Ohio Revised Code 1531 and 1533, OAC 1501:31 and the 2026-27 digest
Ohio Hunting Laws
What may be hunted and what is protected, legal weapons by season, 8 method rules, the hunter orange garment rule, bait, Sundays, the deer and CWD carcass rules and the 12 penalty entries from the Revised Code, each linked to the digest page or code section it came from.
Photo: ZionNPS (CC BY 2.0)
Ohio hunter orange
The rule follows the calendar, not the quarry: while a deer gun, bonus gun, DSA early gun or muzzleloader season is open, anyone hunting anything but waterfowl in daylight hours wears the orange garment, on public or private land.
The rule
Hunting any wild animal (except waterfowl) from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset during the youth deer gun, deer gun (including bonus gun and DSA early gun) and deer muzzleloader seasons requires a visible vest, coat, jacket or coveralls in solid hunter orange or camouflage hunter orange, statewide on public and private land.
How much orange
No square-inch minimum; the garment (vest, coat, jacket or coveralls) is the requirement.
The code text
OAC 1501:31-15-11(D)(7): vest, jacket or coveralls colored solid hunter orange or camouflage hunter orange.
Youth gun weekend
Youth hunters and non-hunting adults accompanying them in the youth deer gun season must wear hunter orange.
Archers
Archers hunting during the youth deer gun season must wear hunter orange; during gun seasons all deer hunters must.
Coyote and furbearers
Coyote and furbearer hunters wear hunter orange during legal deer hours of deer gun seasons; not required from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.
Waterfowl hunters
Waterfowl hunters are exempt and may use any shot size.
Sources: Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 5; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 6; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 8; OAC 1501:31-15-11. Checked: last pass over the cited pages on November 6, 2026.
How Ohio handles game you may hunt
Ohio law sorts its game into quadrupeds, game birds, furbearers and migratory birds. Starlings, house sparrows and feral pigeons are unprotected, while every other bird outside the game list is protected.
| Group | Species | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Big game with 2026-27 seasons | white-tailed deer, wild turkey (fall; spring 2027 TBA) | There is no bear season; hunting bear is unlawful under OAC 1501:31-15-02. |
| Game quadrupeds (small game) | eastern cottontail, red, gray, black and fox squirrels, groundhog (woodchuck) | ORC 1531.01(V) also names flying squirrels and chipmunks; no season is set for them. |
| Upland game birds | ring-necked pheasant, chukar, bobwhite quail, ruffed grouse (controlled hunts only) | Hungarian partridge only on preserves, dog training grounds, field trials or by authorization. |
| Furbearers with seasons | raccoon, red fox, gray fox, striped skunk, Virginia opossum, weasel, mink, muskrat, beaver, river otter (trapping), coyote (no closed season) | Hunting license + fur taker permit (coyote: license only). Badger and bobcat are furbearers in ORC 1531.01 but have no season. |
| Migratory game birds | ducks, mergansers, coots, Canada/cackling geese, white-fronted geese, snow, blue and Ross's geese, brant, teal (early), mourning dove, Eurasian collared-dove, sora and Virginia rails, common gallinule, Wilson's snipe, American woodcock | Federal frameworks; HIP required. |
| Other | American crow (Fri-Sun season) | Crows are game birds under ORC 1531.01(S). |
| Unprotected/nuisance birds | European starling, English (house) sparrow, common pigeon (not homing pigeons) | May be killed at any time; blackbirds when damaging grain or property or a nuisance (ORC 1533.07). |
Sources: Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 4; ORC 1531.01; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 16; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 23; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 18; ORC 1533.07. Checked: last pass over the cited pages on November 6, 2026.
Legal weapons by season in the Buckeye State
Straight-walled rifle cartridges from .357 to .50 caliber share the deer gun weeks with slug shotguns, handguns and muzzleloaders. Fall turkey is shotgun only from this season, and archers in the deer archery season carry no firearm except a concealed-carry handgun.
