CLEVELAND — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources said during the two-day youth gun season on Saturday and Sunday, youth hunters harvested 10,039 white-tailed deer.  

The top 10 counties for this year's youth gun season are as follows: 

  • Tuscarawas (391)
  • Coshocton (365)
  • Muskingum (304)
  • Knox (293)
  • Holmes (267)
  • Guernsey (261)
  • Licking (256)
  • Harrison (239)
  • Belmont (209)
  • Richland (205)

This year's total was the second highest on record. It came close to the 2007 amount, which was 10,059.

Last year, youth hunters harvested 9,510 deer. The three-year average from 2020 to 2022 is 7,649 deer, ODNR said. 

Coming up is Ohio's seven-day gun season, starting Monday, Nov. 27 and running until Sunday, Dec. 3. There will also be a bonus gun hunting weekend from Dec. 16-17. Muzzleloader season goes from Jan. 6 to Jan. 9, 2024, and the archery season runs through Feb. 4, 2024. 

ODNR reminds hunters that regardless of which weapon is used during gun season, they must wear hunter orange. More hunting and trapping regulations can be found on ODNR's website.

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