Hunting Requirements in Ohio?? (new to deer hunting)

[ccs]

Hello everyone, I am new to THR and I think this is the right venue to bring up this question. I want to start hunting, now that I have the time and funds are available. I have a couple 12 guage shotguns, which is good since shotguns are the only gun you can hunt with in Ohio(I think...). I have a few rifles I could hunt with in West Virginia, but that is not the point right now.

My question is what all do I need to do to be able to go deer hunting next season by myself? I am 22 years old, have plenty of experiece with guns and firing them. Do I need to take a hunter's safety course in order to be able to buy deer tags? And where can I buy deer tags? What all do I need to do?

 

[alxshml]

You will have to take a hunter safety course, short, I think mine was a couple of 4 hour sessions, but its been a while ago. Once you take that then you can buy a license & tag.

http://ohiodnr.com/wildlife/dow/regulations/hunting.aspx

http://www.ohiodnr.com/tabid/18566/Default.aspx

 

[Grumulkin]

Since I usually hunt on my own land, I usually don't buy deer tags or a license. Sporting goods stores sell licenses and tags.

As for permitted firearms you can use during gun season:

1. Shotguns capable of holding no more than 3 shells.
2. Muzzle loading rifles. There is also a special muzzle loader only season each year.
3. Handguns of at least .357 caliber with at least a 5 inch barrel and shooting a straight walled cartridge.

By the way, you can download a PDF version of Ohio hunting regulations from the web.

 

[matrem]

Once you've taken the hunter ed course, you can even purchase all of the required tags at the ODNR site alxshml provided.
An orange vest, some slugs,and an appetite for fresh venison should about cover it after that.

 

[cottswald]

Best thing is to familiarize yourself with the ODNR regulations listed on the link previously mentioned.

Don't rule out your rifles. You can hunt coyote, wild boar, and groundhog using a rifle of any caliber. Also, you can use a rimfire rifle or pistol on small game (squirrel and rabbit).

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Default.aspx?tabid=20829

Good Hunting!