Hunting draw & tag deadlines

August 2026

• Aug 4Colorado · Big Game · Otc Sale StartLeftover big game license sales beginSource · verified 2026-06-20
• Aug 5Idaho · Big Game · Application OpenSecond controlled-hunt drawing opens (deer, elk, pronghorn, bear)Source · verified 2026-06-20
• Aug 10Idaho · Super Hunt · Application DeadlineSecond Super Hunt drawing deadlineSource · verified 2026-06-20
• Aug 10Nevada · Deer · Season OpenArchery mule deer seasonResident antlered archery, Unit Groups 101-109 (Aug 10 - Sep 9, 2026); the same archery window applies in various other unit groups per NDOW Commission Regulation CR 25-07 (2026-2027 big game seasons).Source · verified 2026-07-20
• Aug 12New Mexico · Pheasant Crane · Application DeadlinePheasant & Sandhill crane draw permit deadlineNMDGF official hunting calendar: applications must be completed by 5 p.m. MDT Aug 12, 2026; apply via online account or 888-248-6866. Draw application window opened mid-July.Source · verified 2026-07-29
• Aug 15Idaho · Big Game · Application DeadlineSecond controlled-hunt drawing deadline (deer, elk, pronghorn, bear)Source · verified 2026-06-20
• Aug 15Utah · Deer · Season OpenArchery buck deer seasonSource · verified 2026-06-29
• Aug 15Wyoming · Antelope · Season OpenArchery antelope (pronghorn) seasonSpecial archery antelope season opens Aug 15 statewide (all hunt areas, per WGFD 2026 Ch.5 final regulation); general/rifle antelope season opens Oct 1. Close dates vary by hunt area — confirm your area.Source · verified 2026-07-11
• Aug 15Washington · Bear · Season OpenBlack bear season opens in Okanogan and Willapa Hills units (bag limit 1)BBMU 5 Okanogan (GMUs 203, 209, 215, 218, 224, 231, 233, 239, 242, 243) and BBMU 14 Willapa Hills (GMUs 501, 506, 530, 658, 660, 663, 672, 673, 681, 699) open two weeks later than the rest of the state and are limited to one bear. Season closes Nov 15.Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Aug 15Montana · Antelope · Season OpenAntelope 900/399 series seasonMT FWP 2026 season date card: Antelope 900/399 series Aug. 15–Nov. 8. Card is a general reference; confirm in the regulations book.Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Aug 15Colorado · Pronghorn · Season OpenArchery pronghorn seasonOfficially adopted 2026 date from CPW 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure (west of I-25 and GMU 140 where applicable). Unit-specific dates and license types vary by GMU/DAU — confirm on your license and the CPW big game brochure.Source · verified 2026-07-30
• Aug 21Arizona · Deer · Season OpenOTC archery deer season (most units)17 of 21 unit groups run Aug 21-Sep 10; 4 (incl. 37A/37B) are Dec-Jan only. Close date omitted: units can close early on harvest limits.Source · verified 2026-07-27
• Aug 28Oregon · Deer · Application DeadlineWestern Oregon general archery deer tag sale deadlineTag must be bought before the Aug 29 archery opener.Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Aug 28Oregon · Elk · Application DeadlineGeneral archery elk tag sale deadlineTag must be bought before the Aug 29 archery opener.Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Aug 29Oregon · Deer · Season OpenArchery deer season (western Oregon)General Archery Season Western Oregon Tag required; tag sale deadline Aug 28. Eastern OR archery deer is controlled-hunt only. ODFW 2026 big game seasons page.Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Aug 29Oregon · Elk · Season OpenArchery elk seasonGeneral Archery Season Tag; tag sale deadline Aug 28. Some eastern OR units controlled-only — see regs pp.46-47.Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Aug 30Idaho · Deer · Season OpenArchery deer seasonGeneral archery deer season opener (statewide general season; some units run later/differ). Idaho Fish and Game 2026 Big Game Seasons and Rules.Source · verified 2026-07-05
• Aug 31Utah · Deer · Season CloseArchery buck deer seasonSource · verified 2026-06-29

