FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 22, 2001

MINOR CHANGES PROPOSED FOR 2001 OHIO DEER HUNTING SEASON

COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio deer hunting regulations for the 2001 season will likely remain similar to last year's, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The proposed regulations were presented last night in Columbus to the Ohio Wildlife Council, which will vote on proposals April 11, after a series of public open house meetings around the state.

As proposed, Ohio would continue to be separated into three deer hunting zones.

• Zone A Hunters could take only one deer, which could be a deer of either sex, during the first two days of the gun season or a buck only during the last five days.
• Zone B Hunters can take a deer of either sex during the seven days, with a bag limit of one deer.
• Zone C Hunters can take a deer of either sex during the seven days, with a two deer limit, only one of which could be a buck.

Regardless of zone or season, a hunter may take only one antlered deer.

Seventy-four of Ohio's 88 counties would remain in the same zone as last year. The proposals for 2001 include moving 10 counties from Zone B to Zone C. In addition, three counties would move from Zone A to Zone B, and one county would move from Zone B to Zone A.

The proposed deer archery season would run from October 6, 2001 through January 31, 2002 and the statewide gun season from November 26 through December 2, 2001.

Deer permits will continue to cost $20 and can be used to tag either an antlered or antlerless deer during any season or at a special controlled hunt anywhere in the state. Urban permits remain $10 and can be used to tag only antlerless deer taken in urban units or at special controlled hunts. Hunters must purchase a regular deer permit before they can purchase and use an urban permit.

The portion of Lake County that lies east of State Route 44 would be removed from the Cleveland/Akron urban unit. All other urban unit boundaries and bag limits of four additional antlerless deer remain unchanged.

Proposals also include reducing the standard antler length for determining an antlered deer (buck) from five inches to three inches.

"We are seeing increasing numbers of 1-1/2 year-old bucks with antlers less than five inches," said Pat Ruble, wildlife management and research administrator. "These animals need to be registered as antlered bucks to keep our population models as accurate as possible. Accurate data is crucial to our ability to make good wildlife management decisions."

The statewide primitive weapon season would open Thursday, December 27 and run through Sunday, December 30 for deer of either sex. A special area primitive hunt will be open October 22 through October 27 at Salt Fork, Shawnee and Wildcat Hollow state wildlife areas for antlered deer only.

Hunting for coyotes between sunset and one-half hour before sunrise would be prohibited during the deer gun season and the statewide primitive season. All daylight hunting except for deer, coyote, wild boar and waterfowl would be prohibited during deer gun season and on the special areas (Salt Fork, Shawnee and Wildcat Hollow) during the early primitive hunts.

ODNR's Division of Wildlife will hold regional open house meetings on March 4 to allow for public comment on the proposals. A statewide fish and game hearing will be held in Columbus on March 22. The Ohio Wildlife Council is scheduled to vote on all proposals and regulations on April 11.

New Deer Hunting Zones would be as follows.

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For Further Information Contact:
Vicki Mountz or Pat Ruble, ODNR Division of Wildlife
(614) 265-6300
-or-
Andy Ware, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-688