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Hunting Guides

2024-2025 State Hunting Seasons, Licensing and Regulations

With a couple exceptions, hunting laws and regulations are determined by each individual state. Very few federal laws dictate nationwide hunting policy. Our 2024 state-by-state hunting guides cover the important regulations, licensing requirements and hunting seasons you'll want to know as you begin to prepare for your next hunt.

Each state hunting guide covers the following topics.

  • What to Hunt
  • Where to Hunt
  • Licensing Fees
  • Hunter Education
  • Youth Hunting
  • Trapping
  • Hunting Seasons

Select a state below to review state hunting laws, regulations and seasons.

Alabama Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species White-tailed deer, Wild Turkey, Quail, Dove
General License Resident Cost $28.20
General License Nonresident Cost $142.00 - $325.90
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Oct 15 - Feb 10
Cumulative Turkey Season Mar 10 - May 2; Nov 20 - Jan 1
Visit the Alabama Hunting guide.

Alaska Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Bear, Caribou, Moose
General License Resident Cost $45.00
General License Resident Cost $160.00
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season No Closed Season
Cumulative Turkey Season No Closed Season
Visit the Alaska Hunting guide.

Arizona Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Pronghorn, Deer, Dove, Turkey, Elk
General License Resident Cost $37.00
General License Resident Cost $160.00
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Oct 23 - Dec 31
Cumulative Turkey Season Oct 2 - Oct 8
Visit the Arizona Hunting guide.

Arkansas Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Dove, Waterfowl, Deer
General License Resident Cost $25.00
General License Nonresident Cost $55.00 - $180.00
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 26 - Feb 28
Cumulative Turkey Season Apr 19 - May 9
Visit the Arkansas Hunting guide.

California Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Pronghorn, Waterfowl
General License Resident Cost $51.02
General License Nonresident Cost $178.20
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season July 11 - Nov 29
Cumulative Turkey Season Mar 27 - May 2
Visit the California Hunting guide.

Colorado Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Elk, Pronghorn, Bear, Turkeye
General License Resident Cost Variable Based on Species
General License Nonresident Cost Variable Based on Species
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 2 - Nov 22
Cumulative Turkey Season Apr 11 - May 31; Sep 1 - Oct 23
Visit the Colorado Hunting guide.

Connecticut Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Waterfowl, Turkey, Pheasant
General License Resident Cost $19.00
General License Nonresident Cost $91.00
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 15 - Jan 31
Cumulative Turkey Season Apr 29 - May 20; Sep 15 - Dec 31
Visit the Connecticut Hunting guide.

Delaware

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Migratory Bird
General License Resident Cost $39.50
General License Nonresident Cost $199.50
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 1 - Jan 31
Cumulative Turkey Season Apr 10 - May 8
Visit the Delaware Hunting guide.

Florida Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Turkey, Hog
General License Resident Cost $17.00
General License Nonresident Cost $151.50
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Aug 1 - Feb 28
Cumulative Turkey Season Aug 1 - Jan 31; Mar 6 - Apr 25
Visit the Florida Hunting guide.

Georgia Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Waterfowl, Turkey
General License Resident Cost $15.00
General License Resident Cost $100.00
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 12 - Jan 31
Cumulative Turkey Season Mar 20 - May 15
Visit the Georgia Hunting guide.

Hawaii Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Wild Pig, Deer, Wild Goat
General License Resident Cost $20.00
General License Nonresident Cost $105.00
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season N/A
Cumulative Turkey Season First Saturday in November - Last Sunday in January
Visit the Hawaii Hunting guide.

Idaho Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Elk, Migratory Birds, Turkey
General License Resident Cost $15.75
General License Nonresident Cost $154.75
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Aug 30 - Dec 1
Cumulative Turkey Season Aug 30 - Jan 31; Apr 8 - May 25
Visit the Idaho Hunting guide.

Illinois Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Turkey, Waterfowl
General License Resident Cost $12.50
General License Nonresident Cost $57.75
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season Oct 1 - Jan 17
Cumulative Turkey Season Oct 24 - Jan 17; Apr 5 - May 13
Visit the Illinois Hunting guide.

Indiana Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Turkey, Migratory Bird
General License Resident Cost $17.00
General License Nonresident Cost $80.00
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 15 - Jan 3
Cumulative Turkey Season Oct 1 - Nov 21; Apr 21 - May 9
Visit the Indiana Hunting guide.

Iowa Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Wild Turkey, Migratory Birds
General License Resident Cost $17
General License Nonresident Cost $80
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 19 - Jan 10
Cumulative Turkey Season Oct 1 - Jan 10; Apr 13 - May 17
Visit the Iowa Hunting guide.

Kansas Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Waterfowl, Turkey, Quail
General License Resident Cost $27.50
General License Resident Cost $97.50
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 14 - Jan 24
Cumulative Turkey Season Apr 15 - May 31; Oct 1 - Nov 10
Visit the Kansas Hunting guide.

