The Ohio Wildlife Council approved proposed hunting and trapping season dates for 2023-24, including deer bag limit changes in seven counties, during its regularly scheduled meeting last week, according to the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

Deer are Ohio’s most popular game animal. Seasons in 2023-24 will have similar dates to last year. Bag limits will increase to three deer in Belmont, Gallia, Geauga, Harrison, Jefferson and Monroe counties, and will decrease to two in Butler County. As in years past, only one antlered deer may be harvested, regardless of where or how it is taken. The deer hunting season dates for 2023-24 include:

• Deer archery: Sept. 30, 2023-Feb. 4, 2024
• Youth deer gun: Nov. 18-19, 2023
• Deer gun: Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2023; Dec. 16-17, 2023
• Deer muzzleloader: Jan. 6-9, 2024
• The Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) disease surveillance area in Hardin, Marion, and Wyandot counties will again allow additional hunting opportunities to slow the spread of CWD. The three counties will allow:
• Deer archery season: Sept. 9, 2023-Feb. 4, 2024
• Early gun season: Oct. 7-9, 2023