Ohio’s statewide deer archery season gets underway Saturday, giving hunters their first statewide opportunity of the 2026-27 deer season.
According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, the archery season runs through February 7.
Hunting hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
There are several regulations hunters should keep in mind this season:
- Only one antlered deer may be harvested statewide, regardless of where or how it is taken.
- Deer management permits may be used throughout the season on both private land and public hunting areas, but they can only be used to harvest antlerless deer.
- Bag limits vary by county.
- Ohio’s Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance area has additional regulations and a season bag limit of six deer. The surveillance area was expanded this year to include all of Allen County, Van Buren Township in Hancock County, and Holmes Township in Crawford County.
Hunters are also reminded to have the appropriate hunting license and deer permit and to properly report harvested deer.
ODNR says hunters should review the complete 2026-27 Ohio Department of Natural Resources hunting regulations before heading into the field, since regulations can vary by county and hunting area.
