Here’s a rundown of some common questions people may have about Ohio’s 2024-25 hunting season:

When does hunting season start in Ohio?

Hunting seasons in Ohio vary by game type and season:

The white-tailed deer: The archery season opened on September 28, 2024 and ends on February 2, 2025. The youth gun season is November 16-17, 2024. The statewide gun season is December 2-8, 2024, with two more Season dayguns on December 21-22, 2024. Muzzle load season is January 4-7, 2025.

Wild turkey: The youth wild turkey spring season is Saturday, April 13 through Sunday, April 14, 2025. The southern wild turkey spring season opens Saturday, April 19, 2025, and runs through Sunday, May 18, and in the northeast on Saturday, May 3 and runs through Sunday, June 1, 2025

Rabbit and Squirrel: 1 September 2024 to 28 February 2025.

Cock of the rooster: November 1, 2024 to December 1, 2024 in 17 counties.

Hunting ducks, mallards and mallards: It was October 19-27, then reopens November 16-January 5 in the northern area

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Ohio Youth Hunting License

Ohio residents and non-residents 17 years of age or younger must purchase a youth hunting license. The cost of an Ohio youth hunting license for the 2024-2025 season is $10. Licenses are valid from the time of purchase until February 28, 2025.

Hunting licenses can be purchased through the following methods: Wildohio.gov, The HuntFish OH mobile app and participating state agencies.

Ohio Pheasant Hunting Season

Ohio’s 2024-2025 pheasant hunting season runs from Friday, November 1, 2024 through Sunday, January 12, 2025.

Here are some other things to know about pheasant hunting in Ohio:

• The daily harvest limit is two male birds, also known as roosters.

• No female birds or hens may be hunted.

• A valid Ohio hunting license is required to hunt pheasants.

• Some areas may have additional restrictions. For example, a controlled access permit is required to hunt in certain areas such as Urbana Wildlife Area, Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area and Coldwater Creek Nature Corridor.

• Hunters must hunt between sunrise and sunset.

• Hunters may not possess more than two ring-necked pheasants in the field while hunting or when returning from hunting.

ODNR Hunting License: How much does it cost?

Cost of a one year Ohio hunting license for the 2024-2025 season it is $19 for adults and $10 for youth hunters. Licenses are valid immediately after purchase and until February 28, 2025.

You can purchase hunting licenses from the Division of Wildlife’s website, from the Department of Natural Resources’ HuntFish OH mobile app, or from participating agencies across the state.

Ohio residents who own land, along with their spouses and children, do not need a hunting license to hunt or trap on their property. However, hunters must meet certain land requirements, such as at least five acres.

Ohio Hunter Safety Courses

To purchase a hunting license in Ohio, you will first need to complete a free hunter education course. Courses cover firearms, archery, outdoor safety, wildlife management, conservation and more. Hunters can choose between instructor-led learning courses and home study courses.

When is gun hunting season in Ohio?

The 2024-2025 Ohio gun hunting season for whitetail deer is December 2-8 and December 21-22, 2024. The youth deer gun season is November 16-17, 2024.

Here are some other things to know about whitetail hunting in Ohio:

• Baggage limits: The statewide bag limit is six deer, but hunters can harvest only one antlered deer. Bag limits vary by county, so hunters should check the limit for their chosen county. For example, Cuyahoga and Summit counties have a four-deer limit, while Stark and Portage counties have a three-deer limit.

• Hunting hours: Hunting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

• Hunting seasons: The proposed hunting seasons for 2024–2025 are:

  • Archery: September 28, 2024 to February 2, 2025

  • The gun for youth: November 16-17, 2024

  • Pistol: December 2-8, 2024; December 21-22, 2024

  • Muzzleloader: 4-7 January 2025

• Bait: Baiting is legal on private land, but not on public land or in the CWD Disease Surveillance Area.

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This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Here’s what you need to know about Ohio’s 2024-25 hunting regulations