By 1812Blockhouse
A cold December weekend put thousands of Ohio hunters in the woods, and the numbers are now in. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, hunters checked 15,835 white-tailed deer statewide during the bonus gun hunting weekend on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 20–21.
That total came in below both last year’s figure of 17,386 deer and the three-year average of 16,010. Still, the weekend marked a solid showing across much of the state, including Richland County, which ranked ninth statewide with 387 deer checked. Richland’s placement among the top 10 counties reflects both strong participation and a healthy deer population relative to many other regions. Neighboring Ashland County also appeared on the list with 391 deer, while Coshocton County topped the state at 576.
What the Numbers Say About the Herd
Of the deer taken statewide during the gun weekend, just over a quarter were antlered bucks. Hunters reported 4,039 antlered deer, accounting for 26 percent of the total. The remaining 11,796 deer, or 74 percent, were antlerless, a breakdown that continues to support Ohio’s long-term herd management goals.
Straight-walled cartridge rifles again dominated the harvest, responsible for 69 percent of all deer checked during the weekend. Shotguns accounted for nearly a quarter, with smaller shares taken by muzzleloaders, archery equipment, and handguns. Those equipment trends reflect how Ohio hunting has evolved since straight-walled rifles were approved, particularly in counties with open farmland and mixed terrain like in Richland County.
Venison Donations Continue to Grow
One of the quieter but more meaningful parts of this season has been the expansion of venison donation efforts. The Division of Wildlife reports that hunters have donated more than 3,350 pounds of processed venison so far this season to food pantries across the state.
For hunters who harvest more deer than they can use, donation programs offer a practical way to reduce waste while helping families facing food insecurity. Information on how to participate is available through the state’s wildlife website.
Regional Impacts From Disease
Not all regions of Ohio saw typical harvest levels. Totals were notably lower in Athens, Meigs, Morgan, and Washington counties following a severe summer outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, commonly known as EHD. In response, bag limits in those counties were reduced at the start of the seven-day gun season.
While central and north-central Ohio counties like Richland were not affected by the outbreak, the statewide numbers reflect how localized wildlife health issues can ripple through annual harvest data.
Season Totals and What Comes Next
Through Sunday, Dec. 21, hunters have checked 206,583 deer statewide since the season opened in September. That figure includes archery, youth season, and gun season harvests. More than 410,953 deer permits have been issued so far this year, along with 34,594 nonresident hunting licenses. Hunters traveled to Ohio from across the country, with Pennsylvania, Michigan, and North Carolina leading the list of visiting states.
For those still hoping to tag a deer, opportunities remain. Archery season continues through Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, and muzzleloader season runs Jan. 3–6, 2026. After Sunday, Dec. 21, hunters must use an either-sex deer permit, as deer management permits are no longer valid.
Hunters can find weekly updates, detailed county data, and season summaries through the Division of Wildlife’s online deer harvest reports. The free HuntFish OH app also remains a central tool, allowing hunters to check game, access maps, and store licenses digitally, even without a cell signal. For Richland County, the numbers tell a familiar story: steady participation, a strong showing statewide, and a continued role in Ohio’s carefully managed deer season.
Image by Diana Parkhouse from Pixabay
