Ohio Sets 2026-27 Deer Seasons

The Ohio Wildlife Council has been presented with the proposed 2026-27 deer season dates, which largely mirror the previous year's structure. The statewide archery season is slated to run from September 26, 2026, to February 7, 2027, with the popular deer gun season scheduled for November 30 to December 6, 2026, and an additional weekend on December 19-20, 2026. Significant adjustments to county bag limits are on the table. Bag limits are proposed to increase to three deer in Defiance, Paulding, and Warren counties. Conversely, a reduction to two deer is proposed for Athens, Meigs, and Washington counties, a measure taken in response to a significant 2025 outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) that impacted deer populations in the region. Efforts to monitor and control Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) are expanding. The CWD surveillance area is set to grow, encompassing all of Allen County, as well as Van Buren Township in Hancock County and Holmes Township in Crawford County. To help manage the deer population in this zone, a special six-deer bag limit has been proposed. Hunters within the newly expanded CWD surveillance area may also see additional opportunities. Proposed early seasons for this area include an archery season opening on September 12, 2026, and an early gun season from October 10-12, 2026. These measures are designed to increase the harvest in the surveillance zone. The regulation changes come as Ohio's deer population continues to be a significant economic driver. A recent report highlighted that hunting generates $1.9 billion in economic activity in Ohio and supports 12,000 jobs. The state's roughly 500,000 hunters play a key role in managing a deer population estimated at around 800,000 in 2025. In recent years, deer harvests have been robust, exceeding 200,000 for the second time in a decade during the 2023-2024 season. This level of hunting provides an estimated 12 million pounds of venison for Ohio families. The state's management strategy aims to balance the economic and recreational benefits of hunting with the need to control the deer population. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife presented these proposals to the Ohio Wildlife Council. A period for public comment on the proposed rules will be open from March 2 to April 1, 2026, with a statewide public hearing scheduled for April 8. If approved, the new regulations will take effect on June 30, 2026.