If you’re planning to hunt squirrels in Ohio this year, you should know the season stretches from early September all the way through January’s end. You can start hunting red, gray, and fox squirrels on September 1, and keep at it until January 31.
Keep this in mind as you get your trips together, check your gear, and make sure you’ve got any licenses or training you need. Here’s what you need to know about the dates, bag limits, and the rules you’ll need to follow for a safe and legal hunt.
Squirrel Season Dates and Key Details
Ohio sets a specific fall-to-winter window for squirrel hunting. You’ll need to follow daily bag limits and check the rules on species and hunting hours before heading out.
2025-2026 Squirrel Hunting Season Start and End Dates
From September 1, 2025, through January 31, 2026, you can hunt red, gray, black, and fox squirrels statewide. You’re allowed to hunt from half an hour before sunrise to sunset on legal days.
You can take up to six squirrels total per day, no matter the mix of allowed species. Don’t go over six squirrels in a single day.
Before you go, check your license and look for any local orders. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources updates season dates and rules on the Wild Ohio site and in the HuntFish OH app.
Squirrel Species Legal for Hunting in Ohio
Ohio lets you hunt red, gray, black, and fox squirrels during the open season. All these count toward your six-squirrel daily limit.
Don’t go after other squirrel species unless ODNR says you can. Proper identification matters, especially when you tag or report your harvest. A field guide or the photos on WildOhio.gov can help you double-check species while you’re out there.
If you’re selling or transporting squirrels, you need to follow state tagging and possession rules. The HuntFish OH app is handy for checking species guides and regulation updates right from your phone.
Prime Locations for Squirrel Hunting
Mixed hardwood forests, farm woodlots, and riparian edges across Ohio usually make great spots. You’ll find more gray squirrels in the east, while fox and black squirrels pop up more in western counties. Some urban parks and suburban greenbelts hold plenty too, as long as hunting’s allowed.
Public lands like state forests and wildlife areas often have accessible parking. WildOhio.gov lists these spots. Always check land-specific rules and hours before you go. If you’re on private land, get written permission from the landowner and keep it with you.
Typical Squirrel Behavior During Season
Squirrels get busy in the morning and again late in the afternoon, especially just after sunrise and before sunset. You’ll spot them feeding on acorns, beechnuts, and whatever mast is dropping; they stick close to mast-bearing trees.
In October and November, squirrels stash nuts for the winter, so you’ll see them more at ground level and near trails. When it gets cold, they might even stay active in the middle of the day. Listen for their alarm calls and watch for those quick dashes between trees—these habits can change where you set up and when you get a shot.
Licensing, Rules, and Related Hunting Opportunities
You need the right license and have to follow gear, bag, and land rules to hunt legally. Fall brings a bunch of overlapping seasons, and sometimes you can hunt private land with permission.
Ohio Hunting License Requirements
You need a valid Ohio hunting license to hunt squirrels. You can buy them online, through license agents, or at some ODNR offices. Resident and nonresident fees aren’t the same, so double-check before you buy.
If you were born after January 1, 1972, you have to complete a hunter education course—unless you’ve held a valid Ohio license before. Some licenses need extra permits for certain seasons or places. For example, waterfowl hunters need a federal duck stamp and might need state permits for special hunts.
Bring your license and any permits with you in the field. Officers might ask to see them. If hunter education applies, keep that proof handy too.
Bag Limits, Hours, and Legal Methods
Ohio’s bag limits are pretty straightforward: you can take up to four squirrels per day, unless local rules say otherwise. Limits and closed seasons can change, so always check the current regulations booklet.
You can hunt small game from 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset. Shotguns, rifles, airguns, and bows are all legal for squirrels. Make sure your firearm and ammo meet size and safety standards. If you’re thinking about hunting with dogs, check the rules for the property first.
If the season or species requires tags or reports, follow those rules. Breaking limits, hunting out of season, or using illegal gear can get you fined or cost you your hunting privileges.
Access to Public and Private Land
You can hunt squirrels on a lot of public lands in Ohio, like state wildlife areas and some state parks that allow hunting. Public areas usually post season dates and rules at trailheads or on maps, so take a look before you start.
If you want to hunt on private land, you need written permission from the landowner. The Ohio Landowner-Hunter Access Partnership (LAP) connects hunters with landowners and gives legal access on enrolled properties. LAP lands sometimes have special rules, so follow those closely.
Wherever you hunt, respect posted signs, stick to allowed trails, and pick up your shells and trash. Trespassing can get your license yanked and might even bring criminal charges.
Other Hunting Seasons Starting in September
Several other seasons kick off in early September and might impact your hunting plans.
Deer archery season usually gets going in late September. It can stretch through winter, so you’ll probably see more hunters out on both public and private lands during those weeks.
Early Canada goose and teal seasons tend to start around the same time. Waterfowl rules mean you have to use nontoxic shot, and your shotgun can’t hold more than three shells. Planning to hunt more than one species? Make sure you’ve got the right stamps and permits with you.
Turkey, small game, and even some migratory bird seasons can overlap in the fall. Before you head out, it’s a good idea to check the official Ohio hunting and trapping regulations or grab the regulations booklet.
