Overview
Known For
Ohio is known as a top hunting state for whitetail bucks, with some of the largest trophy bucks having been taken here, including the second-largest non-typical whitetail ever. It is also known for its furbearer hunting and trapping seasons for fox, raccoon, skunk, opossum, weasel, mink, and muskrat. Ohio is among the country’s top producers of raw furs.
Terrain
Ohio is part of the Appalachian Plateau, which covers almost the entire eastern half of the state. Here there are high hills and deep valleys. But most of the state is rolling hills, with some heavy hardwood forests and fertile agricultural lands.
Ohio Hunting Seasons
| Season | Start Date | End Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Coyote
Open all season. No limit.
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Jan 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Deer – Archery
Six statewide, but you cannot exceed a county bag limit. Only one may be antlered.
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Sep 30, 2023 | Feb 4, 2024 |
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Deer – Youth Gun
Six statewide, but you cannot exceed a county bag limit. Only one may be antlered.
|
Nov 18, 2023 | Nov 19, 2023 |
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Deer – Early Gun
Six statewide, but you cannot exceed a county bag limit. Only one may be antlered.
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Nov 27, 2023 | Dec 3, 2023 |
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Deer – Late Gun
Six statewide, but you cannot exceed a county bag limit. Only one may be antlered.
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Dec 16, 2023 | Dec 17, 2023 |
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Deer – Muzzleloader
Six statewide, but you cannot exceed a county bag limit. Only one may be antlered.
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Jan 6, 2024 | Jan 9, 2024 |
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Dove – Early
Bag limit 15
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Sep 1, 2023 | Nov 5, 2023 |
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Dove – Late
Bag limit 15
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Dec 9, 2023 | Jan 1, 2024 |
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Duck – Early Teal
Bag limit 6.
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Sep 2, 2023 | Sep 17, 2023 |
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Duck – Youth and Veteran Waterfowl
Bag limit same as regular season.
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Sep 30, 2023 | Oct 1, 2023 |
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Duck – Lake Erie Marsh 1
Lake Erie Marsh Zone. The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, which may include no more than 4 mallards (only 2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 pintail, 2 black ducks, or 1 mottled duck
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Oct 14, 2023 | Oct 29, 2023 |
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Duck – South 1
South Zone. The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, which may include no more than 4 mallards (only 2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 pintail, 2 black ducks, or 1 mottled duck
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Oct 21, 2023 | Oct 29, 2023 |
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Duck – North 1
North Zone. The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, which may include no more than 4 mallards (only 2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 pintail, 2 black ducks, or 1 mottled duck
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Oct 21, 2023 | Oct 29, 2023 |
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Duck – Lake Erie Marsh 2
Lake Erie Marsh Zone. The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, which may include no more than 4 mallards (only 2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 pintail, 2 black ducks, or 1 mottled duck
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Nov 4, 2023 | Dec 17, 2023 |
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Duck – North 2
North Zone. The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, which may include no more than 4 mallards (only 2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 pintail, 2 black ducks, or 1 mottled duck
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Nov 11, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Duck – South 2
South Zone. The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, which may include no more than 4 mallards (only 2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 pintail, 2 black ducks, or 1 mottled duck.
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Dec 9, 2023 | Jan 28, 2024 |
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Fox – Red & Gray
No limit.
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Nov 10, 2023 | Jan 31, 2024 |
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Goose – Early Canada Geese
Bag limit 5.
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Sep 2, 2023 | Sep 10, 2023 |
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Goose – Youth and Veteran Waterfowl
Bag limit same as regular season.
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Sep 30, 2023 | Oct 1, 2023 |
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Goose – Lake Erie Marsh 1
Lake Erie Marsh Zone. 5 combined: Canada goose, white-fronted goose, and may not include more than 1 brant.10 combined: Snow goose, blue goose, Ross’s goose.
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Oct 14, 2023 | Oct 29, 2023 |
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Goose – North 1
North Zone. 5 combined: Canada goose, white-fronted goose, and may include no more than 1 brant.10 combined: Snow goose, blue goose, Ross’s goose.
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Oct 21, 2023 | Oct 29, 2023 |
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Goose – South 1
South Zone. 5 combined: Canada goose, white-fronted goose, and may include no more than 1 brant.10 combined: Snow goose, blue goose, Ross’s goose.
