Ohio hunters once again delivered a strong performance during the 2025–26 deer season, checking a total of 232,142 white-tailed deer, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The season concluded on Feb. 1 and included all archery, gun, muzzleloader, and youth hunts dating back to Sept. 13.
That total ranks as the seventh-highest deer harvest in state history and marks the fourth straight season topping 200,000 deer. While it didn’t quite match last year’s 238,137 deer, it still sits well above the recent three-year average of 221,013.
Millions of Pounds of Venison
Beyond the numbers, the season put an estimated 11 million pounds of venison on Ohio dinner tables and freezers. With one deer providing about 50 pounds of meat. ODNR emphasized the importance of hunters in feeding families and supporting food banks statewide.
That impact grew during Deer Donation Days, when ODNR teamed up with Ohio Penal Industries at the Pickaway Correctional Institution to process donated deer. Hunters contributed 136 deer, yielding 5,328 pounds of processed venison. Additional support was provided through a partnership with Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry, which helped expand donations to local food pantries.
EHD in Southeast Ohio
Not every part of the state experienced strong numbers. An unprecedented outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) caused significantly lower harvests in Athens, Meigs, Morgan, and Washington counties. These four counties combined for 4,289 deer, a sharp drop from 15,659 the previous season.
One County Stands Out
Coshocton County maintained its long-standing dominance by leading the state with 8,527 deer checked, marking its 24th consecutive year at the top. Archery made up the largest portion of the harvest, closely followed by the weeklong gun season. Straight-walled cartridge rifles and crossbows remained the most popular implements.
Zooming Out
All told, Ohio’s 2025–26 season reinforced one thing: deer hunting remains strong, influential, and deeply rooted in the Buckeye State. It’s both a tradition and a way of life.
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Sources:
Cory Ross is currently a writer for OutdoorHub who has chosen not to write a short bio at this time.
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