Tuscarawas, Coshocton lead Ohio counties for 2023 youth deer-gun season

Young hunters across Ohio harvested 10,039 white-tailed deer during the two-day youth season Nov. 18 and 19, according to a Nov. 20 news release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.

The top 10 counties for deer taken over the two-day weekend were Tuscarawas (391), Coshocton (365), Muskingum (304), Knox (293), Holmes (267), Guernsey (261), Licking (256), Harrison (239), Belmont (209), and Richland (205).

This year’s youth season total is the second-highest harvest on record, according to the release. In 2007, youth hunters harvested 10,059 deer with firearms during the two-day youth season.

Youth hunters checked 5,736 antlered and 4,303 antlerless deer during the weekend, compared to 9,510 deer in 2022. The three-year average from 2020 to 2022 is 7,649.

The Division of Wildlife has issued 41,866 youth deer permits through Nov. 19, according to the release. Youth permits are valid for all remaining Ohio deer hunting seasons.

Ohio’s youth hunting opportunities are available to anyone who is 17 years old or younger during the season dates. Youth hunting seasons are also available for small game, wild turkey, and waterfowl. Gun hunters of all ages may participate in the upcoming seven-day gun season that begins Monday, Nov. 27, and runs through Sunday, Dec. 3. A bonus weekend of gun season will occur Dec. 16 and 17; muzzleloader season will be Jan. 6-9, 2024. The archery season runs through Feb. 4, 2024. All hunters, regardless of the implement they use, are required to wear hunter orange during the gun seasons. Find complete details in the 2023-24 hunting and trapping regulations.

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