Dylan Phillips, 8, of Huntington Township, bagged his first buck ever during opening day of Youth Deer-Gun Season Nov. 17. Phillips killed the five-point whitetail on his father’s property located in Brown County near the Adams County line.
Ohio's young hunters bag more than 10k deer
Young hunters across Ohio again enjoyed success during the Fifth Youth Deer-Gun Season, held Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 17-18. Hunters age 17 and under killed 10,515 deer during the special two-day season, created to provide a high-quality hunting experience for younger Ohioans. Last year's youth hunt saw a deer harvest of 8,811.
In Brown County, young hunters killed 181 deer during this year's youth gun season, a jump from last year's total of 158.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife estimated 40,000 young hunters took to the state's fields and forests during the two-day season. Counties reporting the greatest number of deer killed were Tuscarawas- 420, Holmes- 413, Ashland-387, Athens-368, Guernsey-366, Washington-330, Harrison-322, Knox and Licking-284 each and Ross-271.
The youth deer-gun season was open in all 88 counties. Young hunters could take one deer of either sex, in accordance with existing bag and deer-zone limits. Shotguns, muzzleloaders, handguns, and bows were legal. All participants were required to wear hunter orange, possess a valid Ohio hunting license and special deer permit, and be accompanied by a non-hunting adult.
This recent hunt is one of four special youth-only dates designed to promote hunting among young Ohioans. Special days are also set aside for upland game, wild turkey, and waterfowl hunting opportunities.
Youngsters and all other hunters will have another chance at taking a whitetail during next week's statewide deer-gun season, which runs Monday through Sunday, Nov. 26-Dec. 2.
Successful hunters of all ages are invited to post photos of their successful hunt on the Division of Wildlife's photo gallery at wildohio.com.
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