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Digest fee tables and the ODNR licenses and permits page
Ohio Hunting Licenses and Permits
All 57 fee rows ODNR prints for 2026-27: youth, adult, senior and nonresident hunting licenses with the multiyear and lifetime options, either-sex deer and deer management permits, spring and fall turkey permits, the federal duck stamp and Ohio wetlands stamp, fur taker permits, shooting range permits and the lottery fees, plus game check, hunter education, the apprentice license and HIP.
Photo: NPS Photo (Public domain)
Ohio license basics
Every Ohio hunter starts with a hunting license, at any age, unless the landowner exemption applies. Deer need an either-sex deer permit or the $15.00 antlerless deer management permit, turkeys a spring or fall permit, furbearers other than coyote a fur taker permit, and ducks and geese the federal and Ohio stamps with HIP.
Ohio residency
Resident = lived in Ohio the past six consecutive months; full-time nonresident students at Ohio colleges living in Ohio qualify. Active-duty military stationed in Ohio buy resident licenses.
Who needs what
All hunters regardless of age need a hunting license (unless exempt); deer, turkey, waterfowl and furbearer hunting/trapping need the matching permit or stamp. HIP certification (1-877-HIP-OHIO, online or app) for all migratory bird hunters, annually, also for multiyear and lifetime holders.
Landowner exemption
Resident landowners and their spouse, parents, children of any age and grandchildren under 18 hunting their own land (also LLC/LLP or trust with 3 or fewer members, and farm tenants earning most income from the land) need no hunting license, deer/turkey/fur taker permit or wetlands stamp; some nonresident landowners qualify by reciprocity. Active-duty military on leave or furlough need no hunting license, wetlands stamp or fur taker permit but must buy deer/turkey permits.
Free licenses
Free for residents born on or before December 31, 1937; veterans with the wheelchair-symbol plate and permanently and totally disabled veterans (apply in writing, VA-certified); former POWs (hunting license, fur taker permit, wetlands stamp).
Carry it
Carry license and permits (paper or electronic) while hunting and show on request; carry written landowner permission on private land.
Number required
Social Security Number required for any license (or affirmation of no SSN); permanent customer ID assigned.
License year
Annual hunting licenses, deer, turkey and fur taker permits and the wetlands stamp are valid March 1-last day of February (2026-27 license year: March 1, 2026-February 28, 2027)
Combination packages
Combination license packages are discounted 5% (OAC 1501:31-27-02(C)).
Sources: Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 28; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 32; ODNR licenses and permits page; ORC 1533.12; OAC 1501:31-27-02. Checked: rows matched to their sources on November 6, 2026.
Resident, youth, nonresident and senior prices
A resident adult pays $19.00 for the license and $31.20 for an either-sex deer permit; a nonresident pays $180.96 and $218.40. Turkey permits cost residents $31.20 and nonresidents $38.48, and youth hunters pay $10.00 for the license and $16.00 for a deer permit.
| License or permit | Resident adult | Youth | Nonresident adult | Resident senior |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting license, 1 year | $19.00 | $10.00 | $180.96 | $10.00 |
| Either-sex deer permit | $31.20 | $16.00 | $218.40 | $12.00 |
| Deer management permit | $15.00 | $15.00 | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Spring turkey permit | $31.20 | $16.00 | $38.48 | $12.00 |
| Fall turkey permit | $31.20 | $16.00 | $38.48 | $12.00 |
| Fur taker permit | $15.00 | $8.00 | $15.00 | $8.00 |
Annual hunting licenses valid March 1 to the last day of February. Youth prices apply to residents and nonresidents alike, and the deer management and fur taker permits cost the same for both.
Sources: Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 29; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 30; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 28. Checked: rows matched to their sources on November 6, 2026.
Every Ohio fee row (57)
The 2026-27 prices fill 10 tables, sorted the way a buyer looks for them. The multiyear licenses run 3, 5 or 10 years from the day of purchase; the lifetime licenses never lapse.
