2023 Hunting Season Opening Dates by State
As we enter the fall months, many hunters start looking forward to the big-game season openers.
Avid hunters have most of the season dates memorized but checking your local DNR website for updates is always recommended. Youth hunts, state regulations, and bag limits may change each year, and staying familiar with the state and county outlines for the current year can save a lot of headaches.
We’ve gathered a list for the featured five states – Texas, Montana, Wisconsin, South Dakota, and Colorado.
TEXAS HUNTING SEASON DATES 2023-24
New this year are the following regulations:
New CWD zones established in Bexar, Frio, Gonzales, Hamilton, Sutton, Washington, and Zavala counties
CWD zones in Duval, Gillespie, Limestone, and Uvalde have been reduced in size.
- Mandatory harvest reporting for buck and antlerless deer remains in effect in Collin, Dallas, Grayson, and Rockwall counties, and for antlerless deer in 21 counties in south central Texas
- Mandatory harvest reporting for buck and antlerless deer remains in effect in Collin, Dallas, Grayson, and Rockwall counties, and for antlerless deer in 21 counties in south central Texas
White-tailed Deer
Archery Only
- All counties with an open season
- Sept. 30 – Nov. 3, 2023
General Season
- North Zone
- Nov. 4, 2023 – Jan. 7, 2024
- South Zone
- Nov. 4, 2023 – Jan. 21, 2024
Youth-Only
- North Zone
- Oct. 28 – 29, 2023 Jan. 8 – 21, 2024
- South Zone
- Oct. 28 – 29, 2023 Jan. 8 – 21, 2024
Muzzleloader
- Jan. 8 – 21, 2024
Special Late
- North Zone
- Jan. 8 – 21, 2024
- South Zone
- Jan. 22 – Feb. 4, 2024
Javelina
Regular Season
- Northern
- Oct. 1, 2023 – Feb. 25, 2024
- Southern
- Sept. 1, 2023 – Aug. 31, 2024
Mule Deer
Archery Only
- All counties with a general season
- Sept. 30 – Nov. 3, 2023
- Brewster, Pecos, Terrell Counties
- Sept. 30 – Nov. 3, 2023
General Season
- Panhandle
- Nov. 18 – Dec. 3, 2023
- Trans-Pecos
- Nov. 24 – Dec. 10, 2023
- Brewster, Pecos, Terrell Counties
- Nov. 24 – Dec. 10, 2023
Pronghorn
Regular Season
- Sept. 30 – Oct. 15, 2023
MONTANA HUNTING SEASON DATES 2023-24
New this year are the following regulations:
48 hour reporting requirement for all black bear harvests
black bear season in Region 6
Antelope
900 series ………………….Aug. 15–Nov. 12
archery ……………………….Sep. 2–Oct. 6
general ……………………….Oct. 7–Nov. 12
Bighorn Sheep
archery ……………………….Sep. 2–Sep. 14
general ……………………….Sep. 15–Nov. 26
Bison ………………………….Nov. 15–Feb. 15, 2024
Black Bear
spring …………………………Apr. 15– End dates vary
archery ……………………….Sep. 2–Sep. 14
fall ………………………….Sep. 15–Nov. 26
Deer & Elk
archery ……………………….Sep. 2–Oct. 15
youth, deer only ……….Oct. 19–Oct. 20
general ……………………….Oct. 21 –Nov. 26
backcountry – HDs 150, 280, 316*
archery ……………………Sep. 2–Sep. 14
general …………………….Sep. 15–Nov. 26
*HD 316 does not have an archery only season
Moose ………………………….Sep. 15–Nov. 26
Mountain Goat ……………..Sep. 15–Nov. 26
Mountain Lion
archery ……………………….Sep. 2–Oct. 15
fall ………………………….Oct. 21–Nov. 26
winter …………………………Dec. 1–Apr. 14, 2024
Spring Light Goose Conservation Order Season ……………………………….Mar. 1 – May 15
Wolf
archery ……………………..Sep. 2–Sep. 14
general ……………………..Sep. 15–Mar. 15, 2024
trapping……………………. See regulations book
WISCONSIN HUNTING SEASON DATES 2023-24
DEER
Archery and Crossbow* *No bucks may be harvested during the antlerless-only hunts identified below. | Sept 16 – Jan 7, 2024 |
Archery and Crossbow *Metro Sub-units and counties with extended archery seasons* | Sept 16 – Jan 31, 2024 |
| Gun hunt for hunters with disabilities: This is not a statewide season. | Oct. 7 – 15, 2023 |
| Youth deer hunt | Oct 7 – 8, 2023 |
| Gun | Nov 18 – 26, 2023 |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 27 – Dec 6, 2023 |
| December 4-Day Antlerless-Only Hunt | Dec 7 – 10, 2023 |
| Antlerless-Only Holiday Hunt *Open only in select Farmland (Zone 2) counties. Please see page 12 of combined hunting regulations for valid counties. | Dec 24, 2023 – Jan 1, 2024* |
BEAR
| Zones A, B, D: where dogs are permitted | |
| Oct 4 – 10 |
|
| Sept 13 – Oct 3 |
|
| Sept 6 –12 |
|
| Zones C, E, F: where dogs are not permitted | |
| Sept 6 – Oct 10 |
|
MIGRATORY BIRDS
| Early Teal | Sept 1 – 9 |
