Ohio Deer Shotgun Season 2025, 2026
Shotgun deer hunting dates for Ohio.
Recorded dates, not hunting permission
Status assessment: 2026-10-14 UTC (static build snapshot). Static activity badges and day counts use this build assessment, not a live check. Interactive finder results show their own UTC assessment day.
2 of 4 recorded windows have date-review evidence. Other rows remain unverified. Historical records are retained and are not a current-season promise.
Check your current agency regulations, GMU or zone, hunt code, license and access restrictions before hunting. An agency link or successful publication fetch does not verify a row. Reviewed base dates do not cover every license-specific exception.
Date evidence: Official date source. Review dates apply only to the stated row scope, not an entire state or current license eligibility.
Ohio Deer Shotgun Season
Find shotgun deer hunting season dates for Ohio. Plan your 2025, 2026 shotgun hunt with dates, zones, and equipment requirements.
Shotgun Season Coming Soon
1 shotgun season opening within 60 days
Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2026
Actual agency-hosted2026–27 guide printed/PDF6 Gun Nov30–Dec6 and Bonus Gun Dec19–20, separate windows with no December gap bridge. Only Athens County private-land legal-antlered shotgun subset under valid hunting license/either-sex deer permit reviewed; not individual permission. Only one antlered deer statewide across all seasons, not one each window; at least one antler3 inches. Printed/PDF8 shotgun10 gauge or smaller, one ball or rifled slug per barrel, no more than three shells chamber/magazine combined; one hunting implement subject to concealed-handgun exception. Hours30 minutes before sunrise–30 minutes after sunset. Current license/permit/exemptions, county/state bag, property boundaries, firearm/ammunition/orange/hours/tag/check/reporting/CWD/local/access/closures/amendments need checks. No other county/method/sex/youth/DSA/archery/muzzleloader/public/controlled hunts verified. Agency publication entry404, title/body unknown; PDF directly read, not inferred from failed entry. Six history rows/license metadata unverified; summary not complete laws.
Shotgun Deer Season Dates
4 shotgun seasons in Ohio
| Dates | Zone | Status | Notes | Add to Calendar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2026 Date window reviewed 2026-10-09; verify license-specific exceptions Official date source | Athens County private-land legal-antlered shotgun — Gun, either-sex permit | Upcoming | Actual agency-hosted2026–27 guide printed/PDF6 Gun Nov30–Dec6 and Bonus Gun Dec19–20, separate windows with no December gap bridge. Only Athens County private-land legal-antlered shotgun subset under valid hunting license/either-sex deer permit reviewed; not individual permission. Only one antlered deer statewide across all seasons, not one each window; at least one antler3 inches. Printed/PDF8 shotgun10 gauge or smaller, one ball or rifled slug per barrel, no more than three shells chamber/magazine combined; one hunting implement subject to concealed-handgun exception. Hours30 minutes before sunrise–30 minutes after sunset. Current license/permit/exemptions, county/state bag, property boundaries, firearm/ammunition/orange/hours/tag/check/reporting/CWD/local/access/closures/amendments need checks. No other county/method/sex/youth/DSA/archery/muzzleloader/public/controlled hunts verified. Agency publication entry404, title/body unknown; PDF directly read, not inferred from failed entry. Six history rows/license metadata unverified; summary not complete laws. | |
| Dec 19-20, 2026 Date window reviewed 2026-10-09; verify license-specific exceptions Official date source | Athens County private-land legal-antlered shotgun — Bonus Gun, either-sex permit | Upcoming | Actual agency-hosted2026–27 guide printed/PDF6 Gun Nov30–Dec6 and Bonus Gun Dec19–20, separate windows with no December gap bridge. Only Athens County private-land legal-antlered shotgun subset under valid hunting license/either-sex deer permit reviewed; not individual permission. Only one antlered deer statewide across all seasons, not one each window; at least one antler3 inches. Printed/PDF8 shotgun10 gauge or smaller, one ball or rifled slug per barrel, no more than three shells chamber/magazine combined; one hunting implement subject to concealed-handgun exception. Hours30 minutes before sunrise–30 minutes after sunset. Current license/permit/exemptions, county/state bag, property boundaries, firearm/ammunition/orange/hours/tag/check/reporting/CWD/local/access/closures/amendments need checks. No other county/method/sex/youth/DSA/archery/muzzleloader/public/controlled hunts verified. Agency publication entry404, title/body unknown; PDF directly read, not inferred from failed entry. Six history rows/license metadata unverified; summary not complete laws. | |
| Nov 30 - Dec 7, 2025 Unverified date record; agency review required | Zone not recorded | Historical record | Gun week one | |
| Dec 13-14, 2025 Unverified date record; agency review required | Zone not recorded | Historical record | Gun week two | |
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Compare Other Deer Hunting Methods
Explore 2 other methods available in Ohio
Zone-Specific Shotgun Dates
Ohio has different shotgun deer dates by zone. Zones include: Athens County private-land legal-antlered shotgun — Gun, either-sex permit, Athens County private-land legal-antlered shotgun — Bonus Gun, either-sex permit. Check official state regulations for zone boundaries.
Important Note for Ohio
Only Athens private legal-antlered shotgun Gun Nov30–Dec6 and Bonus Gun Dec19–20 reviewed from actual2026–27 guide, no gap bridge. Valid hunting license/either-sex permit, only one antlered statewide across all seasons,3-inch antler,10-gauge-or-smaller/slug/three-shell limits retained. Current license/permit/bag/boundaries/firearm/orange/hours/CWD/local/tag/check/access rules need checks. Other hunts/six history rows/license metadata unverified; agency publication entry404 explicit, not individual permission.
Ohio Deer Shotgun Hunting FAQ
Common questions about shotgun deer hunting in Ohio
When does shotgun deer season start in Ohio?
Recorded windows, not one continuous season: 2026-11-30 to 2026-12-06; 2026-12-19 to 2026-12-20; 2025-11-30 to 2025-12-07; 2025-12-13 to 2025-12-14. Historical and unverified records may be included. Check each row's evidence and your current GMU/hunt code and license before hunting.
What shot size is legal for deer in Ohio?
Ohio regulates shot size and shot type for deer hunting. Many states require non-toxic shot for waterfowl and may have specific pellet size requirements for other game. Verify current shotgun regulations with the state.
Are there different shotgun deer zones in Ohio?
Yes, Ohio has zone-specific shotgun deer seasons. Zones include: Athens County private-land legal-antlered shotgun — Gun, either-sex permit, Athens County private-land legal-antlered shotgun — Bonus Gun, either-sex permit. Each zone may have different dates and regulations.
Do I need a special tag for shotgun deer hunting in Ohio?
You need a valid Ohio hunting license and applicable deer tags or permits. Some states offer shotgun-specific tags or have separate quotas. Check current license requirements and availability.
What other methods can I use to hunt deer in Ohio?
Besides shotgun, Ohio offers deer seasons for: Archery, Muzzleloader. Each method has different season dates and regulations.
Shotgun Deer in Other States
Compare shotgun seasons across states
View All Ohio Deer Seasons
See all hunting methods for deer in Ohio.
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