Deer hunting season for gun owners is just around the corner. In Ohio, deer hunting season for shooters typically runs from mid-November through early February. Here’s everything you need to know abou deer hunting season in Ohio for the 2022-2023 season. 

When is White-Tailed Deer Hunting Season in Ohio?

  • Youth gun: Nov. 19, 2022-Feb. 5, 2023
  • Gun: Nov. 28, 2022-Dec. 4, 2022
  • Muzzleloader: Jan. 7, 2023-Jan. 10, 2023

Licenses & Permits 

In order to hunt during deer hunting season in Ohio, hunters must have a valid license and permit. Licenses can be purchased online through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website or at any license agent or outlet. 

  • Youth: For anyone 17 years old and younger
  • Resident adult: For Ohio residents age 18-65
  • Nonresident adult: For all nonresidents 18 years old and older
  • Apprentice: For residents and nonresidents accompanied by a licensed hunter
  • Resident senior: For Ohio residents age 66 and older born on or after Jan. 1, 1939
  • Resident free senior: For Ohio residents born on or before Dec. 31, 1938

How Much Doe Licenses Cost?

The cost of a license varies depending on the type of license (annual, multi-year, senior citizen, etc.).

Youth licenses range from $10 for one year to $430.56 for a resident youth lifetime hunting license. Adult licenses range from $19 for a resident one year license to $449.28 for a resident lifetime hunting license.

Either-sex deer permits costs are:

  • Adult permit, resident: $31.20
  • Adult permit, nonresident: $76.96
  • Youth permit, resident and nonresident: $16
  • Senior permit, resident only: $12
  • Free senior permit, resident only: Free

For certain exemptions, visit ohiodnr.gov. 

Ohio Deer Hunting Rules

If you’re planning to hunt for white-tailed deer in Ohio, here are the rules to follow:

  • Hunting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
  • Hunters must complete the game-check process after killing a deer. Visit ohiodnr.gov for more information.
  • Hunters cannot kill more than one antlered deer during the 2022-23 season regardless of how or where it was killed.
  • An antlered deer has at least one antler three inches or longer in length.
  • You need an Ohio hunting license to participate in the season. But you also need a deer hunting permit. There are two permits available: the either-sex permit, which is valid from Sept. 24-Feb. 5, 2023, and the deer management permit, which is valid from Sept. 24-Nov. 27
  • No more than one deer without antlers may be taken from public hunting areas per license year. Public hunting areas in Ohio can be found at ohiodnr.gov.

What Guns Can Be Used During Deer Hunting Season?

Here is a list of legal equipment that can be used:

  • Shotgun
  • Straight-walled cartridge rifles
  • Muzzleloading rifle, .38 caliber or larger
  • Muzzleloading shotgun, 10-gauge or smaller using one ball per barrel
  • Handgun, 5-inch minimum length barrel using straight-walled cartridges .357 caliber or larger

For more details on the equipment requirements, see ohiodnr.gov.

Bag Limits

Ohio county governments determine bag limits for individual hunters during a single season.

Two-deer counties: Belmont, Clinton, Fayette, Galia, Geuga, Greene, Harrison, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Monroe, Pickaway, Vinton, Warren

Four-deer counties:  Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Lucas, Summit

All remaining counties in Ohio are three-deer counties.

Gear Up

Now that you’re up to date on all the rules and regulations for deer hunting season in Ohio, it’s time to start getting your gear ready! If you’re looking for a new gun or need your current gun serviced before deer hunting season starts, AimHi Family Firearms Center is here to help.

We’re a leading firearms retailer and shooting range in the Columbus, Ohio, area and we carry everything you need to have a successful deer hunting season. Stop by our store today or give us a call, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about deer hunting season in Ohio.