado · Deer Elk · Season OpenSecond combined rifle deer & elk seasonOfficially adopted 2026 date from CPW 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure (west of I-25 and GMU 140 where applicable). Unit-specific dates and license types vary by GMU/DAU — confirm on your license and the CPW big game brochure.Source · verified 2026-07-30
• Oct 24New Mexico · Sandhill Crane · Season OpenSandhill crane season opens (Eastern hunt area)Source · verified 2026-09-21
• Oct 24Missouri · Deer · Season OpenFirearms youth deer portion, October 24-25, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-06
• Oct 24New York · Deer · Season OpenNorthern Zone regular firearms deer season opens October 24, 2026 (through December 6, 2026)Source · verified 2026-10-09
• Oct 24New York · Bear · Season OpenNorthern Zone regular firearms bear season opens October 24, 2026 in WMUs 6A, 6G, 6K and 6N (through December 6, 2026)Source · verified 2026-10-09
• Oct 24Iowa · Pheasant · Season OpenYouth rooster pheasant season opens October 24, 2026 (through October 25, 2026)Source · verified 2026-10-17
• Oct 25Texas · Dove · Season CloseDove season — first segment (Central & South Zones)Central & South zone first segments close Oct 25, 2026; second segments reopen Dec 11 (Central) / Dec 18 (South). TPWD 2026-27 season dates.Source · verified 2026-07-07
• Oct 25Missouri · Deer · Season CloseFirearms youth deer portion closes October 25, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-06
• Oct 28New Mexico · Dove · Season CloseDove season first split closes (South Zone; reopens December 1, 2026)Source · verified 2026-09-21
• Oct 30Nevada · Dove · Season CloseDove seasonSource · verified 2026-06-30
• Oct 30Washington · Dove · Season CloseMourning dove seasonSource · verified 2026-07-27
• Oct 30Utah · Dove · Season CloseMourning & white-winged dove seasonSame official guidebook season table.Source · verified 2026-07-29
• Oct 31Texas · Sandhill Crane · Season OpenSandhill crane season (Zone A)Source · verified 2026-09-19
• Oct 31Pennsylvania · Turkey · Season OpenFall turkey season opens in all open Wildlife Management Units (October 31, 2026). WMUs 5C and 5D are closed to fall turkey hunting; closing dates differ by WMU.Pennsylvania Game Commission 2026-27 seasons and bag limits page, fetched 2026-10-04. Uniform statewide opener across every open WMU; per-unit closing dates range from November 3 to November 20, 2026, with a November 25-27, 2026 extra split in WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 3B and 3C.Source · verified 2026-10-04
• Oct 31Iowa · Pheasant · Season OpenRooster pheasant season opens October 31, 2026 (through January 10, 2027)Source · verified 2026-10-17
• Oct 31Iowa · Quail · Season OpenBobwhite quail season opens October 31, 2026 (through January 31, 2027)Source · verified 2026-10-17

