Hunting Seasons Of America

The notion of "Hunting Season" is just a faux construct, it's not just a particular day when Turkey, quail, Deer or any other kind of game will just be out in the open for harvest by hunters.

It's the Department of Natural Resources or variations therefrom who decides the opening and closing day for all types of animals.

Every state has a different hunting season for each and every animal.

For instance, in New York state, wild turkey season lasts from May 1st until May 31st.

Whereas for South Carolina, this season runs from April 1st until May 1st.

You might ask why this variation?

Wouldn't it be easier to have a nationwide Turkey season, thereby making it easy for the hunting authorities as well as hunters to plan on their hunt?

Here's the thing, convenience is not the major factor which predetermines the dates for hunting, rather it depends upon the criteria laid out by the government of natural resources.

The primary aim here is simple. Keep the Game population within their ideal limit.

It's not just the animals which require protection from over hunting, but the prospect of the diminishing population would have serious repercussions on hunters’ recreational activities.

A population which the habitat can support with ease in regards to food and space is considered as the ideal population.

This goal looks simple, but making it work is not an easy task.

Many variables need to be taken into account before setting up hunting dates, least of which is the estimation of the current population size.

The primary objective of having a specific hunting season is to control the animal population, it's the major drive behind this step.

To make it simple. If the animal population grows out of proportion, then the authorities would make sure to give hunters a superior harvest advantage.

If the situation is reversed with the animal population being lessened, then the authorities will provide a specific date, thus giving animals a survival advantage.

Let's talk about some of the vital factors which hold precedence here.

Breeding (Nesting)

By making use of biological data, relying primarily on the knowledge of breeding and incubation period, authorities manage dates to either reduce the population or to expand it.

For example- Wild Turkeys have 3 major phases in reproduction.

Now, if the population is too large, then the authorities would set the date that would coincide with the gobbling period, that way more turkeys can be killed since all of them will be out in the open.

In an event if there are fewer turkeys, then the date would get pushed back to coincide with the nesting period, by this time females won't be available much, and the males which are present have already completed their mating phase.

Since the breeding period, as well as population density for each animal is different for different regions, that would mean each state would have a different hunting date.

Age and Gender

For animal management, gender distribution among a certain population is a top priority.

When it comes to deer, the government could issue a precedent on which males can be harvested.

With this kind of specificity, only a few males will get harvested, this would mean hunters will have to go for more females, and that would ultimately bring down the population, by decreasing the number of offspring from being born.

Economic and Recreation issues

Hunting is a major business, and by selling licenses cities, counties and states haul in lots of money.

Not to forget restaurants, hotels, and motels whose business flourish when hunters arrive.

While determining the date and longevity of the season, authorities need to consider those above-mentioned factors, including the demands of hunters.

Government institutions do their best not to disappoint the hunters since hunting is such a popular activity.

Despite all this, it's not that important of a factor, compared to issues like population and gender distribution.

At the end of this article, we will learn more about how each state determines its own hunting season.

ALABAMA

The state of Alabama provides various game for hunters, which includes Turkey, quail, deer, and alligators.

Hunting season in Alabama is different across state, it is also different in discrete counties as well.

Citizens of Alabama can register themselves and acquire hunting license and permits through online services.

Furthermore, hunters can upload their harvest reports online with ease, either over the phone or by using an app.

Read Also: Binoculars For Hunting.

ARIZONA

This south-western state is laden with surprises when it comes to hunting seasons. Contrary to popular belief that Arizona is just desert, its ecosystem is quite ideal for various wildlife species.

For those who are eyeing to hunt small game like Turkey, quail, and deer, Arizona can provide fruitful hunting for them.

But for big game hunters, this state of Grand Canyon can afford to give you animals like Bighorn sheep, bears including bison during the season.

Hunting season in Arizona is managed by each region, most of the hunts are allowed only by lottery permit.

ALASKA

Compared to the lower 48 states, Alaska has a very different hunting season.

This state acquires the top position for providing the widest range of large game animals.

From Black Bear to Elk and Reindeer, to Mountain goats and Musk ox.

Alaska is a top-tier hunting destination.

Contrary to the mainland US, Alaska offers year-long hunting season for various game animals.

While other seasons deviate by the animal, time of the year, or other inconveniences.

They also fluctuate greatly depending upon the region, that means Alaska has variant hunting seasons in all 26 zones.

When the herd size dwindles and becomes limited, non-residents are not permitted to harvest any animals.

ARKANSAS

In Arkansas, you have the opportunity to hunt alligators in their natural state, also includes game like Elk, Deer, Bear, and Turkey.

Hunting permits and licenses are available online, although the cost of which depends on a few factors like season, method of Hunting, residence, and other unique stipulations.

Throughout Arkansas, the state also provides access to private properties as well. Six such properties in mid and southern Arkansas are available for hunting, provided one has a permit for it.

CALIFORNIA

If you thought California was all about Hollywood and Disneyland, then you are definitely in for a surprise.

