Chapter 1501:31-15 Hunting and Trapping

1501:31-15-01 Game hours and bag limits.

(A) Throughout the state, it shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take or possess game birds, game quadrupeds, or furbearing animals except according to this rule and other provisions of the Administrative Code or the Revised Code.

(B) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take a squirrel at any time, except between one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily during the open season for squirrels.

(C) It shall be unlawful for any person to take more than six red, gray, black or fox squirrels, singly or in the aggregate, in any one day or possess more than six squirrels taken in one day.

(D) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess more than six red, gray, black or fox squirrels singly or in the aggregate in the field while hunting or when returning from hunting.

(E) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take grouse at any time, except between one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily during the open season for grouse.

(F) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take more than two grouse in any one day. Provided further, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess more than two grouse in the field while hunting or when returning from hunting.

(G) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take rabbits at any time, except between sunrise to sunset daily during the open season for rabbits.

(H) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take more than four rabbits in any one day.

(I) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess more than four rabbits in the field while hunting or when returning from hunting.

(J) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take pheasants or chukar partridge at any time except between sunrise to sunset daily during the pheasant and chukar partridge season.

(K) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess more than two pheasants and two chukar partridge in the field while hunting or when returning from hunting.

(L) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take more than two pheasants and two chukar partridge in any one day.

(M) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take, or possess a hen pheasant at any time, or to possess a hen pheasant in a vehicle while hunting or when returning from hunting except when legally acquired and tagged in accordance with law.

(N) It shall be unlawful for any person to transport, ship, mail, or express a pheasant the exterior sex identity of which has been destroyed, and no person shall have in possession, while in the field a pheasant the exterior sex identity of which has been destroyed.

(O) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take bobwhite quail at any time except between sunrise to sunset daily during the open season for quail.

(P) It shall be lawful for persons possessing a valid falconry permit from the chief of the division of wildlife to hunt the game animals permitted to be hunted in this rule and other rules of the Administrative Code.

(Q) It shall be unlawful for any person to take or hunt any of the game animals mentioned in this rule with a raptor unless authorized by the chief of the division of wildlife.

(R) It shall be unlawful for any person to take, possess, or hunt any of the game animals mentioned in this rule with a raptor in excess of the daily limit listed for each.

(S) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take more than four bobwhite quail in any one day.

(T) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess more than four bobwhite quail in the field while hunting or when returning from hunting.

(U) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess a bobwhite quail in the field, except in the counties open to quail hunting as set forth in paragraph (H) of rule 1501:31-15-17 of the Administrative Code or when legally acquired and tagged in accordance with law.

(V) Each annual hunting license, deer permit, turkey permit, furtaker permit and wetlands habitat stamp shall be valid from the first day in March through midnight of the last day in February the following year.

(W) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code shall apply to this rule.

Effective: 11/27/2009
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 08/07/2009 and 11/01/2014
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Rule Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Prior Effective Dates: 5/1/76, 6/1/77, 6/1/78, 6/1/79, 6/1/80, 6/1/81, 6/1/82, 5/31/83, 5/31/84, 6/1/85, 6/1/86, 6/1/87, 7/1/89, 7/31/90, 8/15/95, 8/10/96, 3/1/02, 6/4/03, 5/28/04, 5/27/05, 7/1/2009

1501:31-15-02 General hunting and trapping provisions.

(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to shoot, shoot at, kill, take, or attempt to take any wild bird or wild quadruped, or facsimile thereof, or part of a wild animal along, on, from, or across any public road or highway.

(B) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, shoot, shoot at, kill, take or attempt to take any wild bird or wild quadruped from or by means, aid, or use of any aircraft, or any motor-driven conveyance or its attachments. Shooting wild animals, except migratory game birds, is permitted from agricultural equipment when being used in normal farm operations. It shall be lawful to hunt small game and furbearers, except migratory game birds, mink, muskrat, river otter and beaver from a powercraft. This rule does not apply to persons who are mobility impaired and who possess a valid electric powered all purpose vehicle permit issued by the division of wildlife for use on a wildlife area, while on a wildlife area.

(C) Live furbearing animals, game quadrupeds or wild birds may not be held in captivity nor sold except as provided in section 1533.71 of the Revised Code or as provided in the provisions of the Administrative Code. Provided further, it shall be unlawful to buy or sell furbearing animals, game animals or wild birds except:

(1) Hides and carcasses of furbearing animals legally taken during the open season may be held, bought or sold from the first day of the respective open season through June fifteenth of the following year;

(2) Legally acquired bear claws, teeth, hair, and hides may be bought or sold at any time;

(3) Legally obtained hides and tails of squirrels may be bought or sold at any time;

(4) Taxidermy products of furbearing animals legally taken during the open season may be bought or sold at any time;

(5) Hides, skins, feathers, or parts of wild animals raised under a propagating permit, pursuant to section 1533.71 of the Revised Code may be bought and sold provided the seller maintains records of species obtained, from whom and when the animal or part of the animal was purchased or obtained; and if sold as a mount, record the species and to whom and when sold.

