When Does Elk Season Start? 2026–27 Opening Dates for All 50 States
Elk season opens as early as August 15, 2026 in Utah and as late as October 17, 2026 in Wisconsin, with most states opening in October.
Elk season opening dates by state
19 states
- UtahOpens in 6 days
- Archery open
- Aug 15
- Firearm open
- —
- Closes
- Nov 5
- OregonOpen now
- Archery open
- Aug 29
- Firearm open
- Nov 7
- Closes
- Nov 27
- IdahoOpen now
- Archery open
- Aug 30
- Firearm open
- —
- Closes
- Sep 30
- NebraskaOpen now
- Archery open
- Sep 1
- Firearm open
- Sep 21
- Closes
- Oct 31
- South DakotaOpen now
- Archery open
- Sep 1
- Firearm open
- —
- Closes
- Sep 30
- WyomingOpen now
- Archery open
- Sep 1
- Firearm open
- —
- Closes
- Oct 31
- CaliforniaOpen now
- Archery open
- Sep 2
- Firearm open
- —
- Closes
- Sep 27
- North DakotaOpen now
- Archery open
- Sep 4
- Firearm open
- —
- Closes
- Sep 27
- KentuckyOpen now
- Archery open
- Sep 12
- Firearm open
- Sep 26
- Closes
- Dec 2
- PennsylvaniaOpen now
- Archery open
- Sep 12
- Firearm open
- Oct 3
- Closes
- Oct 11
- WashingtonOpens in 6 days
- Archery open
- Sep 12
- Firearm open
- Oct 31
- Closes
- Nov 18
- MichiganOpen now
- Archery open
- —
- Firearm open
- —
- Closes
- Dec 15
- AlaskaOpen now
- Archery open
- —
- Firearm open
- —
- Closes
- Oct 22
- OklahomaOpens in 4 days
- Archery open
- Oct 1
- Firearm open
- Nov 21
- Closes
- Jan 15
- TennesseeOpens in 6 days
- Archery open
- —
- Firearm open
- —
- Closes
- Oct 9
- ArkansasOpens in 8 days
- Archery open
- —
- Firearm open
- —
- Closes
- Oct 30
- ColoradoOpens in 17 days
- Archery open
- —
- Firearm open
- Oct 14
- Closes
- Oct 18
- MissouriOpens in 20 days
- Archery open
- Oct 17
- Firearm open
- —
- Closes
- Oct 25
- WisconsinOpens in 20 days
- Archery open
- —
- Firearm open
- —
- Closes
- Dec 13
| Region | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | West | Aug 15 | — | Nov 5 | Opens in 6 days |
| Oregon | West | Aug 29 | Nov 7 | Nov 27 | Open now |
| Idaho | West | Aug 30 | — | Sep 30 | Open now |
| Nebraska | Midwest | Sep 1 | Sep 21 | Oct 31 | Open now |
| South Dakota | Midwest | Sep 1 | — | Sep 30 | Open now |
| Wyoming | West | Sep 1 | — | Oct 31 | Open now |
| California | West | Sep 2 | — | Sep 27 | Open now |
| North Dakota | Midwest | Sep 4 | — | Sep 27 | Open now |
| Kentucky | South | Sep 12 | Sep 26 | Dec 2 | Open now |
| Pennsylvania | Northeast | Sep 12 | Oct 3 | Oct 11 | Open now |
| Washington | West | Sep 12 | Oct 31 | Nov 18 | Opens in 6 days |
| Michigan | Midwest | — | — | Dec 15 | Open now |
| Alaska | West | — | — | Oct 22 | Open now |
| Oklahoma | South | Oct 1 | Nov 21 | Jan 15 | Opens in 4 days |
| Tennessee | South | — | — | Oct 9 | Opens in 6 days |
| Arkansas | South | — | — | Oct 30 | Opens in 8 days |
| Colorado | West | — | Oct 14 | Oct 18 | Opens in 17 days |
| Missouri | Midwest | Oct 17 | — | Oct 25 | Opens in 20 days |
| Wisconsin | Midwest | — | — | Dec 13 | Opens in 20 days |
Elk seasons opening this week
Earliest and latest openers
Elk seasons by region
Northeast
1 states covered
Earliest open
Sep 12
South
4 states covered
Earliest open
Sep 12
Midwest
6 states covered
Earliest open
Sep 1
West
8 states covered
Earliest open
Aug 15
Archery vs. firearm vs. muzzleloader: how seasons are split
Most states don't run one continuous elk season — they split it into method-specific segments. Archery seasons typically open first and run longest, often overlapping with the rest of the calendar. Muzzleloader segments are usually short windows before or after the main firearm season. General firearm (gun) season is usually the shortest and most heavily hunted segment, and dates can differ by zone within the same state.
- Archery
- 13
- states with an archery segment
- Muzzleloader
- 4
- states with a muzzleloader segment
- Firearm
- 7
- states with a general gun segment
Frequently asked questions
Elk season opens as early as August 15, 2026 in Utah and as late as October 17, 2026 in Wisconsin, with most states opening in October.
Regulations change every year and can vary by county or unit. Hunting Season by State is a reference tool, not a substitute for the official regulation book — always verify dates, zones, and bag limits with the state wildlife agency before you hunt.