Ohio Archery Deer Season Opens September 26, 2020 and Closes February 7, 2021. Archery season in Ohio always opens the last Saturday of September and closes the first Sunday of February.
Archery Season
For Ohio, archery means longbow, recurve, crossbow or compound as long as the minimum draw weights are met. Crossbows require a 75lb draw weight while longbows, recurves, and compounds require a minimum of a 40lb draw weight. Youths and adults are held to the same minimum draw weights.
Youth Gun Season (17 and younger)
Youth gun season for Ohio is November 21-22 for 2020. It is typically the weekend prior to Thanksgiving. The youth gun season has the same weapons restrictions as adults. Guns that can be used are straight wall rifle cartridges such as .350 Legend, 450 Bushmaster, and .444 Marlin. Shotguns with slugs only as well as muzzleloading rifles that are .38 caliber or larger are allowed. Pistols are also an option as long as the barrel is a minimum of 5 inches in length with a caliber of .357 or larger. Archery is allowed but wearing orange is a requirement.
Gun Season (All Ages)
The gun season for Ohio is November 30th – December 6th for 2020. Historically, the gun season starts the Monday after Thanksgiving and runs to the following Sunday. The same rules for weapons apply for gun season as they do youth gun season. Archery is allowed but wearing orange is a requirement.
Bonus Gun Weekend (All Ages)
The bonus gun season for Ohio is December 19th-20th for 2020. This two day season usually happens the third weekend of December. This is typically two weeks after the regular gun season ends. The same rules for weapons apply for this bonus season as all other gun seasons. Archery is allowed but wearing orange is a requirement.
Muzzle Loader Season (All Ages)
The muzzle loader season for Ohio is January 2nd-5th 2021. This is the last opportunity to hunt deer with any kind of gun for the 2020-2021 Season. This season usually takes the place the first weekend of January and runs Saturday through Tuesday. Muzzle loading rifles that are .38 caliber or larger can be used. Archery is allowed during this season but orange must be worn.
Now that you know when the seasons open, head on over here to buy your Ohio Hunting License and Deer tag from the comfort of your home.
