When does the deer season open? The North American Conservation Model implies that there may not be a simple and straightforward answer to this question. A state might have more than one kind of deer. Americans love to hunt with various weapons – not only shotguns and rifles, but archery, handguns and muzzleloaders. Special opportunities to enjoy the outdoors are provided to the young, the disabled and senior citizens.
In addition, many states think deer management on the level of individual populations. They decide whether a particular herd of deer needs thinning out, or, vice versa, needs a break to help restore its numbers, figure in the number of hunters, and allow for varying success rates with different weapons. As the result, seasons in neighboring wildlife management areas may be radically different from each other.
Here we give you the deer season dates for all 50 American states on one page, to help you plan your deer hunting trip. Unfortunately, it wasn’t easy to put the data for some states in one paragraph, and in some cases seasons may be shortened or lengthened, so if you have any doubt, consult your outfitter or the authorities of the relevant state.
Alabama
Archery: October 15
General: November 17
Archery season starts October 15 and runs to February 10. This season is either sex in most cases, with the exception of Zone B where only antlered deer are legal until October 25.
Gun season (stalk only) starts November 17 and closes February 10. On private and leased land it’s open for both antlered and antlerless, except Zone C which is antlered only from November 25 to December 22. On public land antlerless deer can be taken only between December 15, 2018 and January 1, 2019 (Zones A and B) or December 22, 2018 – January 1, 2019 (Zone C). Dogs are legal to hunt deer with only in a limited number of wildlife management areas, and for a limited time within the gun season – check the official regulations.There’s also a special all sex muzzleloader and air rifle season (stalking only, no dogs) that runs November 12-16.
Alaska
August 1
The season runs to November 30 in unit 1A, until December 31 elsewhere. Most areas are antlered only; antlerless deer may be taken only on a few limited areas from September 15 to December 31.
Arizona
Archery: August 24 (most areas)
General: October 26 (some areas)
Arizona hunting regulations are hunt-based, rather than area-based, and appear to be extremely complicated. This is due to the variety of the state’s climate and overlapping mule and whitetail deer populations. Please check with Arizona Game and Fish Department for details on the specific area you intend to hunt. There are special youth seasons held about a week before the opening of the general season in most areas. The gun seasons open October 26 or November 2 in most areas, and hunters have an opportunity to harvest a deer with a firearm until mid to late November, and in some areas until December. The late archery season lasts until January 31, 2019, for most of the state. The absolute majority of hunts, with the sole exception of youth season in area 12, are antlered only.
Arkansas
Archery: September 22
General: November 10
The archery season runs to February 28 statewide. Modern gun season runs to Dec. 2 and Dec. 26-28, 2018 in most areas, except Zones 5(Nov. 10-11, Nov. 17-18 and Dec. 26-28), 4, 4b, 5a and 5b (Nov. 10-18 and Dec. 26-28), 9, 12 and 13 (Nov. 10-Dec. 16 and Dec. 26-28), 4a, 14, 15 (Nov. 10-Dec. 9 and Dec. 26-28), 16, 16a, 17 ( Nov. 10-Dec. 28). There’s also a Private Land Antlerless Only Modern Gun Deer Hunt (Oct. 13-17, 2018) and Special Youth Modern Gun Deer Hunt (Nov. 3-4, 2018 and Jan. 5-6, 2019). Muzzleloader season: Oct. 20-28 and Dec. 8-10, 2018, except for Zones 4a, 5a,14, 15 (Oct. 20-28 and Dec. 15-17), 9, 12, 13, 16, 16a, 17, (Oct. 20-28 and Dec. 29-31), and Zones 4, 4b, 5 and 5b where it is closed.
California
Archery: August 18 (most areas)
General: September 15 (some areas)
Deer seasons in California vary greatly from one part of the state to another. The archery season opens as early as July 14 in zone A or as late as October 16 in zone D12. However, 2/3 of the state opens the archery season August 18 and closes September 9; for half of the remaining areas the season runs September 1 – September 23. Other areas open the season on various dates, check local regulations. The general season is equally varying, but two thirds of the areas open deer hunting on September 15 or October 6. The next most popular opening day is September 22. There’s even less regularity with season closing dates. Most areas close the season on October 21 or 28. Verify the regulation for the particular area you intend to hunt.
