District 5 · Xenia
Hunting Near Springfield
City in Clark County, 3-deer limit. Closest open ground: Buck Creek State Park, 2.5 miles out.
Photo: Ohio Department of Natural Resources (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Quick facts for hunters bound for Springfield
The seat of Clark County, Springfield is also home to more than 25,000 people, in the stretch of Southwest Ohio that ODNR manages as District 5. Springfield had 58,138 residents in the Census Vintage 2024 count, on 26.6 square miles of land. Buck Creek State Park is the nearest public hunting ground, 2.5 miles out, and 3 listed properties fall inside 10 miles (2,635 acres by GIS). Around Springfield a hunter may take up to 3 deer in Clark County this season.
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.
Hunting properties closest to Springfield
The Census point for Springfield is the start of every measurement, and the far end is the closest line of each ODNR or federal boundary. Inside a 25-mile radius of Springfield the list has 7 state wildlife areas, 4 state parks, 1 military property and 1 public access area. Size champion of the ring: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, near 5,169 acres. Among 7 tracts with a game list, 3 name pheasants and 3 name doves, so upland and dove hunters have options too. Status is the ODNR hunting-status layer: restricted parcels allow hunting with limits, such as set zones or archery only. The check-with-ODNR tag marks a property whose rule text and map layer differ on hunting.
| Public land and distance | Kind | Acres | ODNR status | Game | Lotteries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buck Creek State Park · 2.5 mi | State park | 1,896 | Restricted | deer, waterfowl + | 4 lotteries |
| Clark Lake Wildlife Area · 7.1 mi | Wildlife area | 289 | Open | furbearer trapping, waterfowl + | 2 lotteries |
| John Bryan State Park · 9.1 mi check with ODNR | State park | 752 | Check rules | Ohio seasons | – |
| Wright-Patterson Air Force Base · 13 mi check with ODNR | Military land | 5,169 | – | Ohio seasons | – |
| Beaver Creek Wildlife Area · 15 mi | Wildlife area | 373 | Restricted | furbearer trapping | 1 lottery |
| Mad River Wildlife Area · 15 mi | Wildlife area | 33 | Open | Ohio seasons | – |
| Urbana Wildlife Area · 18 mi | Wildlife area | 547 | Restricted | deer, dove + | 4 lotteries |
| Kiser Lake State Park · 19 mi | State park | 531 | Restricted | deer, rabbit + | 2 lotteries |
| Madison County Wildlife Area 1 · 21 mi | Wildlife area | 81 | Open | Ohio seasons | – |
| Madison Lake State Park · 22 mi | State park | 76 | Restricted | deer, squirrel + | 1 lottery |
| Madison Lake Access Wildlife Area · 22 mi | Public access area | 1 | Open | Ohio seasons | – |
| Stillwater Wildlife Area · 23 mi | Wildlife area | 5 | Open | Ohio seasons | – |
| Caesar Creek Wildlife Area · 24 mi | Wildlife area | 3,100 | Open | deer, turkey + | 3 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.
The first stops out of Springfield
Buck Creek State Park, 2.5 mi
Surrounded by rich agricultural lands, this region was home to both Native Americans and early pioneers. Hunted for: deer, waterfowl, furbearer trapping, raccoon. Expect drawn hunts here too (4 on the 2026 list).
Clark Lake Wildlife Area, 7.1 mi
View this area in the Interactive Ohio Hunting Regulation Areas Map Hunted for: furbearer trapping, waterfowl, dove. Expect drawn hunts here too (2 on the 2026 list). Managed dove fields: 1.
John Bryan State Park, 9.1 mi
Shelters and Day Lodge Renovations (September 2026): Reservations are closed for the Lower Shelter, Campground Shelter, and the Day Lodge due to ongoing renovations.
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.
What Clark County hunters checked
The county where Springfield sits checked 954 deer in 2025-26. Early numbers for 2026-27 in Clark County: 251 deer through November 3, 2026. By method in the 2025-26 summary, Clark County gave 281 deer to gun hunters, 355 to crossbows and 163 to vertical bows. Turkey check-ins for Clark County, spring 2026: 28.
| Season | Checked | With antlers | Without | Bow and crossbow | Gun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 842 | 372 | 470 | 486 | – |
| 2023-24 | 870 | 419 | 451 | 514 | – |
| 2024-25 | 945 | 430 | 515 | 554 | 391 |
| 2025-26 | 954 | 444 | 510 | 526 | 428 |
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.
What Clark County rules mean for Springfield
ODNR prints the Clark County deer class as three-deer; deer from different counties add up to the statewide 6, with one antlered buck in total. Clark County is outside the CWD Disease Surveillance Area, so the DSA bait ban and early seasons do not apply. For ducks, Springfield uses the Zone C dates set for 2026-27. The South zone spring dates cover Clark County; there is no fall season. And in Clark County, river otter trapping is in Otter Zone B. An Ohio resident pays $19.00 for the annual hunting license and $31.20 for an either-sex deer permit. Gun-season orange is a garment rule in Ohio: a vest, coat, jacket or coveralls in solid or camouflage hunter orange. A tagged deer has to be checked in by noon the next 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.
Wildlife offices near Springfield
The shortest drive from Springfield to an ODNR wildlife office is 17 miles, to ODNR Wildlife District 5: Southwest Ohio. For area maps and field staff, Urbana Propogation Unit Wildlife Area headquarters (Urbana) is the closest wildlife area base to the county centre. Clark County has its own wildlife officer: Mathew Bourne, per ODNR.
