The Ohio Division of Wildlife is expected to approve significant changes to deer-hunting bag limits during its November meeting, responding to public outcry over an alarming decline in the deer population due to a recent outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease. In affected counties such as Athens, Meigs, and Washington, the proposed bag limit will decrease from three to one deer, while neighboring Morgan County’s limit will adjust from three to two deer, effective December 1.
These changes follow a dramatic decrease in deer numbers, with reported kills plummeting in some areas—Washington County’s harvest dropped from 303 to just 41 this year. As public sentiment indicated strong support for stricter limits, with nearly 63% in favor during a feedback period, the decisions reflect a balancing act between conservation efforts and the interests of local hunters. The upcoming November vote holds significant implications for the future of deer hunting in Ohio as stakeholders navigate the complexity of wildlife management.
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