COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio wildlife officials have unveiled proposed hunting and trapping seasons for 2026-27, and while most dates closely mirror last year, deer hunters across the state will want to pay close attention to several meaningful changes buried in the details.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife presented the proposals to the Ohio Wildlife Council on Wednesday. If approved, the new rules take effect June 30, 2026.
Deer Season Dates
The one-antlered deer limit remains in place statewide regardless of season or method, with hunting hours running 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Proposed dates are:
Archery: September 26, 2026 – February 7, 2027
Youth Gun: November 21-22, 2026
Gun: November 30 – December 6, 2026; December 19-20, 2026
Muzzleloader: January 2-5, 2027
Bag Limit Changes by County
Not every county is operating under the same rules this year. Proposed bag limits would increase to three deer in Defiance, Paulding, and Warren counties. Meanwhile, Athens, Meigs, and Washington counties — all hit hard by an unprecedented Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease outbreak in 2025 — would be limited to two deer, with no more than one being antlerless.
Hunters in the Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance area could be permitted to harvest up to six deer if the proposal is approved.
CWD Surveillance Area Expanding
The CWD surveillance zone is proposed to grow, adding all of Allen County, Van Buren Township in Hancock County, and Holmes Township in Crawford County. Hunters in those areas would gain additional early-season opportunities if the expansion is approved, including an early archery season opening September 12 and an early gun season October 10-12.
Other Notable Changes
Ruffed grouse hunting would be limited to four designated controlled hunting areas, with permits available by application in July. Fall wild turkey hunting would be restricted to shotguns only — no archery equipment permitted during the fall season.
Waterfowl seasons will be divided into three zones under new boundaries approved in 2025.
How to Comment
The full list of proposed rule changes is available at wildohio.gov. Public comments are being accepted online through Wednesday, April 1, and a statewide hearing on all proposed rules is scheduled for April 8.