September 2026

• Sep 1Texas · Dove · Season OpenDove seasonAll zones (North/Central/South) open Sept 1, 2026 per TPW Commission-approved 2026-27 migratory game bird regs. Splits/closes vary by zone; closes seeded separately later.Source · verified 2026-06-26
• Sep 1Nevada · Dove · Season OpenDove seasonSource · verified 2026-06-30
• Sep 1Washington · Deer · Season OpenArchery deer seasonEarly archery general deer season opens Sept. 1 statewide (most GMUs run Sept. 1-25; some units close Sept. 20-22 — check your GMU). Official 2026 WA Big Game pamphlet (WDFW via eRegulations).Source · verified 2026-07-06
• Sep 1Wyoming · Deer · Season OpenSpecial archery deer season (most hunt areas)WGFD 2026 Deer Hunting Seasons (Ch. 6, Final April 2026 PDF, read 2026-07-12): special archery opens Sep. 1 in every hunt area that has an archery season; closing dates vary by area (most Sep. 30, some earlier) so no season_close row seeded. Adopted by Commission Apr 22, 2026.Source · verified 2026-07-12
• Sep 1Wyoming · Elk · Season OpenSpecial archery elk season (most hunt areas)Per WGFD 2026 Elk Hunting Seasons (Ch. 7, Final April 2026, media/33695): special archery opens Sep. 1 in the large majority of hunt areas; exceptions open Sep. 15 (areas 11, 35-37, 67-69) or Sep. 20 (area 2), and closing dates vary by area (Sep. 9-30) — so no uniform season_close row seeded. Regulation Commission-approved April 2026.Source · verified 2026-07-13
• Sep 1Arizona · Dove · Season OpenDove season (early)AZ early dove season Sept 1-15, 2026 per AZGFD 2026-27 Dove & Pigeon RegulationsSource · verified 2026-07-26
• Sep 1New Mexico · Elk · Season OpenArchery elk seasonArchery elk runs as two segments, Sept 1-14 and Sept 15-24 (license valid for one, not both); no August archery elk hunt exists, so Sept 1 is the earliest opener. 2026-27 Hunting Rules & Info.Source · verified 2026-07-27
• Sep 1New Mexico · Dove · Season OpenDove seasonMourning & white-winged dove. Both zones open Sept 1 (North Sept 1-Nov 29; South Sept 1-Oct 28 + Dec 1-Jan 1, 2027). 2026-27 Migratory Game Bird Supplement, p.3.Source · verified 2026-07-27
• Sep 1New Mexico · Deer · Season OpenArchery deer seasonStandard early archery ("Bow") segment Sept 1-24 across nearly all units; no August archery deer hunt exists statewide, so Sept 1 is the earliest opener. Some units carry a second Jan 2027 segment. 2026-27 Hunting Rules & Info.Source · verified 2026-07-27
• Sep 1Washington · Dove · Season OpenMourning dove seasonStatewide, 2026-27 WDFW migratory game bird seasons.Source · verified 2026-07-27
• Sep 1Oregon · Squirrel · Season OpenWestern gray squirrel season (most of state)Units 10-33, 36-38, 40, 43-77. North-central units 34/35/39/41/42 open Sept 15.Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Sep 1Montana · Turkey · Season OpenFall turkey seasonMT FWP 2026 season date card: fall turkey Sept. 1–Jan. 1, 2027. Nonresident dates differ.Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Sep 1Montana · Upland Birds · Season OpenMountain grouse, partridge & sharp-tailed grouse seasonsMT FWP 2026 season date card: Mountain Grouse / Partridge / Sharp-tailed Grouse Sept. 1–Jan. 1, 2027; Sage Grouse Sept. 1–Sept. 30. Nonresident dates differ.Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Sep 1Utah · Dove · Season OpenMourning & white-winged dove seasonUtah 2026-27 Waterfowl, Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook: "Mourning dove and white-winged dove Sept. 1-Oct. 30, 2026." HIP registration required.Source · verified 2026-07-29
• Sep 1Utah · Band Tailed Pigeon · Season OpenBand-tailed pigeon seasonGuidebook: "Band-tailed pigeon Sept. 1-14, 2026." Permit + HIP required.Source · verified 2026-07-29
• Sep 2Colorado · Deer Elk · Season OpenArchery deer & elk seasonCPW 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure: archery deer & elk fixed Sept 2-30 annually (west of I-25 & GMU 140; plains archery elk same).Source · verified 2026-06-28
• Sep 2Colorado · Bear · Season OpenArchery bear seasonOfficially adopted 2026 date from CPW 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure (west of I-25 and GMU 140 where applicable). Unit-specific dates and license types vary by GMU/DAU — confirm on your license and the CPW big game brochure.Source · verified 2026-07-30
• Sep 5Montana · Deer Elk · Season OpenArchery deer & elk seasonMT 2026 archery deer & elk: Sept 5 - Oct 18 (FWP official seasons page).Source · verified 2026-06-26