Colorado
Archery: August 25
General: October 20
In most cases, Colorado deer season coincides with the elk season, except a part of the muzzleloader season in parts of the state (October 13 – October 21). The archery season goes on until September 23, and there are two rifle seasons, one going on from October 20 to October 28, and the other November 3 to November 11. Some areas are also open for deer hunting in November 14-18. The muzzleloader season starts September 8 and closes September 16.
Connecticut
Archery: September 15
General: November 14
The archery season opens on September 15 and closes December 31, except zones 11 and 12, where it lasts (on private land only) until January 31, 2019. On state lands the archery season takes a break between November 14 and December 18. This is obviously to make way for the firearms seasons. There are two shotgun and one muzzleloader season in Connecticut: “A” (November 14 – November 23), and “B” (November 24 – December 4); both can be lottery or no lottery. Landowners can hunt deer with shotgun/rifle on private land from November 1 to December 31. The muzzleloader season is from December 5 to December 18 on state land, and up to December 31 on private land.
Delaware
Archery: September 1
General: November 9
The archery season lasts to January 31, and hunters can choose to use bow or crossbow during the firearms season. Muzzleloader seasons are from October 5 to October 13, and from January 28 to February 2, 2019. The deer shotgun season opens in November 9, closes November 18, re-opens January 19 and lasts till January 26, 2019. In addition, there’s a handgun season (January 5 to January 12, 2019). Only one day (November 3) is dedicated to youth and non-ambulatory disabled hunt. Antlerless deer may be taken during the special antlerless season (October 15, 19, 20, 22, 26, 27, 29 and December 8 – December 15)
Florida
Archery: July 28 (some areas)
General: September 15 (some areas)
Most of huntable land in Florida are divided into Wildlife Management Areas (WMA’s). Each of those – and there are about 150 of them – has its own set of hunting seasons. Outside WMAs the dates of open season also vary greatly. For antlered deer the archery season runs July 28 – August 26 for Zone A, October 13 – November 11 for Zone B, September 15 to October 19 for Zone C, and October 10 – November 21 for Zone D. Crossbow season begins on the same dates but lasts 5 days longer (to August 31, November 16, October 19 respectively, except in Zone D where it goes from October 10 to November 21 and November 26 to November 30. The muzzleloader season starts the next day after the end of the crossbow season and lasts for two weeks. The next day after the close of the muzzleloading season is the opening day of the general gun season, which runs from September 15 to October 14 and from November 17 to January 6 in Zone A, December 1 to February 17 in Zone B, November 3 to January 20 in Zone C, and November 22 to November 25 and December 8 to February 17 in Zone D. Antlerless seasons typically start on the same date as antlered seasons, but close sooner, often in a week or less.
Georgia
Archery: September 8
General: October 20
The muzzleloader season opens on October 13. All seasons close on January 13, 2019 (except a few archery-only zones where hunting goes on until January 31). Various areas of the state have various dates within the season when only antlered bucks are legal, and when a hunter can take either sex; check the regulations applicable to your particular area. Special regulations exist for Chattahoochee National Forest.
Hawaii
No deer hunting (except introduced deer on game ranches, see here)
Idaho
Archery: August 30
General: October 10
The archery season opens on August 30 and closes on September 30 in most units, except units 28 (December 1 – December 31), 39 (November 10 – November 30) and 55 (November 16 – December 10). Some areas have additional late seasons open in November and December as well. General any weapons season is opened October 10 statewide, and may close on October 24, October 31, November 3, November 9, November 18 or December 1, depending on the unit. Muzzleloader and short range weapon seasons are open only in a limited number of units. Check the state regulations for what deer (mule, whitetail, or both), and what kind of deer (antlered or antlerless) are legal for the unit you intend to hunt.
Illinois
Archery: October 1
General: November 16
Archery season continues to January 15, with breaks for the firearms season. The first firearms season is from November 16 to November 18, the second season is November 30 – December 1. The muzzleloader season opens on December 7 and closes on December 10.
Indiana
Archery: October 1
General: November 17
There’s an option to open up on deer September 15, if you get to hunt one of the Deer reduction zones. The archery season for 2018 is October 1 to January 7, and the firearms season is from November 17 to December 2. The muzzleloader season starts December 8 and closes December 23; there’s also a special youth season that is September 29 to September 30.