Resident adult hunting licenses: 6 rows
| License or fee | Residency | Price | Valid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident 1-Year Hunting License | Resident | $19.00 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Includes writing fee; transaction fee may apply online/in-app. |
| Resident 1-Year Apprentice License | Resident | $19.00 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Accompanied by a licensed hunter 21+ (max. 2 apprentices per mentor). |
| Resident 3-Year Hunting License | Resident | $54.08 | 3 years from purchase | Multiyear |
| Resident 5-Year Hunting License | Resident | $90.14 | 5 years from purchase | Multiyear |
| Resident 10-Year Hunting License | Resident | $180.27 | 10 years from purchase | Multiyear |
| Resident Lifetime Hunting License | Resident | $449.28 | Lifetime | – |
Youth hunting licenses: 6 rows
| License or fee | Residency | Price | Valid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youth 1-Year Hunting License | Both | $10.00 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | – |
| Youth 1-Year Apprentice License | Both | $10.00 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | No hunter education needed; must be accompanied by a licensed hunter 21+. |
| Resident Youth 3-Year Hunting License | Resident | $27.04 | 3 years from purchase | Multiyear |
| Resident Youth 5-Year Hunting License | Resident | $45.07 | 5 years from purchase | Multiyear |
| Resident Youth 10-Year Hunting License | Resident | $90.14 | 10 years from purchase | Multiyear |
| Resident Youth Lifetime Hunting License | Resident | $430.56 | Lifetime | Sold at Division offices, online and by mail application. |
Senior hunting licenses: 6 rows
| License or fee | Residency | Price | Valid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Senior 1-Year Hunting License | Resident | $10.00 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | – |
| Resident Senior 1-Year Apprentice License | Resident | $10.00 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | – |
| Resident Senior 3-Year Hunting License | Resident | $27.04 | 3 years from purchase | – |
| Resident Senior 5-Year Hunting License | Resident | $45.07 | 5 years from purchase | – |
| Resident Senior Lifetime Hunting License | Resident | $84.24 | Lifetime | – |
| Resident Free Senior Hunting License | Resident | Free | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Also free fishing license, deer, turkey, fur taker permits and wetlands stamp. |
Nonresident hunting licenses: 3 rows
| License or fee | Residency | Price | Valid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonresident 1-Year Hunting License | Nonresident | $180.96 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | – |
| Nonresident (Tourist) 3-Day Hunting License | Nonresident | $40.56 | 3 days | Not valid for deer, turkey or furbearers (ORC 1533.10(D) also excludes ducks, geese and brant without a wetlands stamp). |
| Nonresident 1-Year Apprentice Hunting License | Nonresident | $180.96 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | – |
Either-sex deer and deer management permits: 8 rows
| License or fee | Residency | Price | Valid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Either-Sex Deer Permit – Adult | Resident | $31.20 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Valid statewide September 26, 2026-February 7, 2027 (DSA from September 12); any season and controlled hunts; only 1 antlered deer per season. |
| Either-Sex Deer Permit – Adult | Nonresident | $218.40 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Valid statewide September 26, 2026-February 7, 2027 (DSA from September 12); any season and controlled hunts; only 1 antlered deer per season. |
| Either-Sex Deer Permit – Youth | Both | $16.00 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Valid statewide September 26, 2026-February 7, 2027 (DSA from September 12); any season and controlled hunts; only 1 antlered deer per season. |
| Either-Sex Deer Permit – Senior | Resident | $12.00 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Valid statewide September 26, 2026-February 7, 2027 (DSA from September 12); any season and controlled hunts; only 1 antlered deer per season. |
| Either-Sex Deer Permit – Free Senior | Resident | Free | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Valid statewide September 26, 2026-February 7, 2027 (DSA from September 12); any season and controlled hunts; only 1 antlered deer per season. |
| Deer Management Permit – Adult and Youth | Both | $15.00 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Antlerless deer only; valid statewide all season (September 26-February 7; DSA from September 12) and on authorized controlled hunts; private and public land. |
| Deer Management Permit – Senior | Resident | $15.00 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Antlerless deer only; valid statewide all season (September 26-February 7; DSA from September 12) and on authorized controlled hunts; private and public land. |
| Deer Management Permit – Free Senior | Resident | Free | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Antlerless deer only; valid statewide all season (September 26-February 7; DSA from September 12) and on authorized controlled hunts; private and public land. |
Fall and spring turkey permits: 10 rows