• Sep 5Montana · Bear · Season OpenArchery black bear seasonMT FWP 2026 season date card: archery black bear Sept. 5–Sept. 14; fall Sept. 15–Nov. 29.Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Sep 5Montana · Antelope · Season OpenArchery antelope seasonMT FWP 2026 season date card: archery antelope Sept. 5–Oct. 9; general Oct. 10–Nov. 8.Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Sep 9Nevada · Deer · Season CloseArchery mule deer seasonResident antlered archery, Unit Groups 101-109 close per NDOW CR 25-07.Source · verified 2026-07-20
• Sep 12Washington · Elk · Season OpenEarly archery elk seasonSept 12-24 uniform across all general Eastern + Western WA rows.Source · verified 2026-07-27
• Sep 12Colorado · Deer Elk · Season OpenMuzzleloader deer & elk seasonOfficially adopted 2026 date from CPW 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure (west of I-25 and GMU 140 where applicable). Unit-specific dates and license types vary by GMU/DAU — confirm on your license and the CPW big game brochure.Source · verified 2026-07-30
• Sep 12Colorado · Deer · Season OpenHigh country deer seasonOfficially adopted 2026 date from CPW 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure (west of I-25 and GMU 140 where applicable). Unit-specific dates and license types vary by GMU/DAU — confirm on your license and the CPW big game brochure.Source · verified 2026-07-30
• Sep 14Utah · Band Tailed Pigeon · Season CloseBand-tailed pigeon seasonGuidebook season table; permit + HIP required.Source · verified 2026-07-29
• Sep 15Arizona · Dove · Season CloseDove season (early)AZ early dove season Sept 1-15, 2026 per AZGFD 2026-27 Dove & Pigeon RegulationsSource · verified 2026-07-26
• Sep 15Washington · Grouse · Season OpenForest grouse seasonStatewide (ruffed, sooty, dusky, spruce).Source · verified 2026-07-27
• Sep 19Texas · Teal · Season OpenSeptember teal seasonStatewide September teal-only season Sep 19-27, 2026. TPWD 2026-27 season dates.Source · verified 2026-07-07
• Sep 20Colorado · Deer Elk · Season CloseMuzzleloader deer & elk seasonOfficially adopted 2026 date from CPW 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure (west of I-25 and GMU 140 where applicable). Unit-specific dates and license types vary by GMU/DAU — confirm on your license and the CPW big game brochure.Source · verified 2026-07-30
• Sep 20Colorado · Deer · Season CloseHigh country deer seasonOfficially adopted 2026 date from CPW 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure (west of I-25 and GMU 140 where applicable). Unit-specific dates and license types vary by GMU/DAU — confirm on your license and the CPW big game brochure.Source · verified 2026-07-30
• Sep 20Colorado · Pronghorn · Season CloseArchery pronghorn seasonOfficially adopted 2026 date from CPW 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure (west of I-25 and GMU 140 where applicable). Unit-specific dates and license types vary by GMU/DAU — confirm on your license and the CPW big game brochure.Source · verified 2026-07-30
• Sep 24Washington · Elk · Season CloseEarly archery elk seasonSource · verified 2026-07-27
• Sep 25Washington · Deer · Season CloseArchery deer seasonEarly archery general deer season closes Sept. 25 in most GMUs (some units close Sept. 20-22 — check your GMU). Official 2026 WA Big Game pamphlet (WDFW via eRegulations).Source · verified 2026-07-06
• Sep 25Arizona · Pigeon · Season OpenBand-tailed pigeon seasonCommission Order 20, statewide.Source · verified 2026-07-27
• Sep 27Texas · Teal · Season CloseSeptember teal seasonStatewide September teal-only season ends Sep 27, 2026. TPWD 2026-27 season dates.Source · verified 2026-07-07
• Sep 27Oregon · Deer · Season CloseArchery deer season (western Oregon)Closes Sep 27; see Big Game Regulations p.33 for late-season hunts.Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Sep 27Oregon · Elk · Season CloseArchery elk seasonCloses Sep 27.Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Sep 30Colorado · Deer Elk · Season CloseArchery deer & elk seasonCPW 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure: archery deer & elk fixed Sept 2-30 annually.Source · verified 2026-06-28
• Sep 30Idaho · Deer · Season CloseArchery deer seasonCommon general archery deer season close (Aug 30 - Sep 30 in most units; some units run later). Idaho Fish and Game 2026 Big Game Seasons and Rules.Source · verified 2026-07-05
• Sep 30Wyoming · Antelope · Season CloseArchery antelope (pronghorn) seasonSpecial archery antelope season closes Sep 30 statewide (WGFD 2026 Ch.5 final regulation).Source · verified 2026-07-11
• Sep 30Colorado · Bear · Season CloseArchery bear seasonOfficially adopted 2026 date from CPW 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure (west of I-25 and GMU 140 where applicable). Unit-specific dates and license types vary by GMU/DAU — confirm on your license and the CPW big game brochure.Source · verified 2026-07-30

