OHIO — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife proposed the dates for the 2023-24 white-tailed deer archery, youth gun, gun and muzzleloader seasons to the Ohio Wildlife Council, and recommended bag limit changes.
What You Need To Know
- Division of Wildlife proposed the dates for the 2023-24 white-tailed deer archery, youth gun, gun and muzzleloader seasons
- Six counties are proposed to see bag-limit increases
- One county is proposed to see a bag-limit decrease
- A statewide hearing on all proposed rules is March 15
Six counties were proposed to see an increase in bag limits, while one was proposed to see a decrease. According to ODNR, bag limit increases aim to slow herd growth and increase hunting opportunity.
The six counties proposed to see an increase from a two-deer bag limit to three deer are: Belmont, Gallia, Geauga, Harrison, Jefferson and Monroe.
Butler County was the only county with a proposed decrease in a deer bag limit. ODNR proposed lowering the limit from three deer to two.
A proposed bag limit map can be viewed here.
Like in previous seasons, only one antlered deer may be harvested, no matter which season it is taken in. Hunting hours remain 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
The proposed statewide deer hunting dates for 2023-24 are:
- Deer archery: Sept. 30 to Feb. 4
- Youth deer gun: Nov. 18-19
- Deer gun: Nov. 27 to Dec. 3 and Dec. 16-17
- Deer muzzleloader: Jan. 6-9
Like the 2022-23 season, disease surveillance area deer hunting seasons will be in effect for three Ohio counties.
The Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance area of Hardin, Marion and Wyandot counties will follow the proposed 2023-24 disease surveillance area deer hunting regulations if approved.
Besides the statewide hunting seasons, hunters in Hardin, Marion and Wyandot counties can take part in disease surveillance area seasons:
- Deer archery season: Sept. 9 to Feb. 4
- Early gun season: Oct. 7-9
According to the ODNR, a disease surveillance area was established following the discovery of CWD-positive deer in Wyandot County in 2020. An overall goal of the surveillance areas is to decrease the possibility of disease transmission and limit the spread of CWD in Hardin, Marion and Wyandot counties. CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer and other similar species.
A statewide hearing on all proposed rules is March 15.