| License or fee | Residency | Price | Valid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Turkey Permit – Adult | Resident | $31.20 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Spring and fall permits are separate. |
| Fall Turkey Permit – Adult | Nonresident | $38.48 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Spring and fall permits are separate. |
| Fall Turkey Permit – Youth | Both | $16.00 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Spring and fall permits are separate. |
| Fall Turkey Permit – Senior | Resident | $12.00 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Spring and fall permits are separate. |
| Fall Turkey Permit – Free Senior | Resident | Free | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Spring and fall permits are separate. |
| Spring Turkey Permit – Adult | Resident | $31.20 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Spring and fall permits are separate. |
| Spring Turkey Permit – Adult | Nonresident | $38.48 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Spring and fall permits are separate. |
| Spring Turkey Permit – Youth | Both | $16.00 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Spring and fall permits are separate. |
| Spring Turkey Permit – Senior | Resident | $12.00 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Spring and fall permits are separate. |
| Spring Turkey Permit – Free Senior | Resident | Free | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Spring and fall permits are separate. |
Waterfowl stamps: 3 rows
| License or fee | Residency | Price | Valid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp (Duck Stamp) | Both | $25.00 | Federal: July 1-June 30; Ohio stamp: license year | Required of waterfowl hunters 16+; valid July 1-June 30; sign the stamp or carry the E-stamp. |
| Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp | Both | $15.00 | Federal: July 1-June 30; Ohio stamp: license year | Required of waterfowl hunters 18+; endorsement on license, physical stamp mailed later. |
| Free Senior Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp | Resident | Free | Federal: July 1-June 30; Ohio stamp: license year | – |
Fur taker permits: 7 rows
| License or fee | Residency | Price | Valid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fur Taker Permit – Adult | Both | $15.00 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Required (with hunting license) to hunt or trap furbearers except coyote. |
| Fur Taker Permit – Youth | Both | $8.00 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Required (with hunting license) to hunt or trap furbearers except coyote. |
| Fur Taker Permit – Senior | Resident | $8.00 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Required (with hunting license) to hunt or trap furbearers except coyote. |
| Fur Taker Permit – Free Senior | Resident | Free | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Required (with hunting license) to hunt or trap furbearers except coyote. |
| Apprentice Fur Taker Permit – Adult | Both | $15.00 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Required (with hunting license) to hunt or trap furbearers except coyote. |
| Apprentice Fur Taker Permit – Senior | Both | $8.00 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Required (with hunting license) to hunt or trap furbearers except coyote. |
| Apprentice Fur Taker Permit – Youth | Both | $8.00 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Required (with hunting license) to hunt or trap furbearers except coyote. |
Shooting range permits: 4 rows
| License or fee | Residency | Price | Valid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shooting Range Permit – One-Year | Both | $24.00 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Shooters 18+ at Class A, B and C ranges; combos valid until February 28, 2027. |
| Shooting Range Permit – One-Day | Both | $5.00 | 1 day | Shooters 18+ at Class A, B and C ranges; combos valid until February 28, 2027. |
| Annual Shooting Range Permit and Hunting License Combo | Resident | $29.12 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Shooters 18+ at Class A, B and C ranges; combos valid until February 28, 2027. |
| Annual Shooting Range Permit and Apprentice Hunting License Combo | Resident | $29.12 | March 1-last day of February (license year) | Shooters 18+ at Class A, B and C ranges; combos valid until February 28, 2027. |
Lottery, blind and duplicate fees: 4 rows
| License or fee | Residency | Price | Valid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Controlled hunt lottery application | Both | $3 | Per hunt applied for | Non-refundable; one application per hunt per year. Phone applications (1-866-703-1928) carry a $5.50 service fee per the controlled hunts page. |
| Waterfowl blind permit fee | Both | $50 | Season | Paid at blind selection (August 15, 2026); not charged at Grand Lake St. Marys, Mosquito Lake and Clark Lake. |
| Duplicate license or permit (reprint) | Both | Free online; $4 at a license agent | – | – |
| Nature preserve and scenic river deer hunt drawing ticket | Both | $5 | Per drawing | Bought after the mandatory meeting at each preserve (Division of Natural Areas and Preserves; lotteries in August). |
Prices are the digest sale prices, which include the writing fee; the base fees in the Revised Code are lower and are not what a buyer pays. Online and in-app sales can add a transaction fee.