October 2026

• Oct 2Oregon · Bear · Application DeadlineGeneral season fall bear tag sale deadlineFall bear season runs Aug 1 - Dec 31; tag sales end Oct 2.Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Oct 3Texas · Deer · Season OpenArchery deer seasonWhite-tailed archery season, 252 of 254 counties (Oct 3 – Nov 6, 2026). Mule deer archery also opens Oct 3 (Panhandle & Trans-Pecos). TPWD 2026-27 season dates.Source · verified 2026-07-07
• Oct 3Oregon · Deer · Season OpenBuck deer rifle season (western Oregon, any legal weapon)General Any Legal Weapon Western Oregon Tag; tag sale deadline Oct 2. Eastern OR any-legal-weapon deer is controlled-hunt only.Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Oct 3Utah · Tundra Swan · Season OpenTundra swan seasonGuidebook: "Tundra swan Oct. 3-Dec. 13, 2026." Permit, duck stamp and HIP required.Source · verified 2026-07-29
• Oct 8Arizona · Pigeon · Season CloseBand-tailed pigeon seasonSource · verified 2026-07-27
• Oct 14Colorado · Elk · Season OpenFirst rifle elk seasonOfficially adopted 2026 date from CPW 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure (west of I-25 and GMU 140 where applicable). Unit-specific dates and license types vary by GMU/DAU — confirm on your license and the CPW big game brochure.Source · verified 2026-07-30
• Oct 18Montana · Deer Elk · Season CloseArchery deer & elk seasonMT 2026 archery deer & elk: Sept 5 - Oct 18 (FWP official seasons page).Source · verified 2026-06-26
• Oct 18Colorado · Elk · Season CloseFirst rifle elk seasonOfficially adopted 2026 date from CPW 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure (west of I-25 and GMU 140 where applicable). Unit-specific dates and license types vary by GMU/DAU — confirm on your license and the CPW big game brochure.Source · verified 2026-07-30
• Oct 24Montana · Deer Elk · Season OpenGeneral (rifle) deer & elk seasonMT 2026 general deer & elk: Oct 24 - Nov 29 (FWP official seasons page).Source · verified 2026-06-26
• Oct 24Colorado · Deer Elk · Season OpenSecond combined rifle deer & elk seasonOfficially adopted 2026 date from CPW 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure (west of I-25 and GMU 140 where applicable). Unit-specific dates and license types vary by GMU/DAU — confirm on your license and the CPW big game brochure.Source · verified 2026-07-30
• Oct 25Texas · Dove · Season CloseDove season — first segment (Central & South Zones)Central & South zone first segments close Oct 25, 2026; second segments reopen Dec 11 (Central) / Dec 18 (South). TPWD 2026-27 season dates.Source · verified 2026-07-07
• Oct 30Nevada · Dove · Season CloseDove seasonSource · verified 2026-06-30
• Oct 30Washington · Dove · Season CloseMourning dove seasonSource · verified 2026-07-27
• Oct 30Utah · Dove · Season CloseMourning & white-winged dove seasonSame official guidebook season table.Source · verified 2026-07-29