Iowa
Archery: October 1
General: December 1
The first hunters to open up in Iowa, however, are the young and the disabled, the special seasons for them run from September 15 to September 30. The archery season is broken into two splits, one running from October 1 to November 30, the other from December 17 to January 10, 2019. The early muzzleloader season goes from October 13 to October 21, and the late muzzleloader season coincides with the late archery season. The first general (shotgun only) deer hunting season in Iowa opens on December 1 and continues to December 5. The second shotgun season is from December 8 to December 16. There’s also a special nonresident holiday season from December 24 to January 2, 2019, and a January antlerless season (January 11-27, 2019).
Kansas
Archery: September 17
General: November 18
The archery season opens on September 17 and closes on December 31 statewide. The muzzleloader season opens on the same date but closes on September 10. These seasons are preceded by the special youth and disability season (September 8 to September 16). The regular firearm season runs from November 18 to December 9 across the state. There are a few extended whitetail antlerless seasons: the pre-rut, that goes from October 6 to October 8, and special extended firearms antlerless seasons are open in early January 2019 in some areas as well. Note that Smokey Hill, Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth areas have their own set of hunting seasons that doesn’t always coincide with the general state regulations.
Kentucky
Archery: September 1
General: November 10
The 2018 archery season runs from September 1 to January 21, 2019. Crossbow hunting is open October 1-21, and November 10 – December 31. Modern gun season is November 10-25. It’s antlered only in zone 4, either sex elsewhere. Muzzleloader season is October 20-21 statewide, and then December 8-16 elsewhere. Youth only season is October 13-14.
Louisiana
Archery: September 15 (some areas)
General: October 20 (some areas)
Deer hunting opening days in Louisiana vary greatly from area to area. Areas 3, 7, 8 and 10 open the archery season on September 15 and close on January 15, 2019; the rest open on October 1, and close on January 31 (areas 1, 2, 4) or February 15 (areas 5, 6, 9). Primitive weapons seasons are open from mid-October to late November, according to area; some areas have an additional late muzzleloader season that may last until January 31 (areas 4-6, 9). The firearms season opens on October 20 (areas 3, 7-8, 10), November 17 (1, 4-6, 9), and October 27 in area 2, and. The first part of the season is still-hunt only. In December (various dates in various areas) to early January all hunts, with or without dogs, are legal. The regular firearms season closes on December 30 (area 7), January 6 (areas 3, 4, 8, 10), January 13 (area 2), and January 20 (areas 1, 5, 6, 9). Note that some areas have varying seasons for either-sex and bucks only hunts.
Maine
Archery: September 29
General: October 27 (residents only)
The first opportunity to hunt a deer in Maine comes September 8 with special extended archery season that lasts till December 8 in limited designated areas only. The archery season statewide runs from September 29 to October 26. The regular firearms deer hunting season in Maine opens on October 29 and closes on November 2, but Maine residents have their own designated opening day on October 27. There’s also a youth deer day on October 2. Muzzleloader season is from November 26 to December 1, and in areas 12, 13, 15-18, 20-26, 29 there’s an additional muzzleloader season from December 3 to December 8.
Maryland
Archery: September 7
General: November 24
The archery whitetail deer hunting season in Maryland is open from September 7 to October 17, October 21 to November 23, December 10 to 14, December 30 to January 3, and January 7 to 31. The muzzleloader season is October 18 – 20, and December 15 – 29. The antlered firearms season opens November 24 and closes December 8; in Region B there’s an additional season on January 4 – 6. The youth season is November 10-11. Check the state regulation for dates when antlerless deer may be taken; mind also that Sunday hunting in Maryland is open in some counties but not others.
Massachusetts
Archery: October 1 (some zones)
General: November 26
The young hunters have the first chance to hunt deer in Massachusetts, with a special youth hunt on September 29. Archery season opens on October 1 in the Eastern part of the state (zones 10-14) and October 15 elsewhere. It closes November 24 statewide. The general (shotgun) season is from November 26 to December 8, and primitive firearms season is from December 10 to December 31. There is a season for disabled hunters November 1-3. Hunting on Sundays is forbidden in Massachusetts.
