COLUMBUS, OH -- Preliminary results from last week's statewide primitive deer hunting season showed hunters taking a record 18,398 deer, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The four-day season was open in all 88 counties December 27-30.
Last week's preliminary total of 18,398 represents an increase of 5,936 deer, or 48 percent, above the 1999 season preliminary total of 12,462. Previously, the record statewide primitive deer season harvest total was 15,289 that occurred in 1997.
Counties reporting the highest number of deer checked during the primitive deer season last week included Jefferson (723), Athens (717), Washington (665), Belmont (657), Tuscarawas (621), Guernsey (601), Monroe (581), Muskingum (577), Licking (557) and Jackson (551).
Also known as the blackpowder, or muzzleloader deer season, hunters were able to a hunt a deer of either sex with muzzleloading rifles of .38 caliber or larger, muzzleloading shotguns using a single ball, crossbows, and longbows. More than 90 percent of the deer taken during the primitive season are by hunters using muzzleloaders.
The statewide archery deer hunting season remains open daily through January 31.
"Hunters enjoyed a highly successful primitive deer season and one that offered many fine hunting opportunities. These results indicate hunters collectively made the most of their opportunity during the four-day season held during the holiday period," said ODNR Division of Wildlife Chief Mike Budzik.
Statewide Primitive Deer Season Results With 2000 Figures
Followed By (1999) Figures
Adams - 152 (112); Allen - 67 (59); Ashland - 276 (211); Ashtabula - 199 (228); Athens - 717 (532); Auglaize - 35 (14); Belmont - 657 (218); Brown - 170 (143); Butler - 105 (76); Carroll - 304 (156); Champaign - 97 (92); Clark - 56 (62); Clermont - 229 (185); Clinton - 56 (46); Columbiana - 246 (158); Coshocton - 511 (238); Crawford - 70 (59); Cuyahoga - 27 (25); Darke - 68 (37); Defiance - 55 (30); Delaware - 160 (102); Erie - 43 (74); Fairfield - 283 (184); Fayette - 25 (27); Franklin - 82 (61); Fulton - 12 (19); Gallia - 462 (357); Geauga - 141 (183); Greene - 42 (53); Guernsey - 601 (409); Hamilton - 131 (92); Hancock - 42 (49); Hardin - 51 (60); Harrison - 533 (170); Henry - 32 (17); Highland - 212 (155); Hocking - 359 (318); Holmes - 450 (196); Huron - 114 (100); Jackson 551 (334); Jefferson - 723 (314); Knox - 272 (195); Lake - 103 (97); Lawrence - 305 (270); Licking - 557 (408); Logan - 98 (82); Lorain - 143 (111); Lucas - 135 (39); Madison - 26 (17); Mahoning - 104 (68); Marion - 32 (31); Medina - 91 (88); Meigs - 459 (428); Mercer - 59 (31); Miami - 15 (13); Monroe - 581 (298); Montgomery - 70 (69); Morgan - 322 (233); Morrow - 63 (81); Muskingum - 577 (398); Noble - 312 (227); Ottawa - 30 (34); Paulding - 51 (50); Perry - 474 (240); Pickaway - 160 (101); Pike - 153 (86); Portage - 195 (152); Preble - 73 (40); Putnam - 73 (42); Richland - 115 (91); Ross - 421 (290); Sandusky - 38 (53); Scioto - 232 (174); Seneca - 111 (77); Shelby - 95 (67); Stark - 230 (125); Summit 81 (72); Trumbull - 356 (188); Tuscarawas - 621 (300); Union - 80 (52); Van Wert - 28 (10); Vinton - 305 (185); Warren - 132 (102); Washington - 665 (580); Wayne - 100 (52); Williams - 74 (52); Wood - 56 (38); Wyandot - 76 (70); Totals - 18,398 (12,462).