December 5, 2005

TUSCARAWAS COUNTY LEADS DEER-GUN SEASON

COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio hunters took 116,855 whitetails during the state’s popular weeklong deer-gun season, which ran November 28 to December 4, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. In 2004, hunters killed a preliminary total of 125,681 deer during the shotgun hunting season.

Counties reporting the highest numbers of deer brought to Ohio check stations last week included Tuscarawas (5,021); Guernsey (4,300); Coshocton (3,973); Washington (3,740); Licking (3,543); Harrison (3,490); Muskingum (3,290); Holmes (3,226); Knox (3,075); and Jefferson (2,963).

So far this year, a total of 167,436 deer have been killed when combining the adult and youth shotgun seasons, as well as the first six weeks of the archery season. That compares to a total of 173,320 killed last year by this time. Hunters took a total of 216,443 deer during all of last year’s hunting seasons.

The statewide deer population was estimated to be 650,000 on October 1, 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 eight weeks of white-tailed deer hunting available to them in Ohio, as archery season remains open until January 31. The statewide muzzleloader deer-hunting season will be held December 27 through December 30.

Hunters who wish to share their success can submit a photo of themselves and the deer they killed this year. The web address for submitting a photo is: ohiodnr.com/wildlife/hunting/deer/deerpics_05

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 2005-2006 Ohio Hunting Regulations, available where licenses are sold. It may also be viewed online at ohiodnr.com .

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

For Further Information Contact:
Mike Tonkovich, ODNR Division of Wildlife
(740) 589-9922
-or-
Mike Reynolds, ODNR Division of Wildlife
(740) 589-9921