Sources: Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 26; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 28; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 29; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 30; ODNR controlled hunting page; ODNR nature preserve deer lottery page; ORC 1533.10. Checked: rows matched to their sources on November 6, 2026.
Ohio game check, step by step
Game check is mandatory for every deer and turkey. Fill in the permit or record the animal in the app before moving it, then report it: deer by noon the next day, turkeys the same evening. Field dressing is fine, but the head stays on a deer until it is checked.
| What | Ohio rule |
|---|---|
| Deer and turkey game check | Mandatory game check: deer by noon the day after harvest (11:30 p.m. on the last day of any season), turkey by 11:30 p.m. the same day; before skinning or removing a deer's head, or a turkey's feet, beard, meat or feathers (field dressing allowed). Methods: HuntFish OH app, HuntFishOH.gov, 1-877-TAG-IT-OH (1-877-824-4864), license agents; landowners 1-866-703-1928 (operator-assisted, fee). |
| Permit or app entry first | Fill in the deer or turkey permit (date, time, county) or submit through the HuntFish OH app before moving the animal. |
| River otter pelts | River otter pelts checked and tagged within 5 business days by appointment (wildlife officer, otter check station or district office); trapper presents own otter with fur taker permit copy. |
| Migratory birds | HIP certification annually; migratory birds left with others must carry a signed tag (address, number and species, date). |
| HIP survey | The digest asks HIP registrants to answer survey questions to receive a certification number. |
| Deer permit rules | Fill in permit or app before moving the deer; game check by noon the next day. |
Sources: Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 14; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 15; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 24; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 18; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 6. Checked: rows matched to their sources on November 6, 2026.
Hunter education in Ohio
A first-time license buyer passes hunter education, online or with an instructor, unless the license is an apprentice license. Apprentices of any age hunt beside a licensed hunter 21 or older, who may take two at a time; trappers also need trapper education before a regular fur taker permit.
| Topic | Ohio rule |
|---|---|
| Who must take the course | All first-time hunting license buyers except apprentice license buyers must complete a hunter education course (or show a previously held license, or attest they are 21+ and previously held a license in any state). Out-of-state hunter education cards and pre-1980 NRA hunter safety cards are accepted. |
| Age and supervision | No minimum age in the digest; hunters under 16 must be accompanied by an adult (18+), and youth seasons require a non-hunting adult. |
| Course formats | Instructor-led course or online course (residents 12 and older); enrollment through the Ohio Wildlife Licensing System. Trapper education (after hunter education) is required for a regular fur taker permit. |
| Apprentice option | Apprentice hunting licenses and apprentice fur taker permits (residents and nonresidents, youth and adults) allow hunting/trapping without the course while accompanied by a licensed hunter/trapper 21+ (max. 2 apprentices each); an apprentice license does not count as a previously held license. |
| Phone | 1-800-WILDLIFE. |
| Apprentice license or permit | Residency | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Youth 1-Year Apprentice License | Both | $10.00 |
| Resident 1-Year Apprentice License | Resident | $19.00 |
| Nonresident 1-Year Apprentice Hunting License | Nonresident | $180.96 |
| Resident Senior 1-Year Apprentice License | Resident | $10.00 |
| Apprentice Fur Taker Permit – Adult | Both | $15.00 |
| Apprentice Fur Taker Permit – Senior | Both | $8.00 |
| Apprentice Fur Taker Permit – Youth | Both | $8.00 |
| Annual Shooting Range Permit and Apprentice Hunting License Combo | Resident | $29.12 |
Sources: Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 29; ODNR hunter education page; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 31; ORC 1533.10. Checked: rows matched to their sources on November 6, 2026.
