Hunting Licenses/Privileges Needed
Identify What You Need
Below provides a quick reference for the types of hunting licenses or privileges required based on the species you are hunting. These apply to both residents and nonresidents.
Deer and Bear Hunting Licenses/Privileges Requirements
| Deer and Bear Hunting Season | Implement1 | Licenses/Privileges Required (X = required; blank space = not required) |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting License |
Bowhunting Privilege |
Muzzleloading Privilege |
||
| Regular Season (for ages 12+)1 |
Firearm | X | ||
| Bow | X | X2 | ||
| Muzzleloader | X | |||
| Crossbow | X3 | |||
| Special Bowhunting Season | Bow only | X | X | |
| Crossbow | X3 | X3 | ||
| Special Muzzleloading Season | Muzzleloader only | X | X | |
| Crossbow | X3 | X3 | ||
1 A new law temporarily (until December 31, 2023) allows junior hunters, aged 12-13, to hunt deer with a firearm or crossbow during respective seasons but only in counties that have passed a local law opting-in to the program. Check Junior Big Game Hunting for a map of counties where 12- and 13-year-old hunters can hunt deer with a firearm or crossbow.
2 For hunters aged 14+ hunting deer or bear or junior hunters aged 12-13 hunting deer with a bow during the regular season, either a bowhunting privilege or a valid bowhunter education certificate may be used. Junior hunters aged 12-13 hunting bear with a bow during the regular season must have a junior bowhunting privilege and valid bowhunter education.
3 Crossbow Qualification required. See Big Game Seasons for allowable dates.
Small Game Mammals & Furbearers Hunting Licenses/Privileges Requirements
| Species | Licenses/Privileges Required (X = required; blank space = not required) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Hunting License |
Other Requirements |
|
| Small game mammals: squirrels, cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, porcupine, woodchuck, and reptiles & amphibians |
X | |
| Furbearers: red & gray fox, coyote, raccoon, bobcat, skunk, mink, weasel and opossum. |
X | For bobcat, a special permit may apply depending on the area you hunt. Visit the bobcat hunting page for details. |
Game Bird Hunting Licenses/Privileges Requirements
| Species | Licenses/Privileges Required (X = required; blank space = not required) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting License |
Turkey Permit |
Harvest Info. Program |
Federal Duck Stamp |
|
| Turkey | X | X | ||
| Woodcock | X | X | ||
| Grouse, Quail, Pheasant | X | |||
| Ducks, Geese, Rails (Waterfowl) | X | X | X | |
Fees and Descriptions
For details on cost, how to purchase, and more go to the Hunting Licenses page .