When is bow hunting season

Hunting season dates that are shown on this page are either upcoming or currently open. Seasons that have ended for the year will not be shown. Hunting What To Hunt. Where To Hunt. Hunting Outdoor Oklahoma Adventures. Learn more Deer Species Page. Deer Archery:. October 1, to January 15, Deer Gun:. November 20, to December 5, Holiday Antlerless:.

December 18, to December 31, Elk Species Page. Elk Archery:. Elk Gun:. Elk Holiday Antlerless:. December 4, to December 8, December 9, to December 12, January 1, to January 31, Bow hunting is like no other sport out there. And while many of our ancestors could and had to go bow hunting at any time of year, modern humans have to wait until the start of bow season.

Bow hunters have an advantage: in many states, bow hunting seasons are much longer than rifle hunting seasons. However, every US state has its own laws on when bow hunting season starts. So, when does bow season start in your state? Certain regions may have longer or shorter seasons depending on local conservation practices. Types of Bow: Some states restrict the type of bow used for bow hunting during certain parts of bow season.

Crossbows are among the most commonly restricted bow types, and some states restrict the draw weight of bows used to hunt certain game. Game: Many states regulate the kind of game that can be taken via bow hunting. Sex of Deer: Some states allow only bucks to be taken during certain periods. Lottery Hunts: In some states, hunters must enter a state hunting lottery to get a permit for certain season dates and WMUs. Alaska is substantially different from most other states when it comes to hunting.

The state is divided into 26 different hunting zones, each of which has its own highly specific hunting regulations. In some zones, big game hunters cannot use bows and arrows. Arizona Bow Hunting Season Seasons vary by zone , and most seasons are connected to individual zone hunts which are assigned through a lottery system. This restriction applies to the archery, regular and muzzleloading seasons.

Hunters aged years are exempt from this restriction. For more information see Antler Restrictions in New York. Early Season bear hunters may use a bow with appropriate bowhunting eligibility , crossbow, muzzleloader, handgun, shotgun, or rifle where allowed. Furthermore, before you can take a third antlered deer in that county your third buck , you must have taken at least three antlerless deer in that county. Example — Within a license year, before you can take a second antlered deer in Fairfax County your second buck , you must have taken at least two antlerless deer in Fairfax County.

Furthermore, before you can take a third antlered deer in Fairfax County your third buck , you must have taken at least three antlerless deer in Fairfax County.

Within a license year and within any city or town, before you can take a second antlered deer in that city or town your second buck , you must have taken at least one antlerless deer in that city or town. Furthermore, in those cities and towns east of the Blue Ridge Mountains where it is legal to harvest a third antlered deer, before you can take a third antlered deer in that city or town your third buck , you must have taken at least two antlerless deer in that city or town.

Example — Within a license year, before you can take a second antlered deer in the City of Lynchburg your second buck , you must have taken at least one antlerless deer in the City of Lynchburg. Furthermore, before you can take a third antlered deer in the City of Lynchburg your third buck , you must have taken at least two antlerless deer in the City of Lynchburg. Youth and Apprentice Deer Hunting Weekend questions and answers can be found at: www.

Resident or nonresident deer hunters 15 years of age and under and holders of a valid apprentice hunting license may take one antlerless deer per license year on days other than designated either-sex deer hunting days during the muzzleloading season s or the firearms season s in all counties. This regulation is in addition to either-sex deer hunting days.

For example, if a youth or apprentice deer hunter killed one or more antlerless deer on designated either-sex deer hunting days, he or she could still take one antlerless deer on a day not designated an either-sex deer hunting day.

Deer of either sex may be taken full season during the early and late archery deer seasons, including the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk east of the Dismal Swamp line , and Virginia Beach. Special restrictions may apply during this season.

Note: Deer hunters west of the Blue Ridge Mountains may take their season limit of two antlered deer during the early muzzleloading season.