Bird Hunting in Ohio: Season Dates, Regulations, and Licenses

Upland hen looking season dates, limits, and licensing necessities within the Buckeye State

Like a lot of the Nice Lakes area, Ohio is understood for giant whitetail bucks. Nevertheless, many different sport species name the state residence, together with quite a lot of upland birds and small sport. Ruffed grouse, American woodcock, bobwhite quail, pheasant, snipe, doves, and extra can all be discovered within the Buckeye state.

Resident Ohioans have ample alternatives to hunt upland birds. With a number of agricultural land, a close-by Nice Lake, and the Appalachian Mountains creeping in to the east, Ohio options a number of totally different habitat sorts. Nevertheless, land entry can differ. Whereas resident landowners and their households might hunt their very own property with no license, public land hunters might face restricted choices in some areas.

Whether or not you’re an Ohio resident or planning a visit there, this information covers all the pieces you want to learn about Ohio upland hen looking seasons, bag limits, and licensing necessities.

Ohio Upland Chicken And Small Recreation Season Dates And Limits

You may view Ohio’s 2024-2025 looking rules right here.

These dates had been final up to date on June 10, 2025 and should not mirror any adjustments since that date. For probably the most up-to-date info go to the Ohio DNR web site.

Pheasant Laws And Stocking Info

The Ohio Division of Pure Assets (ODNR) shares ring-necked pheasants all through the state. Be aware that solely roosters can legally be killed. Pheasants are launched throughout each youth small sport seasons, and in 2024, further releases occurred on November 1, 9, and 28. 

ODNR releases pheasants in Charlemont Metro Park, Appalachian Hills Wildlife Space, Berlin Wildlife Space, Caesar Creek Wildlife Space, Camp Belden Wildlife Space, Darke Wildlife Space, Delaware Wildlife Space, Fallsville Wildlife Space, Grand River Wildlife Space, Highlandtown Wildlife Space, Indian Creek Wildlife Space, Oxbow Lake Wildlife Space, Resthaven Wildlife Space, Rush Run Wildlife Space, Spencer Wildlife Space, Spring Valley Wildlife Space, Tiffin River Wildlife Space, Tri-Valley Wildlife Space, West Department Wildlife Space, Wyandot Wildlife Space, and Zepernick Wildlife Space. 

Whereas Ringneck Ridge Wildlife Space will get stocked, that space is accessible by allow solely. ODNR asks hunters to bear in mind that solely parts of Killdeer Plains, Nice Valley, and Salt Fork Wildlife Areas are accessible through allow.

Bobwhite Quail Personal Land And Wildlife Space Entry

If you happen to’re seeking to hunt bobwhite quail in Ohio, you’ll have to stay to the southern finish of the state. Solely a handful of counties in southern Ohio permit quail looking, and it could actually solely be executed on non-public land and two wildlife areas. 

Counties that permit quail looking on non-public land embrace: Preble, Butler, Montgomery, Warren, Clinton, Highland, Clermont, Brown, Adams, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Jackson, Vinton, Athens, and Meigs. Moreover, quail looking is allowed in Tri-Valley Wildlife Space and Crown Metropolis Wildlife Space. Nevertheless, Crown Metropolis is just open to regulate hunts. Quail looking is against the law on all different public lands.

Ohio Counties That Permit Ruffed Grouse Searching

Like bobwhite quail looking, ruffed grouse looking alternatives in Ohio are restricted. Ohio’s ruffed grouse inhabitants is shrinking resulting from lack of habitat and different elements. The next counties permit grouse hunters to take one hen a day: Adams, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Vinton, Jackson, Lawrence, Gallia, Meigs, Athens, Washington, Morgan, Noble, Monroe, Morgan, Belmont, Guernsey, and Muskingum. Grouse looking is allowed on public lands in these counties.

Searching Migratory Birds In Ohio: Doves, Woodcock, Snipe, And Rails

In terms of migratory birds, hunters can shoot two dove species, American woodcock, Wilson’s snipe, Virginia rail, sora, and gallinules. All migratory hen hunters should get hold of a Harvest Info Program (HIP) certification. You may get a HIP certification by calling 1-877-HIP-OHIO (1-877-447-6446) or on-line at wildohio.gov. The possession restrict for migratory birds is thrice the every day restrict. 

Dove hunters can discover mourning and Eurasian collared doves in Ohio. Doves could also be hunted from dawn to sundown, and lead shot is allowed. Moreover, there are some restrictions as to the place you possibly can legally dove hunt. Doves will be hunted in areas which were not too long ago mowed or bush-hogged in addition to “areas which were planted or harvested in a traditional agricultural method.” Nevertheless, doves (and waterfowl) can’t be hunted in a discipline the place grain or different feed has been not too long ago eliminated or saved. 

