Two Ohio newspapers are covering the upcoming youth deer-gun season and acknowledging the benefits of the recently-enacted apprentice hunting license program.

Cleveland Plain Dealer Outdoor Writer D'Arcy Egan is reporting that a large deer herd and plenty of large-antlered bucks - combined with a youth deer gun season that has been a big hit - have helped stem a slow slide in the number of Ohio hunters.

From the story:

As Ohio's deer herd has grown, so has the number of trophy bucks killed by hunters. Southeastern Ohio is still a hot spot for a big buck, but the largest deer are coming from the farm country of southwestern Ohio. This year's most dazzling display of antlers are worn by what is now known as the Amish Buck, killed in Clark County with a crossbow by Amish hunter Jonathon Schmucker of Seamon, Ohio.

Those trophy deer are attracting hunters from other states, including Pennsylvania, where deer are plentiful but trophy antlers are rare. Non-resident license sales have soared from 10,669 in 1998 to 22,524 last year, despite a non-resident license costing $125, a big jump from the $19 resident tag.

With young hunters in extremely short supply a decade ago, Ohio wildlife officials created special youth hunting seasons. The youth deer-gun season tops the list. In the past five years, youth hunting license sales have jumped from 33,117 to 41,850. Young hunters killed 8,641 deer during their two-day season last year. More than 15,000 kids are expected to be in the woods for this year's short campaign Nov. 18-19.

This year, there is a new opportunity. An apprentice license now allows an adult or youngster to purchase their first hunting license without taking a hunter education course. The new hunter must be mentored by a licensed adult.

Egan finishes by noting that the apprentice license is an easy way for people to try a new sport, enjoy the outdoors and, perhaps, spot a trophy buck in the Buckeye woods.

Click on 'Read More' for more on the subject from the Columbus Dispatch.