Michigan
Archery: October 1
General: November 15
The first opportunity to hunt a deer in Michigan is provided by the early antlerless firearm season, coinciding with the “Liberty” youth and disabled hunters hunt. Another special season for hunters with disabilities is October 18-21. The archery season opens October 1, runs until November 14, then opens again December 1 – January 1, 2019. The regular firearms season is November 15 – 30. The muzzleloading season is December 6 to December 16 (December 23 in Zone 3). There’s also a late antlerless season that runs from December 1 to January 1.
Minnesota
Archery: September 15
General: November 3 (some areas)
The archery deer hunting season in Minnesota in 2018 starts September 15 and continues to December 31. Special youth season is October 18-21. The firearm season is open November 3-18 in unit 100A, November 3-11 in units 200A and 300A, and November 17-25 in unit 300B. Muzzleloader season runs from November 24 to December 9 statewide
Mississippi
Archery: October 1 (most zones).
General: December 16 (without dogs)
The archery season starts October 1 in most zones except the Southeast, where it opens October 15, and runs to November 16 statewide. The regular gun season without dogs runs December 16 to December 23. You can also hunt deer with dogs from November 17 to December 1, and December 24 to January 16, 2019. The youth gun season runs November 3 to January 31 (February 15 in the Southeast). There’s a primitive antlerless season from November 5 – November 16 everywhere except the Southeast zone, where a primitive weapons season is from December 2 to December 15. There’s another archery/primitive season that opens January 17 and closes January 31 in most areas, and in February 15 in the Southeast. For most seasons, either sex deer is legal on private lands, and legal bucks only on public land, but be sure to check the regulations before your hunt for your particular area.
Missouri
Archery: September 15
General: November 10
The archery season runs from September 15 through November 9, and from November 21 to January 15, 2019. The firearms seasons start with youth portion on October 27-28. Another youth special hunt is November 23-25. The regular firearms deer season is from November 10 to November 20. There are also antlerless (November 10 – December 2) and “alternative methods” (December 22 to January 1, 2019) deer hunting seasons in Kentucky.
Montana
Archery September 1
General: October 20 (most areas)
Montana deer season coincides with the elk season, except for the youth hunt (October 18 – 19), which is deer only. The archery season opens on September 1 and closes October 14. The general season is from October 20 to November 25. The “backcountry” portion of the state has different seasons: archery ends earlier, on September 14, and the rifle season starts immediately after that, on September 15 and ends on November 25.
Nebraska
Archery: September 1
General: November 10
The archery season for deer hunting in Nebraska opens on September 1 and closes December 31. Muzzleloader season opens December 1 and closes also December 31. The regular gun season is November 10-18. There’s also an additional late firearm season for antlerless deer only that is open January 1 – 15.
Nevada
Archery: August 10 (most areas)
General: October 5 (most areas)
Nevada is another state where season opening dates are a highly complicated issue. Please verify any information with the state’s Department of Wildlife. Archery mule deer hunts begin August 10 and close September 9 in most areas, except 021 (December 1 – 10), and 081 (November 10 – 20). A small number of areas offer a late archery season in November and December. Muzzleloading season is from September 10 to October 4, except areas 021 (December 11 – December 20), 081 (November 21 – December 10), 114-115 and 181-184, (November 10 – November 30), 201, 202, 204-208 (December 1 – 15), 211-213 (September 10 – October 10). In most areas, the regular season opens October 5 and closes in early November: on the 2, 5 or 8 of the month depending on the area. The exceptions are units 192, 194, 196, 261-268, 271-272, 291 (November 5 – 30), 115 (December 1 – 15), 015, 081 (December 11 – January 1), and 021 (December 21 – January 1). For resident junior hunt seasons please see the Nevada Department of Wildlife website.
New Hampshire
Archery: September 15
General: November 14
The archery season runs from September 15 to December 15, except wildlife management unit A where it closes December 8. The muzzleloader season is November 3 – 13, and the youth weekend is October 27-28. The regular firearms season in New Hampshire opens November 14 and closes December 9 (except WMU A which closes on December 2). Check the New Hampshire Fish and Game website for dates when any deer, or antlered deer only are legal in the locality you intend to hunt.
