Ohio’s 2025–26 Small Game and Furbearer Seasons Now Open

Ohio hunters and trappers have stepped into some of the energetic stretches of the 12 months, because the state’s 2025–26 small sport and furbearer seasons formally opened this month. The Ohio Division of Wildlife has launched the complete schedule, together with county-specific steerage, bag limits, and controlled-access alternatives for a number of species.

Small Sport Looking Alternatives By means of Winter

The center of small sport searching kicked off Nov. 7, opening seasons for ruffed grouse, cottontail rabbit, ring-necked pheasant, chukar, and bobwhite quail.

Key dates and limits embrace:

• Ruffed Grouse: Open in choose counties by Nov. 30; one chicken each day.

• Cottontail Rabbit: Runs by Feb. 28, 2026; restrict 4 per day.

• Ring-Necked Pheasant (Males Solely): Nov. 7–Jan. 11, 2026; restrict two.

• Chukar: Nov. 7–Jan. 11, 2026; restrict 4.

• Bobwhite Quail: Open solely in specified counties and wildlife areas Nov. 7–Nov. 30; restrict two.

Authorized searching hours range barely by species and kind of land. Quail searching, for instance, is proscribed to sunrise-to-sunset on non-public land in open counties, in addition to the Tri-Valley and Crown Metropolis wildlife areas (Crown Metropolis is managed entry solely). Pheasant and rabbit seasons additionally comply with daylight restrictions. Squirrel searching opens half-hour earlier than dawn till sundown.

Hunters who pursue stocked pheasants will see scheduled releases all through the autumn, together with youth weekends and a number of public launch dates. Areas equivalent to Caesar Creek, Fallsville, Funk Bottoms, Killdeer Plains, Nice Valley, and Salt Fork might require particular permits or controlled-access participation on choose days. The state notes these techniques assist stability entry strain with wholesome chicken administration.

(For more upland field coverage, explore OutdoorHub’s upland hunting news section.)

Trapping Seasons and Furbearer Laws

Trapping seasons for foxes, raccoons, skunks, opossums, and weasels started on November 10, 2025, and can run by January 31, 2026, with no bag limits. Mink and muskrat trapping additionally opened Nov. 10 and proceed by Feb. 28, with prolonged seasons in a number of Lake Erie counties by March 15. Beaver and river otter trapping opens later, from December 26 to February. 28.

A sound searching license and fur taker allow are required for many furbearers (besides coyotes). Trappers should:

• Test all traps each day.

• Use authorized lure sizes and configurations.

• Keep away from putting traps inside 150 ft of an occupied residence until the resident is notified.

• Receive particular permits for beaver or otter trapping on state-managed lands.

The Division of Wildlife can be asking hunters and trappers to voluntarily submit harvested or road-killed river otters and grey foxes to help ongoing analysis with The Ohio State College.

Custom, Entry, and Accountable Use

For a lot of, these seasons symbolize greater than harvest alternative—they mark a seasonal rhythm of canine within the grass, recent tracks after a frost, and early mornings checking line units. The state emphasizes the significance of realizing rules, respecting landowners, and planning forward, significantly for managed areas and acquiring particular permits.

Full particulars, together with maps of open quail counties, pheasant launch websites, and trapping allow data, can be found on the Ohio Division of Wildlife web site.

Featured picture credit score: Birds of Gilgit-Baltistan from Aliabad, Hunza, Pakistan, CC BY-SA 2.0, by way of Wikimedia Commons

Deanna

Deanna is a former Toyota mechanic, present EMT-I, and authorized Doctor Assistant with a lifelong ardour for journey and self-reliance. When she’s not training drugs or wrenching, you’ll discover her exploring the rugged deserts and mountain landscapes of the Southwest. She’s normally off wandering trails, chasing quiet sunsets, and unplugging from the noise of contemporary life.