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Season Dates

These dates are provided only as a general reference. Check current regulations for specific dates.

2012 Season Dates
Printable 2012 Season Date Card	127 KB

Date Setting Process

Click on the calendar icon in the table(s) below to see the date setting process for each species/hunting season.

Antelope

900 Series

August 15 to 2nd Sunday in November

Archery

First Saturday in September to Friday of Columbus Day weekend

General

Saturday of Columbus Day weekend to 2nd Sunday in November

2012 Antelope Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
900 series	August 15	November 11
Archery	September 1	October 5
General	October 6	November 11

Beaver

Western & Southwestern Districts 1, 2, & 3

November 1 to April 15

Centeral & Eastern Districts 4, 5, 6 & 7

September 1 to May 31

2012 Beaver Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Western & Southwestern Districts 1, 2, & 3	November 1	April 15, 2013
Centeral & Eastern Districts 4, 5, 6 & 7	September 1	May 31, 2013

Bighorn Sheep

Archery

September 5 to September 14 (some districts vary)

General

September 15 to Sunday after Thanksgiving (some districts vary)

2012 Bighorn Sheep Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Archery	September 5	September 14
General	September 15	November 25

Bison

November 15 to February 15

2012 Bison Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Bison	November 15	February 15, 2013

Black Bear

Spring

April 15 to June 15 (some bear management units end sooner)

Archery

First Saturday in September to September 14

Fall

September 15 to Sunday after Thanksgiving

2012 Black Bear Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Spring	April 15	Various (May 15–June 15)
Archery	September 1	September 14
Fall	September 15	November 25

Bobcat

Western & Southwestern Districts 1, 2, & 3

December 1 to February 15

Central & Eastern Districts 4, 5, 6 & 7

December 1 to March 1

2012 Bobcat Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Western & Southwestern Districts 1, 2, & 3	December 1	February 15, 2013*
Centeral & Eastern Districts 4, 5, 6 & 7	December 1	March 1, 2013*

* Bobcat season may close earlier when the quota is reached.

Common Snipe

Central Flyway - Common Snipe

The season opens on the Saturday closest to Oct 1. The closing date is set annually by the Commission.

Pacific Flyway - Common Snipe

The season opens on the Saturday closest to Oct 1. The closing date is set annually by the Commission.

NOTE: Start and End Dates must be confirmed with federal frameworks at the August Commission meeting. See final regulations prior to hunting.

2012 Common Snipe Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Central Flyway
Common Snipe	September 1	*TBD
Pacific Flyway
Common Snipe	September 1	*TBD

*The 2012 End Dates for Common Snipe will be determined at the August Commission meeting.

Deer & Elk

Archery

First Saturday in September to Sunday before general deer/elk opener

Two-Day Youth Hunt (Deer Only)

Thursday and Friday immediately before general deer/elk opener

General

37 days ending Sunday after Thanksgiving, Sat start

Backcountry (HD's 150, 151, 280, 316) - Archery

First Saturday in September to September 14

Backcountry (HD's 150, 151, 280, 316) - General

September 15 to Sunday after Thanksgiving

2012 Deer & Elk Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Archery	September 1	October 14
Two-Day Youth Hunt (Deer Only)	October 18	October 19
General	October 20	November 25
Backcountry (HD's 150, 151, 280, 316)
Archery	September 1	September 14
General	September 15	November 25

Duck & Coot

Central Flyway - Duck & Coot

The season opens on the Saturday closest to Oct 1. The closing date is set annually by the Commission.

Central Flyway - Falconry

The season opens on the Saturday closest to Oct 1. The closing date is set annually by the Commission.

Central Flyway - Youth Weekend

Typically the weekend before waterfowl season opens

Pacific Flyway - Duck & Coot

The season opens on the Saturday closest to Oct 1. The closing date is set annually by the Commission.

Pacific Flyway - Falconry

The season opens on the Saturday closest to Oct 1. The closing date is set annually by the Commission.

Pacific Flyway - Scaup

The season opens on the Saturday closest to Oct 1. The closing date is set annually by the Commission.

Pacific Flyway - Youth Weekend

Typically the weekend before waterfowl season opens

NOTE: Start and End Dates must be confirmed with federal frameworks at the August Commission meeting. See final regulations prior to hunting.

2012 Duck & Coot Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Central Flyway
Duck & Coot	September 29	*TBD
Falconry	September 29	*TBD
Youth Weekend	September 23	September 24
Pacific Flyway
Duck & Coot	September 29	*TBD
Falconry	September 29	*TBD
Scaup	September 29	*TBD
Youth Weekend	September 23	September 24

*The 2012 End Dates for Duck and Coot will be determined at the August Commission meeting.

Fisher

Districts 1 & 2

December 1 to February 15

2012 Fisher Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Districts 1 & 2	December 1	February 15, 2013*

* Fisher seasons may close earlier when the quota is reached.

Goose

Central Flyway - Goose

The season opens on the Saturday closest to Oct 1. The closing date is set annually by the Commission.

