Dove and squirrel hunting seasons open Sept. 1 statewide, as do several — if less popular — waterfowl hunting opportunities followed by early goose and teal becoming fair game Sept. 5.
August 27, 2026 Country Life, Top Headlines
By Dan Armitage
For many Ohio hunters, the fall fun is underway. Early September marks the start of Ohio’s 2026-27 hunting seasons, with squirrel and mourning dove opening on Sept. 1. Several waterfowl hunting seasons open on that Tuesday as well, when rail, gallinule (aka moorhen), and snipe become fair game. On Sept. 5, the early goose season and early teal seasons begin, continuing through Sept. 13 statewide.
Of all those, dove hunting is my favorite. Not only is it the first chance to hear my gun go “boom” at live game since spring turkey season, but it’s one of the few hunting experiences where it’s often “the more the merrier” when it comes to keeping the feathered targets on the move and in the air. The other group hunting I enjoy is gun season deer drives. I am first and foremost an archery hunter when it comes to whitetails, which begins Sept. 26, but there’s something about the group effort of a well-organized deer drive that I consider fun as heck.
Free wing shoots
Speaking of wing shooting, the Seneca County chapter of Pheasants Forever is offering free clay shoots on the Tuesdays of Sept. 1 and Oct. 6. The shooting is open to adults and kids from 5-6 p.m., and shotgun shells in 12 and 20 gauges will be provided. The free shot will be held at the Sandusky River Coon Hunter grounds at 7575 S. Twp Road 135 in Tiffin. Call Don Hunter (!) at 567-278-1551 for details.
Exposing the Big Game 