Ohio has one of the simplest and easiest-to-navigate hunting season schemes in the country with few caveats or complex regulations. This may be why Ohio hunters are so enthusiastic and successful, spending an average of 16 days in the field in 2019 to harvest over 180,000 whitetail deer. If you’d like to join them, it’s important to know the dates of the Ohio hunting season as well as other important rules and regulations.
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Ohio 2022-2023 Deer Hunting Season Dates
Ohio seasons are very straightforward with simple dates associated with methods of take. The seasons are statewide with the exception of the Disease Surveillance Area, or DSA, composed of Hardin, Wyandot and Marion counties.
| Method of Take | Dates |
| Archery | Sept. 24, 2022-Feb. 5, 2023 |
| Youth* Gun | Nov. 19, 2022-Feb. 5, 2023 |
| Gun | Nov. 28-Dec. 4, 2022 |
| Bonus Gun | Dec. 17-18, 2022 |
| Muzzloader | Jan. 7-10, 2023 |
Disease Surveillance Area Season Dates (Hardin, Wyandot and Marion Counties)
| Method of Take | Dates |
| Archery | Sept. 10, 2022-Feb. 5, 2023 |
| Early Gun | Oct. 8-10, 2022 |
| Youth Gun | Nov. 19-20, 2022 |
| Gun | Nov. 28-Dec. 4, 2022 |
| Bonus Gun | Dec. 17-18, 2022 |
| Muzzloader | Jan. 7-10, 2023 |
Ohio Bag Limits
Ohio has a statewide bag limit of six deer. Only one of these may be antlered. Additionally, you can only take one antlerless deer on public land.
On top of this limit, every county has its own bag limit ranging from two to four, meaning that you would have to hunt in multiple counties to reach your six-deer statewide limit. Most counties have a bag limit of three.
| Two Deer Counties | Three Deer Counties | Four Deer Counties |
| Belmont Clinton Fayette Gallia Greene Harrison Hocking Jackson Jefferson Lawrence Madison Monroe Pickaway Vinton Warren |
Adams Allen Ashland Ashtabula Athens Auglaize Brown Butler Carroll Champaign Clark Clermont Columbiana Coshocton Crawford Darke Defiance Delaware Erie Fairfield Fulton Guernsey Hancock Hardin Henry Highland Holmes Huron Knox Lake Licking Logan Lorain Mahoning Marion Medina Meigs Mercer Miami Montgomery Morgan Morrow Muskingum Noble Ottawa Paulding Perry Pike Portage Preble Putnam Richland Ross Sandusky Scioto Seneca Shelby Stark Trumbull Tuscarawas Union Van Wert Washington Wayne Williams Wood Wyandot |
Cuyahoga Franklin Hamilton Lucas Summit |
Ohio Deer Hunting License Requirements and Costs
You must have a valid hunting license to hunt deer and other game animals in Ohio. Prices are based on the time of validity for the license as well as residence status and special statuses such as youth or senior.
Furthermore, certain licenses have different costs depending on what part of the year you buy them in.
You can purchase licenses via authorized agents and retailers as well as via the HuntFish OH mobile app or on WildOhio.gov where you can also find a list of agents.
Standard Licenses
| License | Cost Before Oct. 1 | Cost On or After Oct. 1 |
| Resident 1-Year | $19.00 | $19.00 |
| Resident 3-Year | $54.08 | $54.08 |
| Resident 5-Year | $90.22 | $90.14 |
| Resident 10-Year | $180.44 | $180.27 |
| Resident Lifetime | $468.00 | $449.28 |
| Nonresident 1-Year | $180.96 | $180.96 |
Youth Licenses
Youth licenses are available for hunters 17 years old or younger.
| License | Cost Before Oct. 1 | Cost On or After Oct. 1 |
| Resident/Nonresident 1-Year | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| Resident 3-Year | $28.60 | $27.04 |
| Resident 5-Year | $47.58 | $45.07 |
| Resident 10-Year | $95.16 | $90.14 |
| Resident Lifetime | $430.56 | $430.56 |
Senior Licenses
Senior licenses are available for Ohio residents 66 years old or older born on or after January 1, 1938. The free senior license is available for Ohio residents born on or before December 31, 1937.
| License | Cost Before Oct. 1 | Cost On or After Oct. 1 |
| Resident 1-Year | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| Resident 3-Year | $28.60 | $27.04 |
| Resident 5-Year | $47.58 | $45.07 |
| Resident Lifetime | $84.24 | $84.24 |
| Free Senior | Free | Free |
Resident Requirements
Compared to other states, Ohio has simple but strict requirements for residency. A resident is defined as anyone who has resided in Ohio for the past consecutive six months. If you don’t fit this definition, you must purchase a nonresident license.
