COLUMBUS, Ohio — After seeing a bump in deer hunting during the 2020-21 season, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources reported numbers held steady for the 2021-22 season.
According to ODNR, 196,988 deer were checked, which is on par with the 197,721 deer checked in 2020-21. Both years were well above the 184,465 deer checked in 2019-20.
The state said that 96,209 deer were checked using archery equipment, 79,805 were checked using firearms during the 2021 weeklong and two-day gun seasons, 12,141 were checked using muzzleloaders, 7,634 were checked during youth season and 1,199 were checked during controlled firearm hunts.
Deer archery season ran from Sept. 25 until Feb. 6.
The top 10 counties for deer harvested during the 2021-22 deer season include: Coshocton (7,144), Tuscarawas (6,303), Muskingum (5,331), Knox (5,290), Licking (5,244), Ashtabula (5,193), Guernsey (5,104), Holmes (4,905), Carroll (4,197), and Trumbull (3,994), according to ODNR.
“Ohio’s deer population is one of the strongest in the nation, which is confirmed by these season totals,” said Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker. “Ohio is a national leader in deer management in part because of the tremendous cooperation between landowners and hunters. Thanks to all those who participated in the hunting season this year.”
