Ohio's Youth Deer-Gun Hunting Season Set For November 20-21

Ohio's youth deer-gun hunting season will be held Saturday and Sunday, November 20-21, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.

Young hunters killed 9,331 deer during last year's two-day season. The Division of Wildlife anticipates more than 40,000 young hunters will participate in the upcoming hunt.

New at wildohio.com, young hunters can commemorate their achievement with a First Harvest certificate. Upload a photo and type in the young hunter's information and a certificate will be e-mailed within a few days to you for print.

Hunters can also share photos of their success in the field online by visiting wildohio.com and clicking on Photo Gallery. The photo submission process is easy and posted photos may be e-mailed to a friend.

The youth deer-gun season is open statewide to hunters 17 years old and younger. Hunter may take deer in accordance with the existing bag and deer zone limits. Only one antlered deer is allowed. Plugged shotguns, muzzleloaders, handguns and bows are legal. All participants must wear hunter orange, possess a valid Ohio hunting license and a $12 youth-deer permit, and must 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 hunter orange during this period.

This year, Ohio's deer-gun season runs November 29 through December 5, and the weekend of December 18-19. Details regarding Ohio's various hunting seasons, including those exclusively for young hunters, can be found in the 2010-11 Ohio Hunting Regulations or by visiting wildohio.com.

Youth hunters that want to donate venison to the needy can do so at no cost. The Division of Wildlife is collaborating with Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry to help pay for the processing of donated venison. All hunters who donate their deer to a food bank are not required to pay the processing cost as long as funding for the effort lasts. More information about this program can be found online at www.fhfh.org

The 2010-2011 licenses will not be printed on weatherproof paper. Sportsmen and women should protect their licenses and permits from the elements by carrying them in a protective pouch or wallet.