November 13, 2006

OHIO’S ARCHERY DEER HUNTERS OFF TO A FAST START
Harvest numbers up in first six weeks of
deer hunting season

COLUMBUS, OH – For the third straight year, Ohio bow hunters set a record harvest during the first six weeks of the state’s deer-archery season, taking 45,733 whitetails. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, this year’s early archery season harvest is 9 percent higher than last year’s record of 41,859 deer.

“Bow hunting for deer has become very popular in Ohio. The season started in September for the first time this year as a way to provide a few more days of hunting. It will continue through February 4, making it Ohio’s longest archery season on record,” said Steven A. Gray, chief of the Division of Wildlife.

Counties reporting the highest numbers of deer brought to check stations were Tuscarawas - 1,724; Licking -1,679; Holmes - 1,624; Harrison - 1,140; Clermont -1,107; Knox - 1,085; Ashland and Coshocton - 1,084; Trumbull- 1,082; and Ashtabula - 1,034.

The statewide deer population was estimated to be 600,000 in early October. Approximately 300,000 bow hunters are expected to participate in the statewide deer-archery hunting season.

Last year, bow hunters harvested a total of 60,090 deer during the four-month Ohio archery season.

A detailed listing of deer-hunting rules can be found in the 2006-2007 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest that is available wherever licenses are sold, and online at ohiodnr.com/wildlife.