Deer bag limits reduced in Athens, Meigs, Morgan, Washington counties

The Ohio Wildlife Council approved new white-tailed deer hunting limits in Athens, Meigs, Morgan and Washington counties for the remainder of the 2025-26 season during its meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

Beginning  Monday, Dec. 1, and coinciding with the opening day of the seven-day deer gun season, the bag limit for Athens, Meigs, and Washington counties is reduced to one deer. Also on Monday, Dec. 1, the bag limit in Morgan County is reduced to two deer. Deer bag limits are reduced in these counties in response to an outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD).
 
The limit remains in place until the close of the 2025-26 deer hunting season on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. Athens, Meigs, Morgan, and Washington counties have a three-deer limit until Sunday, Nov. 30.
 
Deer bag limits in the rest of the state remain unchanged. View the 2025-26 Hunting and Trapping Regulations for more information on current limits in Ohio. 

The Ohio Wildlife Council approves all Division of Wildlife proposed rules and regulations. Council meetings are open to the public. Individuals interested in providing comments are asked to call 614-265-6304 at least two days prior to the meeting to register. All comments are required to be three minutes or less. 

The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Visit wildohio.gov to find out more.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.