Kentucky Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, turkey, waterfowl
General License Resident Cost $27.00
General License Nonresident Cost $150.00
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Oct 17 - Jan 18
Cumulative Turkey Season Apr 18 - May 10; Sep 5 - Dec 31
Visit the Kentucky Hunting guide.

Louisiana Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, turkey, waterfowl
General License Resident Cost $27.00
General License Resident Cost $150.00
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Oct 2 - Feb 15
Cumulative Turkey Season Apr 2 - May 2
Visit the Louisiana Hunting guide.

Maine Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Waterfowl, deer White-tailed deer, Wild Turkey, Quail, Dove
General License Resident Cost $26.00
General License Nonresident Cost $115.00
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season Nov 2 - Dec 12
Cumulative Turkey Season May 3 - Jun 5; Sep 12 - Nov 7
Visit the Maine Hunting guide.

Maryland Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Waterfowl
General License Resident Cost $10.00
General License Nonresident Cost $130.00
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 11 - Jan 30
Cumulative Turkey Season Oct 31 - Jan 23; Apr 17 - May 24
Visit the Maryland Hunting guide.

Massachusetts Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Migratory Birds, Waterfowl, Deer
General License Resident Cost $27.50
General License Resident Cost $99.50
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season Oct 5 - Dec 31
Cumulative Turkey Season Apr 25 - May 23; Oct 5 - Nov 28
Visit the Massachusetts Hunting guide.

Michigan Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Turkey, Waterfowl
General License Resident Cost $11.00
General License Nonresident Cost $151.00
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 12 - Jan 1
Cumulative Turkey Season Sep 15 - Nov 14; Apr 18 - May 31
Visit the Michigan Hunting guide.

Minnesota Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Waterfowl, Turkey
General License Resident Cost No General License Offered
General License Nonresident Cost No General License Offered
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 9 - Jan 3
Cumulative Turkey Season Oct 3 - Nov 1
Visit the Minnesota Hunting guide.

Mississippi Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Turkey, Duck, Deer
General License Resident Cost $25.00
General License Nonresident Cost $300.00
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Oct 1 - Feb 15
Cumulative Turkey Season Mar 8 - May 1; Oct 15 - Nov 15
Visit the Mississippi Hunting guide.

Missouri Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Elk, Bear, Antelope, Deer, Turkey
General License Resident Cost $10.00
General License Nonresident Cost $15.00
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 5 - Nov 29
Cumulative Turkey Season Apr 11 - May 17; Sep 1 - Jan 1
Visit the Missouri Hunting guide.

Montana Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Turkey, Pheasant, Waterfowl
General License Resident Cost $18.00
General License Nonresident Cost $97.00
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 1 - Jan 15
Cumulative Turkey Season Mar 25 - May 31; Sep 15 - Jan 31
Visit the Montana Hunting guide.

Nebraska Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes (ages 12-29)
Popular Game Species Deer, Turkey, Pheasant, Waterfowl
General License Resident Cost $18.00
General License Nonresident Cost $97.00
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 1 - Jan 15
Cumulative Turkey Season Mar 25 - May 31; Sep 15 - Jan 31
Visit the Nebraska Hunting guide.

Nevada Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Duck, Pronghorn
General License Resident Cost $38.00
General License Nonresident Cost No General Nonresident License Offered
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season Aug 10 - Jan 1
Cumulative Turkey Season Oct 3 - Oct 25; Mar 27 - May 2
Visit the Nevada Hunting guide.

New Hampshire Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Turkey, Duck, Bear
General License Resident Cost $32.00
General License Resident Cost $113.00
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 15 - Dec 15
Cumulative Turkey Season May 1 - May 31; Sep 15 - Dec 15
Visit the New Hampshire Hunting guide.

New Jersey Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Turkey, Waterfowl, Deer, Pheasant
General License Resident Cost $27.50
General License Resident Cost $135.50
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 12 - Jan 1
Cumulative Turkey Season Oct 24 - Oct 31; Apr 24 - May 28
Visit the New Jersey Hunting guide.

New Mexico Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Ibex, Pronghorn, Elk, Turkey
General License Resident Cost $15.00
General License Nonresident Cost $65.00
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 1 - Jan 15
Cumulative Turkey Season Sep 1 - Nov 30; Apr 15 - May 10
Visit the New Mexico Hunting guide.

New York Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Turkey, Duck, Bear
General License Resident Cost $22.00
General License Nonresident Cost $100.00
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 27 - Jan 31
Cumulative Turkey Season Oct 1 - Dec 4; Apr 24 - May 31
Visit the New York Hunting guide.

North Carolina Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Turkey, Swine, Waterfowl
General License Resident Cost $25.00
General License Nonresident Cost $100.00
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 12 - Feb 14
Cumulative Turkey Season Apr 11 - May 9; Apr 10 - May 8
Apr 10 - May 8
Visit the North Carolina Hunting guide.

