Ohio Deer Hunting, County by County
88 Ohio counties ranked by a provisional FDR Deer Herd Index Provisional. A 0–100 score built from Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) county season tables, 2019–2025; dated cumulative reports through 2026-02-01 plus public-land access. Click any county for the free report: multi-year harvest trend, herd metrics, public land and season notes.
This index is provisional: Provisional index covering Ohio county harvest, harvest density, habitat, momentum and trophy (the Trophy Index); available roadway records are excluded because they are not deer-specific and lack VMT normalization. It is computed from what is real in the public harvest record plus public-land access. The Trophy Index ranks each county 0 to 100 against every county we cover. Ranked per acre of bow-huntable land (10 m estimate).
Other states: Illinois · Missouri · Wisconsin
2026–27 game seasons
No 2026–27 weekly harvest report was found in the six exact ODNR DAM URLs checked; the latest published harvest report here is dated 2026-02-01. The season dates and limits below are structured from official Ohio Department of Natural Resources sources.
| Species / season | Open | Close | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer archery statewide | 2026-09-26 | 2027-02-07 | See official bag-limit map |
| Deer archery disease surveillance area | 2026-09-12 | 2027-02-07 | See official bag-limit map |
| Youth deer gun statewide | 2026-11-21 | 2026-11-22 | See official bag-limit map |
| Deer gun statewide | 2026-11-30 | 2026-12-06 | See official bag-limit map |
| Bonus deer gun statewide | 2026-12-19 | 2026-12-20 | See official bag-limit map |
| Deer muzzleloader statewide | 2027-01-02 | 2027-01-05 | See official bag-limit map |
| Early deer gun disease surveillance area | 2026-10-10 | 2026-10-12 | See official bag-limit map |
| Wild turkey fall (70 counties) | 2026-10-01 | 2026-10-25 | 1 per season |
| Wild turkey spring | No closed season / TBA | No closed season / TBA | To be announced |
| Squirrel | 2026-09-01 | 2027-01-31 | 6 daily |
| Cottontail rabbit | 2026-11-06 | 2027-02-28 | 4 daily |
| Ring-necked pheasant (roosters only) | 2026-11-06 | 2027-01-10 | 2 daily |
| Chukar | 2026-11-06 | 2027-01-10 | 4 daily |
| Bobwhite quail (16 counties and specific wildlife areas only) | 2026-11-06 | 2026-11-29 | 2 daily |
| Crow (Friday, Saturday, Sunday only) | 2026-06-05 | 2027-03-07 | None |
| Fox, raccoon, skunk, opossum, weasel hunting/trapping | 2026-11-10 | 2027-01-31 | None |
| Coyote | No closed season / TBA | No closed season / TBA | No closed season |
| Woodchuck | No closed season / TBA | No closed season / TBA | No closed season |
| Mink, muskrat trapping | 2026-11-10 | 2027-02-28 | None |
| Mink, muskrat, raccoon, opossum, skunk, weasel: Lucas County east of Maumee River, Ottawa, Sandusky, Erie | 2026-11-10 | 2027-03-15 | No limit |
| Beaver trapping | 2026-12-26 | 2027-02-28 | None |
| River otter zone rules | 2026-12-26 | 2027-02-28 | Season total 3; no more than 1 from Zone B; up to 3 from Zone A |
| Ruffed grouse | Controlled hunts only | See permit | See permit |
| Youth small game | 2026-10-24 | 2026-10-25 | Same as regular season |
| Youth small game | 2026-10-31 | 2026-11-01 | Same as regular season |
| Early Canada goose | 2026-09-05 | 2026-09-13 | 5 daily |
| Early teal (blue-winged, green-winged, cinnamon) | 2026-09-05 | 2026-09-13 | 6 daily |
| Youth waterfowl | 2026-10-03 | 2026-10-04 | Same as regular season |
| Military waterfowl | 2026-10-03 | 2026-10-04 | Same as regular season |
| Goose regular season zone A | 2026-10-17 | 2026-11-01 | 5 combined Canada/white-fronted; no more than 1 brant; 10 combined snow/blue/Ross |
| Goose regular season zone A | 2026-11-14 | 2027-02-01 | 5 combined Canada/white-fronted; no more than 1 brant; 10 combined snow/blue/Ross |
| Duck, coot and merganser season zone A | 2026-10-17 | 2026-11-01 | Ducks: 6 daily with species caps; mergansers: 5 (only 2 hooded); coots: 15. See duck limits below. |
