District 1 · Columbus
Hunting Near Reynoldsburg
City within Franklin County. No hunting property inside 10 miles of town; Buckeye Lake State Park sits 14 miles out.
Photo: Paul Hurtado (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Reynoldsburg hunting, the short version
Reynoldsburg is not a county seat, but at 25,000-plus residents in Franklin County it earns a page of its own. Reynoldsburg is home to some 42,897 people (Census, 2024) spread over 11.3 square miles. Inside 10 miles of Reynoldsburg the ground is private, suburban or closed to hunting; Buckeye Lake State Park, 14 miles out, is the first open property. ODNR sets deer limits county by county, and Franklin County gets 4 for 2026-27.
Town point, population and land area from the Census 2024 Gazetteer and Vintage 2024 estimates; wildlife district from the ODNR County Contacts layer; public land rings from ODNR and PAD-US boundaries (GIS acres); deer limit from the 2026-27 deer bag limit map. Checked November 6, 2026.
Reynoldsburg to the nearest wildlife areas and forests
Each mile figure measures from Reynoldsburg to the closest boundary, not the parking lot, so allow for the drive. Out to 25 miles, hunters from Reynoldsburg can reach 4 state wildlife areas, 3 public hunting areas, 2 state parks, 1 hatchery property and 1 conservation area. No tract within 25 miles of Reynoldsburg tops Alum Creek State Park for size, 4,630 acres. Waterfowl show up on 5 of the 8 species lists near Reynoldsburg, deer on 4. The status column repeats the ODNR parcel layer; restricted ground has posted zones, methods or dates.
| Area and miles | Kind | Acres | Status | Game | Controlled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buckeye Lake State Park · 14 mi | State park | 176 | Restricted | waterfowl, furbearer trapping | 1 lottery |
| Hebron Fish Hatchery · 15 mi | Fish hatchery | 155 | Restricted | deer, waterfowl + | 5 lotteries |
| Greenfield Dam Wildlife Area · 15 mi | Wildlife area | 46 | Restricted | Ohio seasons | – |
| Rock Mill Lake Wildlife Area · 16 mi | Wildlife area | 89 | Open | furbearer trapping | 1 lottery |
| Mackey Ford Wildlife Area · 16 mi | Wildlife area | 200 | Open | deer, squirrel + | – |
| Alum Creek State Park · 17 mi | State park | 4,630 | Restricted | deer, squirrel + | 2 lotteries |
| Hanby Wildlife Area · 20 mi | Wildlife area | 20 | Open | Ohio seasons | – |
| Oakthorpe Lake Public Hunting and Fishing Areas · 20 mi | Public hunting area | 78 | Open | furbearer trapping | 1 lottery |
| Colfax Lake Public Hunting Area · 21 mi | Public hunting area | 73 | Open | Ohio seasons | – |
| A W Marion State Park · 23 mi | Conservation area | 310 | Restricted | deer, turkey + | 2 lotteries |
| Rush Creek Lake Public Hunting and Fishing Areas · 23 mi | Public hunting area | 1,015 | Open | furbearer trapping | 1 lottery |
Distances and acres from places.json and lands.json (ODNR_LANDS and hunting-status layers, PAD-US 4.1, USFS layers; GIS measures, not surveyed acreage); status from the ODNR hunting-status layer; lotteries from the 2026 controlled hunting access lists. Checked November 6, 2026.
Up close: hunting ground by Reynoldsburg
Buckeye Lake State Park, 14 mi
Ohio's oldest state park remains a beloved day-use destination. Game listed: waterfowl, furbearer trapping. The 2026 lottery list names this property 1 time.
Hebron Fish Hatchery, 15 mi
Hebron State Fish Hatchery is located in southern Licking County, north of Buckeye Lake. Game listed: deer, waterfowl, dove. The 2026 lottery list names this property 5 times. Look for 1 managed dove field.
Rock Mill Lake Wildlife Area, 16 mi
Game listed: furbearer trapping. The 2026 lottery list names this property 1 time.
Descriptions, species, dove fields and access from each property’s ODNR page and the ODNR property details layer, or the agency page linked on the land page (lands.json); lotteries from the 2026 controlled hunting lists. Checked November 6, 2026.
