News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2010

Special Area Early Muzzleloader Deer Season Opens October 18

ATHENS, OH - The early muzzleloader deer hunting season will open October 18 and run through October 23 on three designated hunting areas in southeastern Ohio, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Last year, hunters took 474 deer during the early muzzleloader season on these designated areas.

The three areas open during the early muzzleloader season include Salt Fork Wildlife Area located in Guernsey County, Shawnee State Forest in Scioto and Adams counties, and Wildcat Hollow in Athens, Perry, and Morgan counties. Maps of these areas are available by calling the Division of Wildlife at (740) 589-9930 or can be printed from the Web at www.wildohio.com  

During this special season, hunters must have a valid Ohio hunting license and a Deer Permit or Antlerless Deer Permit. Hunters must wear a vest, coat, jacket, or coveralls of solid hunter orange or camouflage hunter orange during the early muzzleloader deer hunt.  Legal hunting hours are one half-hour before sunrise to sunset.  Hunters may use crossbows, longbows, muzzleloading rifles.38 caliber or larger, or muzzleloading shotguns of 10-gauge or smaller using one ball per barrel.

All deer harvested during this special season must be taken to the designated area check station for permanent tagging by 8:00 p.m. of the same day of harvest.  Designated check stations are as follows:

SALT FORK WILDLIFE AREA – Salt Fork Wildlife Area Headquarters, located one-tenth of a mile east of the Salt Fork State Park entrance

SHAWNEE STATE FOREST – Boland’s Mini Mart (Check Station 7315), located at 16709 US 52 in Portsmouth

WILDCAT HOLLOW – Wolf Creek Wildlife Area Headquarters, located on State Route 78 near Malta

The bag limit is one deer of either sex and deer harvested during this season count towards the hunter’s zone bag limit.  Only one antlered deer may be harvested in Ohio during the hunting year, regardless of hunting season or method. 

For additional information on all of Ohio’s deer hunting seasons and requirements, hunters are advised to review the 2010-2011 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations. 

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