Deer Hunting in Ohio

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Hello, All,

I am relatively new to the state of Ohio, and have never attempted hunting here. I live in NE Ohio. I was wondering if people could enlighten me on things that I need to know about hunting in Ohio, and the things that I would need.

First of all, it makes it sound like you cannot use a rifle. Is that accurate? I thought you could only use a rifle for the 1-week "gun" season, but then I saw that it might only apply to muzzle loaders. I do not own a muzzle loader, and I've never used a bow before. So if I can't use a rifle, then it's just out of the question for me. Then I found something that said on private lands you could use a rifle. Problem there is I don't know anyone who owns rural land.

So, clarification would really help me. I know folks in PA and MI, too, and if those places are more favorable, then I'd possible go to one of those places. Any information on how those would be different from Ohio?

I hope this isn't too convoluted. I am pretty scatter-brained, and it seems like this was a scatter-brained post. LOL... Thanks in advance.

 

[scallop]

No rifles for deer in Ohio. During gun season you may use a shotgun, ML, or pistol with a straight walled cartage over .357 cal and a barrel length of 5" or more. In Oct. there is a new this year two day ML season, ML and bow only and doe only no antlered deer for those two days. You may use a compound with a greater than 40lb draw weight or crossbow greater than IIRC 75lbs. Certain areas I guess I can see their point on the no "high power" rifle (except in the SE portion of the state), but for the life of me there is no reason a pistol caliber carbine should be illegal anywhere. There is a group trying to get pistol caliber carbines legalized but they have yet to really gain traction. I would love to take my .45/70 or .44 lever into my local deer woods.

IIRC certain farmers with nuisance permits could use rifles but not 100% sure on that one.

 

[303tom]

http://www.ohiodnr.com/wildlife/dow/regulations/hunting_deer.aspx#equipment

 

[Grumulkin]

1. Actually, it's a handgun with shooting a cartridge of at least .357 caliber and not "over" .357 caliber.

2. If you qualify for a nuisance permit, you may take deer by any legal means which allows you to use a rifle. This applies to very few.

 

[Hondo 60]

In Oct. there is a new this year two day ML season

OK, I'll bite, what does ML stand for?

 

[scallop]

ML = muzzle loader

 

[22-rimfire]

Ohio has been a shotgun, black powder, or archery state for a long time. Handgun hunting is a relatively new thing and one I applaud the state for. It is a great sport and for most, the effective range is about the same as a shotgun.

I would suggest you buy yourself a black powder (BP) rifle and scope it. If I lived in Ohio, I'd be using handguns and BP. As far as I know, inline or modern BP rifles are legal in Ohio for hunting big game. BP rifles tend not to be that expensive.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

I do own a Marlin 1894 in .44mag in addition to a .30-06 Mauser. It would be nice if I could at least use the 1894!

Like I said, I'm new to Ohio. I have never heard of hunting deer without a rifle. HAHA...

So if I were to find a landowner who would give me permission to hunt on his land, would a rifle then be OK? If so, any rural Ohio landowners on this board who would be willing to grant that permission?

I looked into the non-resident license in PA, and it's $102. Not too appealing to me. I could probably pick up an old shotgun and Ohio license for that. LOL... I know landowners in MI, so I'll check that out next.

 

[Grumulkin]

You have to have a nuisance permit to take deer with a rifle in Ohio. Just being a landowner doesn't qualify.

 

[22-rimfire]

What can you do these days worth doing for $102? Tell me that. Get the PA non-resident license.

It's only October, plenty of time to get a BP rifle and get your feet wet. My TC Omega only cost me about $250 as I recall.

 

[amd6547]

"...1. Actually, it's a handgun with shooting a cartridge of at least .357 caliber and not "over" .357 caliber.

Well, from the ODNR link above:
"Handgun: with 5-inch minimum length barrel, using straight-walled cartridges .357 caliber or larger."

I never understood the prohibition on pistol caliber carbines...one could theoretically use a 16" 357 barrel on a TC Contender, yet a Marlin lever action is verboten.
Besides, some of the shotguns being used, and their modern sabot slugs far surpass any pistol carbine.

Really, in Ohio, I think the crossbow is the way to go...we have a very long bow season.

