N
The Daily Insight

What is squirrel season in Ohio?

Author

Sarah Cherry

Updated on March 03, 2026

Yes, there's an official squirrel season in Ohio that runs from Sept. 1 to Jan. 31, 2022. But if hunting squirrels in September isn't exactly your bag of nuts, then you won't have to wait long for the next season to begin.

Accordingly, can you hunt squirrel year round in Ohio?

The squirrel hunting season in Ohio is long, the bag limit is generous, and the species of squirrels in the Buckeye State are many. The season opened on Sept. 1, when the tree canopy is dense and verdant, and closes at the end of January, in the barren extremes of the Midwestern winter.

Subsequently, question is, when can you shoot squirrels in Ohio? You can hunt squirrels in Ohio, and that may be an acceptable way to get rid of them, provided it is during open season. Your bag limit is six per day and you may hunt the gray, red, fox and black squirrels. The hunting season typically runs from Sept. 1 through Jan.

Also question is, do you need a license to hunt squirrel in Ohio?

Here in Ohio, an Ohio Hunting License is the only thing required to hunt squirrels. For Ohio residents age 18-65 at the time of purchase.

What's the limit on squirrels in Ohio?

(C) It shall be unlawful for any person to take more than six red, gray, black or fox squirrels, singly or in the aggregate, in any one day or possess more than six squirrels taken in one day.

Related Question Answers

Is squirrel season open in Ohio?

While the red, gray, fox and black squirrel populations are prime for a good season (Sept. 1, 2020-Jan. 31, 2021 with a daily bag limit of 6), the same can't be said about the dove population, as numbers seem to be down for opening week.

What is the best way to cook a squirrel?

Preheat oven to 350F. Coat squirrel meat with a nice layer of olive oil, sprinkle with your rub of choice, and lay the meat in a single layer in a baking pan. Bake those bad boys for 30 minutes. Combine barbecue sauce, garlic and sesame oil and brush this on meat to taste.

Can you shoot chipmunks in Ohio?

The laws for chipmunks are the same as squirrels,A chipmunck is a ground squirrel therefore you can only shoot 4 of them if you wish to. Chipmunks are small striped squirrels (genus Tamias) in North America.

Is it still dove season in Ohio?

The season is open again from Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020 to Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. The daily bag limit is 15 doves, with a possession limit of 45 after the second day.

How long is Ohio gun season?

The deer hunting season dates for 2021-22 include: Deer archery: Sept. 25, 2021-Feb. 6, 2022.

What can I hunt right now in Ohio?

Ohio's white-tailed deer hunting seasons for 2020-2021:
  • Deer archery: Sept. 26, 2020-Feb. 7, 2021.
  • Youth deer gun: Nov. 21-22, 2020.
  • Deer gun: Nov. 30-Dec. 6, 2020; Dec. 19-20, 2020.
  • Deer muzzleloader: Jan 2-5, 2021.

Can I kill squirrels in my yard?

For those who wonder whether is it legal or illegal to shoot squirrels in your backyard, it is legal to kill squirrels in hunting seasons. If they are nuisance and have damaged your property, you can kill squirrels other times of the year but with a special permit.

How much is a Ohio fishing license 2020?

Ohio's resident fishing licenses are $25 and are valid for one year from the date of purchase. An Ohio fishing license can be purchased up to 30 days prior to its expiration date.

Is it illegal to have a pet squirrel in Ohio?

During a municipal court hearing Thursday, wildlife supervisor James Lehman said state law provides no method for taking a squirrel from the wild alive. Lehman said the only legal way to have a live squirrel in Ohio is to obtain it from a licensed breeder.

Do you have to have a plug in your shotgun in Ohio?

You only have to have a plug present in your shotgun when hunting migratory birds i.e. ducks, geese, dove etc. You can only load 3 shells when hunting during deer gun season in your shotgun or rifle but the plug is not required to be present as of this past season.

Do you need a license to trap in Ohio?