| Duck, coot and merganser season zone A | 2026-11-14 | 2026-12-27 | Ducks: 6 daily with species caps; mergansers: 5 (only 2 hooded); coots: 15. See duck limits below. |
| Goose regular season zone B | 2026-10-17 | 2026-10-25 | 5 combined Canada/white-fronted; no more than 1 brant; 10 combined snow/blue/Ross |
| Goose regular season zone B | 2026-11-21 | 2027-02-15 | 5 combined Canada/white-fronted; no more than 1 brant; 10 combined snow/blue/Ross |
| Duck, coot and merganser season zone B | 2026-10-17 | 2026-10-25 | Ducks: 6 daily with species caps; mergansers: 5 (only 2 hooded); coots: 15. See duck limits below. |
| Duck, coot and merganser season zone B | 2026-11-21 | 2027-01-10 | Ducks: 6 daily with species caps; mergansers: 5 (only 2 hooded); coots: 15. See duck limits below. |
| Goose regular season zone C | 2026-10-17 | 2026-10-25 | 5 combined Canada/white-fronted; no more than 1 brant; 10 combined snow/blue/Ross |
| Goose regular season zone C | 2026-11-21 | 2027-02-15 | 5 combined Canada/white-fronted; no more than 1 brant; 10 combined snow/blue/Ross |
| Duck, coot and merganser season zone C | 2026-10-17 | 2026-10-25 | Ducks: 6 daily with species caps; mergansers: 5 (only 2 hooded); coots: 15. See duck limits below. |
| Duck, coot and merganser season zone C | 2026-12-12 | 2027-01-31 | Ducks: 6 daily with species caps; mergansers: 5 (only 2 hooded); coots: 15. See duck limits below. |
| Dove (mourning and Eurasian collared) | 2026-09-01 | 2026-11-08 | 15 daily |
| Dove (mourning and Eurasian collared) | 2026-12-12 | 2027-01-01 | 15 daily |
| Rail (Virginia, Sora) | 2026-09-01 | 2026-11-09 | 25 daily |
| Gallinule | 2026-09-01 | 2026-11-09 | 15 daily |
| Wilson's snipe | 2026-09-01 | 2026-11-25 | 8 daily |
| Wilson's snipe | 2026-12-12 | 2027-01-01 | 8 daily |
| American woodcock | 2026-10-16 | 2026-11-29 | 3 daily |
Latest completed official season: 2025-26 (2026-02-01). Current 2026–27 weekly availability is scoped in the note above. Sources: ODNR official season chart · Ohio Administrative Code effective July 6, 2026 · Ohio Administrative Code DSA rule effective July 6, 2026 · ODNR final Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations
Season dates may vary by zone or controlled permit. Use the official zone maps and permit rules for the area you hunt. Waterfowl zone map · River otter zone map
Game requirements and limits
- HIP certification. Migratory bird hunters need a valid Ohio hunting license and Harvest Information Program certification. Official guide, page 18
- Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp. Waterfowl hunters age 18 or older need the Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp endorsement. Official guide, page 18
- Federal Duck Stamp. Waterfowl hunters age 16 or older need a signed federal Duck Stamp or federal E-Stamp certification. Official guide, page 18
- Migratory bird hours. The page-18 migratory bird seasons run sunrise to sunset unless posted. Official guide, page 18
- Regular waterfowl hours. Regular waterfowl seasons run 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset unless posted. Official guide, page 19
- Migratory bird possession limit. After the second day the possession limit is three times the daily bag limit. Official guide, page 18
- Daily duck species caps. Within the 6-duck daily limit: no more than 4 mallards (only 2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks or 1 mottled duck. Scaup: 1 during the first 15 days; 2 during the next 45 days of the season. Official guide, page 19
- Controlled deer hunts. Up to 6 additional deer may be taken during controlled hunts. Controlled deer do not count toward the county or statewide regular-season limit. Only 1 antlered deer may be taken across all regular and controlled seasons. Official guide, page 26
Controlled hunt and trapping applications
These are application windows. Hunt dates and access depend on the selected permit.
