Southwest Ohio hunting
Hunting Near Fairfield
City in Butler County, wildlife district 5. The closest open public land is Pater Wildlife Area, 12 miles out.
Photo: Andrew Cannizzaro (CC BY 2.0)
Fairfield as a hunting base
Fairfield is one of the Ohio cities of 25,000 or more people, inside Butler County and ODNR District 5. Population, per the 2024 Census estimate: 45,094 for Fairfield. There is no wildlife area, state forest or public hunting area within 10 miles of Fairfield. The first one out is Pater Wildlife Area, 12 miles out. Deer hunters based in Fairfield work under the Butler County bag limit of 3 for 2026-27.
Town point, population and land area from the Census 2024 Gazetteer and Vintage 2024 estimates; wildlife district from the ODNR County Contacts layer; public land rings from ODNR and PAD-US boundaries (GIS acres); deer limit from the 2026-27 deer bag limit map. Checked November 6, 2026.
Public tracts ranked by distance from Fairfield
Rows are sorted by distance from Fairfield to the edge of each property, the way places.json measured them. Within 25 miles of Fairfield: 4 state wildlife areas and 1 state park. Because the 25-mile list is short, more distant properties round out the choices from Fairfield. Hueston Woods State Park is the largest block within 25 miles of Fairfield, roughly 2,936 acres. Species lists exist for 4 of these tracts: deer appears on 1, waterfowl on 1, pheasant on 2. Restricted in the status column means ODNR limits hunting there in some way; the property page gives the detail.
| Place and distance | Land type | Acres | Open? | Quarry | Drawings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pater Wildlife Area · 12 mi | Wildlife area | 192 | Open | pheasant, dove | 1 lottery |
| Rush Run Wildlife Area · 17 mi | Wildlife area | 1,165 | Open | furbearer trapping, dove + | 2 lotteries |
| Hueston Woods State Park · 18 mi | State park | 2,936 | Restricted | turkey, furbearer trapping + | 4 lotteries |
| Great Miami River Wildlife Area · 20 mi | Wildlife area | 18 | Open | Ohio seasons | – |
| Woodland Trails Wildlife Area · 23 mi | Wildlife area | 718 | Restricted | deer, furbearer trapping + | 7 lotteries |
| Stonelick State Park · 27 mi to centre | State park | 1,058 | Restricted | deer, turkey + | – |
| Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area · 30 mi to centre | Wildlife area | 168 | Open | deer, squirrel + | – |
| East Fork State Park · 31 mi to centre | State park | 4,870 | Restricted | deer, turkey + | 1 lottery |
| Caesar Creek State Park · 31 mi to centre | State park | 3,741 | Restricted | deer, turkey + | 4 lotteries |
| East Fork Wildlife Area · 33 mi to centre | Wildlife area | 2,705 | Open | deer, squirrel + | 2 lotteries |
Distances and acres from places.json and lands.json (ODNR_LANDS and hunting-status layers, PAD-US 4.1, USFS layers; GIS measures, not surveyed acreage); status from the ODNR hunting-status layer; lotteries from the 2026 controlled hunting access lists. Checked November 6, 2026.
Bag limit and zone lines around Fairfield
Bag rules near Fairfield start with the county class, three-deer, then the Ohio cap of 6 deer and 1 antlered. Hunters near Fairfield are outside the Disease Surveillance Area and its extra deer rules. Waterfowl: all of Butler County is in Zone C under the new three-zone layout. Spring turkey uses the South zone rows (2026 dates until ODNR publishes 2027), and fall turkey is open in Butler County. Further, bobwhite quail are open on private land and river otter trapping is in Otter Zone B. Hunters from out of state buy the $180.96 nonresident license before any hunt near Fairfield; the resident version is $19.00. Hunter orange becomes mandatory in the youth gun, regular gun, bonus gun and muzzleloader seasons for nearly everyone afield. Every deer goes through game check by noon the following day.
Deer limits from the 2026-27 deer bag limit map and regulations; DSA from OAC 1501:31-19-03; CWD detections from ODNR; waterfowl zones from the 2026-27 regulations; turkey zones from the turkey rules. Checked November 6, 2026.
Fairfield nearest properties in detail
Pater Wildlife Area, 12 mi
Pater Wildlife Area is a 192-acre state wildlife area located 2 miles southeast of Reily. Game here: pheasant, dove. Some hunting here goes by lottery: 1 drawn hunt for 2026. ODNR plants 1 dove field on it.
