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Wildlife area · District 2 ground
Hancock County Wildlife Area 1 for Buckeye State hunters
57 acres managed as a state wildlife area in Hancock County.
Photo: Nyttend (Public domain)
Getting to Hancock County Wildlife Area 1
Access and conduct rules at Hancock County Wildlife Area 1
Status check: open, with no parcel restricted on Hancock County Wildlife Area 1.
- Vehicles stay on marked roads and in parking areas.
- Leave the tent at home: no camping here.
- Closing hours apply to hikers, not to legal hunting or trapping.
- Shooting outside a hunt or a designated range is illegal.
- Hunting deer over bait is illegal here.
- No screw-in steps or nails in trees.
- Only two antlerless deer may come from public hunting areas each year.
From the agency page, public hunting area rules; checked November 6, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Hancock County Wildlife Area 1
Inside the Hancock County Wildlife Area 1 record
This state wildlife area in Hancock County spans 57 acres under the ODNR Division of Wildlife. It belongs to ODNR Wildlife District 2 (Northwest Ohio), whose office is in Findlay. Land tenure in the ODNR layer: owned outright by the state. Ohio rule 1501:31-15-04(A)(1) names it ("Hancock county wildlife area 1") as land open to public hunting.
The acreage runs from 57 to 58 depending on the layer; the headline figure is 57.
| Source | Size (ac) |
|---|---|
| Area map PDF | 57 |
| Hunting-status layer | 57 |
| GIS parcel area | 58 |
From the agency page, ODNR hunting-status layer, OAC; retrieved 2026-11-05, checked November 6, 2026.
Hancock County Wildlife Area 1: open seasons for its listed game
ODNR names no particular game for Hancock County Wildlife Area 1, so the statewide seasons apply; the table shows the common ones. Read the spring turkey rows as 2026 dates.
| Species | Hunt | First day | Last day | Bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | Sep 26, 2026 | Feb 7, 2027 | County limit |
| Deer | Archery (DSA) | Sep 12, 2026 | Feb 7, 2027 | 6 deer (DSA) |
| Deer | Early gun (DSA) | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | 6 deer (DSA) |
| Deer | Youth gun | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | County limit |
| Deer | Gun | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | County limit |
| Deer | Bonus gun | Dec 19, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | County limit |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Jan 2, 2027 | Jan 5, 2027 | County limit |
| Wild turkey | Fall | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | 1 turkey |
| Squirrels | Regular | Sep 1, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 6 daily |
| Cottontail | Regular | Nov 6, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | 4 daily |
| Pheasant | Regular | Nov 6, 2026 | Jan 10, 2027 | 2 roosters daily |
| Cottontail | Youth small game weekend | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | 4 daily |
| Cottontail | Youth small game weekend | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 4 daily |
| Pheasant | Youth small game weekend | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | 2 roosters daily |
| Pheasant | Youth small game weekend | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 2 roosters daily |
| Raccoon | Hunting | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | No limit |
| Raccoon | Trapping | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | No limit |
Dates and limits from the 2026-27 hunting seasons list and the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations; species from the record (No species named by ODNR for this area); checked November 6, 2026.
Hancock County Wildlife Area 1: deer limits and zones by county
Hancock County is a 3-deer county for 2026-27. ODNR counted 2,345 deer in Hancock County for 2025-26, 1,352 of them antlerless. So far in 2026-27 (through November 3, 2026) the county shows 428.
| County | Deer limit | DSA | Duck zone | Spring turkey | Fall turkey | Deer 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hancock County | 3 deer | Some townships | B | South | Open | 2,345 |
From the deer bag limit map, DSA, waterfowl zones, turkey zones, 2025-26 deer harvest report, harvest to date (ODNR Division of Wildlife); checked November 6, 2026.
Ohio hunting ground a short drive from Hancock County Wildlife Area 1
The nearest other public hunting ground is Wood County Wildlife Area 6, 1 mile off to the northeast. The six nearest places include 5 wildlife areas and 1 state park.
| Nearby | Type | Acres | County | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood County WA 6 | Wildlife area | 72 | Wood | 1 mile | northeast |
| Van Buren State Park | State park | 296 | Hancock | 2 miles | south |
| Hancock County WA 2 | Wildlife area | 51 | Hancock | 6 miles | west |
| Wood County WA 8 | Wildlife area | 39 | Wood | 7 miles | northwest |
| Wood County WA 4 | Wildlife area | 74 | Wood | 8 miles | north |
| Hancock County WA 4 | Wildlife area | 53 | Hancock | 9 miles | southwest |
Point: ODNR DNR_Lands_Hunting_Status layer, 1 parcel (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Closed places from the lands.json closed list. Checked November 6, 2026. Statewide public land map.
