License Exemptions

Hunting Licenses Exemptions

Certain categories of persons are exempted from buying various licenses, permits, and/or stamps.

Resident landowners, spouses and their children - Are not required to have a hunting license, fur taker permit, deer permit, antlerless deer permit, spring or fall turkey permit or Ohio Wetland Habitat Stamp when they are hunting or trapping on land they own and the landowner is an Ohio resident.

A resident individual, including the individual's children of any age and, for a hunting license, grandchildren under 18 years of age, who is a member of a limited liability company or limited liability partnership that consists of three or fewer individual members or partners, or beneficiary or trustee of a trust that has three or fewer trustees and beneficiaries is considered a landowner.

Tenants and their children on land on which they reside and from which they derive the majority (more than 50%) of their income from agricultural production on that land - Are not required to have a hunting license, fur taker permit, deer permit, antlerless deer permit, spring or fall turkey permit or Ohio Wetland Habitat Stamp when they are Hunting or trapping on land where they reside.

Resident landowners’ grandchildren who are under 18 years of age - Are not required to have a hunting license or an Ohio Wetland Habitat Stamp while hunting on their grandparent’s land. All other licenses and permits are required.

Ohio residents who are holders of veteran’s license plates displaying the international wheelchair symbol - Must apply in writing for a free hunting license, fur taker permit, deer permit, spring or fall turkey permits and Ohio Wetland Habitat Stamp. Applications are available at wildohio.com.

Certain permanently disabled veterans who are Ohio residents - Must apply in writing for a free hunting license, fur taker permit, deer permit, turkey permit, and Ohio Wetland Habitat Stamp. Applications are available at wildohio.com.

Ohio residents who are Former Prisoners of War - Must apply in writing for a free hunting license, fur taker permit, and Ohio Wetland Habitat Stamp. All other licenses and permits are required. Applications are available at wildohio.com.

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty, while on leave or furlough - Are not required to purchase a hunting license or Ohio Wetland Habitat Stamp or Furtaker Permit. All other licenses and permits are required.

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty stationed in Ohio, but NOT on leave or furlough - Are required to purchase a resident Ohio hunting license and other applicable permits before hunting deer, turkey, or hunting/trapping furbearers, and an Ohio Wetland Habitat Stamp for waterfowl before hunting any migratory waterfowl.



Fishing License Exemptions

A fishing license is not required of persons who are:

Less than 16 years of age

Giving assistance to an angler who is physically disabled, provided the two persons together are using only one line

Fishing in a private pond

Fishing on land and water which they or their parents own

Fishing on land and water where they or their parents are tenants on which they reside and from which they derive the majority of their income from agricultural production on that land (except state-owned lakes)

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty while on leave or furlough

On May 5 & 6, 2012, any Ohio resident may fish without a license as part of Free Fishing Days