News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 3, 2002

OHIO'S OPENING DAY DEER GUN SEASON HARVEST
UP TEN PERCENT FROM LAST YEAR
This year’s opening day harvest just 29 shy of 1994 record

COLUMBUS, OH-- Hunters took 45,296 deer on opening day of the statewide deer gun season Monday, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

The preliminary figure obtained from deer check stations throughout the state represents a 10 percent increase from last year's opening day total of 41,257. This year’s total is only 29 deer shy of the 1994 record opening day harvest of 45,325 deer.

Counties reporting the highest numbers of deer brought to Ohio check stations on Monday included Guernsey (1,833), Coshocton (1,824), Tuscarawas (1,787), Washington (1,763), and Muskingum (1,554).

“The combination of perfect weather and a three-deer limit in 24 southeastern Ohio counties made for a great opening day of deer season,” said Mike Budzik, chief of ODNR's Division of Wildlife.

The deer gun season remains open statewide through December 8. Approximately 450,000 hunters are expected to participate in the statewide deer hunting season. At the beginning of the hunting season, the statewide deer population was estimated to be 575,000.

This year, for the first time, Sunday hunting on private land is not restricted by acreage size requirements. Earlier this year Governor Bob Taft signed House Bill 493, the Sunday Hunting bill, which removed previous private land restrictions on Sunday hunting during hunting seasons in Ohio. Public land was already open to Sunday hunting with no restrictions.

Deer hunting contributes an estimated $266 million during the season to Ohio's economy and helps to support thousands of jobs. Deer hunters also contribute thousands of pounds of venison to community-based organizations that help feed less fortunate Ohio residents through special programs such as Safari Club International's Sportsmen Against Hunger program.

A detailed listing of deer hunting rules is contained in the 2002-2003 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest that is available where licenses are sold, or may be viewed on-line at ohiodnr.com

EDITORS NOTE: The following is a list of deer CHECKED AND TAGGED BY HUNTERS DURING THE FIRST DAY OF DEER GUN HUNTING SEASON.

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For additional news online, check out the ODNR Press Room at Ohiodnr.com

For Further Information Contact:
Vicki Ervin, ODNR Division of Wildlife
(614) 644-3925
-or-
Andy Ware, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6882