New Mexico
Archery: September 1
General: October 20 (some units)
Archery season is September 1-24, with an additional late season that runs January 1-15, 2019, in most areas. Some areas, however, may offer only the early, or only the late season. Muzzleloader season in most units falls either on September 27 – October 3, or on October 27-31. There are numerous exceptions, however. The regular firearms season open dates varies greatly from unit to unit. To sum it up briefly, the seasons are: – October 20-24 (units 2b, 4, 10, 14, 41, 42, 47-51, 56-59); October 27-31 (units 2a, 2b, 4, 10, 12, 29, 30, 32, 34, 41-45, 47-53, 56-59; November 3-7 (units 2b, 5b, 6a, 6c, 7, 10, 13, 16-18, 20-27, 31, 33, 36-40, 45, 52, 53); November 6-12 (unit 5a), November 10-14 (units 2c, 9, 13, 16-18, 20-27, 29, 30, 32, 34, 36); November 17-18 (unit 28), November 17-21 (units 23, 24, 27, 31, 33, 37-40); November 21-25 (unit 42); December 1-9 (units 23, 24, 27), December 8-12 (units 41, 58, 59). For youth and disabled special seasons consult New Mexico Game & Fish.
New York
Archery: September 27 (some areas)
General: October 20 (some areas)
New York State is broken into four zones. In the Northern Zone the archery season is September 27 to October 19 (with an additional late season in December 3-9 in some units), the crossbow season is October 10-19, and the regular season opens on October 20 and closes on December 2. There’s also a muzzleloading season from October 13 to October 19, and December 3-9 (in some units only). In the Southern Zone the archery season is October 10 to November 16, and also on December 18. Crossbow hunting is legal (not in all areas) between November 3 and 16, and hunting with muzzleloaders (also not in every area) on December 10-18. The regular season is November 17 to December 9. The Westchester County is bowhunting only, and the season is open October 1 – December 31. Suffolk County is also mostly bowhunting (the season is October 1 – January 31, 2019), but also has a special permit firearms season January 6-31, 2019.
North Carolina
Archery: September 8
General: October 13 (some areas)
The first opportunity to hunt deer in North Carolina in 2018 is the youth day – September 22. The archery season opens September 8 statewide, and closes September 28 in northeastern and southeastern parts, October 26 in the central part, and November 2 in northwestern areas. In the west of the state the archery season runs September 8- 30, then October 14 – November 18, and also December 9 – January 1, 2019 (antlered deer only). Blackpowder season is September 29 – October 12 in north- and southeastern, October 27 – November 9 in the central, November 3-16 in northwestern, and October 1-13 in the western areas. The opening day of the general deer season in North Carolina also depends on the part of the state: it’s October 13 for north- and southeastern NC, November 10 for central, November 17 for northwest and November 19 for western. The season closes January 1, 2019 statewide, except the western NC where it’s over December 8.
North Dakota
Archery: August 31
General: November 9
The archery season is August 31 to January 6, 2019. The youth season dates are September 14-23; check with North Dakota Game and Fish for what hunters age and what kind of deer are legal. The general gun season opens November 9 and closes November 25. The muzzleloader season is November 30 to December 16.
Ohio
Archery: September 29
General: February 3
The archery season in Ohio is September 29 – February 3, 2019. The youth deer gun season is November 17-18. The regular gun season is open November 26 and closes on December 2; there’s an additional small season December 15-16. The muzzleloader season is January 5-8, 2019.
Oklahoma
Archery: October 1
General: November 17
The Oklahoma archery season for 2018 runs from October 1 to January 15, 2019. The youth special gun season is October 19-21. The muzzleloading season is October 27 to November 4. The general gun season is November 17 to December 2. There’s an additional holiday antlerless season running December 21 to December 30 for those who want fresh venison on their Christmas or New Year table.
Oregon
Archery: August 25
General: September 29 (most areas)
The archery season for antlered deer in Oregon runs August 25 to September 23 in most areas. A limited number of areas in Western Oregon also offer an additional season November 10 – December 2. As for the general season, things get complicated. In Western Oregon the season runs from September 29 to November 2 (it’s closed October 13-19 in Cascade buck area). In most areas of Eastern Oregon the controlled hunt season is September 29 to October 10. The exceptions are areas 123b (December 22-28), 141a (September 8-16), 152b (September 29 – October 3), 142b, 154c (November 10-21), 157a (November 12-21). Please refer to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife for details on muzzleloading, youth and antlerless seasons.