California provides copious amounts of Hunting, with the likes of Deer, Elk, Bear, Pronghorn Antelope, and Bighorn sheep.

Hunting seasons have been divided into many regional zones, and with so many zones, one is expected to get confused as to where you could hunt, and where you could live.

To avoid such confusion regarding the hunting zones, visit the website of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

COLORADO

Looking for a big game?

Then Colorado is the perfect place for you.

Be it locally unique Pronghorn, or Black Bear and Mountain lion. Colorado encompasses all of it.

The state doesn't just offer great hunting, but also provides some of the breathtaking landscapes of the United States.

Colorado truly combines the adrenaline rush of the hunt, with nature's beauty to turn it into an enthralling experience.

CONNECTICUT

Despite being small in size, Connecticut offers a vivid range of animals to hunt, throughout the year.

Turkey and deer are hunter's favorite, but waterfowl of Connecticut also hold sway.

Bear hunting is outlawed in the state, people can enjoy the magnificence of these mammals any time of year.

Northeastern parts of US provide unrivaled scenery, weather, hunting, and American history. Connecticut being no exception.

DELAWARE

Delaware. Another surprise package.

Yet another small state which set an all-time record of harvested deer in 2015/16, when 14,681 deer were harvested by hunters.

With such a prosperous and exceptional deer hunting, Delaware is also strict when it comes to hunting timetable.

Harvesting on Sundays is illegal. Except in two situations.

Though it is better to check in with Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife for more information and updates regarding the Sunday regulation.

FLORIDA

The alligator hunting capital of the world, Florida offers some of the diverse opportunities for hunting during the season.

Florida hunting season is a perfect model, which demonstrates how hunting can be a useful instrument when it comes to stabilizing natural resources.

Florida's hunting is categorized into 4 zones.

Zone A - Almost everything below state road 70, also includes Lake Okeechobee.

Zone B - Some areas of western Florida, and north of Tampa.

Zone C - Being the largest zone, it includes everything around zone B, north of Zone A up to Panhandle.

Zone D - Panhandle. State road 61 separates Zone D from C.

So given the detailing of the zones, one should pre-plan which one would they like to adventure in.

GEORGIA

With its hunting seasons, Georgia provides an ample amount of opportunities to bag various types of small and large games. Like Bear, Deer, Turkey including Alligator.

HAWAII

Tropical weather and beaches define Hawaii, but the hunts of Hawaii are remarkable as well.

Mouflon Sheep and Black-Tailed Deer are the favorite hunts of Hawaiians.

These islands also include Feral Hogs and Goats.

As Hawaii is a group of islands, each of them is called units which has its own preserves and game management, and thus regulations also vary by each unit.

IDAHO

Potatoes aren't the only notable thing about Idaho, its hunting is bountiful as well.

With numerous games for hunting, this state does not disappoint any enthusiastic hunter.

Games like Bear, Deer, Elk, and Mountain lion. Small games are also superior in numbers.

ILLINOIS

During hunting season, you will find various types of game animals, like Deer Rabbit, Turkey, and other smaller ones.

For both state residents and non-residents, Illinois provides online registration of permits.

For some smaller games, permits can be obtained without spending any money.

INDIANA

Here the hunting seasons mostly include small game (Turkey, Grouse, squirrel, etc.), and quite a few Deer seasons.

Indiana also provides trapping season for fur bearing animals like Coyote, Raccoon, and Fox.

There are many beneficial programs for hunters, like hunters helping out farmers. Here hunters are paired with landowners who are troubled with the presence of Antlerless Deer on their property, hunters in return help eliminate this problem.

One can apply for this program between July and Aug each year.

Depending upon the animal, season and special regulation, prices vary.

Less for residents, more for non-residents.

Apprentice and rookie license are also available.

Licenses are valid from April 1st till March 31st of the said year.

IOWA

Iowa covers the northern portion of the Midwest, it offers several game animals like Turkey, Pheasants, and Deer, including other same game animals.

There are many ways to acquire a license, over the phone, with the help from an agent or through online process.

With varying prices, both the residents and the non-residents can buy a license.

After a successful hunt of games like Deer and Turkey, hunters can divulge their harvest on the website of Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The Habitat and Access Program (IHAP), is a type of beneficial program in which the landowners make their lands accessible to the public.

Hunters can have access from Sept 1st till May 31st.

With the help from the state Hunting Atlas, one can easily plan their outing.

With 600K acres of public hunting land on this interactive map, it can easily provide information regarding animal habitat and hunting zones.

For public hunting and trapping, more than 360K acres of land has been provided by the Wildlife Management Areas (WMA).

KANSAS

This sunflower state's hunting season includes Elk, Antelope, Deer, Turkey including small game.

Kansas offers several hunting programs, like Sportsmen Assisting Disabled Hunting Program, where a hunter gets teamed up with disabled field partners.

