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Hunters across Ohio checked 238,137 white-tailed deer during the 2024-25 hunting season that concluded on Sunday, Feb. 2, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The final total, the fourth highest number of deer taken on record, represents all deer bagged during archery, gun, muzzleloader, and youth seasons since Sept. 14, 2024.
In 2023-24, deer hunters checked 213,927 deer. The three-year average (2021 to 2023) is 207,295.
Since the deer season opened, Ohio hunters added approximately 12 million pounds of venison to dinner tables and freezers. A deer can yield 50 pounds of nutritious meat for hunters to share with friends and families or donate to food banks around Ohio.
Historic deer hunting totals
The number of deer bagged in 2024-25 is the highest since 2010-11. Ohio’s five highest deer season totals:
- 2009-10: 260,442
- 2008-09: 251,299
- 2010-11: 238,683
- 2024-25: 238,137
- 2006-07: 236,676
Ohio’s 2024-25 deer checked, by individual season
- Archery: 106,269
- Weeklong and two-day gun seasons: 104,565
- Four-day muzzleloader season: 13,476
- Two-day youth season: 10,449
- Controlled firearm hunts: 3,378
Top 10 counties
- Coshocton: 8,196 (Last season, Coshocton County also led the state with 7,740 deer checked.)
- Tuscarawas: 7,373
- Knox: 6,730
- Muskingum: 6,269
- Ashtabula: 6,042
- Guernsey: 5,762
- Carroll: 5,759
- Licking: 5,754
- Holmes: 5,684
- Richland: 5,028
Most popular hunting implements
- Crossbow: 78,254 (33%)
- Straight-walled cartridge rifle: 77,027 (32%)
- Shotgun: 34,338 (14%)
- Vertical bow: 30,839 (13%)
- Muzzleloader: 17,092 (7%)
- Handgun: 587 (less than 1%)
Deer type checked this season
- Does: 115,683 (49%)
- Antlered bucks: 97,618 (41%)
- Button bucks: 21,689 (9%)
- Bucks with shed antlers or antlers shorter than 3 inches: 3,147 (1%)
Permit sales
Ohio hunters were issued 431,660 deer permits across all hunting seasons. Hunters from all 50 U.S. states purchased nonresident hunting licenses for use during the 2024-25 seasons, many of them for deer. States with the highest nonresident license sales include:
- Pennsylvania (7,898)
- Michigan (5,205)
- West Virginia (3,625)
- North Carolina (3,287)
- New York (3,170)
Check out Wild Ohio Harvest for kitchen inspiration on how to prepare this season’s deer. The Wild Ohio Harvest Cookbook shares excellent venison recipes.
Keep up with the Division of Wildlife on Facebook and Instagram for instant news stories, outdoor recreation ideas, local wildlife information, wildlife photos, and so much more. Visit wildohio.gov to find locations to hunt, fish, trap, and view wildlife. In preparation for the 2025-26 hunting seasons, download the free HuntFish OH mobile app to purchase licenses and permits, check game, and view wildlife area maps.
The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Visit wildohio.gov to find out more.
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.