DIVISION OF WILDLIFE PROVIDES MANY YOUTH HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES
COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio's youth hunters now have several added opportunities to learn and practice their hunting skills this fall. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is offering expanded ways for families to hunt together and to create lasting traditions in the state’s outdoors.
SMALL GAME: Hunters age 17 and younger may hunt for rabbit, pheasant and all other legal game in season during two designated weekends, October 20-21 and October 27-28 statewide. Quail may also be taken in open counties.
Pheasant releases for young hunters will occur prior to these dates on the following state wildlife areas: Resthaven, Oxbow, Berlin, Killdeer Plains, Camp Belden, Grand River, Spencer, Wellington, Delaware, Dillon, East Fork, Caesar Creek, Rush Run, Fallsville and Darke - and at the Charlemont Metropark in Lorain County.
WHITE-TAILED DEER: A youth deer-gun season will be open statewide, November 17- 18. Young hunters age 17 and younger who are accompanied by a non-hunting adult may take one deer of either sex during this season, in accordance with existing bag and deer zone limits.
WILD TURKEY: It is not too early to be planning to participate in the spring youth wild turkey hunting for 2008. A statewide spring youth wild turkey season will be offered on Saturday and Sunday, April 19-20. This hunt is open to youths age 17 and younger.
CONTROLLED HUNTS: The Division of Wildlife offers several controlled hunts for young hunters throughout the hunting season. Applications to participate in these hunts are accepted June 1 through July 31. Applications are available at district offices and on the division’s Web site and may be completed by mail or online. There are controlled youth hunts for white-tailed deer, wild turkey and waterfowl.
All young hunters must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult, and must abide by all regular hunting hours and bag limits. A valid 2007-08 youth hunting license, along with the appropriate permits, are required. For complete details on all of Ohio’s youth hunting seasons, refer to 2007-2008 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet, call 1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-945-3543) or go online to www.wildohio.com and follow the links to Ohio Laws and Regulations.