Ohio’s Fall Archery Deer Season to Start This Saturday
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife has announced that the statewide archery deer hunting season commences this Saturday and will continue through Sunday, February 1.
Hunters will have the option to use crossbows, compound bows, recurve bows, and longbows to pursue white-tailed deer, a species highly valued for both its ecological role and as a critical food resource for many Ohio families.
Record Archery Harvest Highlights Growing Popularity
During the 2024-25 archery season, bowhunting in Ohio reached unprecedented levels, with hunters harvesting a record 106,269 deer. The total deer checked statewide reached 238,137, ranking as the fourth-highest annual harvest on record.
Such numbers reflect not only growing hunter participation but also the success of wildlife management practices aimed at maintaining healthy deer populations capable of sustaining both ecological balance and hunting traditions.
Season Timing Reflects Deer Biology and Behavior
Peak hunting activity in October and November aligns with heightened deer movement linked to the species’ breeding period, commonly known as the rut. Increased mobility during this time makes deer more susceptible to harvest.
The Division of Wildlife provides updated weekly harvest data every Wednesday, available at wildohio.gov, assisting hunters and biologists in monitoring population trends.
Disease Outbreak Impacts Hunting Regulations in Southeastern Ohio
An outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) has recently affected deer populations in Athens, Meigs, and Washington counties. This viral illness, transmitted by biting midges, causes hemorrhaging and can lead to significant mortality events among deer.
In response, wildlife officials have proposed lowering bag limits in these counties to reduce hunting pressure and aid population recovery. If approved by the Ohio Wildlife Council, these regulations would take effect December 1. Public input is being accepted online through October 16 at wildohio.gov.
Additional Hunting Opportunities Following Archery Season
- Youth gun season on November 22-23
- Statewide seven-day gun season from December 1-7
- Additional two-day gun season December 20-21
- Late-season muzzleloader season January 3-6
Each of these seasons provides varied opportunities to harvest deer, helping to manage populations across different habitats and times of year.
Licensing and Permit Requirements
Hunters must possess valid licenses and deer permits before hunting. Deer management permits, restricted to antlerless deer, are valid on private and public lands through December 2. Either-sex permits, allowing harvest of antlered or antlerless deer, remain valid statewide until February 1.
The free HuntFish OH mobile app offers a convenient platform for purchasing licenses and permits, accessing public hunting maps, checking regulations, and submitting game check-ins even in areas without cellular service. The app supports Android and iOS devices. Licenses can also be obtained through the Ohio Wildlife Licensing System or authorized agents.
Additional reporting and sources from: Fall archery season set to begin for Ohio deer hunters – cleveland.com