Towns and outfitters a short drive from Hancock County Wildlife Area 1
Count on Findlay, about 8 miles out, for supplies. The nearest ODNR office sits in Findlay, 10 miles from the point.
| Community | County | Residents | Straight line | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Findlay | Hancock | 40,343 | 8 miles | south |
| Bowling Green | Wood | 30,463 | 15 miles | north |
| Tiffin | Seneca | 17,729 | 23 miles | east |
| Ottawa | Putnam | 4,422 | 24 miles | southwest |
| Perrysburg | Wood | 25,313 | 26 miles | north |
Towns from places.json (Census 2024 estimates); ODNR offices and businesses from services.json listings; straight-line miles. Checked November 6, 2026.
Phone numbers and maps for Hancock County Wildlife Area 1
Wildlife District Two staff work from 952 Lima Ave, Findlay, OH 45840; phone 419-424-5000. County wildlife officer: Ryan Burke, (419) 429-8384. Turn in a poacher at 1-800-POACHER (762-2437).
- Area map PDF (published 7/12/2022) · legend: parking area, parking
- Google Maps pin
Address and phone from the agency page and the ODNR Property Details layer; district offices from the ODNR Districts layer; officers from the officer list; point from ODNR DNR_Lands_Hunting_Status layer, 1 parcel (polygon centroid); checked November 6, 2026.
Photo strip: land and game around Hancock County Wildlife Area 1
Sun-up to sundown hunting clock for Hancock County Wildlife Area 1
Furbearers have no hour limit in Ohio, but in the deer gun and muzzleloader weeks coyote hunting near Hancock County Wildlife Area 1 keeps to deer hours.
| Date | Why it matters | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer window | Ducks and squirrels | Sunrise birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2026 | DSA archery opens | 7:11 a.m. | 7:51 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 8:21 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 7:51 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 7:51 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Archery deer opens | 7:25 a.m. | 7:27 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 7:57 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 7:27 p.m. | 7:25 a.m. to 7:27 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Fall turkey | 7:30 a.m. | 7:18 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 7:48 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 7:18 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. to 7:18 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | DSA early gun | 7:39 a.m. | 7:03 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 7:33 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 7:03 p.m. | 7:39 a.m. to 7:03 p.m. |
| Nov 6, 2026 | Rabbit and pheasant | 7:11 a.m. | 5:26 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 5:56 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 5:26 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 5:26 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Second duck split | 7:29 a.m. | 5:12 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:42 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:12 p.m. | 7:29 a.m. to 5:12 p.m. |
| Nov 30, 2026 | Deer gun week | 7:39 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 5:38 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. | 7:39 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:56 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 7:26 a.m. to 5:38 p.m. | 7:26 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. | 7:56 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. |
| Jan 2, 2027 | Muzzleloader | 8:00 a.m. | 5:16 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. to 5:46 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. | 8:00 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. |
Hours rules from the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations; sunrise and sunset worked out for this location with the NOAA solar formula (Eastern Time); checked November 6, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Zeroing a slug gun on the way to Hancock County Wildlife Area 1
The closest ODNR-listed range to Hancock County Wildlife Area 1 is Wildlife District 2 Office Shooting Range, about 10 miles off as the crow flies. The other cards show clubs a 30-mile drive or less away.
From ODNR’s public range list and range pages, ranges’ own pages and directory listings, checked November 6, 2026.
Hancock County Wildlife Area 1, answered one question at a time
Which number reaches the Hancock County Wildlife Area 1 managers?
Call 419-424-5000.
Which town on this site is nearest to Hancock County Wildlife Area 1?
Findlay (8 miles).
Which parts of Hancock County Wildlife Area 1 allow hunting?
It is open throughout.
What is the deadline to report a deer from Hancock County Wildlife Area 1?
Deer and turkeys go through the electronic game check by noon the next day.
Do Sunday rules limit hunting at Hancock County Wildlife Area 1?
Yes; Ohio sets no Sunday ban.
What licenses and permits cover a hunt on Hancock County Wildlife Area 1?
Your Ohio license and the right permit. First-time buyers need hunter education or an apprentice license.
What acreage do the sources give for Hancock County Wildlife Area 1?
Roughly 57 acres all told. Other sources differ a little; see the acreage table.
What is the deer limit at Hancock County Wildlife Area 1?
3 deer, the Hancock County limit. The statewide limit is six, one antlered; public land adds a two-antlerless cap.
Does Hancock County Wildlife Area 1 have lottery hunts?
Not in 2026: hunt it during the open seasons without a draw.
Duck zone and split dates for Hancock County Wildlife Area 1?
Zone B dates apply: Oct 17 to Oct 25, 2026; Nov 21, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027.
Is there a campground at Hancock County Wildlife Area 1?
Camping is prohibited.
Can I hang a stand on Hancock County Wildlife Area 1?
Stands must be portable; bait and feed are prohibited.
When is hunter orange required on Hancock County Wildlife Area 1?
In gun and muzzleloader seasons: an orange garment, unless you hunt waterfowl.
Last checks before loading up for Hancock County Wildlife Area 1
Use this page to plan, then reread the official page for Hancock County Wildlife Area 1 the week before the trip.
Sources: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4; seasons from the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked November 6, 2026.
Other photos on this page: PierreSelim (CC BY 3.0); USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain); Russ (CC BY 2.0).