In terms of rail, sora, and snipe looking, hunters should use unhazardous shot. 

Squirrels And Rabbits

4 species of squirrel and cottontail rabbits could also be hunted in Ohio. The squirrel species providing looking alternatives are grey squirrels, pink squirrels, black squirrels, and fox squirrels. Squirrels could also be hunted from half-hour earlier than dawn to sundown. You may hunt rabbits from dawn to sundown.

Whereas there’s not a managed hunt for cottontails, there are managed hunts for squirrels. Hunters might apply for a managed squirrel hunt with ODNR.

Ohio Upland Chicken Licensing Charges

Whether or not you’re a resident or nonresident, you’ll want a sound Ohio looking license to pursue upland birds. Under are pricing particulars for the 2024–2025 season.

These charges had been final up to date on June 10, 2025 and should not mirror any adjustments since that date. For probably the most up-to-date info go to the Ohio DNR web site.

Ohio residents aged 66 or older are eligible for reduced-cost licenses and permits. Name 1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-945-3543) to study extra.

Does Ohio Require Blaze Orange for Upland Searching?

If you’re upland hen looking in Ohio, you might be required to put on blaze orange through the gun deer season. It’s not legally required to put on blaze orange on public or non-public land whereas looking outdoors of the gun deer season. Nevertheless, Mission Upland at all times encourages people to put on blaze orange whereas within the discipline. 

Searching Canine Coaching Necessities In Ohio

Ohio gives designated canine coaching areas on choose state wildlife areas. It’s unlawful to coach or train canine in state wildlife areas from Might 1 via August 31 every year, apart from inside designated coaching space boundaries. Nonresidents might solely practice canine in Ohio if Ohioans are allowed to do the identical within the nonresident’s state. Additionally, canine handlers might not carry a firearm through the closed furbearer season. 

The next state wildlife areas have canine coaching areas:

Appalachian Hills

Berlin

Caesar Creek

Delaware

Fallsville

Indian Creek

Killdeer Plains

Lake La Su An

Magee Marsh

Oxbow Lake

Resthaven

Rush Run

Salt Fork

Spencer

Tri-Valley

Small Recreation Hunters Primarily Hunt Personal Lands In Ohio

In accordance with Responsive Administration’s 2023 report titled “Participation Ranges in and Financial Contributions from Out of doors Recreation in Ohio,” 92 p.c of Ohioan hunters hunt non-public land. Solely eight p.c of Ohio hunters completely hunt public land.

In accordance with Mission Upland’s annual survey, 11 p.c of Ohioan hunters solely hunt in Ohio. Eight-three p.c hunt in different states along with Ohio. Multi-state hunters reported that they hunt in Ohio about 57 p.c of the time.

On condition that Ohio is about 95 p.c non-public land, public land will be difficult to come back by. That mentioned, non-public looking preserves, lodges, and golf equipment are ample and in style amongst upland hen hunters in Ohio. Whereas these locations require memberships to entry them, they provide alternatives to chase birds that the general public might not have entry to in any other case.

Managed Hunts

Hunters in Ohio might apply for managed hunts. ODNR decides who will get a managed hunt allow through a random lottery system. Choose areas, largely state wildlife areas, supply managed small sport hunts for pheasant, bobwhite quail, and squirrel. The managed small sport hunt software interval is from July 1 via July 30. For extra info on managed hunts, click on right here.

Assets For New Upland Chicken Hunters In Ohio

If you’re new to upland hen looking in Ohio, ODNR’s Introduction to Searching Upland Birds is a good useful resource. The slideshow explains fundamental upland hen looking terminology and strategies, guidelines and rules, and the way hen looking contributes to conservation efforts within the state. It additionally mentions how Ohio’s upland hen populations are in decline. Mission Upland encourages new upland hen hunters to familiarize themselves with their state’s looking legal guidelines in addition to the well being of the native hen populations they select to pursue.

Ohio Conservation Organizations

Pheasants Eternally & Quail Eternally Ohio

Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society

Delta Waterfowl

Ohio Geese Limitless 

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers – Ohio Chapter

Ohio Conservation Federation

The Nature Conservancy – Ohio

Ohio Land Belief Alliance

Learn Extra

What’s Limiting Japanese Ruffed Grouse Populations?

Midwestern Bobwhite Quail Conservation: The Time for Motion is Now

Understanding the Fall Woodcock Migration

Reintroducing Ruffed Grouse in Missouri