By Larry S. Moore

I recently enjoyed an opportunity to film several segments for the ODNR Division of Wildlife “Wild Ohio” television show. The show appears on PBS stations across Ohio. The segments were filmed at the Spring Valley Wildlife Area Range in southern Greene County. Division of Wildlife District 5 Manager Todd Haines was the host for the segments. The topic was handgun hunting for deer in Ohio.

I was invited because Haines knew that I am an enthusiastic promoter of handgun hunting for deer. I switched to using a handgun during the deer gun week several years ago. I’ve been fortunate to take a couple of bucks, including one 10-point, and several doe with the handgun.

COLUMBUS, OHIO - Young hunters across Ohio again enjoyed success during the sixth annual Youth Deer-Gun Season, held Saturday and Sunday, November 22-23.

Hunters age 17 and under killed 9,852 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 10,515.

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. Counties reporting the greatest number of deer killed were Tuscarawas-454, Holmes-422, Harrison-353, Licking-346, Guernsey-339, Knox-303, Washington-296, Muskingum-273, Jefferson-213, and Athens-209.

The youth deer-gun season was open in all 88 counties. Young hunters could take one deer of either sex, in accordance with existing bag and deer-zone limits. 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.