Information & Changes for Spring Turkey Hunters

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Automated Turkey Check Process

Hunters must still report their harvest of turkeys but they are no longer required to take their turkey to a check station for physical inspection. Hunters will have three options to complete the automated game check:

• On the Internet at wildohio.com or ohiogamecheck.com 
• By telephone at 1-877-TAG-ITOH (1-877-824-4864) - This option is only available to those who are required to purchase a turkey permit to hunt turkeys.
• At all license agents

Game-check transactions will be available online and by telephone seven days a week and during holidays.

Landowner hunters who are not required to purchase a spring turkey permit must use the
Internet or any license agent to check their turkey. Hunters who tag their turkey as a landowner harvest cannot use the phone-in method. All authorized license sales agents will also check in your game.  Find a list of authorized license agents.
 

Tagging Process

The first thing hunters should be aware of is that their permits no longer contain temporary or permanent tags to detach and affix to the carcasses. Instead every successful hunter will have to make a game tag to attach to the animal, just like landowners have always done. The game tag should contain the hunter’s name and the date, time and county of harvest. This information will also need to be filled out on the hunter’s permit. After the hunter completes the automated game check process, an 18-digit confirmation number will be provided. That number needs to be recorded on the permit. In addition, the 18-digit confirmation number will also have to be attached to the animal somehow. It may be written on the game tag if the hunter chooses.  

Take Note:

The permanent number must stay with the turkey always and replaces the metal tag of years past.   
 

Protect Your License! 

The license paper is not waterproof and should be protected in a plastic bag or license holder. Licenses and permits will appear on the left hand side of the document and the remaining space will be printed with information relevant to the license or permit purchased. Cut along the dotted line and then fold down to credit card size for easy carrying.  Licenses may be laminated to add additional protection. In addition, it is legal to photocopy your license as long as each copy has an original signature.
 

Customer Identification Number

A customer ID number will be assigned to everyone using the system. This number will be issued to you after you provide the required information for a customer account. This unique number will be your customer ID number for as long as you obtain licenses, permits, stamps, Wild Ohio magazine or apply for a controlled hunt or fishing lottery. A customer card that includes your name and customer ID number can be printed and then laminated for your future use. Logon to wildohio.com, to print your card and choose the “Manage Your Customer Account” link.
 

Migratory Game Bird Hunters

A Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification is required before you hunt migratory game birds.  Hunters that plan to hunt waterfowl or migratory game birds (ducks, geese, doves, woodcock, rails, and snipe) must call 1-877-HIP-OHIO and complete the HIP phone survey.  Hunters should then record the HIP certification number generated after completing the survey on the line indicated on their hunting license.