| Early Goose | Sept 1 – 15 |
| Rail (Virginia, Sora) | Sept 1 – Nov 9 |
| Snipe | Sept 1 – Nov 9 |
| Common Gallinule | Sept 1 – Nov 9 |
| Mourning Dove | Sept 1 – Nov 29 |
| Youth Waterfowl | Sept 16 – 17 |
| Woodcock | Sept 23 – Nov 6 |
| Northern Duck Zone | Sept 23 – Nov 21 |
| Southern Duck Zone | Sept 30 – Oct 8, Oct. 14 – Dec 3 |
| Open Water Duck Zone | Oct 14 – Dec 12 |
| Coot | *Same as duck season for each zone |
| Northern Goose Zone | Sept 16 – Dec 16 |
| Southern Goose Zone | Sept 16 – Oct 8, Oct. 14 – Dec 3, Dec 16 – Jan 2, 2024 |
| Mississippi River Goose Zone | Sept 16 – Oct 8, Oct. 14 – Dec 3, Dec 16 – Jan 2, 2024 |
WILD TURKEY
| 2024 Spring Turkey Youth Hunt | April 13 – 14 | |
| Spring 2024 | ||
| Period A | April 17 – 23 | |
| Period B | April 24 – 30 | |
| Period C | May 1 – 7 | |
| Period D | May 8–14 | |
| Period E | May 15– 21 | |
| Period F | May 22 – 28 | |
| Fall 2023 | ||
| Zones 1 – 5 | Sept 16 – Jan 7, 2024 | |
| Sept 16 – Nov 17 | ||
SOUTH DAKOTA HUNTING SEASON DATES 2023-24
| Antelope Season – Resident Archery (Season closed during firearms season) | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Aug 19, 2023 End: Oct 31, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Jun 1, 2023 End: Oct 31, 2023 |
| Bobcat Season – West River | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Dec 26, 2022 End: Feb 15, 2023 | |
| Bobcat Season – East River | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Dec 26, 2022 End: Feb 15, 2023 | |
| Bobcat Season – Nonresidents | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Jan 14, 2023 End: Feb 15, 2023 | |
| Paddlefish – Lake Francis Case | 2023 | Season Dates Start: May 1, 2023 End: May 31, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Jan 19, 2023 End: Feb 9, 2023 |
| Paddlefish – Gavins Point Dam Archery | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Jun 1, 2023 End: Jun 30, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Mar 15, 2023 End: Apr 10, 2023 |
| Paddlefish – Gavins Point Dam Snagging | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Oct 1, 2023 End: Oct 31, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Apr 26, 2023 End: May 18, 2023 |
| Deer Season – West River Special Buck | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Nov 11, 2023 End: Nov 26, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Mar 21, 2023 End: Apr 14, 2023 |
| Deer Season – East River Special Buck | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Nov 18, 2023 End: Dec 3, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Mar 21, 2023 End: Apr 14, 2023 |
| Light Goose Conservation Order | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Feb 13, 2023 End: May 15, 2023 | |
| August Management Take | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Aug 19, 2023 End: Aug 31, 2023 | |
| Youth Waterfowl – Nonresident | See respective unit and species for specific dates. Start: End: | Online Application Dates Start: Jun 14, 2023 End: Jul 7, 2023 |
| Nonresident Waterfowl-Varies by unit and species | See respective unit and species for specific dates. Start: End: | Application Dates Start: Jun 14, 2023 End: Jul 7, 2023 |
| Deer Season – Resident Archery | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 1, 2023 End: Jan 1, 2024 | Online Application Dates Start: Jun 1, 2023 End: Jan 1, 2024 |
| Deer Season – Muzzleloader | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Dec 1, 2023 End: Jan 1, 2024 | Online Application Dates Start: May 30, 2023 End: Jun 14, 2023 |
| Deer Season – Apprentice and Mentored | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 9, 2023 End: Jan 1, 2024 | Online Application Dates Start: May 30, 2023 End: Jan 1, 2024 |
| Deer Season – Black Hills | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Nov 1, 2023 End: Nov 30, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: May 30, 2023 End: Jun 14, 2023 |
| Deer Season – West River | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Nov 11, 2023 End: Nov 26, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: May 30, 2023 End: Jun 14, 2023 |
| Deer Season – East River | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Nov 18, 2023 End: Dec 3, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: May 30, 2023 End: Jun 14, 2023 |
