Further deer bag limit reductions proposed in specific southeast Ohio counties

The Ohio Wildlife Council received a proposal for new white-tailed deer hunting limits in Athens, Meigs, Morgan, and Washington counties during its regularly scheduled meeting Oct. 22, according to an Oct. 23 news release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.

The DOW proposed reducing the bag limit to one deer in Athens, Meigs, and Washington counties in response to an outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in these locations, according to the release. In Morgan County, the bag limit was proposed to be reduced to two deer (from three) because of the same EHD outbreak.

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The DOW previously proposed reducing the deer bag limit in Athens, Meigs, and Washington counties from three deer to two. In response to public comments received during a 30-day window, the proposal was revised to reduce the bag limit in those counties to one deer. The Ohio Wildlife Council will vote on the latest proposed reduction Wednesday, Nov. 12, according to the release.

If approved by the Ohio Wildlife Council, the proposed bag limit reduction would take effect Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, coinciding with opening day of the seven-day deer gun season. The proposed bag limit would remain in place until the close of the 2025-26 deer hunting season Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. If the Ohio Wildlife Council passes the proposed bag limit reduction, Athens, Meigs, Morgan, and Washington counties will have a three-deer bag limit until Sunday, Nov. 30, according to the release.

Deer bag limits in the rest of the state remain unchanged. See the 2025-26 Hunting and Trapping Regulations for more information on current bag limits in Ohio.

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