| Season or game | Legal | Not legal | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer archery | Longbow/compound/recurve 40 lb+; crossbow 75 lb+ with working safety and shoulder stock; broadheads 2+ cutting edges, 3/4 inches or more. | Explosive or poisoned arrows; visible-beam devices; any firearm while archery hunting (concealed-carry handgun excepted). | Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 8 |
| Deer gun and youth gun | Shotgun (one ball/slug per barrel); straight-walled cartridge rifle .357-.50; handgun .357+ straight-walled with 5 inches or more barrel; muzzleloaders .38+; archery. | Necked-down cartridges; more than 3 shells; shotshells with shot; more than one implement; muzzleloading handguns. | Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 8 |
| Deer muzzleloader | Muzzleloading rifle .38+ or muzzleloading shotgun 10 gauge or smaller (one ball); archery. | Rifle cartridges, shotgun slugs, shotshells with shot. | Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 8 |
| Turkey | Spring: bows/crossbows and shotguns with shot. Fall: shotguns with shotshells only. | Rifles; archery in fall (new); electronic calls; live decoys; bait. | Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 13 |
| Small game and furbearers | Bow, crossbow, handgun and rifle (any caliber), shotgun 10 gauge or smaller, airgun. | During deer gun seasons only shotguns with No. 4 shot or smaller (except coyote hunters with deer-legal implements and a deer permit). | Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 17 |
| Migratory birds | Shotgun 10 gauge or smaller plugged to 3 shells; longbow; nontoxic shot for waterfowl, rails, snipe, gallinules (lead OK for dove and woodcock). | Crossbow, rifle, pistol, sinkbox, motor vehicles/aircraft, electronic calls, live decoys, bait. | Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 22 |
| Suppressors | A person legally owning a suppressor may use it to hunt legal game (hunting license required). | – | Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 35 |
| General | Guns up to 10 gauge, bow and arrow, with or without dogs (ORC 1533.16); falconry and crossbows for any game (not migratory birds with crossbows). | Blowguns are not guns; deadfalls; fully automatic firearms and tracer ammunition on wildlife areas. | ORC 1533.16 |
Sources: Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 8; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 13; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 22; ORC 1533.16. Checked: last pass over the cited pages on November 6, 2026.
How Ohio hunting must be done
Each card gives a rule in brief and names the digest page or code section it came from. Written permission tops the list: on private land it must be on paper and in your pocket.
Land, permission and roads
Written permission
No hunting or trapping on another's land without written permission of the owner or agent; carry it and show on request (also for deer recovery and shed hunting).
Wildlife areas
No firearms except while hunting/trapping or on designated ranges; no vehicles off designated roads; no bait or feed; camping only at designated sites.
Tree stands on public land
Portable stands only, no nails/spikes, September 1-last day of February.
Lights, calls and nights
Spotlighting
No casting a spotlight or headlights from a vehicle into fields or woods while possessing a hunting device or to locate wild animals.
Electronic calls
Legal except for migratory game birds and wild turkeys; legal for crows.
Night furbearer hunting
Continuous white light visible 1/4 mile; one beam of any color when calling fox, coyote or raccoon from a stationary position.
Guns in vehicles and traps
Firearm transport
Unloaded and cased, in a compartment reachable only from outside, in a rack in plain sight, or (long guns 24 inches or more/18 inches barrel) in plain sight with action open (ORC 2923.16, 1547.69); no firearm while under the influence (ORC 2923.15).
Trap tags and checks
Traps and snares tagged with name and address or customer ID; checked and animals removed every calendar day; none within 150 feet of an occupied residence without advising the resident.
Roads, vehicles, aircraft and drones, youth supervision, fires and burning cover and nonresident reciprocity are covered in the code text of OAC 1501:31-15-02. Deer with dogs or in water are covered in the code text of OAC 1501:31-15-11.
Deer hunting rules
| Topic | Ohio deer rule |
|---|---|
| Antlered or antlerless | Antlered deer = at least one antler 3 inches or longer; antlerless = no antlers or antlers under 3 inches. |
| Not allowed | Dogs (except a leashed dog to track a wounded deer); deer in water; more than one hunting implement; loaded firearm outside legal hours during gun seasons; permanent tree stands or spikes on public land (or on private land without permission); visible-beam devices on bows; muzzleloading handguns. |
| Allowed | More than one deer per day if the first is recorded; carry electronic permits; communication devices; drones only to recover a deer with no hunting device in the party. |
| Limits | Statewide limit 6 deer, only 1 antlered (antler 3 inches or more); harvests in different counties may be combined up to 6. Max. 2 antlerless per license year from public hunting areas (exceptions listed). Controlled-hunt deer do not count (up to 6 more). |
Sources: ORC 1533.17; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 33; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 37; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 6; OAC 1501:31-15-11. Checked: last pass over the cited pages on November 6, 2026.
Bait, Sundays and feral swine in the Buckeye State
On private ground outside the Disease Surveillance Area an Ohio deer hunter may hunt over bait; on public hunting land and inside the DSA it is banned. A baited spot stays baited for ten days after the last of the feed is gone.
