Ohio archery hunters have checked 46,359 white-tailed deer through Sunday, Nov. 2, which includes the first six weekends of bowhunting, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The 2025-26 statewide archery season began on Saturday, Sept. 27 and continues through Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.

Deer taken this year include 22,205 antlered deer and 24,154 antlerless deer, a category which includes does and button bucks. The average bow harvest through the first weekend of November over the last three years is 49,409 deer. Last year, hunters reported 48,306 deer checked over the same period.

Ohio’s top 10 counties for deer checked through Sunday, Nov. 2: Coshocton (1,829), Tuscarawas (1,600), Ashtabula (1,561), Trumbull (1,475), Holmes (1,442), Knox (1,302), Licking (1,186), Columbiana (1,111), Carroll (1,095), and Muskingum (1,087).

During the 2024-25 deer season, 109,093 of the 238,137 deer checked were taken with a bow. In each of the last two seasons, archery harvest has surpassed 100,000 deer, indicating that bowhunting continues to rise in popularity. The 2024-25 archery total included 78,254 deer taken with a crossbow and 30,839 with a vertical bow.

Bowhunting is available on both public and private land. Bowhunting hotspots are in the eastern and south-central portions of the state. Archers have additional opportunities to hunt private land through the Ohio Landowner-Hunter Access Partnership (OLHAP), which incentivizes landowners to open their property to hunters. A list of available properties and instructions for obtaining access, available by permit only, are available at wildohio.gov.

Bowhunters are required to purchase a hunting license and deer permit, unless exempted. A one-year resident hunting license costs $19 and is valid through Feb. 28, 2026. Deer management permits, available for $15, can be used on private land and public hunting areas through Dec. 21 and only for antlerless deer. Either-sex deer permits, $31.20 for resident adults, are available statewide through Feb. 1, 2026, and can be used on both antlered and antlerless deer. Licenses can be purchased through the Ohio Wildlife Licensing System, on the HuntFish OH mobile app, or at a license sales agent.

Successful deer hunters can check their game using the HuntFish OH mobile app, available for free in the Android and Apple app stores. Users can also explore public hunting areas, purchase hunting licenses or deer permits, view county bag limits, and so much more. Beyond the app, hunters can check game by visiting ohiogamecheck.com, calling 1-877-TAG-IT-OH (1-877-824-4864), visiting a license sales agent, or calling 1-866-703-1298 (landowner operator-assisted; fees apply).

Ohio offers many other opportunities for deer hunters to spend time in the field in the coming weeks. Young hunters can use firearms during the youth gun season Saturday, Nov. 22 and Sunday, Nov. 23. A seven-day gun season opens statewide to all hunters on Monday, Dec. 1, and continues through Sunday, Dec. 7. An additional gun weekend occurs Saturday, Dec. 20 and Sunday, Dec. 21. The late muzzleloader hunting season will be Saturday, Jan. 3 through Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. Find complete details in the 2025-26 Hunting and Trapping Regulations.

The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Visit wildohio.gov to find out more.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.