More than 13,000 deer harvested in first day of deer-gun season

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Hunters checked 13,614 white-tailed deer on Monday, Nov. 26, 2018 the opening day of Ohio’s deer-gun hunting season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). In Meigs County this year hunters checked in 229, which is down from last year’s 414.

There is still time to get out and enjoy Ohio’s deer-gun season, which remains open through Sunday, Dec. 2. Two additional days of deer-gun season (Saturday, Dec. 15, and Sunday, Dec. 16) have been added to increase the opportunity for people to hunt with firearms. Find more information about deer hunting in the 2018-2019 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations or at wildohio.gov.

Past year’s harvest summaries and weekly updated harvest reports can be found at wildohio.gov/deerharvest.

For the first time this year, Ohio resident hunters can purchase multiyear and lifetime licenses at wildohio.gov and at hundreds of participating agents throughout the state. License buyers can choose from 3-year, 5-year, 10-year and lifetime hunting or fishing licenses. All money generated from the sale of multiyear and lifetime licenses is deposited into the Wildlife Fund, where it will be used to protect and enhance Ohio’s wildlife populations.

The ODNR Division of Wildlife remains committed to properly managing Ohio’s deer populations. The goal of Ohio’s Deer Management Program is to provide a deer population that maximizes recreational opportunities, while minimizing conflicts with landowners and motorists.

Hunting Popularity

Ohio ranks fifth nationally in resident hunters and 11th in the number of jobs associated with hunting-related industries. Hunting has a more than $853 million economic impact in Ohio through the sale of equipment, fuel, food, lodging and more, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Hunting in America: An Economic Force for Conservation publication.

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

Editor’s Note: A list of all white-tailed deer checked by hunters during opening day of the 2018 deer-gun hunting season is shown below. The first number following the county’s name shows the harvest numbers for opening day 2018, and the 2017 opening day harvest numbers are in parentheses.

Adams: 187 (354); Allen: 45 (93); Ashland: 277 (432); Ashtabula: 488 (821); Athens: 281 (478); Auglaize: 60 (94); Belmont: 215 (362); Brown: 153 (292); Butler: 26 (85); Carroll: 339 (575); Champaign: 64 (121); Clark: 38 (56); Clermont: 63 (179); Clinton: 43 (84); Columbiana: 269 (453); Coshocton: 587 (924); Crawford: 112 (177); Cuyahoga: 11 (15); Darke: 50 (90); Defiance: 145 (252); Delaware: 72 (135); Erie: 41 (69); Fairfield: 126 (213); Fayette: 13 (32); Franklin: 29 (45); Fulton: 77 (101); Gallia: 237 (396); Geauga: 113 (146); Greene: 34 (48); Guernsey: 402 (657); Hamilton: 20 (34); Hancock: 79 (133); Hardin: 91 (139); Harrison: 285 (497); Henry: 59 (112); Highland: 183 (315); Hocking: 249 (426); Holmes: 386 (648); Huron: 204 (370); Jackson: 241 (358); Jefferson: 152 (244); Knox: 424 (705); Lake: 35 (54); Lawrence: 152 (262); Licking: 395 (577); Logan: 137 (219); Lorain: 130 (200); Lucas: 24 (24); Madison: 22 (40); Mahoning: 144 (209); Marion: 86 (122); Medina: 109 (153); Meigs: 229 (414); Mercer: 55 (86); Miami: 35 (72); Monroe: 220 (406); Montgomery: 19 (35); Morgan: 274 (434); Morrow: 120 (228); Muskingum: 489 (780); Noble: 283 (445); Ottawa: 15 (39); Paulding: 87 (129); Perry: 243 (359); Pickaway: 51 (96); Pike: 122 (199); Portage: 104 (142); Preble: 41 (74); Putnam: 59 (94); Richland: 261 (411); Ross: 186 (307); Sandusky: 48 (68); Scioto: 126 (206); Seneca: 141 (244); Shelby: 65 (119); Stark: 184 (248); Summit: 23 (29); Trumbull: 283 (487); Tuscarawas: 511 (768); Union: 56 (103); Van Wert: 43 (50); Vinton: 168 (322); Warren: 38 (62); Washington: 320 (476); Wayne: 184 (265); Williams: 150 (251); Wood: 43 (74); Wyandot: 134 (224).
Total: 13,614 (22,366).