NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2010

Tuscarawas County Archers Lead Ohio in Number of Deer Killed
Harvest numbers decrease in first six weeks of deer hunting season

COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio bow hunters killed 49,384 deer during the first six weeks of the state's archery season. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife, this year's early archery season harvest is 8 percent lower than last year's kill of 53,959 deer.

Pursuing deer with a bow continues to grow in popularity among Ohio hunters. The season started September 25 and will continue through February 6, 2011.

Counties reporting the highest numbers of deer brought to check stations were: Tuscarawas – 1,897; Licking – 1,779; Holmes – 1,537; Coshocton – 1,352; Harrison – 1,274; Ashtabula – 1,247; Clermont – 1,196; Trumbull – 1,074; Guernsey – 1,029; and Stark – 1,027.

 “A big acorn year has led to varied hunting success throughout the state,” said Mike Tonkovich, deer biologist for the ODNR Division of Wildlife. “I expect that any deficits we see now will be made up by the close of gun season when the acorns are nearly gone.”

The statewide deer population was estimated to be 750,000 in early October. Approximately 345,000 bow hunters are expected to participate in the statewide deer-archery hunting season.

Bow hunters harvested a total of 91,546 deer during last year's four-month Ohio archery season.

Hunters can share photos of their success in the field online by visiting wildohio.com and clicking on Photo Gallery. The photo submission process is easy and posted photos may be e-mailed to a friend.

A detailed listing of deer-hunting rules can be found in the 2010-2011 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest that is available wherever licenses are sold, and online at wildohio.com.

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