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.
- 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
- Deer and general big game: Archery runs from August 20 – December 31, 2025
- Statewide deer archery: September 13 – December 31, 2025
- Archery whitetail deer: September 15 – December 31, 2025
- Deer and elk (archery): October 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026
- 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)
- 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
| 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 |
- 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.