Ohio Hunting Seasons, 2018 – 2019

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Looking for a hunting adventure? Ohio Hunting Seasons offers every hunter an unforgettable opportunity to catch animals in its scenic woods and explore numerous hunting areas.

The state of Ohio is one of the most famous hunting grounds in the United States and for a reason! You will be amazed how many acres of hunting ground is at your disposal where you can hunt for deer, and turkey like you never did before. 

The abundance of game is incredible, and there are also small game species such as squirrel, ruffed grouse, chukar, cottontail rabbit and many others.

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Ohio Hunting Seasons and All Available Games

ohio hunting seasons 2019-20

#1. Ohio White-tailed Deer Hunting

Types

Seasons

Bag Limit

Archery

September 29 – February 3

Bag limit – 6 deer, only 1 antlered.

Youth Deer Gun

November 17 – 18

Deer Gun

November 26 – December 2


December 15 – 16

Muzzleloader

January 5 - 8

#2. Ohio Wild Turkey Hunting

ohio hunting seasons and bag limits

Types

Seasons

Bag Limit

Youth Spring

April 13 – 14

Bag limit – 2 birds total, only 1 bearded per day

Spring

*April 22 – May 26

Fall Turkey


*October 13 – November 25


Bag limit – 1 (either sex)

*NOTE: Season dates may vary by zone.

#3. Ohio Small Game & Furbearer Seasons

ohio animal hunting seasons

Types

Seasons

Bag Limit

Squirrel

September 1 – January 31

Bag limit - 6

Ruffed Grouse

October 13 – January 31

Bag limit - 2

American Crow

June 1 – March 2

No limit

Cottontail Rabbit

November 2 – February 28

Bag limit - 4

Chukar

November 2 – January 13

Bag limit - 2

Ring-necked Pheasant

Bag limit – 2 (males only)

Bobwhite Quail

November 2 - 25

Bag limit - 4

Fox, Raccoon, Opossum, Skunk and Weasel

November 10 – January 31

No Limit

Coyote

Open Season

Wild Boar

Groundhog

Closed for deer gun season only

License Requirements

There’s quite a number of differences in license requirements and you will be able to purchase only the one for which you meet those requirements.

Wonder which types of those licenses there are? Well, for starters there are the regular resident licenses which are at every Ohio resident’s disposal. 

The prices for those is $19 for adults, $10 for both seniors (66 years or older born after January 1, 1938) and youth (17 years old or less). For all those born on December 31, 1937, or even before that, the licenses are completely free. 

The non-resident licenses are a bit more expensive. The price for an adult license is around $146.12, and the price for youth is $10. Bear in mind that an individual who’s a non-resident needs an additional special permit for the type of game he or she wants to hunt and this only concerns those interested in the following:

  • Fur taker
  • Either-sex deer
  • Spring and fall turkey
  • Antlerless deer

Night Hunting in Ohio

Asking yourself the same question every passionate hunter is asking – is night hunting in Ohio possible?

Yes, the night hunting between 6 pm and 6 am is allowed, but one must use a white light which is constant and visible for at least half a mile.

All of you who hunt coyotes, raccoon, boar or foxes from a position where you’re stationary can use a single beam light of various color.

Where to Hunt in Ohio?

Ohio is the state where one can hunt some of the biggest bucks in the United States.

This is a huge state with many great places for hunting. The trick is knowing which ones have an abundance of game that will satisfy your desires.

Choosing a perfect hunting spot is almost 50% of the work. There are many Wildlife Areas, and it’s hard to decide where to focus, but there are few locations you should check out because those are proven to be perfect by many hunters.

ohio hunting seasons calendar

Dillon Wilderness Area – The only thing that can be a problem here is that everyone knows about this spot and since Ohio is one of the most famous hunting grounds, you can only imagine how many hunters got here. There are spots in this area where you can find solitude and focus on your hunting. The abundance of game is huge.

Woodbury Wildlife Area – Located in Coshocton County around 20.000 acres of land containing an enormous amount of potential trophy bucks is one of the best spots there are.

WolfCreek Whitetails – This location is perfect for those who want to experience a “semi-guided” hunt. Also, private deer hunts are the best here, so buckle up!

Shawnee State Forest – The biggest area of around 60.000 acres of land. This is the largest public hunting area in Ohio and as such one of the primal spots for deer hunting. For all those who yearn for a rugged hunting experience, this is the perfect place.

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