Fall 2023 Small Game Hunting

By Conservation Agent Nick Freeman

September 1 kicks off the busy season for many hunters. From doves to ducks this article will summarize upcoming seasons, limits, and permits for each small game species.

Rabbit

To hunt rabbits one must have a Small Game Hunting Permit. Rabbit season runs October 1 through February 15. The daily limit is 6 rabbits, while only 2 may be swamp rabbits.

Squirrel

To hunt squirrels one must have a Small Game Hunting Permit. Squirrel season runs May 27 through February 15. The daily limit is 10 squirrels.

Groundhog

To hunt groundhogs one must have a Small Game Hunting Permit. Groundhog season runs May 8 through December 15 with no daily limit.

Pheasant*

To hunt pheasants one must have a Small Game Hunting Permit. Pheasant season runs November 1 through January 15. The daily limit is 2 male pheasants. Male birds, being the more colorful of the two, have a prominent green head with a red wattle and white collar.

Quail*

To hunt quail one must have a Small Game Hunting Permit. Quail season runs November 1 through January 15. The daily limit is 8 quail.

*Youth season for pheasant and quail is October 28-29. Open to any hunter ages 6-15. Youth hunters that are not hunter ed certified must hunt with a properly licensed adult mentor who is 18 years of age or older. The mentor may not hunt during the youth portion. Daily limits are the same.

Dove

To hunt doves one must have a Small Game Hunting Permit and Migratory Bird Hunting Permit. Dove season runs September 1 through November 29 with a daily limit of 15 doves total. Shooting hours begin on the half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Teal

To hunt teal one must have a Small Game Hunting Permit, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, and Federal Duck Stamp. Teal season runs September 9-24 with shooting hours between Sunrise to Sunset. Blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon teal all count toward your daily limit, which is 6 teal in total. Lead shot and other shot, not listed as nontoxic by US Fish and Wildlife, is prohibited.

Duck

To hunt ducks one must have a Small Game Hunting Permit, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, and Federal Duck Stamp. The North zone season runs October 28 through December 26 with shooting hours beginning on the half hour before sunrise to sunset. Lead shot and other shot, not listed as nontoxic by US Fish and Wildlife, is prohibited.

Goose

To hunt geese one must have a Small Game Hunting Permit, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, and Federal Duck Stamp. Early season (Canada & Brant) runs October 7-15. Regular season (Canada, Brant, White-fronted, Snow, Ross's) runs November 11 through February 6. The daily limits are 20 light geese, 3 Canada and Brant combined, and 2 White-fronted.

Furbearers

To hunt furbearers one must have a Small Game Hunting Permit. The daily limit for furbearers is any number.

Opossum, racoon, and striped skunk season is August 1 through October 15, and November 15 through February 29.

Badger, grey fox, and red fox season is from November 15 through January 31.

Bobcat season is from November 15 through February 29.