Dave Golowenski
Special to The Columbus Dispatch
Updated July 19, 2026, 6:52 a.m. ET
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- Deer is the most popular form of game sought by Ohio hunters
- There is some direct evidence about the popularity of deer hunting in Ohio, but much more can be inferred.
- That could lead to high interest in four area deer hunts at state nature preserves/scenic river lands.
- There are several requirements to participate in those hunts.
Should anyone wonder why Ohio’s hunting talk is inseparable from deer talk, numbers tell the story.
For the three years culminating in the 2024-25 season, the Ohio Division of Wildlife issued an average of about 321,000 hunting licenses to residents, non-residents, youths and other license holders.
And during those three years, the division issued an average of about 382,000 deer permits. Another 54,000 management permits were issued during the 2024-25 period alone, which reflected a hefty increase from previous years stretching a decade back.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS:More on Ohio hunting and fishing
Because deer permits issued during 2024-25 totaled 431,060, or about 110,000 more than the number of licenses issued, it’s clear that many — if not most — hunters in Ohio procure a license so they may hunt deer, with many of the license holders obtaining more than one deer permit.Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
Hunters of rabbits, squirrels, turkeys, waterfowl, and doves might be passionate practitioners, but in each case, the evidence suggests their numbers are far smaller than those who chase deer.
For example, some 57,700 licensed hunters bought turkey permits, spring and fall, during the 2024-25 season. The number of Ohio wetland habitat stamps issued totaled about 30,700, and the number of fur taker permits stood at about 11,400.
Altogether, sales in 2024-25 for those species that require a permit to hunt numbered about 99,800, or about a quarter of the total for deer permits issued for seasonal hunting.
Granted, some legal species in Ohio don’t require a permit. It’s difficult to determine in those cases how many license holders also chase deer. It is obvious that a whole lot do.
Of interest, then, are deer-centered hunts to be held at a number of state nature preserves and scenic river lands. The hunt sites are among 22 locations at which numbers of browsing deer are high enough to threaten native flora.
Four of the special deer hunts will be held in counties surrounding Columbus, with participants determined by a draw. Winning applicants must then attend a meeting in which details about the hunts are outlined, but those winners can hunt with a partner who wasn’t at the meeting.
The gathering for three archery hunts on properties in Madison and Union counties is scheduled Aug. 22 at Pastime Park inside the Youth Agriculture Building, 370 N. Chillicothe St., Plain City.
Hunt sites will include Anges Andreae and Little Darby Forrest preserves in Madison County, Milford Center Scenic River Lands in Union County and Terra Nova Scenic River Lands in Union County.
Tickets for the drawings go on sale for $5 each (cash only) at 5:15 p.m. Drawings are scheduled for 6:20 p.m., and the required meeting for the winners follows at 6:30 p.m.
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Participants for a gun hunt at Stage’s Pond State Nature Preserve in Pickaway County will be determined during a meeting Aug. 22, 9 a.m., at the preserve office, 4792 Hagerty Road, Ashville.
A list of hunt locations and details about requirements can be found at the website wildohio.gov. Scroll down to News items on the landing page.
The wildlife division is currently accepting applications at the website wildohio.gov for a significant number of controlled hunts near Central Ohio and elsewhere involving deer and other species. Go to the hunting section for details.
A lottery will determine the winners from among license holders who submit an application by the July 31 deadline using the Ohio Licensing System. Applicants must pay a non-refundable $3 for each lottery application among scores of choices.
Ohio Division of Wildlife to hold lotto for upcoming deer hunts