Harvest in Franklin County, the county around Reynoldsburg
Deer checked in Franklin County: 709 for 2025-26, 818 for 2022-23. So far in 2026-27: 164 deer, reported through November 3, 2026. Method split for Franklin County, 2025-26: gun 164, crossbow 287, longbow 182, muzzleloader 24. Franklin County gave up 12 spring gobblers and bearded birds in 2026.
| Hunt year | Total | Antlered | Antlerless | Archery | Gun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 818 | 376 | 442 | 573 | – |
| 2023-24 | 794 | 355 | 439 | 534 | – |
| 2024-25 | 638 | 257 | 381 | 413 | 225 |
| 2025-26 | 709 | 325 | 384 | 480 | 229 |
Final weekly deer harvest reports: 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26; 2026-27 to date from the in-season report; spring turkey from the 2026 spring turkey results; 2025-26 by method from the 2025-26 deer summary. County totals, not town figures. Checked November 6, 2026.
County rules behind Reynoldsburg
The Franklin County deer group for 2026-27 reads four-deer, inside the statewide cap of 6 deer with 1 antlered. CWD area rules skip Franklin County: it is not in the DSA. Franklin County hunts waterfowl on the Zone C calendar. For turkeys near Reynoldsburg, the spring South zone applies and the county is one of the 70 fall counties. In addition, river otter trapping is in Otter Zone B around Reynoldsburg. Paperwork for a deer hunt here: a hunting license ($19.00 resident, $180.96 nonresident) plus a deer permit ($31.20 resident either-sex). In the youth gun, gun, bonus gun and muzzleloader weeks every hunter except waterfowlers wears a hunter orange vest, coat, jacket or coveralls. Game check for deer closes at noon on the day after the kill.
Deer limits from the 2026-27 deer bag limit map and regulations; DSA from OAC 1501:31-19-03; CWD detections from ODNR; waterfowl zones from the 2026-27 regulations; turkey zones from the turkey rules. Checked November 6, 2026.
The Division of Wildlife desk for Reynoldsburg
Need a Division of Wildlife desk near Reynoldsburg? ODNR Division of Wildlife Headquarters is 12 miles off. The wildlife area headquarters nearest the middle of Franklin County is Deer Creek Wildlife Area headquarters in Mt. Sterling. The county contacts layer names Brad Kiger as Franklin County’s wildlife officer.
District offices from the ODNR wildlife contacts page and Districts layer; county wildlife officers from the ODNR County Contacts layer; nearest offices measured from the town point (services.json); ranger district offices from the USFS office layer (places.json). Checked November 6, 2026.
Reynoldsburg dates by species
ODNR splits duck and goose hunting into Zones A, B and C for 2026-27, which is why the bird rows for Reynoldsburg show zone dates and not statewide ones.
| Animal | Kind of hunt | Covers | Start | Finish | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Feb 7, 2027 | |
| Deer | Youth gun | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Deer | Gun | Statewide | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Deer | Bonus gun | Statewide | Dec 19, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Jan 2, 2027 | Jan 5, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall | Fall counties | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Squirrels | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Cottontail | Youth small game weekend | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Youth small game weekend | Statewide | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Regular | Statewide | Nov 6, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth small game weekend | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Youth small game weekend | Statewide | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular | Statewide | Nov 6, 2026 | Jan 10, 2027 | |
| Chukar | Youth small game weekend | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Chukar | Youth small game weekend | Statewide | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Chukar | Regular | Statewide | Nov 6, 2026 | Jan 10, 2027 | |
| Mourning dove | Dove | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Mourning dove | Dove | Statewide | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Teal | Early teal | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Early Canada goose | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Veterans and military | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Youth waterfowl | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Ducks (split 1) | Zone C | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Ducks (split 2) | Zone C | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Geese and brant | Geese (split 1) | Zone C | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Geese and brant | Geese (split 2) | Zone C | Nov 21, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Woodcock | Statewide | Oct 16, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Snipe | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 25, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Snipe | Statewide | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Rails | Rail | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Gallinule | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Crow (Fri-Sun) | Statewide | Jun 5, 2026 | Mar 7, 2027 | |
| Groundhog | No closed season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting (no closed season) | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Trapping (no closed season) | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Mink | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Muskrat | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| River otter | Trapping | Otter Zone B | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Beaver | Trapping | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 |
From the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations and the 2026-27 hunting seasons list (ODNR Division of Wildlife), checked November 6, 2026.
