Ohio deer hunters see big jump in harvest, 10 counties lead way

Ohio deer hunters are having more success this season. Deer season continues in Ohio, and hunters have already checked more than 30,000 deer this year according to the latest numbers from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. That's an increase from 24,354 deer at this point last year, the Divis

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What is the story about?

Ohio deer hunters are having more success this season.

Deer season continues in Ohio, and hunters have already checked more than 30,000 deer this year according to the latest numbers from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. That's an increase from 24,354 deer at this point last year, the Division of Wildlife shared on Facebook.

Archery season started Sept. 26. And hunters in the disease surveillance area, which includes all of Allen, Hardin and Wyandot counties and portions of some surrounding counties, got an even earlier start on Sept. 12. Archery season is one of four deer seasons in Ohio, and runs until February 2027.

Through Oct. 21, hunters have harvested 30,861 deer — 12,139 antlered and 18,722 antlerless, according to ODNR's Weekly

Deer Harvest Report. Here's where hunters have been finding success.

The top 10 counties for deer hunting in Ohio

These are the top 10 counties for deer hunting through Oct. 21, 2026:

Coshocton: 1,306
Trumbull: 1,140
Tuscarawas: 1,106
Ashtabula: 1,050
Holmes: 1,015
Knox: 803
Licking: 781
Carroll: 756
Muskingum: 751
Columbiana: 731

Hunters are required to have a valid hunting license and deer permit before heading into the field. Through license and permit sales, hunters fund much of Ohio’s conservation work.

When does gun season start for deer? Ohio dates

Deer hunting seasons in Ohio are:

Archery: Sept. 26, 2026, to Feb. 7, 2027
Youth gun season: Nov. 21 and 22
Gun season: Nov. 30 to Dec. 6 and Dec. 19-20
Muzzleloader: Jan. 2 to 5, 2027

Ohio deer hunting regulations

All rules governing hunting in Ohio can be found in the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting & Trapping Regulations.

Permitted equipment during Ohio deer hunting archery season

Hunters may use crossbows, compound bows, recurve bows and longbows to pursue deer during the archery season.

ODNR hunting licenses: How to buy, renew, tag deer, check game online

Hunters are required to have a valid hunting license and deer permit before heading into the field.

You can buy a license online at WildOhio.gov. Also, the free HuntFish OH app lets hunters purchase hunting and fishing licenses, check game, view wildlife area maps, and more. The HuntFish OH mobile app is available for iOS and Android users in the App Store or Google Play.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio deer hunters see big jump in harvest, 10 counties lead way