| Opportunity | Application period | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | March 1–March 31 (annual application window; year not specified in this table) | Online or phone |
| Deer, small game, dove, waterfowl, waterfowl blind | July 1–July 31 (annual application window; year not specified in this table) | Online or phone |
| Beaver, otter, furbearer | October 3, 2026 (one day) | In person |
| Rank | County | FDR Index | Tier | Trophy | Public land % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Jefferson | 87.3 | A - Elite | 94↑ | 1.6% |
| #2 | Belmont | 79.9 | A - Elite | 92↑ | 7.2% |
| #3 | Hocking | 73.8 | A - Elite | 92↓ | 11.8% |
| #4 | Columbiana | 71.2 | A - Elite | 90→ | 1.1% |
| #5 | Delaware | 69.5 | B - Strong | 99↑ | 1.4% |
| #6 | Ross | 68.6 | B - Strong | 98↑ | 0.9% |
| #7 | Vinton | 66.8 | B - Strong | 91↑ | 3.7% |
| #8 | Marion | 65.3 | B - Strong | 99↑ | 3.5% |
| #9 | Adams | 64.8 | B - Strong | 95↑ | 1.2% |
| #10 | Lawrence | 64.2 | B - Strong | 72↑ | 27.4% |
| #11 | Gallia | 63.3 | B - Strong | 80↓ | 9.3% |
| #12 | Scioto | 62.4 | B - Strong | 85↑ | 3.0% |
| #13 | Stark | 62.3 | B - Strong | 96→ | 1.2% |
| #14 | Muskingum | 62.2 | B - Strong | 89↓ | 9.1% |
| #15 | Mahoning | 62 | B - Strong | 92↓ | 0.9% |
| #16 | Licking | 61.6 | B - Strong | 98↑ | 0.2% |
| #17 | Jackson | 61.5 | B - Strong | 86↑ | 4.8% |
| #18 | Harrison | 60.4 | B - Strong | 84↑ | 7.1% |
| #19 | Warren | 59.6 | B - Strong | 98↓ | 0.4% |
| #20 | Greene | 59.5 | B - Strong | 94↑ | 0.8% |
| #21 | Richland | 59.3 | B - Strong | 98↑ | 1.0% |
| #22 | Athens | 59.1 | B - Strong | 86↓ | 8.9% |
| #23 | Morrow | 59.1 | B - Strong | 99↑ | 0.2% |
| #24 | Meigs | 58.6 | B - Strong | 94↓ | 0.9% |
| #25 | Washington | 58 | B - Strong | 81↓ | 9.8% |
| #26 | Wyandot | 58 | B - Strong | 96↑ | 3.5% |
| #27 | Portage | 57.3 | B - Strong | 87↑ | 3.7% |
| #28 | Williams | 57.3 | B - Strong | 85↑ | 1.2% |
| #29 | Perry | 57.1 | B - Strong | 97↑ | 8.9% |
| #30 | Carroll | 56.8 | B - Strong | 88↑ | 3.0% |
| #31 | Champaign | 56.8 | B - Strong | 97↑ | 0.2% |
| #32 | Clinton | 56.7 | B - Strong | 91↑ | 0.3% |
| #33 | Coshocton | 56.4 | B - Strong | 90↑ | 9.3% |
| #34 | Pike | 54.1 | C - Above Average | 89→ | 0.1% |
| #35 | Fayette | 53.5 | C - Above Average | 81↑ | 1.1% |
| #36 | Allen | 53.3 | C - Above Average | 90↑ | 0.0% |
| #37 | Miami | 53.2 | C - Above Average | 98↑ | 0.0% |
| #38 | Fairfield | 52.5 | C - Above Average | 97↑ | 0.3% |
| #39 | Hancock | 52.5 | C - Above Average | 93↑ | 0.1% |
| #40 | Tuscarawas | 52.4 | C - Above Average | 93↑ | 0.8% |
| #41 | Preble | 51.8 | C - Above Average | 89↑ | 1.1% |
| #42 | Knox | 51.4 | C - Above Average | 95↑ | 0.8% |