Pennsylvania
Archery: September 29
General: November 26
Statewide, archery deer hunting season in Pennsylvania is open September 29 – November 12, and December 26 – January 12, 2019. Within a few units, however, the season runs September 15 – November 24, and December 26 – January 26. The general firearms season opens November 26 and closes December 8 (various units have various rules for when to take antlered only, and when antlered and antlerless). There’s a muzzleloader season October 13-20, and an additional flintlock season that runs December 26 – January 12 (January 26 in some units). A special firearms antlerless season is open October 18-20, and some counties offer an extended firearms season for antlerless deer in December 26 – January 26.
Rhode Island
Archery September 15 (some areas)
General: December 1
Deer hunting season in Rhode Island in 2018 opens with archery youth hunts open at various dates in various zones. Archery season is open September 15 – January 31 (zone 1), October 1 – January 31 (zone 2), November 1 – January 31 (zone 3, Patience and Prudence Islands). Hunting with a muzzleloader is open November 3-15 in zones 1 and 2. The regular (shotgun) season opens on December 1 and ends on December 9 (zone 2) or December 16 (zone 1). Antlerless hunts on private lands in zones 1 and 2 are also possible December 26 – January 2, 2019. On zone 4 (Block Island) the archery season is open October 9-12, 15-19, 22-26, 29-31, archery and muzzleloader November 1, 2, 5, 7-9, 13-16, and archery, muzzleloader & shotgun November 19, 20, 26, 27, 29, 30, December 3-7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20, 21.
South Carolina
Archery: September 15 (some areas)
General: October 11 (most areas)
Different rules apply to private and public land in South Carolina. On public land the archery season is open from September 15, and closes September 29 (zone 2), September 30 (zone 3), or October 10 (zone 4). In zone 1 the archery season is October 17-30. Primitive season is October 1-10 (zones 1 and 2 only). The gun season is open October 11 in most zones, except zone 3 where it opens October 1. It lasts until January 1, except zone 1, where it closes on October 16 and then re-opens October 31 and closes January 1. The youth special day is January 5, 2019. On private land, in game zone 1 primitive weapons hunts are open October 1-10, and gun hunts October 11 – January 1. In game zone 2 archery only hunts are September 15-30, primitive October 1-10, and gun hunts October 11 – January 1. In game zone 3 archery and gun hunts are open August 15 – January 1. In game zone 4 archery only season is August 15-31, and gun hunts are September 1 – January 1.
South Dakota
Archery September 1
General: October 17 (some areas)
Archery season in North Dakota opens September 1 and closes January 1, 2019. Muzzleloader season starts on December 1 and ends January 1, 2019. With the gun season, it’s more complicated. Within the national refuge system it may open as early as October 17 and last to January 1, 2019. Different refuges may have different open season dates. So are the huntable areas for Custer State Park, where the season may be open November 1 – December 15. The season in the Black Hills area is November 1-30, West River – November 10-25, East River November 17 – December 2, Gregory Country December 8 – 16. The East and West River antlerless special season is open December 8 – 16.
Tennessee
Archery: September 22
General: November 17
The earliest open season in Tennessee is a special archery season on private lands only that runs August 24-26. General archery season (crossbows are legal) runs September 22 – October 26, and October 29 to November 2. Muzzleloader and archery season is November 3-16, and the gun, muzzleloader and archery season is November 17 – January 6, 2019. The special young sportsman dates (all weapons) are October 27-28 and January 12-13, 2019.
Texas
Archery: September 29 (whitetail)
General: November 3 (whitetail)
Hunting seasons for whitetail and mule deer in Texas differ. The archery season for both species is September 29 – November 2. The general whitetail season opens November 3, and closes either January 6, 2019 (in the north zone) or January 20, 2019 (in the south zone). There’s also a special late season that runs January 7 – 20 in the north zone and January 21 – February 3, 2019 in the south zone. Muzzleloader-only whitetail season is January 7 – 20, 2019. Youth only-seasons for whitetail deer are October 27-28, and January 7-20, 2019. The Texas mule deer archery season is open The mule deer gun season runs November 17 – December 2 in Panhandle, November 17 – November 25 in SW Panhandle, and November 23 – December 9 in Trans-Pecos.