November 2026

• Nov 1Colorado · Deer Elk · Season CloseSecond combined rifle deer & elk seasonOfficially adopted 2026 date from CPW 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure (west of I-25 and GMU 140 where applicable). Unit-specific dates and license types vary by GMU/DAU — confirm on your license and the CPW big game brochure.Source · verified 2026-07-30
• Nov 2Wyoming · Big Game · Application DeadlineBig game preference point deadline (antelope, deer, elk, sheep, moose)Source · verified 2026-06-20
• Nov 2Alabama · Deer · Season OpenSpecial muzzleloader and air rifle deer season opens, Zones D and E (November 2 through November 6, 2026)Source · verified 2026-09-27
• Nov 6Texas · Deer · Season CloseArchery deer seasonWhite-tailed archery closes Nov 6, 2026; general season opens Nov 7. TPWD 2026-27 season dates.Source · verified 2026-07-07
• Nov 6Oregon · Deer · Season CloseBuck deer rifle season (western Oregon, any legal weapon)Closes Nov 6.Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Nov 7Texas · Deer · Season OpenGeneral deer seasonWhite-tailed general season opens Nov 7, 2026 in BOTH North and South zones (North runs to Jan 3, South to Jan 17, 2027). Fall turkey also opens Nov 7. TPWD 2026-27 season dates.Source · verified 2026-07-07
• Nov 7Texas · Turkey · Season OpenFall turkey seasonFall wild turkey opens Nov 7, 2026 (North to Jan 3; South to Jan 17; archery-only Oct 3 – Nov 6). TPWD 2026-27 season dates.Source · verified 2026-07-07
• Nov 7Oregon · Elk · Season OpenElk rifle seasons open (West Cascade and Rocky Mountain second season)West Cascade Nov 7-13; Rocky Mountain second season Nov 7-15.Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Nov 7Alabama · Deer · Season OpenGun deer season opens, Zones D and ESource · verified 2026-09-27
• Nov 7Minnesota · Deer · Season OpenFirearms deer season A opens November 7, 2026 (100 Series permit areas run through November 22, 2026; 200 and 300 Series run through November 15, 2026)Source · verified 2026-10-07
• Nov 8Texas · Dove · Season CloseDove season — first segment (North Zone)North zone first segment closes Nov 8, 2026; second segment Dec 18, 2026 – Jan 7, 2027. TPWD 2026-27 season dates.Source · verified 2026-07-07
• Nov 13Oregon · Elk · Season CloseWest Cascade elk rifle seasonSource · verified 2026-07-28
• Nov 13Missouri · Deer · Season CloseArchery deer season closes for the firearms November portion, November 13, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-06
• Nov 14Oregon · Elk · Season OpenCoast bull elk first rifle season (western Oregon)Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Nov 14Missouri · Deer · Season OpenFirearms November deer portion opens November 14, 2026 (through November 24, 2026)Source · verified 2026-10-06
• Nov 15Minnesota · Deer · Season CloseFirearms deer season A closes November 15, 2026 in the 200 and 300 Series permit areas onlySource · verified 2026-10-07
• Nov 15Oregon · Elk · Season CloseRocky Mountain elk second rifle season (eastern Oregon)Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Nov 15Washington · Bear · Season CloseGeneral black bear seasonAll Black Bear Management Units close Nov 15, 2026. Successful hunters must submit a bear premolar tooth to WDFW by Dec 1, 2026 (RCW 77.15.280 / WAC 220-415-090).Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Nov 15Michigan · Deer · Season OpenRegular firearm deer season opens statewide, November 15, 2026 through November 30, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-05
• Nov 17Oregon · Elk · Season CloseCoast bull elk first rifle season (western Oregon)Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Nov 20Arizona · Dove · Season OpenLate dove seasonStatewide late segment, Nov 20 2026 - Jan 3 2027.Source · verified 2026-07-27
• Nov 20Pennsylvania · Deer · Season CloseStatewide archery deer season first split closes (October 3 through November 20, 2026). A second archery split runs December 26, 2026 through January 24, 2027.Pennsylvania Game Commission 2026-27 seasons and bag limits page, fetched 2026-10-04, published as "Oct. 3-Nov. 20 and Dec. 26-Jan. 24, 2027".Source · verified 2026-10-04
• Nov 20New York · Deer · Season CloseSouthern Zone early bowhunting deer season closes November 20, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-09
• Nov 20New York · Bear · Season CloseSouthern Zone early bowhunting bear season closes November 20, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-09
• Nov 20Illinois · Deer · Season OpenFirst firearm deer season: November 20, 21 and 22, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-17
• Nov 21Oregon · Elk · Season OpenCoast bull elk second rifle season (western Oregon)Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Nov 21Alabama · Deer · Season OpenGun deer season opens, Zones A, B and C and the CWD Management ZoneSource · verified 2026-09-27
• Nov 21Wisconsin · Deer · Season OpenNine-day gun deer season opens statewide, November 21, 2026 through November 29, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-05
• Nov 21Ohio · Deer · Season OpenYouth gun deer season, November 21-22, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-06
• Nov 21Minnesota · Deer · Season OpenFirearms deer season B opens November 21, 2026 in the 300 Series permit areas only (through November 29, 2026)Source · verified 2026-10-07
• Nov 22Minnesota · Deer · Season CloseFirearms deer season A closes November 22, 2026 in the 100 Series permit areas onlySource · verified 2026-10-07
• Nov 22Ohio · Deer · Season CloseYouth gun deer season closes November 22, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-06
• Nov 23West Virginia · Deer · Season OpenBuck firearms deer season (November 23 - December 6, 2026)Source · verified 2026-09-22
• Nov 24Missouri · Deer · Season CloseFirearms November deer portion closes November 24, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-06
• Nov 25Missouri · Deer · Season OpenArchery deer season reopens November 25, 2026 (through January 15, 2027)Source · verified 2026-10-06
• Nov 27Oregon · Elk · Season CloseCoast bull elk second rifle season (western Oregon)Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Nov 27Missouri · Deer · Season OpenFirearms youth deer portion, second segment, November 27-29, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-06
• Nov 28Pennsylvania · Deer · Season OpenStatewide firearms deer season opens (November 28 through December 13, 2026).Pennsylvania Game Commission 2026-27 seasons and bag limits page, fetched 2026-10-04, published as "Nov. 28-Dec. 13".Source · verified 2026-10-04
• Nov 28Minnesota · Deer · Season OpenMuzzleloader deer season opens November 28, 2026, statewide (through December 13, 2026)Source · verified 2026-10-07
• Nov 29Montana · Deer Elk · Season CloseGeneral (rifle) deer & elk seasonMT 2026 general deer & elk: Oct 24 - Nov 29 (FWP official seasons page).Source · verified 2026-06-26
• Nov 29Wisconsin · Deer · Season CloseNine-day gun deer season closes statewide, November 21, 2026 through November 29, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-05
• Nov 29Missouri · Deer · Season CloseFirearms youth deer portion, second segment, closes November 29, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-06
• Nov 29Minnesota · Deer · Season CloseFirearms deer season B closes November 29, 2026 in the 300 Series permit areas onlySource · verified 2026-10-07
• Nov 30Michigan · Deer · Season CloseRegular firearm deer season closes statewide, November 15, 2026 through November 30, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-05
• Nov 30Wisconsin · Deer · Season OpenMuzzleloader deer season opens statewide, November 30, 2026 through December 9, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-05
• Nov 30Ohio · Deer · Season OpenGun deer season opens November 30, 2026 (first split, through December 6, 2026)Source · verified 2026-10-06