Hunter Education Requirements
To purchase a hunting license in Ohio, you must show proof of having completed a hunting education course from any state. Alternatively, you can present proof of or attest to having previously held a valid hunting license from any state.
If you haven’t completed a hunting education course, you can purchase an apprentice license. However, this requires you hunt with someone 21 or older who holds a valid license.
Ohio Deer Hunting Permit Requirements and Costs
In addition to a valid hunting license, you must have a permit for each deer you hunt in Ohio. You have two different options.
Either-Sex Deer Permit
The either-sex deer permit is valid from September 24, 2022, to February 5, 2023, or from September 10 in the case of the three counties of the DSA. It’s valid statewide and allows you to hunt one antlered or antlerless deer. You can purchase them throughout the season.
| Permit | Cost |
| Adult Permit: Resident | $31.20 |
| Adult Permit: Nonresident | $76.96 |
| Youth Permit: Resident or Nonresident | $16.00 |
| Senior Permit: Resident Only | $12.00 |
| Free Senior Permit: Resident Only | Free |
Deer Management Permit
A deer management permit is valid statewide for the same dates as the either-sex permit, but it is only for harvest antlerless deer on private land.
| Permit | Cost |
| Adult or Youth Permit: Resident or Nonresident | $15.00 |
| Senior Permit: Resident Only | $15.00 |
| Free Senior Permit: Resident Only | Free |
What Weapons Can You Hunt With in Ohio?
Archery Season
Vertical Bows: Longbows, recurve bows and compound bows must have a draw weight of at least 40 pounds. Broadheads must have a width of at least ¾ inches.
Crossbows: Crossbows must have a draw weight of at least 75 pounds. Broadheads must have a width of at least ¾ inches.
Muzzleloader Season
Muzzleloading Rifles: .38 caliber or larger.
Muzzleloading Shotguns: 10 gauge or smaller shooting one ball per barrel.
Archery equipment meeting the regulations for archery season is permitted during muzzleloader season as well.
Gun Seasons
Shotgun: 10 gauge or smaller using one ball or rifled slug per barrel. Rifled barrels are permitted if using slugs.
Rifles: Straight-walled cartridges between .357 and .50 caliber. You may not load the rifle with more than three rounds in the chamber and magazine combined.
Handgun: Handguns must have barrels of at least five inches and use straight-walled cartridges .357 caliber or larger.
Archery and muzzleloading equipment meeting the regulations for their respective seasons are also allowed during gun seasons.
Can You Hunt With an AR-15 in Ohio?
You cannot hunt with an AR-15 in Ohio. The original Colt AR-15 shoots .223 Remington ammunition, far too small to meet Ohio regulations requirement cartridges between .357 and .50 caliber. It’s also a tapered rather than straight-walled cartridge as required by Ohio law.
That said, people often use the term “AR-15” to merely refer to the style of rifle. There are numerous versions of this rifle and professional, and amateur gunsmiths often modify them in unique ways, such as chambering them for other cartridges. Ohio merely requires you hunt with certain ammunition, so if your rifle can shoot this ammunition, it’s legal.
What Types of Deer Are Popular in Ohio?
Whitetail deer are the only species of deer in Ohio. Elk lived in the state before European settlement, but they became extinct there by the mid 19th Century. There have been talks of reintroducing them.
Not only are whitetails the only deer species, but they are one of Ohio’s most abundant game animals with a population of around 750,000. They are consequently the most popular game to hunt in Ohio, just as they are in the United States in general.
What Else Is Popular to Hunt in Ohio?
Although whitetail deer are the most popular species to hunt, there are many other game animals regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife. Most notably, the state hosts both fall and spring wild turkey hunts.
Moreover, there are seasons for:
| Small Game and Furbearers | Waterfowl | Migratory Birds |
| Crow Squirrel Ruffed grouse Rabbit Pheasant Quail Fox Raccoon Skunk Opossum Weasel Coyote Wild boar Groundhog |
Geese Teal Brant Ducks Coots Mergansers |
Dove Rail Gallinule Snipe Woodcock |