Archery Hunting Season

Archery Season: National Picture

• Archery regulations—including season start/end dates, allowed equipment, and species restrictions—are set by each state wildlife agency, so dates vary widely.
• In many states, archery is allowed solo or overlaps with firearm seasons, though special bows-only periods may exist, especially at the start of the fall harvest.
• Some states permit crossbows during archery or even general firearm seasons, depending on local disability regulations or statewide rules.

State Highlights for 2025 Archery Seasons Colorado

• Deer and elk archery: September 2 – 30, 2025 (29-day season) west of I-25 and GMU 140
• Elk archery: September 2 – 30, 2025
• Bear archery: Same September 2–30 window

Nebraska

• Deer and general big game: Archery runs from August 20 – December 31, 2025

Minnesota

• Statewide deer archery: September 13 – December 31, 2025

Kansas

• Archery whitetail deer: September 15 – December 31, 2025

Oklahoma

• Deer and elk (archery): October 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Texas

• General white-tailed deer archery: September 27 – October 31, 2025 in most counties
• Archery-only mule deer in Panhandle and Trans-Pecos: September 27 – November 21 (Panhandle) or November 27 (Trans-Pecos)

Michigan

• Archery deer: October 1 – November 14 (early season) and December 1 – January 1, 2026
• Additional January archery: January 2 – 31, 2026 for certain hunters or counties

Overview Table (Example States)

State	Typical Archery Season Dates	Species Covered
Colorado	Sept 2–Sept 30	Deer, elk, bear
Nebraska	Aug 20–Dec 31	Deer, elk, pronghorn
Minnesota	Sept 13–Dec 31	Deer
Kansas	Sept 15–Dec 31	Deer (whitetail)
Oklahoma	Oct 1 – Jan 15, 2026	Deer, elk
Texas	Sept 27 – Oct 31	Deer, mule deer (specific)
Michigan	Oct 1–Nov 14; Dec 1–Jan 1; Jan 2–31	Deer

Key Takeaways

• Archery seasons in the U.S. generally begin in late August or early September, with variations based on wildlife and region.
• Some states offer extended archery-only seasons, while others allow archery to overlap with firearm and muzzleloader seasons.
• Regulations regarding crossbow use, game species, harvest limits, and license eligibility vary significantly by state—always check specific state DNR or wildlife agency guidelines.