North Dakota Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Elk, Game Bird
General License Resident Cost $20.00
General License Resident Cost $20.00
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Oct 15 - Feb 10
Cumulative Turkey Season Oct 10 - Jan 3; Apr 11 - May 17
Visit the North Dakota Hunting guide.

Oklahoma Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Turkey, Waterfowl
General License Resident Cost $25.00
General License Nonresident Cost $142.00
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season Oct 1 - Jan 15
Cumulative Turkey Season Oct 1 - May 6
Visit the Oklahoma Hunting guide.

Oregon Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Elk, Deer, Pronghorn
General License Resident Cost $34.50
General License Nonresident Cost $172.00
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season Oct 3 - Nov 6
Cumulative Turkey Season Oct 10 - Jan 31; Apr 15 - May 31
Visit the Oregon Hunting guide.

Pennsylvania Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Turkey, Bear
General License Resident Cost $20.90
General License Nonresident Cost $101.90
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 12 - Feb 26
Cumulative Turkey Season Oct 31 - Nov 27
Visit the Pennsylvania Hunting guide.

Rhode Island Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Waterfowl
General License Resident Cost $18.00
General License Nonresident Cost $45.00
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 12 - Feb 26
Cumulative Turkey Season Oct 1 - Oct 31; Apr 29 - May 23
Visit the Rhode Island Hunting guide.

South Carolina Hunting

At a glance...
Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Turkey, Waterfowl, Alligator
General License Resident Cost $36.00 (3-Year)
$12.00 (Annual)
General License Resident Cost $125.00 (Annual)
$75.00 (10-Day)
$40.00 (3-Day)
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Oct 1 - Jan 1; Apr 1 - May 10
Visit the South Carolina Hunting guide.

South Dakota Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Pheasant, Turkey, Deer, Elk
General License Resident Cost No General License Offered
General License Nonresident Cost No General License Offered
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 1 - Jan 1
Cumulative Turkey Season Apr 4 - May 31; Nov 1 - Jan 31
Visit the South Dakota Hunting guide.

Tennessee Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Turkey, Waterfowl
General License Resident Cost $34.00
General License Nonresident Cost $305.00
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Aug 28 - Jan 8
Cumulative Turkey Season Sep 26 - Oct 30; Mar 27 - May 16
Visit the Tennessee Hunting guide.

Texas Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Turkey, Hog, Waterfowl
General License Resident Cost $25.00
General License Nonresident Cost $315.00
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Oct 3 - Jan 31
Cumulative Turkey Season Oct 3 - Feb 28; March 20 - May 23
Visit the Texas Hunting guide.

Utah Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Elk, Moose, Turkey, Waterfowl, Pheasant
General License Resident Cost $34.00
General License Nonresident Cost $72.00
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season Aug 15 - Nov 5
Cumulative Turkey Season Apr 10 - May 31; Oct 1 - Feb 28
Visit the Utah Hunting guide.

Vermont Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Bear, Turkey, Waterfowl
General License Resident Cost $28.00 (1-Year)
General License Resident Cost $134.00 (5-Year)
General License Nonresident Cost $102.00 (1-Year)
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Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Oct 15 - Feb 10
Cumulative Turkey Season Apr 25 - May 31; Oct 1 - Dec 15
Visit the Vermont Hunting guide.

Virgina Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes (Ages 12 - 15)
Popular Game Species Deer, Turkey, Waterfowl
General License Resident Cost $23.00 (1-Year)
General License Nonresident Cost $111.00
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Oct 3 - Jan 2; Oct 17 - Jan 23
Visit the Virginia Hunting guide.

Washington Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Elk, Waterfowl, Turkey
General License Resident Cost No General License Offered
General License Nonresident Cost No General License Offered
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 1 - Dec 31
Cumulative Turkey Season May 5 - May 31; Sep 1 - Dec 31
Visit the Washington Hunting guide.

West Virgina Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Turkey, Deer, Boar
General License Resident Cost $35.00
General License Nonresident Cost $119.00
Right to Hunt No
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 26 - Jan 17
Cumulative Turkey Season Apr 17 - May 23; Oct 10 - Nov 15
Visit the West Virgina Hunting guide.

Wisconsin Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Duck, Deer, Turkey, Pheasant
General License Resident Cost No General License Offered
General License Nonresident Cost No General License Offered
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 12 - Jan 31
Cumulative Turkey Season Sep 12 - Jan 3; Apr 11 - May 26
Visit the Wisconsin Hunting guide.

Wyoming Hunting

Hunter Education Required Yes
Popular Game Species Deer, Elk, Pronghorn, Turkey
General License Resident Cost No General License Offered
General License Nonresident Cost No General License Offered
Right to Hunt Yes
Cumulative Deer Season Sep 1 - Dec 31
Cumulative Turkey Season Sep 1 - Dec 31; Apr 1 - May 31
Visit the Wyoming Hunting guide.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is not to be construed as legal advice or acted upon as if it is legal advice: it is provided for informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date content, we cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the information.

Last updates: 8/18/2021