News Release

COLUMBUS, OH - In presenting its proposed hunting and trapping regulations and seasons to the Ohio Wildlife Council on Wednesday, the Division of Wildlife said its deer hunting seasons and regulations remain little changed from last year.

The state's three deer hunting zones have been redrawn, thus reducing from 14 to 9 the number of counties included in Zone C where a limit of two deer may be taken next season. Zone A was increased from 50 to 55 counties and Zone B was redrawn to include 24 counties. A limit of one deer may be taken in Zones A and B.

"We have moved some counties from one zone to another and left others as they were a year ago. The zone bag limits remain the same and as with last year may not be added together," said Pat Ruble, executive administrator of wildlife management and research for the Division of Wildlife.

The statewide primitive and archery seasons allow a hunter to take a deer of either sex. The archery season is proposed to be open October 2 through January 31, 2000 and the statewide primitive season is scheduled for December 27-31.

The statewide shotgun season will be open in Zone A November 29 through December 4. A deer of either sex may be taken in Zone A during the first two days of the shotgun season. Bucks only may be taken during the remaining four days, as was the rule last season.

The shotgun season will be open in Zones B and C for deer of either sex November 29 through Sunday, December 5. Even though we believe last season's conservative regulations will result in increased deer herd levels in many counties going into this next season, in most cases the increase will be relatively small. We think that another season of conservative regulations will get many of these counties close to their target level," said Ruble.

Archery: Open statewide for deer of either sex October 2 through January 31, 2000.

Early Primitive: Open for bucks-only on the Salt Fork, Shawnee and Wildcat Hollow hunting areas October 25-30.

Statewide Firearms Season: Open November 29 through December 4 in Zone A. A deer of either sex may be taken Nov. 29-30; bucks-only Dec. 1-4 in Zone A. Open November 29 through December 5 in Zones B and C for deer of either sex.

Statewide Primitive: Open for deer of either sex December 27-31.

Bag Limits: A hunter may take one deer in Zone A or Zone B, and a second deer in Zone C. A hunter may instead take two deer in Zone C. Hunters additionally may take a limit of four antlerless deer within any of the urban deer zones. Zone bag limits may not be added together.

Permits: A regular deer permit sells for $20 and may be used to tag a deer of either sex during any of the deer seasons or special hunts. A special management antlerless deer permit sells for $20 and may be used only to take an antlerless deer. This permit is valid during any of the deer seasons or special hunts, except the special bucks-only primitive season Oct.25-30, and may be used instead of a regular permit or in conjunction with a regular permit. Urban permits sell for $10 and may be used only to tag an antlerless deer taken in an urban zone or during a controlled hunt.