Ohio’s Deer Hunting Season: An Embodying Tradition & Exceptional Opportunities

Opening Day Achievements

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife proudly announced a prosperous opening day of the week-long deer gun hunting season with 26,667 checked white-tailed deers on December 2. This number marks the highest harvest for the first day since 2012, where 29,297 deers were hunted. The break-down includes 9,602 antlered deers and 17,065 antlerless deers, surpassing the records from previous years.

Notable Counties & Trends

The top 10 counties having the highest harvest on the opening day were Coshocton, Tuscarawas, Knox, Muskingum, Carroll, Guernsey, Ashtabula, Harrison, Ashland, and Columbiana. This season’s cumulative count of deers taken by archery and firearms hunters till December 2 now stands at an astonishing 128,408.

Hunting Participation

The two-day youth season saw the participation of hunters aged 17 and under, checking 10,449 deer. This year’s opening day totals exhibit a significant increase in comparison to the average number of deer taken during the gun season opener from 2021 to 2023 which was calculated to 19,439.

Contribution of Non-Resident Hunters

Ohio’s hunting opportunities don’t just attract local residents but also admirers from other states. States with the most travelling hunters to Ohio include Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, North Carolina, and New York. A combined total of 360,800 deer permits have been purchased by residents and non-residents this year.

Additional Hunting Seasons & Support

Aside from the week-long and December’s extra gun hunting weekend, Ohio also hosts a muzzleloader season early in the new year, from January 4-7, 2025. Further, the state also stays open for an archery season stretching until February 2, 2025. The free HuntFish OH app provides a multitude of services to assist hunters, including county bag limits and the purchase of hunting licenses and deer permits, amongst other features.

Opening Day Records: Counties’ Comparison

An informative comparison of white-tailed deer checked by hunters at each county during the opening day of the 2024 deer gun hunting season shows promising results. The first number following the county’s name displays the harvest count for the opening day in 2024. The figure in parentheses represents a three-year average of deer harvested on the opening day from 2021 to 2023. It provides a comprehensive comparison with this year’s count, eliminating year-to-year variation caused due to uncertainties like weather, difference in crop harvests, timing, and other uncontrollable factors.

Conclusion

To conclude, Ohio’s deer hunting season remains a favored tradition attracting locals and non-local residents alike. With active participation and rising numbers each year, the ODNR is committed to ensuring regulated and ethical hunting practices providing a fulfilling experience to all. With expanding opportunities and supporting services, Ohio continues to uphold and strengthen its deer hunting culture year after year.

Originally Post From https://www.knoxpages.com/2024/12/08/knox-county-hunters-rank-3rd-on-1st-day-of-ohios-deer-gun-season/

Knox County Hunters Secure 3rd Place on Opening Day of Ohio’s Deer Gun Season