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More than 400,000 hunters to take aim as deer gun season opens

Bill Reinke/File photo Monday, Nov. 30, marks the first day of Ohio's annual deer gun season. Staff file photo by Bill Reinke

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By Jim Morris, Staff Writer Updated 9:31 AM Monday, November 30, 2009

With the annual deer gun season opening Monday, Nov. 30, a half-hour before sunrise, there is the possibility Ohio hunters will take a record number of whitetails again this season.

Last year, the record was broken when they took 252,017 deer for the whole season. Gun week’s portion of that total was 117,468.

“We started the season with about 650,000 deer in the state, which was down about 50,000 from the year before,” said Dave Kohler, wildlife supervisor for the District 5 office of the Ohio Division of Wildlife in Xenia. “So much depends on the weather, but we are estimating 115,000 to 125,000 will be killed this week.”

The Division of Wildlife says about 420,000 hunters are expected to participate, including many from other states. With employment down, it’s possible there will be more people with more time for hunting. And filling a freezer with venison could be a cheap source of meat.

“The herd is very healthy,” Kohler said. “There have been no reports of disease in the state this year.”

While most of the deer killed in Ohio are in the eastern and southeastern portions of the state, southwest Ohio — probably because of the amount of corn grown — often has some of the largest deer in the state.

“We have had good weather this year,” Kohler added, “and a great deal of the corn has been harvested, giving deer fewer places to hide. If the weather cooperates on the first day and the rest of the week, it should be a great season.”

Kohler said, believe it or not, a hunter could take up to 18 deer this season, depending on where he or she hunts and which permits they buy. Hunters are limited to one antlered deer per season.

For information about the deer season, call (937) 372-9261 or (800) WILDLIFE, or visit wildohio.com.

Youth hunt

Young hunters participating in last weekend’s statewide youth gun season killed 9,331 deer. Last year, the number was 9,852.

The Division of Wildlife estimated that 40,000 hunters age 17 and younger took part. Kohler said southwest Ohio’s total was down about 70 deer this year.

Check that

The Division of Wildlife has announced the closing of a check station in Brown County and the change of address for a checking station in Greene County.

• Hunters can no longer check game at Buckeye Carryout, U.S. 52 & 41 in Aberdeen.

• In Bellbrook, deer can be checked in at the Bellbrook Gun & Supply, 15 South Main Street.

For a complete list of check stations, go to wildohio.com.

Use plastic

Because hunting licenses and permits no longer are printed on waterproof paper, hunters are reminded to protect these documents in plastic. If they get wet, they become very difficult to read. You can buy plastic sleeves where hunting supplies are sold, or you can use a plastic bag with a watertight seal to keep it dry.

Be orange

One of the safety requirements for all hunters during deer gun week and the extra weekend is to wear orange. Also, if you are hunting from a ground blind, it is advisable to place a significant amount of hunter orange on the outside of the blind. Even people hiking or working in areas where hunting is allowed should wear an orange vest and hat.

Use TIP line

If you see a wildlife violation this week — or any time — call the Division of Wildlife’s Turn-in-a-Poacher (TIP) line at (800) POACHER or visit wildohio.com.

You do not have to give your name.

Contact this reporter

at (937) 225-2409 or

jmorris@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Donate a deer

Saturday, Dec. 5, is Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry Day in Ohio. It’s also the day of the Chief’s Challenge. Ohio Division of Wildlife Chief Dave Graham plans to try to shoot a doe on that day and donate the meat to FHFH and he wants as many Ohio hunters as possible to do the same.

It is free for hunters to donate a deer to FHFH because there is no processing cost for the hunter. You can find out how to donate at fhfh.org. Or if you are in the area north of Dayton, call (937) 419-0396; southwest of Dayton, call (513) 942-7433; and south of Dayton, call (513) 777-9525.

For participating butchers, call (513) 897-2971 in Warren County, (937) 497-8866 in Shelby County, (937) 465-0450 in Logan County, (937) 987-2744 in Clinton County, (937) 857-9273 in Champaign County and (937) 446-3278 in Brown County.

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400,000 hunters...I got a proposition for y'all...why don't ya load up dem guns and head to Iraq or better yet, gangland USA and shoot at somethin' that shoots back...*******. And if you really wanna know how I feel and want more of where that came from check out:
http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n...

Troy C. Again...
8:10 AM, 12/4/2009

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I am an avid deer hunter and will participate in the gun hunt this week. What I don't understand is, if the deer herd is 50,000 less than last year, why are hunters able to harvest 18 deer in Ohio?

In my opinion, nobody needs 18 deer to eat. If you can afford to buy a shotgun and all the gear and gadgets that go along with deer hunting, chances are you are not starving. Three to four deer is plenty for any family.

I hope the ODNR lowers the bag limit next year.

DeerHunter82
10:27 PM, 11/28/2009

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It doesn't take a genius to take down a deer with gun. Have a good week, duffuses.

Peter Gunn
10:08 PM, 11/28/2009

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