Rush Run Wildlife Area, 17 mi
Rush Run Wildlife Area is a 1,165-acre state wildlife area located 2 miles north of Somerville. Game here: furbearer trapping, dove, pheasant. Some hunting here goes by lottery: 2 drawn hunts for 2026. ODNR plants 5 dove fields on it.
Hueston Woods State Park, 18 mi
The limestone and shale bedrock of the Hueston Woods region provides evidence of the ancient shallow sea that once covered Ohio. Game here: turkey, furbearer trapping, raccoon, waterfowl. Some hunting here goes by lottery: 4 drawn hunts for 2026.
Descriptions, species, dove fields and access from each property’s ODNR page and the ODNR property details layer, or the agency page linked on the land page (lands.json); lotteries from the 2026 controlled hunting lists. Checked November 6, 2026.
Fairfield hunting seasons, 2026-27
For Fairfield the table lists 54 seasons for 2026-27: deer, turkey, small game, upland birds, waterfowl, doves, woodcock and furbearers.
| Species | Hunt | Area | First day | Last day | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Feb 7, 2027 | |
| Deer | Youth gun | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Deer | Gun | Statewide | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Deer | Bonus gun | Statewide | Dec 19, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Jan 2, 2027 | Jan 5, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall | Fall counties | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Squirrels | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Cottontail | Youth small game weekend | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Youth small game weekend | Statewide | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Regular | Statewide | Nov 6, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth small game weekend | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Youth small game weekend | Statewide | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular | Statewide | Nov 6, 2026 | Jan 10, 2027 | |
| Chukar | Youth small game weekend | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Chukar | Youth small game weekend | Statewide | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Chukar | Regular | Statewide | Nov 6, 2026 | Jan 10, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Youth small game weekend | Quail counties | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Youth small game weekend | Quail counties | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Regular | Quail counties | Nov 6, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Mourning dove | Dove | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Mourning dove | Dove | Statewide | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Teal | Early teal | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Early Canada goose | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Veterans and military | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Youth waterfowl | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Ducks (split 1) | Zone C | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Ducks (split 2) | Zone C | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Geese and brant | Geese (split 1) | Zone C | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Geese and brant | Geese (split 2) | Zone C | Nov 21, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Woodcock | Statewide | Oct 16, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Snipe | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 25, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Snipe | Statewide | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Rails | Rail | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Gallinule | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Crow (Fri-Sun) | Statewide | Jun 5, 2026 | Mar 7, 2027 | |
| Groundhog | No closed season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting (no closed season) | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Trapping (no closed season) | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Mink | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Muskrat | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| River otter | Trapping | Otter Zone B | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Beaver | Trapping | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 |
From the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations and the 2026-27 hunting seasons list (ODNR Division of Wildlife), checked November 6, 2026.
Deer and turkey numbers around Fairfield
In 2025-26 the game check system logged 1,466 deer from Butler County. Through November 3, 2026, 2026-27 hunters had checked 387 deer in Butler County. Gun hunters checked 371 deer in Butler County during 2025-26, against 648 for crossbow hunters. The 2026 spring turkey count for Butler County was 226.
| Season | Deer total | Antlered bucks | Antlerless deer | Archery | Gun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 1,268 | 482 | 786 | 803 | – |
| 2023-24 | 1,254 | 587 | 667 | 802 | – |
| 2024-25 | 1,478 | 682 | 796 | 926 | 552 |
| 2025-26 | 1,466 | 647 | 819 | 916 | 550 |
Final weekly deer harvest reports: 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26; 2026-27 to date from the in-season report; spring turkey from the 2026 spring turkey results; 2025-26 by method from the 2025-26 deer summary. County totals, not town figures. Checked November 6, 2026.
ODNR contacts nearest Fairfield
From Fairfield, ODNR Rush Run Wildlife Area headquarters is the closest Division of Wildlife office (18 miles). Closest wildlife area headquarters to the Butler County centre: Rush Run Wildlife Area headquarters, phone (513) 726-6795. ODNR assigns Andrew Dowdell as the Butler County wildlife officer.
District offices from the ODNR wildlife contacts page and Districts layer; county wildlife officers from the ODNR County Contacts layer; nearest offices measured from the town point (services.json); ranger district offices from the USFS office layer (places.json). Checked November 6, 2026.