| Deer Season – East & West River Antlerless | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Dec 9, 2023 End: Dec 17, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: May 30, 2023 End: Jun 14, 2023 |
| Deer Season – West River Landowner | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Nov 11, 2023 End: Nov 26, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Sep 13, 2023 End: Nov 26, 2023 |
| Deer Season – East River Landowner | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Nov 18, 2023 End: Dec 3, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Sep 13, 2023 End: Dec 3, 2023 |
| Deer Season – Custer State Park | 2023 | See application for season dates specifics. Start: Nov 1, 2023 End: Nov 30, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: May 30, 2023 End: Jun 14, 2023 |
| Deer Season – Archery Antlerless Only Whitetail | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 1, 2023 End: Jan 1, 2024 | Online Application Dates Start: Jun 1, 2023 End: Jan 1, 2024 |
| Deer Season – Muzzleloader Antlerless Only Whitetail | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Dec 1, 2023 End: Jan 1, 2024 | |
| Deer Season – National Wildlife Refuge Deer | 2023 | See application for season dates. Start: End: | Online Application Dates Start: May 30, 2023 End: Jun 14, 2023 |
| Pheasant Season – Traditional | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Oct 21, 2023 End: Jan 31, 2024 | |
| Pheasant Season -Youth Only | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 30, 2023 End: Oct 8, 2023 | |
| Pheasant Season – Resident Only | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Oct 14, 2023 End: Oct 16, 2023 | |
| Antelope Season – Firearms | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 30, 2023 End: Oct 15, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Jul 17, 2023 End: Aug 14, 2023 |
| Antelope Season – Landowner | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 30, 2023 End: Oct 15, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Sep 20, 2023 End: Oct 15, 2023 |
| Antelope Season – Mentored Firearms | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 30, 2023 End: Oct 15, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Jul 18, 2023 End: Oct 31, 2023 |
| Elk Season – Black Hills Firearms | 2023 | See application for season dates. Start: Oct 1, 2023 End: Dec 31, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Apr 27, 2023 End: May 18, 2023 |
| Elk Season – Archery | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 1, 2023 End: Sep 30, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Apr 27, 2023 End: May 18, 2023 |
| Elk Season – Prairie | 2023 | See application for season dates. Start: End: | |
| Elk Season – Custer State Park Firearms | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Oct 1, 2023 End: Oct 31, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Apr 27, 2023 End: May 18, 2023 |
| Elk Season – Custer State Park Archery | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 1, 2023 End: Sep 30, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Apr 27, 2023 End: May 18, 2023 |
| Bighorn Sheep Season – Black Hills | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 1, 2023 End: Dec 31, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Apr 27, 2023 End: May 18, 2023 |
| Turkey Season – Spring Prairie | 2024 | Season Dates Start: Apr 13, 2024 End: May 31, 2024 | |
| Turkey Season – Spring Mentored Archery | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Apr 8, 2023 End: May 31, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Jan 31, 2023 End: May 31, 2023 |
| Turkey Season – Spring Mentored Firearms | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Apr 8, 2023 End: May 31, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Jan 31, 2023 End: May 31, 2023 |
| Turkey Season – Fall Mentored | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Nov 1, 2023 End: Jan 31, 2024 | Online Application Dates Start: Aug 22, 2023 End: |
| Turkey Season – Adams Nature Area and Good Earth State Park Access Archery Permit | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Apr 8, 2023 End: May 31, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Feb 1, 2023 End: Mar 1, 2023 |
