This week marked the beginning of autumn, which means that the hours of the day are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer. The transition also means that hunting season has arrived in Ohio.
It’s time to set your alarm clocks for sunrise, because the first hunting season of fall begins with the squirrels on September 1 and ends on January 31, 2023.
But if hunting squirrels isn’t exactly your thing, then you won’t have to wait long for the next season to start.
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There are four hunting seasons for whitetail deer in Ohio, and deer archery begins on September 24.
Here’s what you need to know about deer hunting seasons in Ohio.
When is whitetail deer hunting season in Ohio?
- Archery: September 24, 2022-Feb. 5, 2023.
- Youth Weapon: Nov. 19, 2022-Feb. 5, 2023.
- Gun: Nov. Dec. 28, 2022-Dec. 4, 2022.
- muzzleloader: Jan. 7, 2023-Jan. 10, 2023.
Ohio Deer Hunting Rules
If you are hunting whitetail deer in Ohio, here are the rules to follow:
- Hunting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
- Hunters must complete the game verification process after killing a deer. Visit ohiodnr.gov for more details.
- Hunters may not kill more than one antlered deer during the 2022-23 season, regardless of how or where it was killed.
- An antlered deer has at least one antler three inches or more in length.
- You need an Ohio hunting license to participate in the season. But you also need a deer hunting permit. There are two permits available: the permit for both genders, which is valid from September 24 to February 24. September 5, 2023 and the deer driving permit, which is valid from September 24 to November 24. 27
- No more than one antlerless deer may be removed from public hunting areas per license year.
Where are the public hunting areas in Ohio?
Public hunting areas in Ohio can be found on the ohiodnr.gov website.
What weapons and equipment can I use during hunting season?
Here is a list of legal equipment that can be used:
- Longbow or bow.
- Crossbow.
- Shotgun.
- Straight wall cartridge rifles.
- Muzzleloading rifle, caliber .38 or larger.
- Muzzle-loading shotgun, 10-gauge or smaller with one ball per barrel.
- Pistol, minimum 5-inch barrel length with .357 or larger caliber straight wall cartridges.
For more details on equipment requirements, see ohiodnr.gov.
What are the deer bag limits for Ohio counties?
Different counties specify how many deer a single hunter can kill in a given season.
Two Stag Counties: Geuga, Harrison, Jefferson, Belmont, Monroe, Warren, Clinton, Greene, Fayette, Pickaway, Hocking, Vinton, Jackson, Galia, and Lawrence.
Four Deer Counties: Hamilton, Franklin, Lucas, Cuyahoga, and Summit.
The remaining counties in Ohio are three deer counties.
Do you need a hunting license in Ohio?
Yes, you need a license to hunt in Ohio. Here are the different types:
- Youth: For anyone 17 years old or younger.
- Resident adult: For Ohioans ages 18-65.
- Non-resident adult: For all non-residents over the age of 18.
- Apprentice: For residents and non-residents accompanied by a licensed hunter.
- Senior resident: For Ohio residents age 66 and older born on or after January 1, 1939.
- Free senior resident: For Ohio residents born on or before December 31, 1938.
Hunting licenses can be purchased through licensed agents or on the wildohio.gov website and the HuntFish Oh mobile app.
How much does an Ohio hunting license cost?
Youth licenses range from $10 for one year to $430.56 for a lifetime resident youth hunting license. Adult licenses range from $19 for a one-year resident license to $449.28 for a lifetime resident hunting license.
The permit fees for deer of either sex are:
- Adult permit, resident: $31.20.
- Non-resident adult permit: $76.96.
- Young, resident and non-resident permit: $16.00.
- Senior permit, resident only: $12.00.
- Free senior permit, resident only: Free.
For certain exemptions, visit ohiodnr.gov. To report a wildlife violation, call: 1-800-POACHER (1-800-762-2437).
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When is whitetail deer hunting season in Kentucky?
- Archery: September 3, 2022-Jan. 16, 2023.
- Junior/Senior Crossbow: September 3, 2022-Jan. 16, 2023.
- Crossbow: September 17, 2022-Jan. 16, 2023.
- Youth Only Weapon: October 8-9.
- muzzleloader: October 15-16, December 10-18.
- Modern Weapon: November 12-27.
A free youth hunt weekend will be held from December 31, 2022 to January 1, 2023
For more information on rules, requirements, and licenses, visit fw.ky.gov.
When is whitetail deer hunting season in Indiana?
- reduction zone: September 15, 2022-Jan. 31, 2023.
- youth season: September 24-25.
- Archery: October 1, 2022- January 1, 2023.
- Firearm: November 12-27.
- muzzleloader: December 3-18.
For more information on rules, requirements, and licenses, visit in.gov.