News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 23, 2006

MORE THAN 200,000 DEER TAKEN DURING OHIO’S 2005-2006 HUNTING SEASON
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COLUMBUS, OH - For the third year in a row, Ohio deer hunters killed more than 200,000 deer during the 2005-06 hunting seasons, with a total harvest of 209,513 whitetails, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The total number of deer taken was 3 percent below last year's season total of 216,443.  

“This number is consistent with our pre-season estimate of the total deer population being down approximately seven percent,” said Steven A. Gray, chief of the Division of Wildlife.

Counties reporting the highest number of whitetails harvested during the deer hunting season included Coshocton-7,746; Muskingum-6,793; Tuscarawas-6,525; Guernsey-6,424; Knox-6,238; Licking-6,168; Harrison-5,414; Jefferson-5,349; Holmes-5,108; and Washington-4,946.

Deer-gun season produced the greatest portion of the harvest, with 116,517 deer killed.  Archery hunters took a total of 60,090 deer.  The early muzzleloader season (216), special hunts at Ravenna and NASA (760), youth-gun season (8,641) and the statewide muzzleloader season (23,289), accounted for the remainder of deer taken.

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.  

The 2006-2007 deer season proposals will be the subject of a vote at the Ohio Wildlife Council meeting scheduled for April 5 in Columbus.

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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