| Turkey Season – Spring Custer State Park | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Apr 22, 2023 End: May 21, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Jan 31, 2022 End: Feb 15, 2022 |
| Turkey Season – Spring Archery | 2023 (Archery hunters cannot start hunting in the Black Hills unit until April 22) | Season Dates Start: Apr 8, 2023 End: May 31, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Jan 31, 2023 End: May 31, 2023 |
| Turkey Season – Spring Black Hills | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Apr 22, 2023 End: May 31, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Jan 31, 2023 End: May 31, 2023 |
| Mink and Weasel Season | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Nov 1, 2023 End: Jan 31, 2024 | |
| Mink and Weasel Season – Nonresident | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Dec 1, 2023 End: Jan 31, 2024 | |
| Canada Goose – Bennett County | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Oct 21, 2023 End: Dec 21, 2023 | |
| Canada Goose – Unit 1 | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 1, 2023 End: Dec 16, 2023 | |
| Canada Goose – Unit 2 | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Nov 6, 2023 End: Feb 18, 2024 | |
| Canada Goose – Unit 3 | 2024 | Season Dates Start: Jan 13, 2024 End: Jan 21, 2024 | |
| Light Goose Season | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 30, 2023 End: Jan 12, 2024 | |
| White-fronted Goose Season | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 30, 2023 End: Dec 12, 2023 | |
| Sandhill Crane Season | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 23, 2023 End: Nov 19, 2023 | |
| Tundra Swan Season | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 30, 2023 End: Jan 12, 2024 | |
| Turkey Season – Fall | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Nov 1, 2023 End: Jan 31, 2024 | Online Application Dates Start: Aug 17, 2023 End: Aug 31, 2023 |
| Mountain Lion Season – Black Hills | 2024 | Season Dates Start: Dec 26, 2023 End: Apr 30, 2024 | |
| Mountain Lion Season – Black Hills | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Dec 26, 2022 End: Apr 30, 2023 | Online Application Dates Start: Dec 15, 2022 End: Dec 25, 2023 |
| Quail Season | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Oct 21, 2023 End: Jan 7, 2024 | |
| Grouse Season | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 16, 2023 End: Jan 7, 2024 | |
| Partridge Season | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 16, 2023 End: Jan 7, 2024 | |
| Cottontail Rabbit Season | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 1, 2023 End: Feb 29, 2024 | |
| Tree Squirrel Season | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 1, 2023 End: Feb 29, 2024 | |
| Crow Season | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 1, 2023 End: Oct 31, 2023 | |
| Common Snipe Season | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 1, 2023 End: Oct 31, 2023 | |
| Mourning Dove Season | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 1, 2023 End: Nov 9, 2023 | |
| Duck Season – Youth Only | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 9, 2023 End: Sep 10, 2023 | |
| Duck Season – Low Plains North | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 23, 2023 End: Dec 5, 2023 | |
| Duck Season – Low Plains Middle | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 23, 2023 End: Dec 5, 2023 | |
| Duck Season – Low Plains South | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Oct 28, 2023 End: Jan 9, 2024 | |
| Duck Hunting – High Plains | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Oct 14, 2023 End: Jan 18, 2024 | |
| Muskrat Trapping Season – West River | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Jan 1, 2023 End: Dec 31, 2023 | |
| Muskrat Trapping Season – Black Hills Fire Protection District | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Nov 1, 2023 End: Apr 30, 2024 | |
| Muskrat Trapping Season – East River | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Nov 1, 2022 End: Apr 30, 2023 | |
