Ohio's deer gun hunting season is set to commence on Monday, December 2, as announced by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. This annual event will run until Sunday, December 8, with an additional weekend for hunting scheduled for December 21 and 22.
The eastern part of Ohio typically records the highest deer harvest totals during this season. Last year, Coshocton, Tuscarawas, Ashtabula, Muskingum, and Knox counties led in numbers. In total, hunters harvested 95,606 deer across all gun seasons in 2023. This includes 70,103 during the main seven-day gun season.
Younger hunters also participated actively last year. During the youth weekend alone, those aged 17 and younger checked in over ten thousand deer. The Division of Wildlife issued more than forty-two thousand youth permits this fall. These permits remain valid through February 2, 2025.
In addition to the gun season, Ohio's muzzleloader hunting season will take place from January 4-7 next year. Hunters are required to check their harvests using the Ohio Wildlife Licensing System. This process aids wildlife biologists in monitoring various aspects such as deer health and distribution.
Hunters can utilize several methods to report their harvests including a mobile app called HuntFish OH or by visiting designated websites and hotlines. Furthermore, they need a valid hunting license alongside either-sex or deer management permits.
Special attention is being given to chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance this year in specific areas including Hardin, Marion, Wyandot counties among others. Hunters within these zones must submit their harvests for sampling on December 2 and 3 but do not have to surrender them.
Self-serve kiosks are available for mandatory sample submission throughout the gun season while voluntary submissions continue until February next year. Special regulations concerning bait use and carcass transport apply within CWD surveillance areas.
For further information about chronic wasting disease regulations or testing services offered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory outside these areas visit ohiodnr.gov/cwd.
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