(D) It shall be unlawful for any person to use a gun equipped with a silencer or muffler, or deadfall of any type to take or attempt to take a wild bird or wild quadruped. It shall be lawful for any person to hunt or take by falconry or with a crossbow any wild animal permitted to be taken by hunting; however, migratory birds may not be hunted or taken with cross-bows and arrows. Crossbows used in hunting wild animals shall have a working safety and have a stock twenty-five inches or longer. Cocking levers and devices may be used on crossbows.

(E) It shall be unlawful to start a fire in or near weeds, brush, marsh, trees, woodlands, or other game cover for the purpose of taking game.

(F) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take wild animals at any time within one hundred fifty yards of any burning weeds, or burning brush.

(G) It shall be unlawful for a nonresident of Ohio to possess, hunt, or trap a wild animal in Ohio if an Ohio resident may not lawfully possess, hunt, or trap that wild animal in the home state of the nonresident.

(H) It shall be unlawful for any person to disturb or destroy the eggs, nest or young of a game bird or to possess the eggs or young taken from a nest of a game bird.

(I) It shall be unlawful for any person to train, work or exercise a dog or permit a dog to run at large or be upon any property owned, controlled, or administered by the division of wildlife that is managed or posted as a state game refuge.

(J) It shall be unlawful to carry any firearm or weapon unless displayed and visible on the outermost garment, and only when carried in accordance with the Revised Code. Persons possessing a valid Ohio concealed carry license issued pursuant to sections 2923.125 and 2923.123 of the Revised Code or a valid conceal carry license from a state with a reciprocity agreement with Ohio to carry concealed handguns, or who comply with federal legislation HR218, "The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004" are exempted.

(K) It shall be unlawful to shoot, shoot at or kill a wild animal with a firearm carried concealed under a license issued pursuant to section 2923.125 of the Revised Code or federal legislation HR 218, "The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004."

(L) It shall be unlawful to have any mechanical, electrical or electronic device attached to a longbow or crossbow while hunting, which is capable of projecting a beam or ray of light on a wild animal.

(M) It shall be unlawful for any person or any member of a party to have in his possession a firearm or any other device that could be used in hunting while training or working a dog pursuing furbearing animals during the closed season.

(N) It shall be unlawful for any person or any member of a party to have in his possession a firearm or any other device that could be used in hunting while training or working a dog pursuing coyotes, at any time except from sunrise to sunset daily.

(O) It shall be unlawful for any person to take wild animals, other than those permitted to be taken by any rule in the Administrative Code or the Revised Code, from properties owned, controlled, or maintained by the division of wildlife without first obtaining permission from the wildlife chief.

(P) Any taxidermist, the owner, manager, or employee of any cold storage, locker plant, or meat processor receiving, processing or having in custody any wild animal or parts thereof, shall maintain accurate diurnal records showing the dates when such wild animal or parts thereof were received, and when the same were disposed of, and the name and address of the owner of the wild animal or parts thereof, and the state or province from which the wild animal or parts thereof were taken and the official tag or seal number of or certificate of ownership number. Any person authorized to enforce this part may enter such establishment or plants at all reasonable hours and inspect the records and premises where operations are being carried on. The records required to be maintained shall be retained by the person or persons responsible for their preparation and maintenance for a period of two years following the date of receiving, possessing or having such wild animals.

(Q) It shall be unlawful for any person to release a deer, wild turkey or bear into the wild that was raised pursuant to a license issued under section 1533.71 of the Revised Code.

(R) It shall be unlawful for any person to trap who has not complied with the provisions as set forth in rule 1501:31-29-02 of the Administrative Code.

(S) It shall be unlawful for the responsible, non-hunting adult, eighteen years of age or older, to allow a youth to hunt unaccompanied during any youth hunting season.

(T) It shall be unlawful for the responsible adult, eighteen years of age or older, to allow a youth hunter aged fifteen or under to hunt unaccompanied during any hunting season.

(U) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code shall apply to this rule.

Effective: 01/01/2013
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 08/27/2012 and 11/01/2017
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Rule Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Prior Effective Dates: 5/1/76, 6/1/77, 6/1/78, 6/1/79, 6/1/80, 6/1/81, 6/1/82, 5/31/83, 5/31/84, 6/1/85, 6/1/86, 9/15/87, 6/1/88, 7/1/89, 7/18/95, 8/10/96, 7/19/02, 5/28/04, 7/1/08, 11/24/08, 7/1/09, 7/1/10, 1/1/12

1501:31-15-03 Nuisance wild animal regulations.