What hunters can attend near Reynoldsburg
Inside roughly 30 straight-line miles: 5 dates ahead (DU dinner, NWTF banquet, RMEF banquet and sportsman’s expo), soonest first. First up is Fairfield County Dinner on November 14.
| Day | Name | Distance | Place | Next step | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 14, 2026 | Fairfield County Dinner · DU dinner, Lancaster | 19 | Lancaster, Fairfield County | Tickets | Source |
| Jan 16, 2027 | RMEF Central Ohio Chapter Banquet · RMEF banquet, Orient | 22 | Orient, Pickaway County | Tickets | Source |
| Jan 29, 2027 | Buckeye Conservation Chapter NWTF Banquet · NWTF banquet, Pickerington | 5 | Pickerington, Fairfield County | Event details | Source |
| Mar 19–21, 2027 | Open Season Sportsman's Expo Ohio 2027 · sportsman’s expo, Columbus | 10 | Columbus, Franklin County | Ticket page | Source |
| Mar 20, 2027 | RMEF Two Rivers Chapter Banquet · RMEF banquet, Delaware | 27 | Delaware, Delaware County | Tickets | Source |
Reynoldsburg shooters: the three nearest ranges
Each card gives the entry rule for Reynoldsburg shooters.
The public range nearest Reynoldsburg on the ODNR list is Hebron Fish Hatchery Shooting Range, about 15 miles away. More
Straight-line miles from the town centre; ranges checked November 6, 2026.
Reynoldsburg hunting services
Within 25 miles of Reynoldsburg the listings include 51 gun or outdoor stores, 10 taxidermists, 1 deer or meat processor and 1 guide or preserve listing.
Listings from Yellow Pages, store locators, Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry and the ODNR office list (services.json); not every listing was checked as open, so call first. Checked November 6, 2026.
Reynoldsburg legal shooting light
Furbearers have no hour limit in Ohio, but in the deer gun and muzzleloader weeks coyote hunting near Reynoldsburg keeps to deer hours.
| When | Event | Rise | Set | Deer | Waterfowl | Small game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 26, 2026 | Archery deer opens | 7:21 a.m. | 7:24 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 7:54 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 7:24 p.m. | 7:21 a.m. to 7:24 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Fall turkey | 7:26 a.m. | 7:15 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. | 7:26 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. |
| Nov 6, 2026 | Rabbit and pheasant | 7:05 a.m. | 5:25 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 5:55 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. |
| Nov 30, 2026 | Deer gun week | 7:32 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 5:38 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. | 7:32 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Second duck split | 7:43 a.m. | 5:07 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 5:37 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. | 7:43 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:49 a.m. | 5:09 p.m. | 7:19 a.m. to 5:39 p.m. | 7:19 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. | 7:49 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. |
| Jan 2, 2027 | Muzzleloader | 7:53 a.m. | 5:16 p.m. | 7:23 a.m. to 5:46 p.m. | 7:23 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. | 7:53 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.
Common Reynoldsburg hunting questions answered
Which ODNR district runs things around Reynoldsburg?
ODNR District 1, Central Ohio, with its office in Columbus; district manager Korey Brown.
Which hours did deer hunters have at Reynoldsburg on November 6?
6:35 a.m. to 5:55 p.m., worked out for Reynoldsburg with the NOAA solar formula.
Is there a hunting preserve or guide near Reynoldsburg?
1 guide or preserve listing inside 25 miles of Reynoldsburg.
Are there controlled hunts near Reynoldsburg?
7 properties within 25 miles of Reynoldsburg hold 13 2026 controlled hunts, starting with Buckeye Lake State Park.
How does 2025-26 compare with earlier seasons in Franklin County?
The chart on this page runs from 2022-23 (818) to 2025-26 (709).
Which wildlife area, forest or hunting area is closest to Reynoldsburg?
The nearest mapped tract is Buckeye Lake State Park, a state park, 14 miles out from the middle of town.
What is my deer limit if I hunt the Reynoldsburg area?
Franklin County has a county limit of 4 deer; ODNR lists its class as four-deer for 2026-27. Statewide the ceiling is 6 deer, 1 antlered.
Is Franklin County part of Disease Surveillance Area 2021-01?
No. Its counties are Allen, Hardin, Marion and Wyandot in full, plus townships in Crawford, Delaware, Hancock, Morrow and Union.
Which duck splits apply in Franklin County?
The Zone C rows in the season table on this page, both splits.
How do turkey zones work around Reynoldsburg?
Spring splits Ohio into a South zone and a Northeast zone, and Franklin County is in the South zone. Fall hunting is open here too.
What opens next for hunters near Reynoldsburg?
Red fox (Hunting) opens November 10. Meanwhile 14 rows stood open on November 6, 2026.
Answers from places.json, lands.json, regs.json, harvest.json and services.json, the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations and the 2026-27 hunting seasons list. Checked November 6, 2026.
Keep planning from Reynoldsburg
Hunting out of Reynoldsburg? Keep the county limit handy and confirm dates in the regulations.
Other photos on this page: James St. John (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Art Anderson (CC BY-SA 3.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).