Ohio’s 2015 deer-gun season continues Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 28-29, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
During the Dec. 28-29 firearm season, all hunters (except waterfowl hunters) must wear a vest, coat, jacket or coveralls that are either solid hunter orange or camouflage hunter orange. A hunter orange hat or cap is a great safety addition, but does not satisfy legal requirements.
Hunters may use 10, 12, 16, 20, 28 or .410-gauge shotguns using slugs; handguns with five-inch minimum barrels, using straight-walled cartridges of .357 caliber or larger; muzzleloading rifles of at least .38 caliber or larger; longbows or crossbows. Straight-walled cartridge rifles are legal in the following calibers: .357 Magnum, .357 Maximum, .38 Special, .375 Super Magnum, .375 Winchester, .38-55, .41 Long Colt, .41 Magnum, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, .444 Marlin, .45 ACP, .45 Colt, .45 Long Colt, .45 Winchester Magnum, .45 Smith & Wesson, .450 Marlin, .454 Casull, .460 Smith & Wesson, .45-70, .45-90, .45-110, .475 Linebaugh, .50-70, .50-90, .50-100, .50-110 and .500 Smith and Wesson.
Shotguns and straight-walled cartridge rifles in approved calibers cannot have more than three shells.
Hunting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes past sunset for all deer seasons.
Additional details about deer hunting rules are contained in the 2015-2016 Ohio Hunting Regulations, available where licenses are sold, or at wildohio.gov
The ODNR Division of Wildlife is in the process of revising Ohio’s population goals and is asking hunters that receive the survey to help by completing and returning their survey as soon as possible. Hunters for this year’s survey were randomly selected from the list of hunters who purchased a license and deer permit by Nov. 16. Landowner surveys have already been completed, and hunter surveys were mailed a few weeks ago. Public input is an important part of Ohio’s deer management program, and survey participants are asked to complete and return their surveys to ensure that hunters have a clear voice in helping to decide the direction of deer management in Ohio.
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
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