| Muskrat Shooting Season – Statewide | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Apr 1, 2023 End: Aug 31, 2023 | |
| Beaver Season – Statewide | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Jan 1, 2023 End: Dec 31, 2023 | |
| Beaver Season – Black Hills – USFS land within BH Fire Protection District | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Jan 1, 2023 End: Mar 31, 2023 | |
| Coyote Season | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Jan 1, 2023 End: Dec 31, 2023 | |
| Badger, Ground Squirrel, Gopher, Marmot, Jackrabbit, Opossum, Porcupine, Fox, Skunk | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Jan 1, 2023 End: Dec 31, 2023 | |
| Raccoon Season | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Jan 1, 2023 End: Dec 31, 2023 | |
| Raccoon Season – Nonresidents | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Dec 1, 2022 End: Mar 15, 2023 | |
| Muskrat Season – Nonresidents | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Dec 1, 2022 End: Mar 15, 2023 | |
| Beaver Season – Black Hills – Non-U.S. Forest Service land within the BH Fire Protection District | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Nov 1, 2023 End: Apr 30, 2024 | |
| Antelope Season – Nonresident Archery Public/Private Land (Season closed during firearms season) | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Aug 19, 2023 End: Oct 31, 2023 | Application Dates Start: May 2, 2023 End: May 25, 2023 |
| Deer Season – Nonresident Archery Private Land Only | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Sep 1, 2023 End: Jan 1, 2024 | Application Dates Start: Jun 1, 2023 End: Jan 1, 2024 |
| Antelope Season – Nonresident Archery Private Land Only (Season closed during firearms season) | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Aug 19, 2023 End: Oct 31, 2023 | Application Dates Start: Jun 1, 2023 End: Oct 31, 2023 |
| Deer Season – Nonresident Archery Public Land | 2023 | Season Dates Start: Oct 1, 2023 End: Jan 1, 2024 | Application Dates Start: Apr 18, 2023 End: May 11, 2023 |
| Turkey Season – Spring Prairie Archery | 2024 | Season Dates Start: Apr 13, 2024 End: May 31, 2024 | |
| Turkey Season – Spring Black Hills | 2024 | Season Dates Start: Apr 27, 2024 End: May 31, 2024 | |
| Turkey Season – Spring Black Hills Archery | 2024 | Season Dates Start: Apr 27, 2024 End: May 31, 2024 | |
| Turkey Season – Spring Custer State Park | 2024 | Season Dates Start: Apr 27, 2024 End: May 19, 2024 |
COLORADO HUNTING SEASON DATES 2023
Archery | |
Deer/elk (west of I-25 and Unit 140) | Sept. 2–30* |
Plains deer (east of I-25, except Unit 140) | Oct. 1–27 |
| Nov. 8–30 | |
| Dec. 15–31 | |
| Whitetail-only (limited) | Oct. 1-27 Nov. 8-30 Dec. 15-31 |
| Moose | Sept. 9-30 |
| Pronghorn (limited) | Aug. 15-31 or Aug. 15-31 & Sept. 1-20 (split season) |
| Pronghorn bucks only (over-the-counter) | Aug. 15-31 |
| Pronghorn either sex (over-the-counter) | Sept. 1-20 |
| Bear (over-the-counter and/or limited) | Sept. 2–30 |
Muzzleloader (by draw only) | |
| Deer/elk/moose | Sept. 9–17* |
| Plains deer (east of I-25, except Unit 140) | Oct. 14–22 |
| Whitetail-only (limited) | Oct. 14-22 |
| Pronghorn | Sept. 21–29 |
| Bear (over-the-counter and/or limited) | Sept. 9–17 |
Rifle | |
| Moose | Oct. 1–14 |
| Separate limited elk (1st season) | Oct. 14-18 |
| Combined deer/elk (2nd season) | Oct. 28-Nov. 5 NEW **Oct. 28-Nov. 1 |
| Combined deer/elk (3rd season) | Nov. 11–17 NEW **Nov. 11-15 |
| Combined limited deer/elk (4th season) | Nov. 22–26 |
| Plains deer (east of I-25, except Unit 140) | Oct. 28–Nov. 7 |
| Late plains deer (east of I-25, except Unit 140) | Dec. 1–14 |
| Whitetail-only (limited) | Oct. 28-Nov. 7 |
| Late Whitetail-only (limited) | Dec. 1-14 |
| Pronghorn (limited) Check hunt code tables in brochure for early and late rifle seasons for certain hunts. | Oct. 7–15* |
| Bear Sept. (limited) | Sept. 2–30* |
| Bear (1st season) (over-the-counter and/or limited) | Oct. 14–18 |
| Bear (2nd season) (over-the-counter and/or limited) | Oct. 28–Nov. 5 |
| Bear (3rd season) (over-the-counter and/or limited) | Nov. 11-17 |
| Bear (4th season) (over-the-counter and/or limited) | Nov. 22-26 |
| Bear Private-Land-Only (over-the-counter) | Sept. 2–Nov. 26* |