White-Tailed and Mule Deer Hunting
Season Status
Season Dates
| Species | Season | Hunting Units | Opens | Closes | Season Dates Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer, Mule and White-tailed | Bow | Statewide | Tentative | ||
| Deer, Mule and White-tailed | Regular | All Units | Tentative | ||
| Deer, Mule and White-tailed (Youth Season) | Youth Season | Statewide | Tentative | ||
| Deer, White-tailed only | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Tentative |
Season Notes
Youth Hunting - Deer
An approximately week-long youth deer season will be held in September.
The following is tentative and subject to change until the season's proclamation has been signed:
Youth Deer Season
- Residents who turn age 11, 12 or 13 in the same calendar year as a youth deer hunting season are eligible for a statewide any antlerless deer license valid for Youth Deer season and Deer Gun season.
- Residents who turn age 14 and 15 who have either not previously applied for a regular Deer Gun license or who have applied but have never received a regular Deer Gun license are eligible to receive one deer license valid for the Youth Deer season and Deer Gun season, this includes youth who are age 13 providing they will be age 14 during the same year as the respective big game hunting season as well as those youth who apply at age 15 but will be turning 16 after they have applied for their license.
Anyone applying for Youth Deer season licenses is not eligible to apply for a license for the regular Deer Gun season.
Note: Each youth must be accompanied (must be able to have unaided verbal contact) by at least one unarmed parent, guardian, or adult authorized by their parent or guardian during the Youth Deer season. All non-licensees are prohibited from carrying a firearm or bow while accompanying a Youth Deer licensee hunting in the field during the Youth Deer season. A non-licensee is a person not having a Youth Deer license.
Youth Season Restrictions
11-, 12- and 13-year-olds – Any antlerless deer is legal. No unit restrictions except in hunting units 4A-4F, 3B1 and 3B2 where a special license is required to hunt antlerless mule deer. These licenses are valid only in the unit specified on the license.
14- and 15-year-olds – Any deer is legal. No unit restrictions except in hunting units 4A-4F, 3B1 and 3B2 where a special license is required to hunt antlered mule deer. These licenses are valid only in the unit specified on the license. Orange clothing required for youth hunter, their mentors and those accompanying apprentice license holders.
See season proclamation for more season regulations.
Unit Map
Season Notes Continued
- Seasons open at noon CT on the opening day.
- Online lottery applications for the gun seasons are generally made available in early May.
- Special Allocation Lottery Applications are available online between October 1 and January 1 each year.
- Nonresident Any Deer Archery online lottery applications are available between April 15 and May 15 each year. Hunters can apply online during that time period.
Lottery Information and License Availability
Available Licenses
2026 availability will be posted here prior to applications opening.