December 2026

• Dec 3Illinois · Deer · Season OpenSecond firearm deer season: December 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-17
• Dec 5Missouri · Deer · Season OpenFirearms antlerless deer portion reopens December 5, 2026 (through December 13, 2026)Source · verified 2026-10-06
• Dec 5Iowa · Deer · Season OpenShotgun deer season 1 opens December 5, 2026 (through December 9, 2026)Source · verified 2026-10-17
• Dec 6Ohio · Deer · Season CloseGun deer season first split closes December 6, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-06
• Dec 7Michigan · Deer · Season OpenLate antlerless firearm deer season opens, December 7, 2026 through January 1, 2027Source · verified 2026-10-05
• Dec 11Illinois · Deer · Season OpenMuzzleloader-only deer season: December 11, 12 and 13, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-17
• Dec 13Missouri · Deer · Season CloseFirearms antlerless deer portion closes December 13, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-06
• Dec 13Minnesota · Deer · Season CloseMuzzleloader deer season closes December 13, 2026, statewideSource · verified 2026-10-07
• Dec 19Ohio · Deer · Season OpenGun deer season second split, December 19-20, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-06
• Dec 20Ohio · Deer · Season CloseGun deer season second split closes December 20, 2026Source · verified 2026-10-06
• Dec 26Missouri · Deer · Season OpenFirearms alternative methods deer portion opens December 26, 2026 (through January 5, 2027)Source · verified 2026-10-06
• Dec 31Oregon · Bear · Season CloseGeneral fall black bear season (statewide)Season ends Dec 31.Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Dec 31Minnesota · Deer · Season CloseArchery deer season closes December 31, 2026, statewideSource · verified 2026-10-07

