Get Ready to Hunt

A basic education in hunting laws, safety, and conservation is the first step in your journey.

To buy a hunting license in Ohio, you’ll first need to complete a hunter education course. Hunter education is a rite of passage, and the Ohio Division of Wildlife will help you every step of the way.

Our courses cover firearms, archery, outdoor safety, wildlife management, conservation, and more. Best of all, you can choose between instructor-led learning and home-study courses.

>> Learn more about our Hunter Education Program 
>> Learn more about our Trapper Education Program

Know the law

Hunting in Ohio is very seasonal, and regulated to protect animal populations. Make sure you understand the right time to go after specific game.

>> Get familiar with Ohio’s hunting laws and regulations.

Practice your aim

If you’re learning to handle firearms or archery gear, or simply want to sharpen your skills, there are a number of public shooting and archery ranges available to you.

Legal targets on all shooting ranges are single-sheet paper targets only.

>> Learn more about Ohio public shooting and archery ranges