COLUMBUS — Young hunters across Ohio were successful during the seventh annual youth deer-gun Season, held Nov. 21-22.
Hunters age 17 and under killed 9,331 deer during the special two-day season, aimed at providing a high-quality hunting experience for younger Ohioans.
Last year’s youth hunt saw a deer harvest of 9,852. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife estimated 40,000 young hunters took to the state’s fields and forests during the two-day season.
Harvest count
Counties reporting the greatest number of deer killed were Tuscarawas- 445, Washington- 362, Harrison- 351 and Holmes with 279 harvested. Others reporting large kills were Guernsey – 276, Knox- 265, Licking- 240, Coshocton- 212, Athens-209 and Ross County with 206.
Young hunters in Columbiana County killed 154 deer, Ashtabula reported 117 harvested, Trumbull- 9, Mahoning- 52 and Wayne County reported 50.
Regulations count
The youth deer-gun season was open in all 88 counties. All participants were required to wear hunter orange, possess a valid Ohio hunting license and special deer permit, and be accompanied by a non-hunting adult.
The youth deer-gun season is one of four special youth only hunting seasons designed to provide a safe and excellent early hunting experience for young hunters. Special days are also set aside for upland game, wild turkey and waterfowl hunting opportunities.
Another chance
Youngsters and all other hunters will have a chance at taking a whitetail during next week’s statewide deer-gun season, which runs Nov. 30- Dec. 6.
