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Ohio Wildlife
Council Receives 2018-2019 Deer Hunting Proposals
COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Wildlife Council heard proposals for Ohio’s
2018-2019 white-tailed deer hunting season dates and bag limits at
Wednesday’s meeting, according to the Ohio Department of Natural
Resources (ODNR). The proposed season dates are nearly identical to
previous seasons.
Overview of proposed deer hunting seasons for 2018-2019:
• Deer archery: Sept. 29, 2018-Feb. 3, 2019
• Youth deer gun: Nov. 17-18, 2018
• Deer gun: Nov. 26-Dec. 2, 2018; Dec. 15-16, 2018
• Deer muzzleloader: Jan. 5-8, 2019
Deer bag limits were proposed to remain the same for all but one
county. A reduction in the bag limit from three deer to two deer was
proposed for Jefferson County. All other county bag limits would remain
the same. The ODNR Division of Wildlife also proposed modifications for
hunting on public land that would permit hunters to harvest only one
antlerless deer from public hunting areas per license year and require
that only antlered deer be harvested on public land after Dec. 2. This
proposal would allow for some herd growth on public land. The statewide
bag limit was proposed to remain at six deer, only one of which may be
antlered, and a hunter cannot exceed a county bag limit.
In other proposals, the ODNR Division of Wildlife proposed to allow the
use of devices such as range finders on archery equipment that utilize
only non-visible light when hunting in Ohio. Any device that projects a
beam of visible light would still be prohibited. Proposed changes to
furbearer management included modifying the list of counties open to
river otter trapping and creating a limited bobcat trapping season to
support scientific research. Trapping for bobcats would be limited to
two zones in eastern and southern Ohio, with a small, fixed quota for
each zone. Trappers would be required to purchase an additional $5
permit and only be allowed to harvest one bobcat per license year.
Trapping in each zone would close when the quota is reached. The data
collected from these bobcats would provide scientists with a better
idea of the population in Ohio. New counties were proposed to open for
river otter trapping, as the species is now prevalent in many areas.
River otter bag limits have not changed.
A correction was made to the counties proposed to open for fall wild
turkey hunting beginning in 2018. The corrected proposed county list
includes Erie, Hancock and Lucas counties. Sandusky County is not
proposed to be open to fall turkey hunting at this time.
A complete list of proposed rules changes can be found at wildohio.gov.
The Ohio Wildlife Council will vote on all proposals after receiving
public input. Open houses to receive public comments about hunting,
trapping and fishing regulations and wildlife issues will be held on
Saturday, March 3. Open houses will be held at the ODNR Division of
Wildlife District One, District Two, District Three and District Four
offices and the Greene County Fish and Game Association clubhouse in
Xenia. Directions to the open houses can be found at wildohio.gov or by
calling 800-WILDLIFE (945-3543).
Open houses give the public an opportunity to view and discuss proposed
fishing, hunting and trapping regulations with the ODNR Division of
Wildlife officials. For Ohioans who are unable to attend an open house,
comments will be accepted online at wildohio.gov. The online form will
be available starting Monday, Feb. 12, through Sunday, March 4.
A statewide hearing on all of the proposed rules will be held at the
ODNR Division of Wildlife’s District One office on Thursday, March 15,
at 9 a.m. The office is located at 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio
43215.
The Ohio Wildlife Council is an eight-member board that approves all
ODNR Division of Wildlife proposed rules and regulations. The council
will vote on the proposed rules and season dates during its meeting on
Wednesday, April 11, after considering public input. Small game,
migratory bird and wild turkey hunting season dates were proposed at
the January council meeting and will also be voted on by the council on
April 11.
Council meetings are open to the public. Individuals who want to
provide comments on a topic that is currently being considered by
council are asked to register at least two days before the meeting by
calling 614-265-6304. All comments are required to be three minutes or
less.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural
resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
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