2022-2023 LEGAL WEAPONS DATES FOR HUNTING ON FS/HAAF

Species

Time Period

2022-2023 Time Period

Legal Hunting Weapon

Feral Hog

Small Game Season through the day before Deer Primitive Weapons Season

Aug. 15 – Oct. 14

Small Game Weapons1

Deer Primitive Weapons Season

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21

Primitive Weapons2

Deer Firearms Season through the day before Turkey Season

Oct. 22 – Mar. 31

Big Game Weapons3

Turkey Season

Apr. 1 – May 15

Legal Turkey Weapons4

Day after Turkey Season through the day before Small Game Season

May 16 – Aug. 14 (2023)

Big Game Weapons3

Coyote

Small Game Season through the day before Deer Primitive Weapons Season

Aug. 15 – Oct. 14

Small Game Weapons1

Deer Primitive Weapons Season

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21

Primitive Weapons2

Deer Firearms Season through the day before Turkey Season

Oct. 22 – Mar. 31

Big Game Weapons3

Turkey Season

Apr. 1 – May 15

Legal Turkey Weapons4

Day after Turkey Season through the day before Small Game Season

May 16 – Aug. 14 (2023)

Big Game Weapons3

 

1Small Game Weapons-Any .22-cal or smaller rim-fire rifle or handgun, or air rifle, or any shotgun having a shot-shell size 3.5 inches or smaller in length with # 2 or smaller shot, or any black-powder shotgun loaded with #2 shot or smaller.  Archery-long bows, compound bows and crossbows (with scopes), also allowed. Contrary to state law, “black-powder rifles are not considered small game weapons on FS/HAAF.”

 

2Primitive Weapons- Archery equipment, air bows, .30 cal. or larger pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air rifles, muzzleloaders, and muzzleloading shotguns. Scopes are legal. Big game air rifles must be equipped with a scope

 

3Big Game Weapons -Any center-fire rifle or pistol with .22 caliber or larger expanding bullets, any shotgun 20 gauge or larger loaded with slugs, any muzzle-loading rifle (scopes allowed), or any pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air rifle or air bow .30 caliber or larger. Big game air rifles must be equipped with a scope. Archery-long bows, compound bows and crossbows (with scopes), are also allowed. Use or possession of buckshot is prohibited. Center-fire rifles or pistols may only be used in the areas designated as “Firearms”.

 

4Turkey Weapons- Turkey hunters may take coyotes using turkey weapons in "Firearms" and "Shotgun" areas.  Legal Turkey Weapons shall be modern shotguns and muzzle-loading shotguns with # 2 shot or smaller.  Long bows, compound bows and crossbows with scopes are allowed.