TUSCARAWAS COUNTY LEADS 2007 DEER-GUN HARVEST
4,266 deer killed in the county

COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio hunters took 103,195 white-tailed deer during the state’s popular, weeklong deer-gun season, which ran November 26 to December 2, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. In 2006, hunters killed a preliminary total of 111,672 deer during the same time period. Inclement weather on the opening and closing days of the season hampered hunters’ efforts.

Counties reporting the highest numbers of deer brought to Ohio check stations last week included Tuscarawas- 4,266, Guernsey- 3,765, Harrison- 3,389, Athens- 3,268, Licking- 3,265, Coshocton- 3,227, Washington- 3,067, Holmes- 3,026, Noble- 2,498, Jefferson- 2,493.

A total of 167,965 deer have been harvested so far this season when combining the adult and youth gun seasons, early muzzleloader season and the first six weeks of the archery season. That compares to a total of 166,534 killed last year during the same time period. Hunters took a total of 237,316 deer during all of last year’s hunting seasons.

The statewide deer population was estimated to be 675,000 in late September, prior to the start of the hunting season. Approximately 400,000 hunters were expected to participate in the statewide deer-gun season.
Hunters still have a weekend of deer-gun hunting, December 15-16, and nine weeks of archery hunting in Ohio. Archery season remains open until February 3. The statewide muzzleloader deer-hunting season will be held December 27-30.

Hunters who wish to share their success can submit a photo of themselves and the deer they killed this year to wildohio.com.

Ohio’s first modern day deer-gun season opened in 1943 in three counties, where hunters harvested 168 deer. In 1956, deer hunting was allowed in all 88 counties and hunters killed 3,911 deer during that one-week season.

Deer hunting contributes an estimated $266 million to Ohio’s economy each year and helps to support thousands of jobs. Venison is delicious and nutritious meat, low in fat and cholesterol. It is the number one wild game served by hunters in Ohio. Deer hunters also contribute thousands of pounds of venison to organizations that help feed less-fortunate Ohio residents through special programs.

A detailed listing of deer-hunting rules is contained in the 2007-2008 Ohio Hunting Regulations, available where licenses are sold. It may also be viewed online at wildohio.com.

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For Further Information Contact:
Dave Risley, ODNR Division of Wildlife (614) 265-6330
-or-
Mike Tonkovich, ODNR Division of Wildlife (740) 589-9922