Ohio Gun Deer Season 2026-27

Legal equipment

Ohio's gun season allows centerfire firearms loaded per the state's caliber and cartridge rules — some states restrict certain zones to straight-wall or shotgun-only ammunition. Confirm the exact list of legal calibers, ammunition types, and any zone-specific firearm restrictions with Ohio's wildlife agency before you hunt.

Tags and antlerless rules during gun season

Tag allowances and antlerless-only windows vary by zone and by segment within Ohio's deer season — some of the dates in the table above are antlerless-only, while others allow either sex. Review each zone row for its specific rules, and confirm current tag limits, antler-point restrictions, and any special antlerless permits required for the gun season with Ohio's wildlife agency.

How gun season overlaps archery and muzzleloader

Ohio calls its firearm segment “gun season.” It's bracketed by a youth-only weekend (November 21–22), the main week (November 30 – December 6), and a bonus weekend (December 19–20) — all of it falling inside the archery season's much longer window, and just before the January 2–5 muzzleloader season opens.

What changed for 2026-27

Season dates are set annually by Ohio's wildlife agency and can shift from year to year based on herd surveys, weather, and management goals. The dates above reflect the official 2026–27 season as published by the Ohio wildlife agency; check the source link above for any addenda issued after publication, and always reverify before you hunt.

Frequently asked questions

Nearby states

• Michigan Deer
• Pennsylvania Deer