| Where or what | Ohio bait rule |
|---|---|
| Deer on private land | Hunting deer over bait is legal on private land outside the Disease Surveillance Area. |
| Public hunting areas | No hunting deer over bait on any public hunting area; no person may place salt, grain or other feed to attract wild birds or deer on land owned, controlled or leased by the Division of Wildlife. |
| Disease Surveillance Area | Placing bait or feed and hunting deer over bait are banned in the DSA (OAC 1501:31-19-03(D)-(F)); 10-day rule after removal. |
| Wild turkey | Hunting turkeys with bait or over a baited area is unlawful; an area is baited for 10 days after complete removal. |
| Ducks, geese and doves | Federal baiting rules: no waterfowl or doves over bait; normal agricultural planting, harvest and manipulation (mowing, bush-hogging) and natural vegetation are allowed; grain removed from or stored on the field and then distributed is bait. |
| What counts as bait | Baited area: any area where corn, wheat, grain, salt or other feed capable of luring game is placed; remains baited for 10 days after complete removal. |
Sundays
No. The 2026-27 digest, OAC 1501:31 and ORC 1533 set no statewide Sunday restriction, and the season rows run every day of the week. Some things do go by the day: crow season is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only; controlled waterfowl permits are issued for Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; controlled deer gun permits are for one Saturday or Sunday; Class A shooting ranges are open Wednesday-Sunday.
Feral swine
Hunting feral swine is prohibited; landowners may eradicate them after contacting the Division (report within 24 hours).
Sources: Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 9; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 12; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 21; OAC 1501:31-19-03; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 4; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 17. Checked: last pass over the cited pages on November 6, 2026.
Ohio CWD carcass and sampling rules
Deer killed in the Disease Surveillance Area on the first two days of the DSA early gun and the statewide gun season go to a sampling station; high-risk parts leave the area only through a certified processor or taxidermist. Allen County, Hardin County, Marion County and Wyandot County are wholly inside it.
| Topic | Ohio CWD rule |
|---|---|
| Status | CWD first confirmed in wild deer in Wyandot County (December 2020); ODNR reports 115 positives as of June 2026: Wyandot 77, Marion 23, Hardin 8, Allen 4, Hancock 1, Morrow 1 (the county figures sum to 114). First captive case 2014 (Holmes County shooting preserve); 24 more in captive facilities in Holmes and Wayne counties. More than 58,000 wild deer tested since 2002. 2025-26: 6,619 tested statewide, 41 positive. |
| Mandatory sampling | All deer harvested in the DSA on October 10-11 and November 30-December 1, 2026 (first two days of the DSA early gun and statewide gun seasons) must be presented (head may be detached) at a staffed station or self-serve kiosk by noon the next day. Staffed stations: Allen County Sportsmen & Farmers Assoc. (Lima), Delaware Wildlife Area Shooting Range (Ashley), Killdeer Plains WA HQ (Harpster), Hog Creek Game Club (Ada), Rural King (Marion), Wyandot County Fairgrounds (Upper Sandusky), Hardin County Fairgrounds (Kenton). Voluntary kiosk drop-off the rest of the season. |
| Feed and bait in the DSA | In the DSA no salt, minerals, grain, fruit, vegetables or other feed may be placed to attract deer, and deer may not be hunted over bait (area baited for 10 days after removal); normal agriculture, food plots and crops are allowed. |
| Moving parts out of the DSA | High-risk parts may not be removed from a DSA unless delivered to a Division-certified processor or taxidermist within 24 hours. Allowed parts: deboned meat; cut and wrapped meat; quarters without spinal column or head; antlers; clean skull caps; clean upper canine teeth; hides and capes without head or lymph nodes; finished mounts; packaged diagnostic tissue. |
| Bringing deer into Ohio | Same parts rule for deer and other cervids from anywhere outside Ohio; out-of-state hunters may pass through if parts are not off-loaded. |
| Testing outside the DSA | Hunters outside the DSA can submit deer for a fee at the Ohio Department of Agriculture Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. |
| Disposal | Dumpsters at 11 DSA locations; double-bag high-risk parts for household trash. |
Sources: Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 10; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 11; ODNR chronic wasting disease page; OAC 1501:31-19-03. Checked: last pass over the cited pages on November 6, 2026.
The Ohio rules on protected wildlife
Black bears and bobcats have no Ohio season, ruffed grouse is hunted only through controlled hunts, and hen pheasants stay off limits even on the release areas.
| Protected or restricted | Rule |
|---|---|
| Black bear | Protected: OAC 1501:31-15-02 |
| Bobcat | Protected: OAC 1501:31-15-18 |
| Porcupine | Protected: OAC 1501:31-15-02 |
| Ruffed grouse (outside controlled hunts) | Protected: OAC 1501:31-15-02 |
| Hungarian partridge | Protected: OAC 1501:31-15-02 |
| Feral swine (wild boar) | Not protected, but hunting them is prohibited; landowners/agents may eradicate after contacting the Division and must report within 24 hours; not on public hunting areas. |
| Nongame birds; bald and golden eagles; ospreys | All birds other than game birds are protected (no taking, possession, sale or disturbing nests/eggs); eagles and ospreys never killed or possessed except by institutions. |
| Hen pheasants | Protected: OAC 1501:31-15-17 |
| River otter beyond the season limit | Trappers at the limit must release live otters and leave dead ones in the trap and call the county wildlife officer. |
| State-endangered species | Protected: OAC 1501:31-23-01 |
Sources: OAC 1501:31-15-02; OAC 1501:31-15-18; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 17; ORC 1533.07; OAC 1501:31-15-17; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 24; OAC 1501:31-23-01. Checked: last pass over the cited pages on November 6, 2026.