 

[witchhunter]

Looks to me like a great excuse to buy a new muzzle loader..... check the reg's to make sure which type is legal. Inline, 209, scope etc. best to check the reg's for neighboring states that you might possibly hunt also. Just to make sure if you buy one it would be legal everywhere. That's the way we do it out west, because almost every state out here is different regarding primitive weapons.... The good news is the new ML rifles shoot great. reminds me, I need to post a pic my son's monster ML buck in another thread!

 

[OH_Spartan]

All types of muzzle loaders are legal in oh but there may be a restriction of 45 cal or greater. Flint lock, cap, in line and inline 209 are all good to go. I bet the local pawn shop has a whole rack of muzzle loaders that he would be willing to deal on.

 

[303tom]

Believe it or not, this is what Missouri says............
6 CODE OF STATE REGULATIONS
(4/30/13) J
ASON
K
ANDER
Secretary of State
3 CSR 10-7—DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
Division 10—Conservation Commission
(B) Muzzleloader: muzzleloading or cap-
and-ball firearms, .40 caliber or larger, not
capable of being loaded from the breech.
(C) Any legal method: archery and muz-
zleloader methods; atlatl; crossbows; shot-
guns; handguns or rifles firing expanding-
type centerfire ammunition;

So technically I can hunt deer with a .25 ACP, crazy huh..............

 

[TEAM101]

ML and bow only and doe only no antlered deer for those two days.

I believe doe only applies to ML hunters. Archery hunters can take either sex that weekend.

 

[amd6547]

I suggest getting out the Atlatl, Missouri...bet the record buck taken by Atlatl title is still open.

 

[Grumulkin]

All types of muzzle loaders are legal in oh but there may be a restriction of 45 cal or greater. Flint lock, cap, in line and inline 209 are all good to go. I bet the local pawn shop has a whole rack of muzzle loaders that he would be willing to deal on.

No, all types of muzzleloaders aren't "legal" in Ohio. You can't use a muzzleloading pistol to hunt deer.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

I actually know NOTHING about muzzle loaders. Never used one, and never seen one being used. It's possible I won't be in Ohio for 2 more hunting seasons, and money is tight, so purchasing a hunting setup of either a shotgun or muzzle loader isn't likely.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Thanks for the help and clarifications!

 

[peacemaker45]

The exceptions to Ohio's no rifle rule are for farmers with nuisance permits and high fence game preserve hunting.

Everywhere else, it's archery (including crossbows) for about four months, muzzleloaders (including scoped inlines) for a weekend in October and a week in January, and firearms, (including handguns firing a straight wall cartridge .357 caliber or larger from a five inch or larger barrel, or a shotgun with slugs.)

The market being what it is, "shotguns," have developed into scope sighted 12 gauge rifles, firing high performance bullets with the aid of sabots. Similar things have happened with muzzleloaders and crossbows, to make them more efficient tools than are really intended for their seasons.

Anyhow, ordinary smooth bore shotguns will generally fire old fashioned "rifled," slugs well enough to kill a deer out to 60 or in some cases 100 yards. You don't have an old pump or single shot hanging around? Most pawn shops will have a number of muzzleloaders and shotguns around that could be used for less than $200. Much less in many cases.

 

[Grumulkin]

I believe doe only applies to ML hunters. Archery hunters can take either sex that weekend.

Sometimes I wonder if you guys ever read anything.

During the upcoming antlerless only muzzleloader season, NO antlered deer may be taken regardless of the hunting implement.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

You don't have an old pump or single shot hanging around? Most pawn shops will have a number of muzzleloaders and shotguns around that could be used for less than $200. Much less in many cases.

Just not this year. Money is too tight. And like I said, we might not be in Ohio by the following season.

 

[huntsman]

^You got a 5" barreled handgun?

 

[22-rimfire]

Unless you know where to go to hunt deer, I would sit out this season or perhaps just go home (MI right?) and hunt there. Then get your ducks lined up for next year and see what life brings.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

You got a 5" barreled handgun?

Yes, but I can't imagine hunting with it. It's a Taurus 24/7 9mm with the long slide (5.25" barrel, I think). I bought it as a range toy. I've shot it at 25 yards, yielding groups about 1 foot, and 50 yards yielding groups of about 2 feet. LOL... Doesn't inspire much confidence... Although, that was without resting.

Unless you know where to go to hunt deer, I would sit out this season or perhaps just go home (MI right?) and hunt there. Then get your ducks lined up for next year and see what life brings.

I still haven't ruled out making a trip to Pennsylvania, but I'll most likely just have to sit this year out. PA is kind of my home (grew up all over), and MI is my wife's home.