The walk-in hunting programs allow private landowners to open their land for public hunting, for instance, Deer hunters can help the landowners deal with the problem of large Deer herds on their property.

KENTUCKY

Here the hunting seasons include both small and large game, from Bear to Deer, including elks.

Both residents and non-residents are required to have a hunting license and permits, which can be easily bought online.

Or else you can opt for an agent too.

The prize depends on the age, residence, seasons, and special designations (if any).

You can either use the telephone or the website of the Department of fish and wildlife to report your harvest.

Bear, elk, bobcat, Turkey, and river otters, must be logged in by either of these methods after harvesting.

Since the time limits for each animal is different, it would be ideal for learning more about it by visiting the website.

LOUISIANA

The main takeaway of this state is migratory bird hunting, which is quite famous in America.

Also includes Whitetail deer, which tends to increase the beauty of Fireplace mantles.

Louisiana also provides a thorough Alligator hunt as well.

Whether you are a traveler visiting this southern gem, or a resident of the state, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries provides all the necessary information, regarding the maps of all 13 hunting zones and licenses.

Read also: Upland Bird Hunting State

MAINE

If exploring East coast for hunting is on your bucket list, then Maine is one of the ideal places to opt for.

Here you will find games like Moose, Deer, and Bear including small ones for

the entirety of Fall and Spring.

Both residents and non-residents can acquire licenses easily through the online process, which is printed on the spot.

Few games, hunts like Moose and Deer requires a permit, most of them are draw system.

You can submit your online application for permit's lotteries each year.

Maine offers beneficial programs too.

One such Is Maine's Outdoor Partner's program, under which hunters get access to private lands, farms, and forests.

Even though the land is open for hunters, they still require permission (permit) from landowners for seasonal harvest.

There's another program named “Hunters for the Hungry”, where a hunter either part of it or the entire harvest donates to the family in need.

MASSACHUSETTS

A small state with a big hunt. Massachusetts has white-tailed deer, including bear, if you are eyeing for a hunt here, then you need to have a permit or tags, which both residents and non-residents can purchase online.

You can print your permit from home.

With historical landmark, Massachusetts provides a rather enjoyable hunting season.

MICHIGAN

Michigan offers various kinds of game, from Deer to Bear and Turkey to wolf. Along with elks.

Hunters have access to both private and public lands under programs like Hunters Helping Landowners Programs (HHLP) and Hunters Access Programs (HAP), where private land is easily turned into public land.

Moreover, the Department of Natural Resources provides a mapping tool for hunters called Mi HUNT, which helps to find public hunting areas statewide.

Licenses can be bought through Natural Website, or from an agent. Both residents and non-residents are qualified for it.

MINNESOTA

In Minnesota, you will have the opportunity to bag animals like Wolf, Deer, bobcat, and other various small game.

Due to the significant decline in moose's population for reasons unknown, the Department of Natural Resources has suspended the hunting season of Moose.

License rate changes with the animal, season, and special designation. Both residents and non-residents can buy licenses from the Department of Natural Resources office in St Paul (on the phone or online), or an agent of the same department.

MISSISSIPPI

With Mississippi, you would have the standard game like Deer and Turkey, and some not so standard game like Alligator, which can be found in southern states.

Mississippi has a handful of hunting regulations, like-

Baits and Decoys are not allowed to use to hunt any animals, except if it's a crow or some other annoying animals.

Dogs are allowed on hunts, except for Turkey, Deer (Archery), and muzzleloader seasons.

MISSOURI

Missouri is one of the most vibrant hunting destinations in the country, here the game ranges from Coyote to Pheasants and Whitetail to Dove. Thus, making it one of the exciting hunting destinations of America.

But unfortunately, Missouri is often overlooked as a hunting destination, the reason why it has such a low hunter density.

Deers here are the biggest in America, and the population of Whitetail is around 1.3 Million.

Missouri offers access to 2 Million acres of quality hunting land for hunters.

To make hunting hassle-free, the license can be purchased online.

MONTANA

Montana has a wide range of big games for enthusiast hunters, that includes Bison, Black Bear, Antelope, Elk, and Mountain lion.

From the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department website, both residents and non-residents can purchase license and permits.

They can also buy them from various businesses from across the state.

Non-residents have the opportunity to buy a combined license for Deer and Elk hunting.

In case of road kill (Moose, Elk, Deer, and Antelope) one can legally salvage the animal with the designated permit.

To persuade private Landowners and other land management firms to allow access to free hunters, Montana provides the Block Management Program.

An initiative crafted for this very purpose.

Under this program, almost 7.8 Million acres of Hunting land is accessible for hunters during Fall.

Excluding Turkey season and Spring bears.

NEBRASKA

Antelope, Bighorn Sheep, Elk, and Deer are the main game of Nebraska's hunting season.

NEVADA

Nevada is not just about the desert climate and Las Vegas, it also offers hunting opportunities like Deer, Elk Antelope, and Mountain Goats.

This silver state's beauty lies in its bounty.