
Waterfowl hunting regulations approved for the 2021-2022 season includes an increase in the daily bag limit for Canada geese, jumping from three to five of the plentiful geese across all waterfowl hunting zones.
The Ohio Wildlife Council approved all 2021-22 hunting regulations during its regularly scheduled meeting last Wednesday, April 7, according to the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Hunting season dates and limits are proposed by Division of Wildlife biologists.
Regulations for the 2021-22 white-tailed deer hunting seasons were included in Wednesday’s vote. As in years past, a hunter may take no more than one antlered deer regardless of where or how it is taken, and a hunter cannot exceed a county bag limit.
The deer hunting season dates for 2021-22 include:
- Deer archery: Sept. 25, 2021-Feb. 6, 2022.
- Youth deer gun: Nov. 20-21, 2021.
- Deer gun: Nov. 29-Dec. 5, 2021; Dec. 18-19, 2021.
- Deer muzzleloader: Jan. 8-11, 2022.
- Hunting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
- All county bag limits remain identical to last season.
Updated this year, antlerless deer may be taken from all public hunting areas from Sept. 25 to Feb. 6, 2022, provided that a hunter takes only one antlerless deer from these lands per license year. Ohio’s public land deer regulations have resulted in improved hunter satisfaction on public hunting areas. Expanding the antlerless deer dates provides additional opportunities to public land hunters.
Deer management permits have been expanded to all 88 Ohio counties and may be used from Sept. 25 to Nov. 28. Hunters can use the deer management permit up to the county bag limit. The permit does not include public hunting areas, except Lake La Su An Wildlife Area, Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area, and during controlled hunts.
Only antlerless deer may be harvested with a deer management permit. An antlerless deer in Ohio is defined as any deer without antlers, or with antlers less than 3 inches long.
Deer populations in Ohio have shown increased growth over the last several years. Expanding the use of deer management permits statewide on private lands helps keep populations near targeted numbers while also maintaining a healthy and robust deer population on public lands. This also simplifies where hunters can use the permit and allows for more targeted harvest in counties where necessary.
A complete list of Ohio’s 2021-22 hunting seasons is available at wildohio.gov.
Waterfowl hunting regulations approved by the OWC for the 2021-2022 seasons includes an increase in the combined number of Canada geese and white-fronted geese that may be harvested daily during the waterfowl hunting season. The daily bag limit has been increased from three to five across all waterfowl hunting zones. A limit of one brant does not change.
A change from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allows for this increase throughout the Mississippi Flyway, which includes Ohio and other Midwest states. During Ohio’s goose hunting season, Canada geese are most harvested, while white-fronted geese and brant are less common. This change is designed to allow additional harvest of abundant, resident Canada geese, and is based on research that shows limited impact to the migratory subspecies.
Hunter preference surveys support the increased bag limit.
A notable update permits active military and veterans to hunt alongside a youth hunter during the special youth, active military, and veterans waterfowl hunting weekend. Previously, a youth hunter was required to hunt with a non-hunting adult, and this change allows eligible participants to hunt together.
Ohio’s wild turkey hunting seasons for 2022 maintain a 30-day spring turkey season in the south zone and northeast zone, with opening days on Saturdays.
Public land wild turkey hunters are limited to one bearded wild turkey during the 2022 spring season. This new regulation is in response to several below average reproductive years, and is designed to maintain healthy wild turkey populations on public lands. The statewide limit during the spring remains two bearded birds.
I think the spring turkey season should be looked at. For several years the season is to late. All the breeding is done by the time the season comes in. I think it needs to be moved back a month, or be determined like duck season using the weather pattern.
I totally agree.
I totally agree ohio turkey season is about one month late should be first week of April
Agree needs to comie in last week of March
Since Ohio has introduced straight wall cartridges many Ohio hunters have upgraded to these firearms. My question is can or will Ohio allow the 3030 cartridge to be legal in Ohio since its range of distance is less then the 450 bushmaster and or 350 legend. The 3030 is referred to as a brush gun with an effective range of 150yards. I know that this round is not straight wall but because of its limited range I believe it should be looked at closely , I think a lot of Ohio sportsmen and Women would agree with this,
I agree with you 100% unfortunately people will take it a step further. Why not 35 Whelen, 35 remington and so on, Quick drive by can’t tell what caliber your using in a lever gun. It’s a slippery slope.
Funny thing is you can use your 30-30 to hunt squirrels,chipmunks,ground hogs,heck you could use a 50 cal. To do all the above if you chose but not for deer. I do not understand why.
The reason is during squirrel season the woods aren’t packed with idiots like they are during “shotgun” season. I believe it is a safety issue more than anything.
In Ohio you have to understand turkey biology to see why the season cant start earlier. Only 10 to 40% of all nest successfully hatch, only about 15 to 25% of those hatchlings make it to be mature birds.
Yes that is correct. Many of those eggs are ravaged by the out of control Coon Population, that is mysteriously regimented to only January 31st every year for trapping and hunting. Not sure why.
I agree with Mr. Scurlock. The spring turkey season comes in too late
Raccoons need to be put on the list as predators and no closed season on no bag limit.
I agree
So once again ohio is a two deer state if you don’t hunt private land or have a lease. I think they are limiting opportunity not increasing opportunity. I hunt La su an ,or used to ,I walked to my stand last year with 5 guys I didn’t know, lots of pressure,no deer. At least the hunters with money can fill their freezers