Dates on the hunting calendar near Fairfield
About 30 miles out from Fairfield there is 1 date ahead.
| Scheduled | What | Away | Where held | Link | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 7, 2026 | ODNR Trapper Education Class (Camden) · trapper education class, Camden | 24 | Camden, Preble County | Register | Source |
Fairfield sporting goods and deer care
Inside 25 miles of Fairfield: 2 deer or meat processors, 8 taxidermists, 75 gear stores.
Listings from Yellow Pages, store locators, Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry and the ODNR office list (services.json); not every listing was checked as open, so call first. Checked November 6, 2026.
Fairfield shooters: the three nearest ranges
Nearest to Fairfield is Izaak Walton League – Mount Healthy (6 miles), with two more after it.
With the shooting range permit for adults ($5.00 a day), Fairfield shooters can use Rush Run Wildlife Area Shooting Range, 19 miles away. See it
Straight-line miles from the town centre; ranges checked November 6, 2026.
Fairfield legal shooting light
The sun comes up roughly a quarter hour later in Defiance than in Marietta, so use the times worked out for Fairfield rather than a Columbus table.
| Day | Marker | Sun up | Sun down | Deer hours | Duck hours | Upland hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 26, 2026 | Archery deer opens | 7:28 a.m. | 7:31 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 8:01 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 7:31 p.m. | 7:28 a.m. to 7:31 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Fall turkey | 7:33 a.m. | 7:23 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 7:53 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 7:23 p.m. | 7:33 a.m. to 7:23 p.m. |
| Nov 6, 2026 | Rabbit and pheasant | 7:11 a.m. | 5:33 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 6:03 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 5:33 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 5:33 p.m. |
| Nov 30, 2026 | Deer gun week | 7:38 a.m. | 5:17 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 5:47 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. | 7:38 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Second duck split | 7:48 a.m. | 5:15 p.m. | 7:18 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. | 7:18 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. | 7:48 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:54 a.m. | 5:18 p.m. | 7:24 a.m. to 5:48 p.m. | 7:24 a.m. to 5:18 p.m. | 7:54 a.m. to 5:18 p.m. |
| Jan 2, 2027 | Muzzleloader | 7:58 a.m. | 5:25 p.m. | 7:28 a.m. to 5:55 p.m. | 7:28 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. | 7:58 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. |
Hours rules from the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations; sunrise and sunset worked out for this location with the NOAA solar formula (Eastern Time); checked November 6, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Quick answers for the Fairfield area
May deer be baited on private ground around Fairfield?
On private land here, yes: baiting deer is legal outside the DSA. On any public hunting area it stays illegal.
Do Fairfield goose hunters use Zone A, B or C dates?
Zone C dates for the whole county.
Does Butler County get a fall turkey hunt?
It does: October 1 to October 25, 2026, shotguns only per the data.
How do I tell which seasons are live near Fairfield?
Look at the last column of the season table: it compares each row with the date you open the page. On November 6, 2026 the count was 15.
Which wildlife officer patrols Butler County?
ODNR lists Andrew Dowdell for Butler County, phone (513) 403-6591.
Is legal light at Fairfield the same as in Columbus?
Not to the minute. The times on this page are worked out for the Fairfield town point with the NOAA solar formula; on November 6, 2026 sunrise there was 7:11 a.m.
How many gun and outdoor shops are around Fairfield?
75 gun, archery or outdoor listings inside 25 miles.
Do any areas near Fairfield need a lottery permit?
4 of the 5 properties within 25 miles host 2026 lottery hunts; the land table counts them per property.
Does ODNR publish a deer count for Fairfield itself?
Not for towns. The county figure is the closest: 1,466 deer in Butler County for 2025-26.
How many public tracts lie within 25 miles of Fairfield?
5 of them, the first being Pater Wildlife Area at 12 mi.
How many antlerless deer may I take near Fairfield?
The county class is three-deer; on public hunting areas a hunter may take at most 2 antlerless deer per license year, with listed exceptions.
Answers from places.json, lands.json, regs.json, harvest.json and services.json, the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations and the 2026-27 hunting seasons list. Checked November 6, 2026.
Next steps out of Fairfield
Everything above is for Fairfield; the county page adds every public acre and the full harvest history for Butler County.
Other photos on this page: James St. John (CC BY 2.0); Scott Bauer, USDA NRCS (Public domain); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).