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Oct 21, 2023 | Oct 29, 2023 |
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Goose – Lake Erie Marsh 2
Lake Erie Marsh Zone. 5 combined: Canada goose, white-fronted goose, and may include no more than 1 brant.10 combined: Snow goose, blue goose, Ross’s goose.
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Nov 4, 2023 | Dec 17, 2023 |
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Goose – North 2
North Zone. 5 combined: Canada goose, white-fronted goose, an may include no more than 1 brant.10 combined: Snow goose, blue goose, Ross’s goose.
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Nov 11, 2023 | Feb 5, 2024 |
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Goose – South 2
South Zone. 5 combined: Canada goose, white-fronted goose, and may include no more than 1 brant.10 combined: Snow goose, blue goose, Ross’s goose.
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Nov 18, 2023 | Feb 12, 2024 |
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Goose – Lake Erie Marsh 3
Lake Erie Marsh Zone. 5 combined: Canada goose, white-fronted goose, and may not include more than 1 brant.10 combined: Snow goose, blue goose, Ross’s goose.
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Dec 31, 2023 | Feb 4, 2024 |
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Wild Pig
Open all season. No limit.
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Jan 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Ring-necked Pheasant
Bag limit 2 (males only).
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Nov 3, 2023 | Jan 14, 2024 |
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Bobwhite Quail
Bag limit 2.
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Nov 3, 2023 | Nov 26, 2023 |
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Cottontail Rabbit
Bag limit 4.
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Nov 3, 2023 | Feb 29, 2024 |
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Turkey – Spring Youth
2 bearded turkeys, 1 per day. No more than 1 on public land.
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Apr 15, 2023 | Apr 16, 2023 |
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Turkey – Spring South Zone
2 bearded turkeys, 1 per day. No more than 1 on public land.
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Apr 22, 2023 | May 21, 2023 |
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Turkey – Spring Northeast Zone
2 bearded turkeys, 1 per day. No more than 1 on public land.
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Apr 29, 2023 | May 28, 2023 |
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Turkey – Fall
Select counties only. Bag limit 1 either sex. |
Oct 14, 2023 | Nov 12, 2023 |
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Woodcock
3 daily.
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Oct 13, 2023 | Nov 26, 2023 |
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Chukar
2 daily.
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Nov 3, 2023 | Jan 14, 2024 |
Ohio Licenses, Permits, and Regulations
Ohio hunting licenses, permits, and regulations for resident and non-resident hunters can be purchased on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website. Click below to view the website.
Hunting GPS Maps
Every Ohio hunter should have hunting GPS maps on hand. Ohio hunting maps are available from onX Hunt. With a paid membership you can access Satellite, Topo, or Hybrid Basemaps, over which you can view maps of hunting areas, along with State, Forest Service, and other public and private property boundaries. You can view trails and roads, and even download maps to the Hunt App for use offline. Click below to get onX Hunt for Ohio.
Hunting Areas
Ohio’s public hunting areas are defined by their geographic placement, such as Mackey Ford Wildlife Area. Coshocton County in Ohio has been called the best hunting area in the state for over a decade because it leads the state in the number of annual deer harvests. Click below to view Ohio’s hunting areas in more detail through an interactive map.
Hunting Layers
OH Private Lands
Over 4,700,000 parcels mapped by the onX team, this layer helps you know who the property owners are in Ohio. Tap any parcel to learn more info about the owner and acreage.
OH Gov Lands
onX has the most accurate public lands maps with over 1,700,000 acres in Ohio to help you plan your next adventure. Tap any public land parcel to learn more.
OH Hunting Boundaries
Ohio Deer Bag Limit and Spring/Fall Turkey Hunting Zones. Please hunt responsibly, obey all signage and have a safe legal hunt.
Includes 5 Sublayers
- Deer Bag Limit
- Spring Turkey Zones
- Fall Turkey Zones
- Waterfowl Hunting Zones
- Quail Hunting Zones
OH Possible Access
onX has mapped 180,000 acres of possible access lands in Ohio including timber companies and land conservation groups. Research rules on these private lands before recreating.
OH AEP Recreation Lands
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Public Hunting Areas. Please hunt responsibly, obey all signage and have a safe legal hunt.
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