Central Flyway - Falconry

The season opens on the Saturday closest to Oct 1. The closing date is set annually by the Commission.

Central Flyway - Youth Weekend

Typically the weekend before waterfowl season opens

Pacific Flyway - Goose

The season opens on the Saturday closest to Oct 1. The closing date is set annually by the Commission.

Pacific Flyway - Falconry

The season opens on the Saturday closest to Oct 1. The closing date is set annually by the Commission.

Pacific Flyway - Youth Weekend

Typically the weekend before waterfowl season opens

NOTE: Start and End Dates must be confirmed with federal frameworks at the August Commission meeting. See final regulations prior to hunting.

2012 Goose Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Central Flyway
Goose	September 29	*TBD
Falconry	September 29	*TBD
Youth Weekend	September 23	September 24
Pacific Flyway
Goose	September 29	*TBD
Falconry	September 29	*TBD
Youth Weekend	September 23	September 24

*The 2012 End Dates for Goose will be determined at the August Commission meeting.

Grouse

Mountain Grouse

September 1 to December 15

Sage Grouse

September 1 to November 1

Sharp-tailed Grouse

September 1 to January 1

2012 Grouse Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Mountain Grouse	September 1	January 1, 2013
Sage Grouse	September 1	November 1
Sharp-tailed Grouse	September 1	January 1, 2013

Marten

Districts 1–5

December 1 to February 15

2012 Marten Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Districts 1–5	December 1	February 15, 2013*

* Marten season may close earlier when the quota is reached.

Moose

September 15 to Sunday after Thanksgiving (some districts vary)

2012 Moose Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Moose	September 15	November 25

Mourning Dove

Pacific Flyway - Mourning Dove

The season opens on the Saturday closest to Oct 1. The closing date is set annually by the Commission.

Central Flyway - Mourning Dove

The season opens on the Saturday closest to Oct 1. The closing date is set annually by the Commission.

NOTE: Start and End Dates must be confirmed with federal frameworks at the August Commission meeting. See final regulations prior to hunting.

2012 Mourning Dove Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Central Flyway
2012 Mourning Dove Season Dates	September 1	*TBD
Pacific Flyway
Mourning Dove	September 1	*TBD

*The 2012 End Dates for Mourning Dove will be determined at the August Commission meeting.

Mountain Goat

September 15 to Sunday after Thanksgiving (some districts vary)

2012 Mountain Goat Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Mountain Goat	September 15	November 25

Mountain Lion

Archery (without hounds)

Start 1st Saturday in September, closing date varies pending quotas

Fall (without hounds)

37 days ending Sunday after Thanksgiving, Sat start

Winter (with hounds)

December 1 to April 14

2012 Mountain Lion Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Archery (without hounds)	September 1	October 14
Fall (without hounds)	October 20	November 25
Winter (with hounds)	December 1	April 14, 2013

Otter, Mink & Muskrat

Statewide

December 1 to April 15

2012 Otter, Mink, Muskrat Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Statewide	November 1	April 15, 2013*

* Otter seasons may close earlier when the quota is reached.

Partridge

September 1 to January 1 (some counties vary)

2012 Partridge Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Partridge	September 1	January 1, 2013

Pheasant

General

Saturday of Columbus Day weekend to January 1

Youth

Determined by the FWP Commission in August

2012 Pheasant Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Pheasant
General	October 6	January 1, 2013
Youth	September 22	September 23

Sandhill Crane

Central Flyway - Sandhill Crane

The season opens on the Saturday closest to Oct 1. The closing date is set annually by the Commission.

Pacific Flyway - Sandhill Crane

The season opens on the Saturday closest to Oct 1. The closing date is set annually by the Commission.

NOTE: Start and End Dates must be confirmed with federal frameworks at the August Commission meeting. See final regulations prior to hunting.

2012 Sandhill Crane Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Central Flyway
Sandhill Crane	September 29	*TBD
Pacific Flyway
Sandhill Crane	September 29	*TBD

*The 2012 End Dates for Sandhill Crane will be determined at the August Commission meeting.

Scaup

Pacific Flyway

The season opens on the Saturday closest to Oct 1. The closing date is set annually by the Commission.

NOTE: Start and End Dates must be confirmed with federal frameworks at the August Commission meeting. See final regulations prior to hunting.

2012 Scaup Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Pacific Flyway
Scaup	September 29	*TBD

*The 2012 End Date for Scaup will be determined at the August Commission meeting.

Swan

Central Flyway

The season opens on the Saturday closest to Oct 1. The closing date is set annually by the Commission.

Pacific Flyway

The season opens on the Saturday closest to Oct 1. The closing date is set annually by the Commission.

NOTE: Start and End Dates must be confirmed with federal frameworks at the August Commission meeting. See final regulations prior to hunting.

2012 Swan Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Central Flyway
Swan	September 29	*TBD
Pacific Flyway
Swan	September 29	*TBD

*The 2012 End Dates for Swan will be determined at the August Commission meeting.

