10K deer harvested in 2-day youth hunting season

[In the gamer above, see unusual animals spotted in Ohio.]

COLUMBUS, Ohio - - Youth hunters bagged more than 10,000 white-tailed deer during the state's two-day weapon open season for young hunters this previous weekend, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

That's well above the three-year average between 2020 and 2022, which had to do with 7,600 deer, according to a press release. The overall included more than 5,700 antlered deer and more than 4,300 antlerless deer.

3 Northeast Ohio counties had a few of the highest tag counts for this year's season, which was on Saturday, Nov. 18, and Sunday, Nov. 19:

1. Tuscarawas: 391




Coshocton: 365




Muskingum: 304




Knox: 293




Holmes: 267




Guernsey: 261




Licking: 256




Harrison: 239




Belmont: 209



2. Richland: 205

Assist Ohio beat Michigan by collecting unclaimed funds

Each fall, those age 17 and younger can go gun hunting with a non-hunting adult statewide before the statewide gun hunting season begins. The state provided nearly 42,000 youth deer permits this year, which stand for all the staying deer hunting seasons in Ohio.

The next gun season ranges from Monday, Nov. 27, to Sunday, Dec. 3, and is for any ages. A "bonus" gun hunting weekend is set for Saturday, Dec. 16, and Sunday, Dec. 17. Muzzleloader season is from Saturday, Jan. 6, to Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. Archery season runs through Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024.