Ohio Wildlife Council Hears 2009-2010 Deer Hunting Regulations Proposal

Reduced-cost deer permits show results

COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio hunters may again have the opportunity to use reduced-cost deer permits if a proposed regulation is accepted by the Ohio Wildlife Council in April, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

Under the proposal, hunters could again buy antlerless deer permits at reduced prices for hunting in an urban zone, participating in a Division of Wildlife-authorized controlled hunt or hunting during the September 27 to November 30 portion of the deer season. The Division is again proposing the deadline for using the antlerless permit be extended to December 6 for those hunting in Zone C. Cost of the antlerless deer permit remains $15.

"For the second year in a row, the effectiveness of the reduced-cost antlerless deer permit can be seen," said Dave Risley, who oversees wildlife management and research for the division. "The reduced-cost permit provided an incentive for hunters to take more does during the early portion of the deer season and during the deer gun week in Zone C. This has helped our deer population management plan to reduce the overall deer population."

As was the requirement last year, hunters must purchase a regular deer permit before purchasing antlerless deer permits. The sale of these permits would cease after November 30, so hunters need to commit early to buying and using the extra reduced-cost opportunity.

The proposed regulations maintain the same deer zones as the last four years. Zone C would cover 38 central, southern, southeastern and southwestern counties. There would be 30 counties of Zone B and 20 northwestern counties in Zone A.

The maximum number of deer that a hunter may take in Zone A is two. Prior to November 30, hunters may take up to two deer in Zone A, one of which may be on a $15 antlerless deer permit. Beginning November 30, hunters may take only one deer in Zone A and antlerless permits may not be used.

The maximum number of deer that a hunter may take in Zone B is four. Prior to November 30, hunters may take up to four deer in Zone B, two of which may be on a $15 antlerless deer permit. Beginning November 30, hunters may take only two deer in Zone B and antlerless permits may not be used.

The maximum number of deer that a hunter may take in Zone C is six. Prior to December 7, hunters may take up to six deer in Zone C, three of which may be on a $15 antlerless deer permit. Beginning December 7, hunters may take only three deer in Zone C and antlerless permits may not be used.

Another proposed change for deer hunters includes those hunting in urban zones and at Division of Wildlife's authorized controlled hunts would have a six deer bag limit, and those deer would not count against the hunter's zone bag limit.

A valid hunting license and proper deer permits are required to hunt deer in Ohio. A hunter may take only one buck in Ohio, regardless of zone, hunting method or season.

Archery season would run from Saturday, September 26 through Sunday, February 7, 2010. The popular youth deer-gun season is proposed for Saturday and Sunday, November 21-22. Regular deer-gun season would run Monday, November 30 through Sunday, December 6 and Saturday and Sunday, December 19 -20. Statewide muzzleloader season would run Saturday, January 9 through Tuesday, January 12, 2010 (Click here for details on this change - an article on the controversy regarding moving the muzzleloading season will be published at BuckeyeFirearms.org the last week of Feb.) Special area muzzleloader hunts would be open Monday, October 19 through Saturday, October 24 at Salt Fork, Shawnee and Wildcat Hollow. Muzzleloader hunts at these areas will no longer require a special permit. Hunters may use either a deer permit or an antlerless deer permit for this hunt. The bag limit remains at one deer of either sex with any antlered deer harvested counting toward the one-buck yearly limit for the year.

During the youth deer-gun season, zone bag limits would apply to young hunters. Any deer taken would be part of the young hunter's total season limit.

During the 2008-2009 season, which concluded February 1, hunters bagged a preliminary total of 248,515 deer. Approximately 475,000 people hunted white-tailed deer in Ohio this year.

Open houses will be held on Sunday, March 1 in each of the state's five wildlife districts to provide the public an opportunity to view and discuss proposed hunting and trapping regulations with state wildlife officials. Directions to the open houses can be obtained by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE or visiting wildohio.com on the Internet.

A statewide hearing on all the proposed rules will be held at 9 a.m., Thursday, March 5 at the wildlife division's District One Office, located at 1500 Dublin Road in Columbus. After considering public input, the Ohio Wildlife Council will vote on the proposed rules and season dates during its April 2 meeting.

Proposed Deer Hunting Zones
(FOR THE 2009-10 SEASON:)

Zone A -- The zone includes 20 counties: Allen, Auglaize, Darke, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Ottawa, Paulding, Preble, Putnam, Sandusky, Shelby, Van Wert, Williams, and Wood.

Zone B -- The zone includes 30 counties: Ashland, Ashtabula, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Fayette, Geauga, Greene, Hancock, Hardin, Huron, Lake, Logan, Lorain, Madison, Mahoning, Marion, Medina, Portage, Seneca, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Union, Warren, Wayne, and Wyandot.

Zone C -- The zone includes 38 counties: Adams, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Carroll, Clermont, Columbiana, Coshocton, Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Hamilton, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lawrence, Licking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Richland, Ross, Scioto, Tuscarawas, Vinton, and Washington

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Buckeye Firearms Association encourages you to attend the annual open houses on March 1 to discuss these proposals. The meetings will be held at your District office click here for directions), with one exception.

The District 5 open house is NOT held at the District 5 offices. It is held at the Greene County Fish & Game Club, 1538 Union Road, Xenia OH 45385. The club is located on the south side of Xenia. It does not show well on Mapquest because the clubhouse and grounds set back a lane off the road.

Directions: Take US 35 bypass either east or westbound around Xenia; exit at US 68/Home Avenue; turn to go back toward Xenia; go a very short distance (200 yards) and the Xenia Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol is on the left. This is Union Road; turn left.

From the north or south take US 68. If coming from the north US 68 is Detroit Street through most of Xenia but makes a "Y" left at Home Avenue. It is somewhat poorly marked with US 68 sign. Follow US 68 to the Xenia Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol. Turn onto Union Road (It is a T road - there is only one way to turn as the opposite side is an industrial park).

Go 2 miles and the entrance to the club is on the left. The entrance is marked with a sign. Stay on the paved lane to the clubhouse.