OH · Deer
Ohio’s archery season opens in late September and runs into February, with a youth gun weekend, a one-week gun season plus a December weekend, and a short January muzzleloader season. Hunters need a hunting license plus a deer permit; only one antlered deer may be taken all season.
Verified 2026-10-23Season calendar
ArcherySept. 26, 2026 – Feb. 7, 2027
Youth deer gunNov. 21 – 22, 2026
Deer gunNov. 30 – Dec. 6, 2026 and Dec. 19 – 20, 2026
MuzzleloaderJan. 2 – 5, 2027
Disease surveillance area: archerySept. 12, 2026 – Feb. 7, 2027
Disease surveillance area: early gunOct. 10 – 12, 2026
Season dates
| Season | Dates |
|---|---|
| Archery (statewide) | Sept. 26, 2026 – Feb. 7, 2027 |
| Youth deer gun | Nov. 21 – 22, 2026 |
| Deer gun | Nov. 30 – Dec. 6, 2026 and Dec. 19 – 20, 2026 |
| Muzzleloader | Jan. 2 – 5, 2027 |
| Disease surveillance area: archery | Sept. 12, 2026 – Feb. 7, 2027 |
| Disease surveillance area: early gun | Oct. 10 – 12, 2026 |
Bag limit
Statewide limit is six deer, only one of which may be antlered; county limits vary (see the county bag-limit map).
License and permit fees
| Item | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year hunting license | $19.00 | $180.96 |
| Either-sex deer permit (adult) | $31.20 | $218.40 |
| Deer management permit (antlerless only; adult and youth) | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Youth either-sex permit | $16.00 | $16.00 |
Watch for
- County bag limits changed in Athens, Defiance, Meigs, Paulding, Warren and Washington counties and in the disease surveillance area for 2026–27.
- Hunter orange is required during the youth gun, gun and muzzleloader deer seasons.