Start of Weeklong Deer Gun Season Nets Over 23,000 White-Tails

Article presented by Rathkamp Financial …

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio hunters checked 23,149 white-tailed deer on Monday, Dec. 1 during the opening day of the weeklong gun hunting season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Ohio’s seven-day gun season is open until Sunday, Dec. 7, with an additional gun hunting weekend on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 20-21. 
 
The Division of Wildlife annually reports deer harvest totals at notable points during the hunting season. This year’s opening day harvest total includes 8,315 antlered deer and 14,834 antlerless deer.
In 2024, hunters took 26,670 deer on opening day of the gun season, which traditionally falls on the Monday after Thanksgiving. From 2022 to 2024, hunters checked an average of 21,075 deer during the gun season opener.

The top 10 counties for deer checked on opening day were: 

1. Ashtabula (1,122) 
2. Coshocton (1,010) 
3. Muskingum (801) 
4. Tuscarawas (795) 
5. Knox (784) 
6. Carroll (692) 
7. Trumbull (678) 
8. Ashland (647) 
9. Harrison (560) 
10. Licking (558) 

So far this deer season, archery and firearms hunters have taken a total of 124,984 deer through Monday, Dec. 1. Hunters ages 17 and younger checked 9,759 deer in the two-day youth season on Nov. 22-23.

Ohio’s fantastic deer hunting opportunities are a fall tradition that draw both residents and nonresidents outdoors. Residents and nonresidents have purchased a combined 354,052 deer permits this year. Either-sex permits and deer management permits are on sale at license vendors, on the HuntFish OH mobile app, and at wildohio.gov. Deer management permits are available for purchase and valid until Sunday, Dec. 21. These permits may be used on private land and public hunting areas for antlerless deer. Either-sex permits are valid statewide through Sunday, Feb. 1, the end of the archery season.

The most popular states that nonresident hunters have traveled from include:

• Pennsylvania (6,358 licenses sold)
• Michigan (4,132)
• North Carolina (2,816)
• West Virginia (2,632)
• New York (2,612)

In addition to the weeklong gun season and December gun weekend, the state hosts a muzzleloader season from Jan. 3-6, 2026. Finally, the archery season remains open statewide until Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.

If you join the ranks of successful deer hunters, use the free HuntFish OH app to game check your harvest, even without a Wi-Fi connection. Hunters can also use the app to view public hunting area maps, buy hunting licenses and deer permits, check county bag limits, and much more. Beyond the app, hunters can check game by visiting ohiogamecheck.com, calling 1-877-TAG-IT-OH (1-877-824-4864), visiting a license sales agent, or calling 1-866-703-1928 (landowner operator-assisted; fees apply).

The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Visit wildohio.gov to find out more.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.