Deer archery season kicks off Saturday

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By Jim Morris, Staff Writer 1:18 PM Sunday, September 20, 2009

Ohio’s longest hunting season — deer archery season — opens on Saturday, Sept. 26, with some 300,000 bowhunters expected to participate before it closes on Feb. 7.

That estimate by the Ohio Division of Wildlife represents more than half of all Ohioans who hunt deer.

“There’s no question, bow hunting is becoming more popular each year,” said Dave Kohler of the Division of Wildlife.

“I think it’s the availability people are taking advantage of by bow hunting. The season is longer and you can go out on your schedule, not just the few days of the gun season.”

Last year, bowhunters killed 85,856 deer, an increase of 9 percent from the previous year. Crossbow hunters took a record 46,480 of that number and longbow hunters took a record 39,376.

Overall, archers had 34 percent of the 252,017 deer taken during Ohio’s combined 2008-09 archery, muzzleloader and gun seasons.

The Division of Wildlife, in an effort to reduce the size of the state’s deer herd — estimated at 650,000 — is again stressing the taking of does. As in the past, only one antlered deer can be taken by a hunter each year.

Hunters who purchase a hunting license and $24 deer permit will be eligible to buy a $15 antlerless deer permit, which is valid through Nov. 29. The $15 antlerless deer permit will be valid through Dec. 6 in Zone C only. However, the $15 antlerless permit may be purchased only until Nov. 29.

All deer hunting regulations can be obtained at any license vendor or by visiting wildohio.com.