January 2027

• Jan 2Ohio · Deer · Season OpenMuzzleloader deer season opens January 2, 2027 (through January 5, 2027)Source · verified 2026-10-06
• Jan 3Texas · Deer · Season CloseGeneral deer season (North Zone)North Zone general white-tailed season closes Jan 3, 2027 (special late season Jan 4-17). TPWD 2026-27 season dates.Source · verified 2026-07-07
• Jan 5Ohio · Deer · Season CloseMuzzleloader deer season closes January 5, 2027Source · verified 2026-10-06
• Jan 5Missouri · Deer · Season CloseFirearms alternative methods deer portion closes January 5, 2027Source · verified 2026-10-06
• Jan 15Washington · Grouse · Season CloseForest grouse seasonSource · verified 2026-07-27
• Jan 15Idaho · Bear · Application OpenSpring bear controlled hunt application period opensIDFG publishes this as a standing annual window of January 15 through February 15; re-verify against the 2027 season booklet when it is published.Source · verified 2026-09-17
• Jan 15Missouri · Deer · Season CloseArchery deer season closes January 15, 2027Source · verified 2026-10-06
• Jan 17Texas · Deer · Season CloseGeneral deer season (South Zone)South Zone general white-tailed season closes Jan 17, 2027 (special late season Jan 18-31). TPWD 2026-27 season dates.Source · verified 2026-07-07

February 2027

• Feb 1Wyoming · Super Tag · Application DeadlineWyoming Super Tag raffle deadlineSource · verified 2026-06-20
• Feb 1Idaho · Turkey · Application OpenSpring turkey controlled hunt application period opensIDFG publishes this as a standing annual window of February 1 through March 1; re-verify against the 2027 season booklet when it is published.Source · verified 2026-09-17
• Feb 7Ohio · Deer · Season CloseArchery deer season closes February 7, 2027Source · verified 2026-10-06
• Feb 10Alabama · Deer · Season CloseArchery deer season closes, Zone ASource · verified 2026-09-20
• Feb 15Idaho · Bear · Application DeadlineSpring bear controlled hunt application deadlineIDFG publishes this as a standing annual window of January 15 through February 15; re-verify against the 2027 season booklet when it is published.Source · verified 2026-09-17

March 2027

• Mar 1Idaho · Turkey · Application DeadlineSpring turkey controlled hunt application deadlineIDFG publishes this as a standing annual window of February 1 through March 1; re-verify against the 2027 season booklet when it is published.Source · verified 2026-09-17

Common questions

What hunting draw deadlines are coming up?

LawLert is tracking 99 upcoming tag-draw, lottery and application deadlines across 22 states. The next one is Montana (Deer Elk) on 2026-10-18. Every date on this page links to the wildlife agency that published it, with the date LawLert last checked it.

Which states does LawLert track draw deadlines for?

Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. That is 22 states, not all 50 — LawLert only lists a deadline when it can point at the issuing agency's own published date, so states are added as their calendars are sourced rather than estimated.

What happens if I miss a hunting draw deadline?

In most states a missed draw or application deadline cannot be appealed — you wait for the next cycle, which usually means missing that season entirely. Some states run leftover or over-the-counter tag sales afterwards, but availability and species differ by state. Confirm against the agency link on each row before relying on it.