Youth hunters checked 10,449 white-tailed deer Nov. 16-17
Hunters age 17 and younger checked 10,449 white-tailed deer during the state’s youth gun hunting season on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 16-17.
Hunters age 17 and younger checked 10,449 white-tailed deer during Ohio’s youth gun hunting season on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 16-17, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. Each fall youth hunters have a weekend of deer hunting with a firearm before the statewide gun season begins.
The top 10 counties for deer taken during Ohio’s 2024 youth season include Tuscarawas (354), Knox (314), Coshocton (303), Guernsey (291), Muskingum (284), Holmes (268), Licking (253), Washington (227), Harrison (223) and Carroll (218).
Youth hunters checked 6,042 antlered and 4,407 antlerless deer during the weekend. In 2023 hunters harvested 10,033 deer during the two-day youth gun season. The three-year average from 2021-23 is 9,061 deer.
The Division of Wildlife has issued 42,209 youth deer permits through Sunday, Nov. 17. Youth permits are valid for all remaining Ohio deer hunting seasons through Feb. 2, 2025.
Ohio’s youth hunting opportunities are available to anyone who is 17 years old or younger during the season dates. Youth hunting seasons also are available for small game, wild turkey and waterfowl.
Gun hunters of all ages can participate in the upcoming seven-day gun season, which will begin Monday, Dec. 2 and run until Sunday, Dec. 8. A bonus weekend of gun hunting will occur Dec. 21-22. Muzzleloader season will be Jan. 4-7. The archery season will run through Sunday, Feb. 2. All hunters, regardless of the implement they use, are required to wear hunter orange during the gun seasons.
Successful deer hunters can check their game using the HuntFish OH mobile app, available for free in the Android and Apple app stores. Users also can explore public hunting areas, purchase hunting licenses or deer permits, see county bag limits and more. Beyond the app, hunters can check game by visiting www.ohiogamecheck.com, calling 1-877-824-4864, visiting a license sales agent or calling 1-866-703-1298 (landowner operator-assisted, fees apply).