Hunting Licenses and Permits

Licenses

Permits

Either-sex Deer Permits

Antlerless Deer Permits

Fur Taker Permits

Spring Turkey Permits

Fall Turkey Permits

Apprentice Fur Taker Permits

Shooting Range Permits

License Categories

To Purchase a Hunting License

You must do one of the following:

• present a previously held hunting license, or

• present evidence of having successfully completed a hunter education course (from any state), or

• swear that you are 21 years of age or older and have previously held a legal hunting license (from any state).

Regardless of your age you must have a hunting license to hunt or trap all legal game in Ohio.

Additional permits may be required to hunt or trap specific game animals. The license(s) that you are required to purchase is determined by age and residency status.

RESIDENCY STATUS - A resident is a person who has resided in the state of Ohio for the past 6 consecutive months. All others are considered non-residents and must purchase non-resident licenses.

Hunting and fishing licenses and permits can be purchased online. In addition, there are license agents in every Ohio county. To find an agent near you, call 1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-945-3543) or search online.

Annual licenses are valid from March 1, through the last day of February (Licenses available March 1). All costs include a $1.00 writing fee. All sales are final – no refunds.

• It is unlawful to carry the license or permit of another person.

• All first-time license buyers, except apprentice license buyers, must successfully complete a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license. Call 1-800-WILDLIFE (1- 800-945-3543) for information on hunter education requirements.

• Hunters age 15 and under and those of any age hunting with an apprentice license must be accompanied by an adult. Special restrictions apply to certain youth hunts. See the Youth Hunting section for details.

• Hunters and trappers must carry a valid hunting license, permit(s) and stamp(s) when hunting or trapping.

Deer Hunting Permits

In addition to your hunting license you'll need one or more of the following deer permits.

EITHER-SEX DEER PERMIT

This permit is valid for an antlered or antlerless deer and is valid statewide for the entire deer hunting season. No more than one (1) antlered deer may be taken per license year.

ANTLERLESS DEER PERMIT

Antlerless deer permits are valid for tagging antlerless deer only in any Urban Unit, at any Division of Wildlife Controlled Hunt, and during the statewide archery season September 29-November 25, 2012 in Deer Zones A, B, and C. Antlerless deer permits will not be sold after November 25, 2012.

Turkey Hunting Permits

In addition to your hunting license you need to have the applicable turkey permit to hunt turkey in Ohio.

SPRING TURKEY PERMIT

One bearded turkey per permit during the spring turkey season. No more than two may be used during the spring season. Valid statewide.

FALL TURKEY PERMIT

You can take one turkey of either sex during the fall turkey season. No more than one may be used during the entire fall season. Valid only in open counties.

Fur Taker Permits

A fur taker permit is required (except for coyotes) in addition to a hunting license to hunt or trap fur-bearing animals.

TO PURCHASE A FUR TAKER PERMIT you must do one of the following (apprentice licenses excluded):

• present a previously held hunting license, fur taker or trapping permit, or

• present evidence of having successfully completed a trapper education course, or

• state that you are 21 years of age or older and have previously held a hunting license, fur taker, or trapping permit.
  

All first-time trappers are required to complete a trapper education course before purchasing a fur taker permit for trapping. The trapper education course, taken after successful completion of a hunter education course covers detailed information necessary for successful trapping experiences.

Waterfowl Hunting

You are required to have a Hunting License, Ohio Wetlands Stamp, Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp, and HIP Survey to hunt ducks, geese, or brant.

OHIO WETLANDS STAMP

An Ohio Wetlands Stamp will not be issued at time of purchase. A license will be issued stating, “Wetlands Habitat Stamp.” The actual stamp will be mailed later in the year. The actual stamp does not need to be carried while hunting. This stamp is not required for youths younger than 18 years of age.

FEDERAL MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING STAMP

Everyone age 16 and older, regardless of where they hunt, is required to purchase this stamp to hunt ducks, geese, and brant. These stamps are available at most U.S. Post Office branches and available online at www.duckstamp.com and at select sporting goods stores.

Resident and Non-Resident. . . . . . . $15.00

HIP SURVEY

To hunt waterfowl, mourning doves, woodcock, rails, snipe, and coots, hunters must have a Harvest Information Program (H.I.P.) certification on their hunting license. These hunters must call 1-877-HIP-OHIO (1-877-447-6446) and take a short survey. Once the phone survey has been completed, a unique number will be provided to the hunter to write in a designated spot on their hunting license.

It is the responsibility of the license buyer to make sure that the HIP certification has been completed and this certification number is written on their hunting license.

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