Ohio penalties under the Revised Code
Most Ohio wildlife violations are misdemeanors; a deer offense starts at the third degree and climbs to the first on a repeat. Selling wildlife worth $1,000 or more is a felony, and an illegally taken buck scoring over 125 inches adds a restitution charge that grows with the score.
Hunting without written permission
Misdemeanor of the third degree for a first offense (max. 60 days, $500), second degree for later offenses (90 days, $750); firearms subject to seizure on a second offense within 3 years.
Division rules (default)
Violating ORC 1531.02 or any Division rule is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree (max. 30 days, $250).
Deer violations
Violations concerning taking or possessing deer: misdemeanor of the third degree on a first offense, first degree on later offenses (max. 180 days, $1,000).
Selling wildlife worth $1,000+
Buying or selling wild animals with aggregate minimum value of $1,000 or more is a fifth-degree felony.
Spotlighting
Misdemeanor of the third degree (ORC 1533.99(B)); officers may search the vehicle and seize firearms and hunting implements.
Nongame birds, injuring persons or property while hunting
ORC 1533.07 and 1533.171 violations are misdemeanors of the first degree.
Chapter 1533 default
Any section of Chapter 1533 with no other penalty: misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
Feral swine
Importing or releasing wild boar or feral swine is a fifth-degree felony plus eradication costs.
Restitution values
Values set in OAC 1501:31-16-01
Trophy deer restitution
Illegal antlered deer with a gross score over 125 in.: additional restitution = (gross score – 100)^2 x $1.65; all licenses revoked until restitution is paid.
License suspension and compact
On conviction a court may suspend or revoke licenses and permits: 3 years for illegally taking or possessing a deer, up to 3 years for other wild animals or a repeat trespass (1533.17) violation within 3 years; Ohio is in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.
Misdemeanor scale
Jail: M1 180 days, M2 90, M3 60, M4 30. Fines: M1 $1,000, M2 $750, M3 $500, M4 $250, minor $150.
Poaching tips: 1-800-POACHER (1-800-762-2437), anonymous, 24/7. Ohio is a member of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.
Statute text from codes.ohio.gov as read on November 5, 2026. Sources: ORC chapter 1533; ORC 2929.24; ORC 1531.201; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 21. Checked: last pass over the cited pages on November 6, 2026.
Ohio hunting law questions
Can a license be suspended for a deer violation?
On conviction a court may suspend or revoke licenses and permits: 3 years for illegally taking or possessing a deer, up to 3 years for other wild animals or a repeat trespass (1533.17) violation within 3 years.
Who takes an Ohio poaching report at any hour?
1-800-POACHER (1-800-762-2437), anonymous, 24/7.
Which orange garments meet the Ohio rule?
Hunting any wild animal (except waterfowl) from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset during the youth deer gun, deer gun (including bonus gun and DSA early gun) and deer muzzleloader seasons requires a visible vest, coat, jacket or coveralls in solid hunter orange or camouflage hunter orange,.
Is there a square-inch minimum for orange in Ohio?
No square-inch minimum; the garment (vest, coat, jacket or coveralls) is the requirement.
Do Ohio archers wear orange during gun season?
Archers hunting during the youth deer gun season must wear hunter orange; during gun seasons all deer hunters must.
Can deer be baited in Ohio?
Hunting deer over bait is legal on private land outside the Disease Surveillance Area. Placing bait or feed and hunting deer over bait are banned in the DSA.
Where do Ohio rules allow an electronic call?
Legal except for migratory game birds and wild turkeys; legal for crows.
What rifles are legal for Ohio deer?
Straight-walled cartridge rifles from .357 to .50 caliber, alongside shotguns with slugs, straight-walled handguns of .357 or more with a barrel of 5 inches or longer, and muzzleloaders.
Do I need written permission to hunt private land in Ohio?
No hunting or trapping on another's land without written permission of the owner or agent; carry it and show on request (also for deer recovery and shed hunting).
What happens after a no-permission trespass charge in Ohio?
Misdemeanor of the third degree for a first offense (max. 60 days, $500), second degree for later offenses (90 days, $750); firearms subject to seizure on a second offense within 3 years.
Read the ODNR wording
The digest is a summary: Ohio Revised Code chapters 1531 and 1533 and the Wildlife Council rules in OAC 1501:31 carry the legal wording, and they decide any line the booklet leaves open.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region (Public domain); USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain); YellowstoneNPS (Public domain); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Ligocsicnarf89 (CC BY 4.0).