| #43 | Clark | 50.6 | C - Above Average | 94↑ | 0.1% |
| #44 | Monroe | 50.6 | C - Above Average | 75↑ | 8.8% |
| #45 | Pickaway | 50 | C - Above Average | 84→ | 0.8% |
| #46 | Trumbull | 50 | C - Above Average | 62↑ | 6.6% |
| #47 | Clermont | 49.5 | C - Above Average | 95→ | 1.3% |
| #48 | Ashland | 48.8 | C - Above Average | 91↑ | 1.2% |
| #49 | Geauga | 48.8 | C - Above Average | 70→ | 4.2% |
| #50 | Fulton | 47.6 | C - Above Average | 66↑ | 0.2% |
| #51 | Guernsey | 47.6 | C - Above Average | 88↓ | 0.8% |
| #52 | Erie | 47.2 | C - Above Average | 74↑ | 2.8% |
| #53 | Highland | 46.6 | C - Above Average | 93↑ | 1.9% |
| #54 | Huron | 46.1 | C - Above Average | 86↑ | 0.5% |
| #55 | Lucas | 45.3 | C - Above Average | 94↑ | 0.7% |
| #56 | Seneca | 44.9 | C - Above Average | 68↑ | 0.1% |
| #57 | Wood | 44.4 | C - Above Average | 70↓ | 0.2% |
| #58 | Brown | 44 | C - Above Average | 89→ | 1.5% |
| #59 | Sandusky | 43.6 | C - Above Average | 71↑ | 1.6% |
| #60 | Lorain | 43.5 | C - Above Average | 82↓ | 0.2% |
| #61 | Auglaize | 43 | C - Above Average | 86↑ | 0.1% |
| #62 | Defiance | 42.7 | C - Above Average | 75↓ | 0.2% |
| #63 | Shelby | 42.4 | C - Above Average | 93↑ | <0.1% |
| #64 | Crawford | 42.1 | C - Above Average | 93↑ | 0.0% |
| #65 | Butler | 41.9 | C - Above Average | 97→ | 0.1% |
| #66 | Ottawa | 41.9 | C - Above Average | 56↑ | 1.5% |
| #67 | Wayne | 41.9 | C - Above Average | 68↑ | 1.7% |
| #68 | Noble | 41.5 | C - Above Average | 72↓ | 9.8% |
| #69 | Morgan | 40.9 | C - Above Average | 90↓ | 12.3% |
| #70 | Union | 40.6 | C - Above Average | 97↓ | 0.0% |
| #71 | Madison | 40.2 | C - Above Average | 78↑ | 0.1% |
| #72 | Logan | 39 | D - Average | 96→ | 0.0% |
| #73 | Hardin | 38.8 | D - Average | 89↑ | 0.3% |
| #74 | Holmes | 38.4 | D - Average | 76↑ | 0.5% |
| #75 | Montgomery | 38.1 | D - Average | 99↑ | <0.1% |
| #76 | Franklin | 37.4 | D - Average | 100→ | 0.0% |
| #77 | Van Wert | 37.2 | D - Average | 46↑ | <0.1% |
| #78 | Medina | 36.6 | D - Average | 78→ | 0.3% |
| #79 | Ashtabula | 36.4 | D - Average | 59↑ | 0.5% |
| #80 | Darke | 35.1 | D - Average | 77↑ | 0.1% |
| #81 | Henry | 33.8 | D - Average | 25↑ | 0.3% |
| #82 | Summit | 31.1 | D - Average | 100↑ | <0.1% |
| #83 | Hamilton | 29.9 | D - Average | 100↓ | <0.1% |
| #84 | Mercer | 28.8 | D - Average | 82↑ | 0.2% |
| #85 | Lake | 27.5 | D - Average | 81↓ | 0.0% |
| #86 | Putnam | 25 | D - Average | 61↑ | 0.1% |
| #87 | Paulding | 18 | E - Below Average | 62↑ | 0.0% |
| #88 | Cuyahoga | 10.1 | E - Below Average | 100→ | 0.0% |
Hunt it on the map
The same research, live on an onX-class hunting map, with statewide parcels, owner & acreage, public hunting land, leaf-off imagery, waypoints, and onX import.