COLUMBUS, Ohio (WLIO) — For the fourth consecutive year, Ohio hunters have checked more than 200,000 deer during the hunting season.
According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, hunters checked 232,142 deer across the youth, gun, archery and muzzleloading seasons. That total ranks as the seventh-highest deer harvest on record for the state.
In west central Ohio, Hancock County recorded the highest number of deer checked with 2,345. Hardin County followed with 2,053, while Allen County reported 1,831 deer. Auglaize County hunters checked 1,621 deer, Mercer County reported 1,432, Putnam County had 1,376, and Van Wert County recorded 968.
The Ohio Division of Wildlife has also expanded efforts to help hunters donate venison to food pantries. This season, more than 5,300 pounds of donated deer meat were distributed to food pantries across the state.
