Did You Know

Did You Know?

By Scott McNeil

Did you know (most of the staff here at OVO did not) that the first deer season in Ohio opened in 1943? Up until that time deer were a protected species within our state borders. Deer permits were free through 1946 to any hunter who mailed in a request. There were 8,500 permits issued that first year. Those first permits were only good in Adams, Pike and Scioto counties and were only valid for six days.

In 1947 the state began charging a fee for deer permits. The initial charge was $5. 1947 and 1948 saw the deer kill report card handed out separately from the permit and was numbered to the permit.

The deer hunting permit changed dramatically in 1956. The permit was separated into three parts, with all parts having the same number printed on them. The biggest change, however, came with the introduction of the deer tag; section two of the permit was used for this purpose.

Although the deer season was closed statewide in 1961, a special hunt was held at the Ravenna Arsenal. There were 700 permits issued that year at a cost of $5.25, raised from $5 in 1957.

The Division of Wildlife made numerous changes to the deer permit in 1962. In one change the permit was taken back to two parts, thereby leaving nothing for the hunters to tag the deer with in the field. This was quickly changed in 1963 by adding the “removable” temporary tag. Also in 1962, one of the most significant changes to the regulations governing deer hunting occurred; the set-up of the deer checking stations. From 1962 on all deer killed in Ohio had to be checked in at one of these stations.

It is believed that 1969 was the first year an “antlerless” deer tag was issued statewide. The permits were free and there were only 175 issued. These permits were only valid in Williams, Defiance, Lucas and Fluton counties.

There were very few changes regarding deer hunting in Ohio up until 1987. The fees charged for deer permits did continue to climb, topping out at $11 in 1987. 1977 saw the antlerless tag placed directly on the deer permit. Interestingly the word “antlerless” was misspelled until 1979. Another change in 1986 was the hunter’s declaration. If a hunter chose to use a handgun or shotgun, he/she could use only that type of weapon all week. 1987 brought about the issuance of the free deer tag for all resident hunters that were 66 years old or older.

Deer hunting regulations and permits remained virtually unchanged until 1991, except for another fee increase to $16 in 1989. It was 1991 that saw the introduction of three additional types of deer permits. The “Retiree,” the “Landowner/Tenant,” and the “Double Deer” permit came to be. The retiree and landowner/tenant permits were free and only separated by an “F” on the retiree permit and an “L” on the landowner/tenant permit. The double deer permit cost $32 and consisted of two tags. The first was good for either-sex deer (except in special buck only zones), while the second tag was only valid for antlerless deer. Also in 1991 a free antlerless deer permit was issued to resident hunters 66 years old and older.

1994 saw another fee increase. Now a single deer permit would cost $20, while a double deer permit was $40. 1994 also saw the introduction of the “Urban” deer permit at a cost of $20. This permit was only valid in special urban areas around larger cities. It was used as a tool to help reduce the growing deer herds and was only good for harvesting does. The urban area was primarily open for archery hunting only.

This was just a brief overview of the history of deer hunting regulations and permits in the state of Ohio. For more detailed information please consult your local library or the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. All information for this article was obtained from Ohio Hunting and Fishing Licenses: A Collectors Guide, written by Kenneth R. Rohal.