Ohio to Adjust Deer-Hunting Bag Limits Following Unprecedented Mortality Event
The Ohio Division of Wildlife is set to announce changes to deer-hunting bag limits that will be reviewed during the November meeting of the Ohio Wildlife Council. These adjustments respond to severe population losses caused by an outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), a highly contagious viral illness fatal to white-tailed deer.
Kendra Wecker, chief of the Ohio Division of Wildlife, revealed that counties heavily impacted by the disease will see reduced hunting limits to support population recovery. Specifically, Athens, Meigs, and Washington counties will have their bag limits lowered from three deer per hunter to just one, while Morgan County’s limit will decrease from three to two.
The proposed regulations are expected to be approved by the citizen-based council in November, with the new limits taking effect on December 1, coinciding with the start of firearm deer hunting season.
Wildlife Response to Disease Outbreak
In late summer and fall, EHD devastated local deer herds across southeastern Ohio, a region where white-tailed deer are a significant component of both the ecosystem and regional hunting culture. The disease causes fever, swelling, and often sudden death, leading to large numbers of carcasses found by residents.
This die-off raised substantial concern among the public and hunters, prompting an initial regulatory response from the Division of Wildlife proposing reduced harvest limits in affected counties. After receiving over 1,100 public comments, the Division adjusted its recommendations to better balance population sustainability and hunting opportunity.
Population Goals and Public Perspectives
Biologists emphasize that deer management is closely tied to social tolerance—finding a balance between ecological health and diverse community interests. For some, high deer densities cause damage to vegetation and raise vehicle collision risks, while hunters seek robust populations that sustain recreational and subsistence activities.
A spokesperson for the Division noted, “Our population objectives hinge on community feedback and site-specific deer density data.” The recent mortality event has shifted these goals, requiring conservative harvest limits in affected areas to allow the herd to rebound naturally over several years.
Implications for the 2025-26 Hunting Season
The timing of these regulation changes aligns with the onset of Ohio’s gun deer hunting period, emphasizing the urgency of adaptive management after this unprecedented biological event. Wildlife experts caution that recovery from such a significant population crash could span multiple seasons depending on factors like fawn recruitment, habitat quality, and continued disease presence.
Hunters and residents in Athens, Meigs, Washington, and Morgan counties are encouraged to stay informed of rule updates and report any unusual wildlife observations to local wildlife officials.
Additional reporting and sources from: Ohio deer-hunting bag limit changes to be announced in November