Utah
Archery: August 18
General: October 10
The archery season in Utah runs August 18 to September 14. Muzzleloader season is September 26 – October 4. The early general deer season opens on October 10 and closes October 14. The second general season is from October 20 to October 28. Utah landowner may obtain depredation hunt permits, and Utah residents have the option to get a special Sportsman and statewide conservation permits that offer more liberal seasons: August 18 -31 for archery, and September 1 – January 15, 2019 for any legal weapon.
Vermont
Archery: October 6
General: November 10
The archery deer hunting season in Vermont opens October 6 and runs to November 2, then from December 1 to December 9. November 3-4 is the youth deer hunting weekend. The general rifle season is November 10-25, and the muzzleloader season is December 1 – 9.
Virginia
Archery: October 6
General: November 17
The early archery season in Virginia is October 6 to November 16. Then, starting in various dates in December in different counties, there’s a late archery season that closes January 5, 2019. A special late antlerless archery season is open in a few counties in April 1 to April 28, 2019. Youth weekend is September 29-30. The general deer hunting season opens November 17, and closes on different dates in different areas of the state (November 30, December 1, December 15 or January 5, 2019). A special feature of Virginia are urban archery deer seasons, which allow to take deer with archery gear within limits of certain cities September 1 – October 5, and January 6 – March 31, 2019. The early muzzleloader season is November 3-16 (not in all areas). The late muzzleloader season is December 15 to January 5, 2019 (not in all areas).
Washington
Archery: September 1
General: October 13
Hunting seasons in Washington depend heavily on game management units, and not every species of deer is legal in every unit. The early archery seasons for all kinds of deer – white-tailed, mule and black-tailed – open September 1 and run until September 23 or 28, depending on species and unit. Late archery season opens November 20 or 21, and lasts to December 8, December 15 or December 31, depending on the same factors. The early muzzleloading season is September 29 – October 7, and the late muzzleloading season opens in late November (20, 21 or 25) and closes in November 30 or December (8 or 15), depending on species and unit. All general rifle seasons start October 13 and close October 23 (some whitetail units close on October 26). There’s also a late season for whitetail (November 10-19) and black-tailed deer (November 15-18). Disabled and youth special seasons (whitetail) are October 13-14 and October 20-21. High bucks hunts are open in some areas September 15-25.
West Virginia
Archery: September 30
General: November 20
The archery and crossbow deer hunting season in West Virginia opens September 30 and runs to December 31. Muzzleloader season is December 4 – December 9. The general buck firearms season is November 20 – December 2. The youth hunts are October 21 and December 26-27. There’s also an antlerless split season that runs October 26-28, November 20 – December 2, December 14-16, and December 28-31 in certain counties.
Wisconsin
Archery: September 15
General: November 17
The deer hunting season in Wisconsin begins with archery hunts; the season runs September 15 to January 6, 2019 (to January 31, 2019 for some sub-units). The youth deer hunt is October 6-7. The gun season is November 17-25. The muzzleloader season is November 26 – December 5. There’s also a special December antlerless hunt (6-9), and on valid farmland units there’s an antlerless only holiday hunt December 24 – January 1, 2019.
Wyoming
Archery: September 1
General: October 1 (some areas)
The deer hunting open season dates in Wyoming differ greatly from hunt area to hunt area. Special archery deer season runs September 1-30 in most areas, with the exception of areas 138-140, 142-146, 148-156, where it ends September 14, and area 115 where it ends September 9. The general deer hunting season opens October 1 or October 15 in most areas, but can open as late as November 1 or November 6 in others. Most common general season closing dates are November 15, November 30 and December 31. However, in many areas the season opens and closes on different dates, please verify with Wyoming Game & Fish.
Do you think we missed something important or made a mistake anywhere? Be sure to tell us in the comments. And with the season so near or already running in some state, don’t waste any time to book your whitetail, mule or black-tailed deer hunt from one of our trusted outfitters with best price guarantee!
