News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 10, 1999

STATEWIDE DEER GUN SEASON TO OPEN NOVEMBER 29

COLUMBUS, OH -- Ohio deer hunters need to be aware of several changes in this year's regulations as the deer gun season approaches its November 29 opening day, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

The new rules will affect the estimated 450,000 people who are expected to participate in this year's statewide deer gun season, that also includes one day of Sunday deer hunting in 33 Ohio counties.

One new rule this year makes it unlawful for hunters to possess any shotgun capable of holding more than three deer slugs while participating in the deer gun season. This new rule was implemented to reduce property damage, personal injuries and the unnecessary wounding of deer. For certain shotguns, hunters will have to insert some type of plug or rod into the gun's magazine that limits its ammunition capacity to three deer slugs. A survey conducted last winter, after the rule had been proposed to the Ohio Wildlife Council, indicated that 61 percent of Ohio deer hunters who were contacted supported the change.

Hunters also may use a longbow, crossbow, muzzleloading rifle of .38 caliber or larger, a muzzleloading shotgun and five types of handguns during the deer gun season. It is unlawful to possess more than one firearm while hunting deer during the gun season. It also is unlawful to possess a loaded firearm while going to and from deer hunting other than one-half hour before sunrise to sunset during the gun season.

Also new this year, hunters must visibly wear a vest, coat, jacket or coveralls that are either solid hunter orange or camouflage hunter orange. Wearing a hunter orange hat or cap alone no longer satisfies the legal requirements. The change was made to make hunters more visible to others in the woods, and to reduce the likelihood of hunter injuries. According to the Division of Wildlife, the three-shot limit and amended hunter orange rules are an attempt to make deer hunting an even safer sport.

Most deer hunters this year may take a limit of one deer, regardless if it is taken during the gun, archery or primitive deer hunting seasons. Those who take a deer in Zone A or Zone B may take an additional deer with a permit in the 9-county Zone C region of southeast Ohio. Hunters who exclusively hunt within Zone C may take a limit of two deer.

A map showing each deer zone is included with other hunting regulations in the 1999-2000 Ohio Hunting and Trapping regulations digest. This free publication is available where hunting licenses are sold, from wildlife district offices in Columbus, Athens, Akron, Findlay and Xenia, and by calling the Division of Wildlife's toll-free information line at 1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-945-3543).

Urban deer permits, which may be used to take only antlerless deer during a controlled hunt and in urban deer zones, may not be used in Zone A during the final four days of the gun season December 1-4. Antlered deer only may be taken December 1-4 in Zone A counties.

The statewide archery deer season continues through January 31, while the statewide primitive deer season will be open December 30 through January 3.

The Division of Wildlife expects the deer gun season harvest total will fall between 75,000 to 85,000.

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For Further Information Contact:
John Wisse, ODNR Division of Wildlife
(614) 265-6539