Ohio stamps for ducks and geese
Duck and goose hunters 16 and older carry the $25.00 federal stamp, and those 18 and older add the $15.00 Ohio wetlands habitat stamp, which shows as an endorsement on the license. Dove, woodcock, rail, snipe and gallinule hunters need only HIP on top of the license.
| Stamp | Price | Who and when |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp (Duck Stamp) | $25.00 | Required of waterfowl hunters 16+; valid July 1-June 30; sign the stamp or carry the E-stamp. |
| Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp | $15.00 | Required of waterfowl hunters 18+; endorsement on license, physical stamp mailed later. |
| Free Senior Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp | Free | Federal: July 1-June 30; Ohio stamp: license year |
All hunters regardless of age need a hunting license (unless exempt); deer, turkey, waterfowl and furbearer hunting/trapping need the matching permit or stamp. HIP certification: (1-877-HIP-OHIO, online or app) for all migratory bird hunters, annually, also for multiyear and lifetime holders.
Sources: Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 30; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 20; Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27, p. 28. Checked: rows matched to their sources on November 6, 2026.
Ohio license questions
Can I hunt without hunter education?
Apprentice hunting licenses and apprentice fur taker permits (residents and nonresidents, youth and adults) allow hunting/trapping without the course while accompanied by a licensed hunter/trapper 21+ (max. 2 apprentices each)
How is a deer checked in Ohio?
Mandatory game check: deer by noon the day after harvest (11:30 p.m. on the last day of any season), turkey by 11:30 p.m. the same day.
How much is an Ohio hunting license for a resident?
$19.00 for one year, March 1 through the end of February; three-, five- and ten-year licenses cost $54.08, $90.14 and $180.27.
How long is an Ohio license good for?
Annual hunting licenses, deer, turkey and fur taker permits and the wetlands stamp are valid March 1-last day of February (2026-27 license year: March 1, 2026-February 28, 2027)
Which Ohio license suits a three-day visit?
The nonresident 3-day tourist license costs $40.56. Not valid for deer, turkey or furbearers.
What does an out-of-state deer hunter spend on Ohio paperwork?
$180.96 for the license plus $218.40 for an either-sex deer permit; antlerless deer can also be taken on the $15.00 deer management permit.
Do Ohio landowners need a hunting license on their own land?
Resident landowners and their spouse, parents, children of any age and grandchildren under 18 hunting their own land (also LLC/LLP or trust with 3 or fewer members, and farm tenants earning most income from the land) need no hunting license, deer/turkey/fur taker permit or wetlands stamp.
Can a deer management permit be used all season?
Deer management permits can be used throughout the deer season (new for 2026-27).
What does the fur taker permit cost?
$15.00 for adults and $8.00 for youth; it is needed, with the license, for every furbearer except coyote.
Who hunts free in Ohio?
Free for residents born on or before December 31, 1937; veterans with the wheelchair-symbol plate and permanently and totally disabled veterans (apply in writing, VA-certified); former POWs (hunting license, fur taker permit, wetlands stamp).
Before the drive to the woodlot
Phones lose signal in the Hocking Hills and along the Ohio River bottoms, so save the digest PDF and your permits on the phone before you leave the house.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); btrentler (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Geological Survey (CC0 1.0); USFWS/Southeast (CC BY 2.0); PierreSelim (CC BY 3.0).