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News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2-DAY YOUTH
DEER-GUN RESULTS
COUNTY 2005 2004
Adams 104 65
Allen 76 42
Ashland 242 167
Ashtabula 134 125
Athens 167 137
Auglaize 40 30
Belmont 178 92
Brown 158 87
Butler 46 19
Carroll 133 112
Champaign 92 86
Clark 39 29
Clermont 116 54
Clinton 39 25
Columbiana 189 127
Coshocton 252 209
Crawford 62 57
Cuyahoga 9 2
Darke 25 29
Defiance 49 29
Delaware 73 71
Erie 21 26
Fairfield 92 117
Fayette 28 24
Franklin 43 39
Fulton 32 14
Gallia 142 92
Geauga 25 35
Greene 24 12
Guernsey 255 210
Hamilton 16 11
Hancock 49 31
Hardin 70 45
Harrison 269 179
Henry 29 17
Highland 117 113
Hocking 135 170
Holmes 334 222
Huron 100 78
Jackson 166 167
Jefferson 216 148
Knox 241 171
Lake 14 22
Lawrence 119 61
Licking 236 187
Logan 99 67
Lorain 54 67
Lucas 15 13
Madison 20 6
Mahoning 48 37
Marion 17 16
Medina 43 39
Meigs 182 168
Mercer 51 33
Miami 13 7
Monroe 153 126
Montgomery 32 10
Morgan 117 105
Morrow 76 50
Muskingum 202 141
Noble 129 160
Ottawa 3 7
Paulding 54 38
Perry 161 161
Pickaway 78 63
Pike 49 52
Portage 41 32
Preble 39 18
Putnam 102 63
Richland 110 87
Ross 214 190
Sandusky 32 17
Scioto 98 92
Seneca 93 49
Shelby 99 71
Stark 115 57
Summit 18 15
Trumbull 101 77
Tuscarawas 390 263
Union 62 41
Van Wert 36 22
Vinton 70 73
Warren 33 34
Washington 228 157
Wayne 76 37
Williams 70 50
Wood 45 23
Wyandot 58 54
Total 8,722 6,673
November 21, 2005

YOUNG HUNTERS BAG NEARLY 31 PERCENT MORE DEER
DURING SPECIAL TW0-DAY HUNT

COLUMBUS, OH - Young hunters across Ohio took advantage of great weather last weekend, taking 31 percent more deer than in 2004, during the Third Annual Youth Deer-Gun Season.  Hunters age 17 and under killed 8,722 deer in the special two-day season, aimed at providing a high-quality hunt for youngsters, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Last year’s youth hunt saw a deer harvest of 6,673.
Young hunter Caleb Sneizek

The Division of Wildlife estimated 15,000 young hunters took to the fields and forests during the two-day season. Counties reporting the greatest number of deer killed were Tuscarawas (390), Holmes (334), Harrison (269), Guernsey (255), and Coshocton (252).  

“In only three years, the Youth Deer-Gun Season has become the most popular of all seasons for young hunters,” said Steven A. Gray, chief of the Division of Wildlife. “We are thrilled with the success of these special youth-only hunts, which have helped Ohio become a national leader in attracting young people to the outdoors.”

Sales of youth licenses have grown steadily during the past three years: 34,459 (2002), 39,491 (2003), and 41,562 (2004).

“The Division of Wildlife is very involved with the national ‘Families Afield’ initiative which encourages more families to take their youngsters hunting. This national effort is being spearheaded by the National Wild Turkey Federation, National Shooting Sports Foundation, and U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance,” said Gray.

The youth deer-gun season was open statewide on both private and public land. Young hunters could take one deer of either sex, in accordance with existing bag and deer-zone limits. Shotguns, muzzleloaders, handguns and bows were legal. All participants were required to wear hunter orange, possess a valid Ohio hunting license and special deer permit, and be accompanied by a non-hunting adult.

This recent hunt is one of four special youth-only dates designed to promote the sport of hunting among young Ohioans.  Special days are also set aside for upland game, wild turkey, and waterfowl hunting opportunities.

“Ohio has enjoyed a great recovery of many species of wildlife.  For this to continue, we will need future generations of hunter-conservationists,” said Gray.

Youngsters and all other hunters will have another chance at taking a whitetail during next week’s statewide deer-gun season, which runs Monday through Sunday, November 28-December 4.

Details on youth hunting seasons and Ohio’s other deer hunting seasons can be found in the 2005-2006 Ohio Hunting Regulations, available where licenses are sold. It can 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
-or-
Jane Beathard, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6860