November 2026

• Nov 1Colorado · Deer Elk · Season CloseSecond combined rifle deer & elk seasonOfficially adopted 2026 date from CPW 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure (west of I-25 and GMU 140 where applicable). Unit-specific dates and license types vary by GMU/DAU — confirm on your license and the CPW big game brochure.Source · verified 2026-07-30
• Nov 2Wyoming · Big Game · Application DeadlineBig game preference point deadline (antelope, deer, elk, sheep, moose)Source · verified 2026-06-20
• Nov 6Texas · Deer · Season CloseArchery deer seasonWhite-tailed archery closes Nov 6, 2026; general season opens Nov 7. TPWD 2026-27 season dates.Source · verified 2026-07-07
• Nov 6Oregon · Deer · Season CloseBuck deer rifle season (western Oregon, any legal weapon)Closes Nov 6.Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Nov 7Texas · Deer · Season OpenGeneral deer seasonWhite-tailed general season opens Nov 7, 2026 in BOTH North and South zones (North runs to Jan 3, South to Jan 17, 2027). Fall turkey also opens Nov 7. TPWD 2026-27 season dates.Source · verified 2026-07-07
• Nov 7Texas · Turkey · Season OpenFall turkey seasonFall wild turkey opens Nov 7, 2026 (North to Jan 3; South to Jan 17; archery-only Oct 3 – Nov 6). TPWD 2026-27 season dates.Source · verified 2026-07-07
• Nov 7Oregon · Elk · Season OpenElk rifle seasons open (West Cascade and Rocky Mountain second season)West Cascade Nov 7-13; Rocky Mountain second season Nov 7-15.Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Nov 8Texas · Dove · Season CloseDove season — first segment (North Zone)North zone first segment closes Nov 8, 2026; second segment Dec 18, 2026 – Jan 7, 2027. TPWD 2026-27 season dates.Source · verified 2026-07-07
• Nov 13Oregon · Elk · Season CloseWest Cascade elk rifle seasonSource · verified 2026-07-28
• Nov 14Oregon · Elk · Season OpenCoast bull elk first rifle season (western Oregon)Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Nov 15Oregon · Elk · Season CloseRocky Mountain elk second rifle season (eastern Oregon)Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Nov 15Washington · Bear · Season CloseGeneral black bear seasonAll Black Bear Management Units close Nov 15, 2026. Successful hunters must submit a bear premolar tooth to WDFW by Dec 1, 2026 (RCW 77.15.280 / WAC 220-415-090).Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Nov 17Oregon · Elk · Season CloseCoast bull elk first rifle season (western Oregon)Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Nov 20Arizona · Dove · Season OpenLate dove seasonStatewide late segment, Nov 20 2026 - Jan 3 2027.Source · verified 2026-07-27
• Nov 21Oregon · Elk · Season OpenCoast bull elk second rifle season (western Oregon)Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Nov 27Oregon · Elk · Season CloseCoast bull elk second rifle season (western Oregon)Source · verified 2026-07-28
• Nov 29Montana · Deer Elk · Season CloseGeneral (rifle) deer & elk seasonMT 2026 general deer & elk: Oct 24 - Nov 29 (FWP official seasons page).Source · verified 2026-06-26

December 2026

• Dec 31Oregon · Bear · Season CloseGeneral fall black bear season (statewide)Season ends Dec 31.Source · verified 2026-07-28

January 2027

• Jan 3Texas · Deer · Season CloseGeneral deer season (North Zone)North Zone general white-tailed season closes Jan 3, 2027 (special late season Jan 4-17). TPWD 2026-27 season dates.Source · verified 2026-07-07
• Jan 15Washington · Grouse · Season CloseForest grouse seasonSource · verified 2026-07-27
• Jan 17Texas · Deer · Season CloseGeneral deer season (South Zone)South Zone general white-tailed season closes Jan 17, 2027 (special late season Jan 18-31). TPWD 2026-27 season dates.Source · verified 2026-07-07

February 2027

• Feb 1Wyoming · Super Tag · Application DeadlineWyoming Super Tag raffle deadlineSource · verified 2026-06-20

Common questions

What hunting draw deadlines are coming up?

LawLert is tracking 95 upcoming tag-draw, lottery and application deadlines across 11 states. The next one is Colorado (Big Game) on 2026-08-04. Every date on this page links to the wildlife agency that published it, with the date LawLert last checked it.

Which states does LawLert track draw deadlines for?

Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming. That is 11 states, not all 50 — LawLert only lists a deadline when it can point at the issuing agency's own published date, so states are added as their calendars are sourced rather than estimated.

What happens if I miss a hunting draw deadline?

In most states a missed draw or application deadline cannot be appealed — you wait for the next cycle, which usually means missing that season entirely. Some states run leftover or over-the-counter tag sales afterwards, but availability and species differ by state. Confirm against the agency link on each row before relying on it.