New Fall Hunting Regulations
Fall Hunting Seasons Open Across Several States With New Regulations and Requirements
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Key Points
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Michigan’s new MiHunt map allows hunters to use additional mapping features and add their own data to the state’s interactive hunting-lands map. Woodcock hunters must also obtain a free woodcock stamp and register with the federal Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program.
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Connecticut’s regular archery deer bag limit is four animals—two either-sex deer and two antlerless deer—with hunters in management zones 11 and 12 eligible to take two additional deer during the January season. The state’s fall archery turkey limit is two birds of either sex.
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New York is asking successful bear hunters to submit a premolar tooth through its Black Bear Management Cooperator program, allowing biologists to assess population health while providing hunters with age information and a commemorative patch. The state also plans to release about 60,000 adult pheasants for the upcoming upland seasons.
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North Dakota’s roadside survey found sharp-tailed grouse at 9.7 birds per 100 miles—up 16% from last year but still 31% below the 10-year average—while gray partridge declined 17% to 13 birds per 100 miles. Sharp-tailed grouse also had another poor production year, which officials partly attributed to hot and dry summer conditions.
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West Virginia now permits an accompanying adult during a special youth season to handle a young hunter’s firearm when providing safe-handling guidance, although the adult may not carry a firearm to take wildlife. Youth hunters must check big-game harvests through their own Natural Resources accounts.
Fall hunting seasons are ramping up across the country this month. Michigan launched turkey, grouse, woodcock, hare, rabbit and squirrel seasons on Sept. 15, requiring hunters to report turkey kills within 72 hours. Connecticut opened statewide archery deer and turkey seasons the same day, while New York started early bear and expanded antlerless deer hunts with unlimited management permits in select zones.
North Dakota has its deer archery season underway alongside grouse and partridge hunting, though surveys show mixed results — pheasant numbers are up, but partridge dropped 17% to 13 birds per 100 miles. West Virginia is opening youth black bear and special youth seasons with no minimum age requirement but adult supervision required for hunters under 15.
Connecticut Doubles Down on Archery Opportunities
Connecticut's private-land archery season for deer and turkey started Sept. 15 and runs through Dec. 31, with extensions into January for certain zones. The regular deer bag limit is four animals — two either-sex and two antlerless. Hunters in management zones 11 and 12 can take two additional deer during a special January season.
New permission-based Sunday hunting is now allowed on private land during archery season. Turkey hunters can take two birds of either sex in the fall. These changes give Connecticut archers more flexibility and additional harvest opportunities than in previous years.
New York Expands Deer Management and Bear Monitoring
New York rolled out unlimited antlerless deer management permits in participating units across the state. The state also launched its Earn-a-2nd-Buck incentive program, giving successful deer hunters opportunities for additional harvests. Early bear season is now open alongside expanded small-game and upland-bird seasons.
Bear hunters who harvest an animal can submit a premolar tooth to New York's Black Bear Management Cooperator program. Biologists use the teeth to determine the animal's age and assess population health. Hunters receive age information and a commemorative patch in return. The state plans to release about 60,000 adult pheasants for the fall upland seasons.
North Dakota Grouse Numbers Show Mixed Signals
North Dakota's deer archery season is underway, along with grouse and partridge hunting. Roadside surveys found gray partridge populations declined 17% to 13 birds per 100 miles, while pheasant numbers improved from last year. Sharp-tailed grouse hit 9.7 birds per 100 miles — up 16% from 2025 but still 31% below the 10-year average.
The poor sharp-tailed grouse production partly stems from hot, dry summer conditions that affected breeding success. Officials say another weak production year pushed populations further below historical averages, though the slight year-over-year increase offers modest hope.
Michigan Adds Digital Tools and Compliance Requirements
Michigan launched its new MiHunt interactive mapping tool for fall seasons. The free platform lets hunters add their own data to the state's hunting-lands map and access detailed mapping features. Woodcock hunters must obtain a free woodcock stamp and register with the federal Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program.
All turkey hunters in Michigan must report their harvests within 72 hours using the online reporting system. These requirements help the state track harvest data and manage wildlife populations more effectively across the fall season.
West Virginia Opens Youth Seasons With Flexible Supervision
West Virginia began special youth black bear and other youth-focused seasons with no minimum age requirement. Young hunters must have a valid license and be under adult supervision, though the age threshold for unsupervised hunting varies by season. Accompanying adults can help handle a young hunter's firearm during safe-handling guidance but cannot carry weapons themselves.
Youth hunters must report big-game harvests through their own Natural Resources accounts. This digital system tracks youth success while keeping compliance records organized. West Virginia's flexible approach aims to introduce younger hunters to the sport without imposing strict age barriers.
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