Ohio's gun hunting season for white-tailed deer commenced with quite the firepower as hunters across the state reported checking in 23,149 deer on the opening day. The figures, shared by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, suggest a robust start for the weeklong event, which is scheduled to continue until December 7. Additional hunting opportunities are set to occur the weekend of December 20-21.
For comparison’s sake, let’s glance back. In 2024, Ohio’s opening day saw hunters bagging 26,670 deer, so this year's inaugural tally falls somewhat short. The three-year average catch from 2022 to 2024 stood at 21,075 deer, so at least we're seeing numbers to easily surpass this average threshold. The day's take included 8,315 sporting antlers and 14,834 without, with Ashtabula County leading the pack by registering 1,122 of the animals.
Total harvest numbers stack up intriguingly when broken down by county. Coshocton County hunters checked in 1,010 deer, while Muskingum and Tuscarawas counties round out the top fourth with 801 and 795 deer, respectively. Ashland (647), Knox (784), and Carroll (692) counties also reported high numbers. With such figures, it’s clear that Ohio continues to be a prominent location for hunters around the country, drawing interest far beyond its borders. This season, 354,052 deer permits were purchased by both residents and those journeying from outside the state lines.
Speaking of nonresidents, states like Pennsylvania and Michigan seem to bring the most visitors, hoping to try their luck in Ohio's hunting grounds. Pennsylvania hunters alone bought 6,358 licenses, while those from Michigan snapped up 4,132. The allure of Ohio's bumper crop of deer also appeals to folks from as far afield as North Carolina, West Virginia, and New York. Hunters have ample time to get in on the action, with the archery season remaining open until February 1, 2026. Additional hunting seasons are also scheduled, such as the muzzleloader season from January 3-6, 2026.
For the digitally inclined participants, the ODNR Division of Wildlife recommends using the HuntFish OH app to register their haul. The app, which lets hunters bypass the need to find a Wi-Fi signal, isn't just for game check. It also provides maps of public hunting areas, the ability to purchase licenses and permits, and a plethora of other convenient digital tools designed to make the hunting experience as smooth as possible. Hunters can also check their game by visiting ohiogamecheck.com, calling various hotline numbers, or visiting a license sales agent.