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.
Springfield openers for 2026-27
For Springfield the table lists 50 seasons for 2026-27: deer, turkey, small game, upland birds, waterfowl, doves, woodcock and furbearers.
| Game | Split or method | Zone | Opening | Closing | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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.
Dates on the hunting calendar near Springfield
A 30-mile ring around town takes in 4 dates ahead, covering DU dinner, NWTF banquet, RMEF banquet and hunter education class.
| Scheduled | What | How far | Where held | Link | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 6, 2026 | ODNR Hunter Education Class (Xenia) · hunter education class, Xenia | 19 | Xenia, Greene County | Register | Source |
| Nov 6, 2026 | Springfield DU Dinner Banquet · DU dinner, Springfield | 0 | Springfield, Clark County | Tickets | Source |
| Jan 30, 2027 | RMEF Honey Creek Chapter Banquet · RMEF banquet, Springfield | 0 | Springfield, Clark County | Tickets | Source |
| Feb 20, 2027 | Champaign County Ghost Gobblers NWTF Fundraiser · NWTF banquet, Urbana | 13 | Urbana, Champaign County | Tickets | Source |
Results and past events
| Day | Event | Grounds | Who won | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2026 | Clark Co CHC UKC Nite Hunt (Hunt 2) · UKC nite hunt, Medway | Medway, Clark County | GRNITECH'PR'Hillbilly Rooster TW | Source |
| Jul 24, 2026 | Clark Co CHC UKC Nite Hunt (Hunt 1) · UKC nite hunt, Medway | Medway, Clark County | CH GRNITECH(5)'PR'Phillips Hardtime Scooter ENG | Source |
Springfield: closest lines for a slug-gun zero
Nearest to Springfield is Mad River Armory and Range (2 miles), with two more after it.
Wildlife District 5 Office Shooting Range is the nearest ODNR-listed range, about 17 miles out. Details
Straight-line miles from the town centre; ranges checked November 6, 2026.
Shops and butchers serving Springfield hunters
43 gun, archery or outdoor shops, 5 taxidermy shops and 1 processor are listed within 25 miles of Springfield.
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.
Springfield hours on key season dates
Ohio deer hunters may shoot from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset; ducks, geese, squirrels and fall turkeys stop at sunset; rabbits, pheasants, quail and doves wait for sunrise.
| Date | Opener | Sunrise | Sunset | Big game | Duck window | Pheasant window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 26, 2026 | Archery deer opens | 7:25 a.m. | 7:28 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 7:58 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 7:28 p.m. | 7:25 a.m. to 7:28 p.m. |
| Nov 6, 2026 | Rabbit and pheasant | 7:09 a.m. | 5:29 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 5:59 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 5:29 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 5:29 p.m. |
| Nov 30, 2026 | Deer gun week | 7:36 a.m. | 5:12 p.m. | 7:06 a.m. to 5:42 p.m. | 7:06 a.m. to 5:12 p.m. | 7:36 a.m. to 5:12 p.m. |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Second duck split | 7:47 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. | 7:17 a.m. to 5:41 p.m. | 7:17 a.m. to 5:11 p.m. | 7:47 a.m. to 5:11 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:53 a.m. | 5:13 p.m. | 7:23 a.m. to 5:43 p.m. | 7:23 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. | 7:53 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. |
| Jan 2, 2027 | Muzzleloader | 7:57 a.m. | 5:20 p.m. | 7:27 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. | 7:27 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. | 7:57 a.m. to 5:20 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.
Springfield hunters ask, the data answers
Can I apply for a lottery hunt near Springfield?
Yes, through the ODNR controlled hunting access lotteries ($3 per application). 7 nearby properties are on the 2026 list.
How many gun and outdoor shops are around Springfield?
43 gun, archery or outdoor listings inside 25 miles.
Is there huntable public ground a short drive from Springfield?
Yes: Buck Creek State Park is 2.5 miles out. Within 10 miles the list runs to 2 state parks and 1 state wildlife area.
Does ODNR publish a deer count for Springfield itself?
Not for towns. The county figure is the closest: 954 deer in Clark County for 2025-26.
Can I hunt over a corn pile near Springfield?
On private land with permission, yes, since Clark County is outside the DSA; never on wildlife areas, state forests or other public hunting ground.
What is the deer bag limit around Springfield?
The county limit is 3. Deer taken on controlled hunts do not count toward it.
When do gobblers open around Springfield?
Clark County is in the South zone; in 2026 it ran April 25 to May 24, 2026. ODNR had not posted 2027 dates. Fall: none in this county.
Where do I check the waterfowl boundary near Springfield?
The 2026-27 regulations print the boundary roads; Clark County is in Zone C either way.
Which wildlife officer patrols Clark County?
ODNR lists Mathew Bourne for Clark County, phone (937) 206-9321.
Can I go hunting near Springfield this week?
Very likely: 14 season rows were live in Clark County on November 6, 2026 for Deer, Squirrels, Cottontail, Pheasant and Chukar.
Is legal light at Springfield the same as in Columbus?
Not to the minute. The times on this page are worked out for the Springfield town point with the NOAA solar formula; on November 6, 2026 sunrise there was 7:09 a.m.
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.
Springfield trip planning
More planning for Springfield: county rules, deer limits and the statewide land map.
Other photos on this page: Logan Rickert (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); James St. John (CC BY 2.0); Scott Bauer, USDA NRCS (Public domain).