Ohio hunters and trappers have stepped into one of the most active stretches of the year, as the state’s 2025–26 small game and furbearer seasons officially opened this month. The Ohio Division of Wildlife has released the full schedule, along with county-specific guidance, bag limits, and controlled-access opportunities for several species.
Small Game Hunting Opportunities Through Winter
The heart of small game hunting kicked off Nov. 7, opening seasons for ruffed grouse, cottontail rabbit, ring-necked pheasant, chukar, and bobwhite quail.
Key dates and limits include:
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Ruffed Grouse: Open in select counties through Nov. 30; one bird daily.
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Cottontail Rabbit: Runs through Feb. 28, 2026; limit four per day.
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Ring-Necked Pheasant (Males Only): Nov. 7–Jan. 11, 2026; limit two.
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Chukar: Nov. 7–Jan. 11, 2026; limit four.
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Bobwhite Quail: Open only in specified counties and wildlife areas Nov. 7–Nov. 30; limit two.
Legal hunting hours vary slightly by species and type of land. Quail hunting, for example, is limited to sunrise-to-sunset on private land in open counties, as well as the Tri-Valley and Crown City wildlife areas (Crown City is controlled access only). Pheasant and rabbit seasons also follow daylight restrictions. Squirrel hunting opens 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset.
Hunters who pursue stocked pheasants will see scheduled releases throughout the fall, including youth weekends and multiple public release dates. Areas such as Caesar Creek, Fallsville, Funk Bottoms, Killdeer Plains, Pleasant Valley, and Salt Fork may require special permits or controlled-access participation on select days. The state notes these systems help balance access pressure with healthy bird management.
(For more upland field coverage, explore OutdoorHub’s upland hunting news section.)
Trapping Seasons and Furbearer Regulations
Trapping seasons for foxes, raccoons, skunks, opossums, and weasels began on November 10, 2025, and will run through January 31, 2026, with no bag limits. Mink and muskrat trapping also opened Nov. 10 and continue through Feb. 28, with extended seasons in several Lake Erie counties through March 15. Beaver and river otter trapping opens later, from December 26 to February. 28.
A valid hunting license and fur taker permit are required for most furbearers (except coyotes). Trappers must:
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Check all traps daily.
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Use legal trap sizes and configurations.
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Avoid placing traps within 150 feet of an occupied residence unless the resident is notified.
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Obtain special permits for beaver or otter trapping on state-managed lands.
The Division of Wildlife is also asking hunters and trappers to voluntarily submit harvested or road-killed river otters and gray foxes to support ongoing research with The Ohio State University.
Tradition, Access, and Responsible Use
For many, these seasons represent more than harvest opportunity—they mark a seasonal rhythm of dogs in the grass, fresh tracks after a frost, and early mornings checking line sets. The state emphasizes the importance of knowing regulations, respecting landowners, and planning ahead, particularly for controlled areas and obtaining special permits.
Full details, including maps of open quail counties, pheasant release sites, and trapping permit information, are available on the Ohio Division of Wildlife website.
Featured image credit: Birds of Gilgit-Baltistan from Aliabad, Hunza, Pakistan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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