Adjustments Proposed to Ohio Deer Hunting Opportunities for 2013-2014 Season
OutdoorHub 05.08.13
The Ohio Wildlife Council will consider white-tailed deer hunting proposals on Wednesday, May 15, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The following are adjustments to the proposals that were voted on and approved during the April 17 Ohio Wildlife Council meeting. These proposals address public input requesting an increase in recreational opportunities.
The Ohio Wildlife Council will consider rescheduling two days of deer-gun hunting on Jan. 3-4, 2014. Deer can be pursued with all legal hunting equipment, including shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader and bow from one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset. The statewide muzzleloader season is Jan. 5-7, 2014.
“We are proposing to add a day to the existing muzzleloader season, for a total of five days of January gun hunting,” said ODNR Division of Wildlife Chief Scott Zody. “The first two days will be open to all legal firearms, while the last three days will be restricted to muzzleloaders.”
The Ohio Wildlife Council will also consider a proposal to adjust the bag limits in Hocking, Perry and Ross counties to four deer. The bag limit in these counties was initially proposed as three deer.
The council meeting will be held at the ODNR Division of Wildlife’s District One office, 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215. This meeting is open to the public and comments on the proposed rules will be accepted.
Individuals who want to provide comments to the council must preregister at least two days prior by calling 614-265-6304. The deadline to preregister will be 5 p.m. on Monday, May 13. All comments are required to be three minutes or less. Emailed or written comments will not be presented at this meeting, but will continue to be an important mechanism for input in regularly scheduled wildlife open houses.