Swift Fox

District 6

November 1 to March 1

2012 Swift Fox Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
District 6	November 1	March 1, 2013*

* Swift Fox seasons may close earlier when the quota is reached.

Turkey

Spring

Second Saturday in April to 3rd Sunday in May

Fall

September 1 to January 1

2012 Turkey Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Spring	April 14	May 20
Fall	September 1	January 1, 2013

Upland Game Bird

Moose

September 15 to Sunday after Thanksgiving (some districts vary)

2012 Upland Game Birds Season Dates

Grouse
Mountain Grouse	See Grouse (Mountain Grouse) above
Sharp-tailed Grouse	See Grouse (Sharp-tailed Grouse) above
Sage Grouse	See Grouse (Sage Grouse) above
Partridge	See Partridge above
Pheasant	See Pheasant above
Turkey	See Turkey above

Waterfowl

2012 Waterfowl Season Dates

Central Flyway
Duck & Coot	See Duck & Coot above
Goose	See Goose above
Swan	See Swan above
Falconry - Duck & Coot	See Duck & Coot above
Falconry - Goose	See Goose above
Pacific Flyway
Duck & Coot	See Duck & Coot above
Goose	See Goose above
Scaup	See Scaup above
Swan	See Swan above
Falconry - Duck & Coot	See Duck & Coot above
Youth Weekend	See Duck & Coot and Goose above

Webless Migratory Bird

2012 Webless Migratory Bird Season Dates

Central Flyway
Mourning Dove	See Mourning Dove above
Common (Wilson’s) Snipe	See Common (Wilson’s) Snipe above
Sandhill Crane	See Sandhill Crane above
Pacific Flyway
Mourning Dove	See Mourning Dove above
Common (Wilson’s) Snipe	See Common (Wilson’s) Snipe above
Sandhill Crane	See Sandhill Crane above

Wolf

Early Season Backcountry Archery

Season is set by the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission each year.

Early Season Backcountry Rifle

Season is set by the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission each year.

General Season Archery

Season is set by the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission each year.

General Season Rifle

Season is set by the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission each year.

2012 Wolf Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Early Season Backcountry Archery	*TBD	*TBD
Early Season Backcountry Rifle	*TBD	*TBD
General Season Archery	*TBD	*TBD
General Season Rifle	*TBD	*TBD

*The 2012 Wolf Season Dates will be determined at the July Commission meeting.

Wolverine

Districts 1-5

December 1 to February 15

2012 Wolverine Season Dates			Date Setting
	Start Date	End Date	Process
Districts 1-5	December 1	February 15, 2013*

* Wolverine seasons may close earlier when the quota is reached.

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Hunting Guides

Printable 2012 Season Date Card

900 Series

Archery

General

2012 Antelope Season Dates

900 series

Archery

General

Western & Southwestern Districts 1, 2, & 3

Centeral & Eastern Districts 4, 5, 6 & 7

2012 Beaver Season Dates

Western & Southwestern Districts 1, 2, & 3

Centeral & Eastern Districts 4, 5, 6 & 7

Archery

General

2012 Bighorn Sheep Season Dates

Archery

General

Bison

2012 Bison Season Dates

Bison

Spring

Archery

Fall

2012 Black Bear Season Dates

Spring

Archery

Fall

Western & Southwestern Districts 1, 2, & 3

Central & Eastern Districts 4, 5, 6 & 7

2012 Bobcat Season Dates

Western & Southwestern Districts 1, 2, & 3

Centeral & Eastern Districts 4, 5, 6 & 7

Central Flyway - Common Snipe

Pacific Flyway - Common Snipe

2012 Common Snipe Season Dates

Central Flyway

Common Snipe

Pacific Flyway

Common Snipe

Archery

Two-Day Youth Hunt (Deer Only)

General

Backcountry (HD's 150, 151, 280, 316) - Archery

Backcountry (HD's 150, 151, 280, 316) - General

2012 Deer & Elk Season Dates

Archery

Two-Day Youth Hunt (Deer Only)

General

Backcountry (HD's 150, 151, 280, 316)

Archery

General

Central Flyway - Duck & Coot

Central Flyway - Falconry

Central Flyway - Youth Weekend

Pacific Flyway - Duck & Coot

Pacific Flyway - Falconry

Pacific Flyway - Scaup

Pacific Flyway - Youth Weekend

2012 Duck & Coot Season Dates

Central Flyway

Duck & Coot

Falconry

Youth Weekend

Pacific Flyway

Duck & Coot

Falconry

Scaup

Youth Weekend

Districts 1 & 2

2012 Fisher Season Dates

Districts 1 & 2

Central Flyway - Goose

Central Flyway - Falconry

Central Flyway - Youth Weekend

Pacific Flyway - Goose

Pacific Flyway - Falconry

Two-Day Youth Hunt
(Deer Only)