Ohio's youth deer-gun season set for Nov. 18-19

November 9, 2006
The People's Defender

Ohio's youth deer-gun season will be held Saturday and Sunday, November 18-19, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

Young hunters killed 8,641 deer during the 2005 two-day season. Some young hunters may take advantage of Ohio's new apprentice hunting license. This new licenses allows new hunters, both adults and youth, to sample the experience of hunting under the mentorship of a licensed adult, prior to completing a hunter education course.

The apprentice hunting license was developed as part of a nationwide effort called "Families Afield," designed to remove barriers that prevent hunters from passing along the hunting heritage.

The youth deer-gun season is open statewide. Hunters may take one deer of either sex during this season, in accordance with existing bag and deer-zone limits. Plugged shotguns, muzzleloaders, handguns and bows are legal. All participants must wear a jacket, coat, vest, or coveralls in solid or camouflaged hunter orange, possess a valid Ohio hunting license and deer permit, and be accompanied by a non-hunting adult in the field.

All other regularly scheduled hunting seasons will continue during the two-day youth season. However, other hunters, including deer-archery hunters, are required to wear a jacket, coat, vest, or coveralls in solid or camouflaged hunter orange during this period.