All hunters, regardless of age, must carry a valid hunting license to hunt or trap game in Ohio. Hunting deer, turkey, waterfowl or hunting or trapping of furbearers requires the hunter to possess an additional, game-specific permit.

How many turkeys can you kill in Ohio?

(3) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take or possess more than two bearded wild turkeys during the spring wild turkey season, only one of which may be hunted on or taken from any state-owned or administered lands designated as public hunting areas in rule 1501:31-15-04 of the Administrative Code.

Do you have to wear orange when squirrel hunting in Ohio?

Orange is only required during any of the deer firearm seasons.

Can a 16 year old hunt alone in Ohio?

Ohio wildlife regulations for designated statewide youth hunting seasons (deer, waterfowl, wild turkey, small game) require children age 17 and younger be accompanied by a non-hunting adult age 18 or older. At other times, children age 16 and 17 can hunt by themselves, Teders said.

Can you kill muskrats in Ohio?

(M) It shall be unlawful for any person at any time to shoot a mink, muskrat, river otter or beaver unless a permit has been issued by the chief of the division of wildlife or his representative.

Can I kill a racoon in my yard?

Most US states and most Canadian provinces regulate raccoons as fur-bearing animals and permit hunting, trapping, and killing raccoons with a license. Most states also have limited hunting seasons, typically during the winter months. When raccoons are not in season, they may not be lawfully killed.

Can you kill a squirrel in Ohio?

(B) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take a squirrel at any time, except between one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily during the open season for squirrels.

Is it illegal to kill a fox in Ohio?

FOX-STATE GAME LAWS DO NOT PROHIBIT HUNTING, TAKING OR KILLING OF FOX AT ANY TIME-SECTION 1390 ET SEQ., G. C. 2. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS-DIVISION OF CON SERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES-NO DUTY OR AUTHORITY RESPECTING VIOLATIONS OF LAWS OTHER THAN GAME LAWS.

How do you get a squirrel permit in Ohio?

How To Get A Pet Squirrel In Ohio. If you want to own a legal pet squirrel in Ohio, you will need to purchase one from a registered breeder. There are no laws that cover taking live squirrels from the wild, either because they are injured or as the result of hunting.

Is it legal to shoot raccoons in Ohio?

It is legal to kill a nuisance raccoon if you hold a valid hunting license when it is done by a humane method.

Do you need a permit to own a raccoon in Ohio?

Ohio used to only require permits for native species such as raccoons and skunks but as of September 5th, 2012, the state now prohibits: Auction sales of dangerous wild animals and venomous snakes (You shouldn't be able to get these animals at the Mt. Hope Auction anymore)

Is it legal to kill groundhogs in Ohio?

Groundhogs can be hunted in both states, but require a valid hunting license. In Ohio, groundhog hunting is closed during the seven-day deer gun season. Hunters also need the appropriate permission from landowners, and should be mindful of the full range of their weapon.

Can you shoot a mink in Ohio?

(5) Except as provided in rule 1501:31-15-03 of the Administrative Code, it shall be unlawful for any person at any time to shoot a mink, muskrat, river otter or beaver that is not caught in a trap or snare.

Is it illegal to kill a bat in Ohio?

Ohio Laws Seek to Protect Bats

All bats in Ohio are protected. That means it is illegal to harm or kill a bat unless a bite or a potential exposure to a bite has occurred. The nuisance wildlife laws relating to bat removal, therefore, are set up around this principal.

What birds can you kill in Ohio?

European starlings, English sparrows, and common pigeons, other than homing pigeons, may be killed at any time and their nests or eggs may be destroyed at any time. Blackbirds may be killed at any time when doing damage to grain or other property or when they become a nuisance.

Can you hunt with a shotgun in Ohio?

Shotguns used to hunt whitetail must be of gauge 10 or smaller, with one shell per barrel. Rifled barrels, when paired with shotgun slugs, are legal in Ohio. Hunters may not possess shotgun shells loaded with shot during whitetail season, unless they are hunting waterfowl.