COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio hunters checked 232,142 white-tailed deer during the 2025–26 hunting season, which concluded Sunday, Feb. 1, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
The total includes deer harvested during archery, gun, muzzleloader, youth, and controlled firearm seasons dating back to Sept. 13, 2025. The final count ranks as the seventh-highest deer harvest in state history and marks the fourth consecutive season topping 200,000 deer.
Last season, Ohio hunters checked 238,137 deer. The three-year average from 2022 through 2024 stands at 221,013.
Millions of Pounds of Venison for Ohio Tables
Since the season opened, Ohio hunters contributed an estimated 11 million pounds of venison to freezers and dinner tables statewide. A single deer can yield approximately 50 pounds of nutritious meat, which can be shared with family and friends or donated to food banks.
The Division of Wildlife expanded its Deer Donation Days program this season, partnering with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction’s Ohio Penal Industries meat processing facility at the Pickaway Correctional Institution. Through the program, hunters donated 136 deer, resulting in 5,328 pounds of processed venison distributed to those in need.
ODNR also continues its partnership with Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry, supporting food banks across Ohio. More information is available at wildohio.gov and feedingthehungry.org.
Disease Impacts Harvest in Southeast Ohio
Deer harvest totals were significantly lower than average in Athens, Meigs, Morgan, and Washington counties due to an unprecedented outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) last summer. Combined, those counties recorded 4,289 deer checked this season, down sharply from 15,659 during the 2024–25 season.
Historic Deer Harvest Totals
The 2025–26 season ranks among Ohio’s largest deer harvests on record:
- 2009–10: 260,442
- 2008–09: 251,299
- 2010–11: 238,683
- 2024–25: 238,137
- 2006–07: 236,676
- 2007–08: 232,212
- 2025–26: 232,142
Deer Checked by Season
- Archery: 104,731
- Weeklong gun season: 85,448
- Two-day gun season: 15,835
- Four-day muzzleloader season: 13,055
- Youth season: 9,759
- Controlled firearm hunts: 3,314
Top 10 Counties for Deer Harvest
Coshocton County once again led the state with 8,527 deer checked, marking the 24th consecutive year it has topped the list.
- Coshocton: 8,527
- Tuscarawas: 7,623
- Ashtabula: 7,161
- Knox: 6,704
- Muskingum: 6,283
- Carroll: 6,077
- Licking: 5,770
- Holmes: 5,717
- Trumbull: 5,324
- Columbiana: 5,245
Permits, Equipment, and Participation
Ohio issued 424,241 deer permits across all seasons. Hunters checked deer using:
- Either-sex permits: 138,677
- Deer management permits: 30,532
- Landowners (no permit required): 62,933
The most popular hunting implements were straight-walled cartridge rifles (34%) and crossbows (33%).
Nonresident Hunters
Hunters from all 50 states purchased nonresident licenses for the 2025–26 season. The top states were Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, and West Virginia.
ODNR encourages hunters to explore venison recipes through Wild Ohio Harvest and prepare for upcoming seasons by downloading the free HuntFish OH mobile app.
