Ohio · Dove · 2026–27 Edition
Ohio Dove Season 2026–27: Dates, Bag Limits & Shooting Hours
01 — Seasons
| Season | Zones | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Season · Segment 1 | Statewide | Sep 1 – Nov 8 |
| Regular Season · Segment 2 | Statewide | Dec 12 – Jan 1 |
02 — Bag limits
| Mourning dove & Eurasian collared-dove — Daily | 15 birds combined — Eurasian collared-dove counts toward the limit here, it isn't exempt |
|---|---|
| Possession | 45 birds (three times the daily bag), from the second day of the season on |
03 — Shooting hours
Legal light on opening day (September 1, 2026) 06:59 — 20:02
Rule: Sunrise to sunset, unless posted otherwise — Ohio does not extend migratory-bird hours a half hour before sunrise the way most states do, and individual wildlife areas may set their own posted hours. Sunrise/sunset shift daily — the times above are computed for opening day; use your local Ohio sun times for any other date.
04 — License & HIP
Dove hunters in Ohio need an Ohio hunting license and — because doves are migratory game birds — HIP registration (Harvest Information Program). No federal Duck Stamp is required for doves.
Where to hunt public land in Ohio — WMAs by county & access rules →
05 — FAQ
When does dove season open in Ohio?
The 2026–27 opener is September 1, 2026. Most states open Sep 1 under the federal migratory bird framework.
When does dove season end in Ohio?
The latest 2026–27 closing date is January 1, 2027. Split segments and late seasons vary — see the table above.
Do I need a Duck Stamp to hunt doves?
No. Doves are migratory game birds but the federal Duck Stamp is only required for waterfowl (ducks, geese, brant, swans). Dove hunters need only their state hunting license and HIP registration.
How many doves can you shoot in Ohio per day?
2026–27 bag limits: Mourning dove & Eurasian collared-dove — Daily — 15 birds combined — Eurasian collared-dove counts toward the limit here, it isn't exempt. Possession — 45 birds (three times the daily bag), from the second day of the season on. Limits are set per zone and per permit — check the agency's own regulations before you hunt.
What time can you start shooting doves in Ohio?
On opening day (September 1, 2026) legal light runs 06:59 to 20:02. The rule is: Sunrise to sunset, unless posted otherwise — Ohio does not extend migratory-bird hours a half hour before sunrise the way most states do, and individual wildlife areas may set their own posted hours. Sunrise and sunset shift daily, so work the offset against your local Ohio sun times for any other date.
Can I hunt doves on my own land in Ohio without a license?
Ohio residents who own land — plus their parents, children, and grandchildren under 18 — may hunt it without a hunting license; the same applies to tenants and their children. Deer and turkey still need their own permit.
Verified · Ohio Division of Wildlife · Last verified 2026-08-08
Publisher's note. From the official 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations, effective September 1, 2026 — this was a known blocker as of the prior session (the 2026-27 PDF wasn't published yet); it is now. Ohio counts Eurasian collared-dove INSIDE the same 15-bird daily limit as mourning dove, not exempt from it — 'Dove (Mourning and Eurasian Collared)' is the regulation's own species line, unlike Kentucky, North Carolina and Florida, which all give Eurasian collared-dove an unlimited separate bag. Requires an Ohio hunting license and HIP certification; no state waterfowl stamp needed for dove specifically.