(A) Landowners and tenants:

It shall be lawful for any person to trap live, non-migratory animals, except white-tailed deer, black bear, or wild turkey when such animals have become a nuisance. Such trapping shall be in accordance with the following provisions:

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to set or use a trap to capture wild animals, unless such trap has attached thereto a durable waterproof tag bearing the name and mailing address of the user in english letters legible at all times, or which has the name and mailing address of the user stamped into such trap in english letters legible at all times.

(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess such live-trapped animals longer than twenty-four hours from the time of capture.

(3) It shall be unlawful for any person to live-trap animals on the lands of another without first obtaining written permission from the owner or his authorized agent.

(4) Every person who live-traps a wild animal shall release such animal outside the limits of any incorporated village or city. Animals shall not be released on public or private property without the permission of the landowner. Provided further, raccoon, skunk, opossum, beaver, coyote, or fox shall be euthanized or released on site.

(5) It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, use, or give to another person, any animal trapped for removal in accordance with this rule.

(6) Any person who traps a wild animal in accordance with paragraph (A) of this rule, shall not charge a fee or receive compensation.

(B) Nuisance trapping permit holders:

Notwithstanding any other provision in this rule, it shall be lawful for any person applying for and receiving a nuisance wild animal trapping permit, and any person acting under the authority of a nuisance wild animal trapping permit, and possessing an Ohio hunting license and valid Ohio furtakers permit to trap wild animals except, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, black bear, and waterfowl. Such trapping shall be in accordance with the following provisions:

(1) Wild animals trapped or captured under authority of a nuisance wild animal trapping permit may be accumulated for not more than ten days.

(2) Injured wild animals trapped or captured under the authority of a nuisance wild animal trapping permit may be killed subject to approval of the representative of the division of wildlife.

(3) A division of wildlife representative approving a nuisance wild animal trapping permit may include specific stipulations on the permit under which wild animals may be trapped or captured. It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any stipulation set forth on their permit. A violation of any permit stipulation is a violation of this rule and such permit is then subject to revocation by the chief of the division of wildlife.

(4) Wild animals which are causing damage and which cannot be live-trapped because of certain conditions may be killed by licensed nuisance wild animal trappers or other persons only after such trappers or other persons apply for and receive written permission from the chief of the division of wildlife or his designee. No such written permission is required to kill or use lethal means of capture for raccoons, squirrels, groundhogs, chipmunks, moles, muskrats or beaver.

(5) It shall be unlawful to use a body gripping trap with a jaw spread greater then seven inches by seven inches in a building. Provided further, it shall be unlawful to set or maintain any trap outside of a building which does not comply with rule 1501:31-15-09 of the Administrative Code.

(6) It shall be unlawful for a non-resident to trap nuisance wild animals if residents of Ohio may not trap nuisance wild animals in their state.

(7) It shall be lawful to set, use, and maintain snares to trap nuisance wild animals.

(8) Unless otherwise stated in this chapter, all wild animals trapped under the authority of the nuisance wild animal trapping permit shall be released outside the limits of any incorporated city or village. Animals shall not be released on public or private property without the permission of the landowner. Except any raccoon, skunk, beaver, coyote, fox, or opossum that is trapped or taken shall be euthanized, or released on site. Squirrels, chipmunks and moles may be released on site or euthanized within twenty-four hours instead of released.

(1) White-tailed deer, black bear, and wild turkey, which are causing damage or have become a nuisance may be captured or killed by licensed nuisance wild animal trappers or other persons, only after such trappers or other persons have received written permission from the chief of the division of wildlife or his designee.

(2) The division of wildlife representative approving a permit for a nuisance wild animal trapper or other person to take, trap or capture white-tailed deer, black bear, or wild turkey may include specific stipulations on that permit under which white-tailed deer, black bear, or wild turkey may be captured or killed. It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any stipulation set forth on their permit. A violation of any permit stipulation is a violation of this rule and such permit is then subject to revocation by the chief of the division of wildlife or his designee.

(3) All white-tailed deer immobilized with chemicals or drugs shall be euthanized, or released upon approval of the chief, or his designee.

(D) Nuisance Canada geese:

(1) Canada geese which are causing damage or have become a nuisance may be captured or taken by licensed nuisance wild animal trappers, landowners, or agents of the landowner, only after such landowner where the damage or nuisance is occurring has received a goose damage permit from the chief of the division of wildlife or his designee.

(2) The division of wildlife representative approving a goose damage permit for a landowner may include specific stipulations on the permit under which waterfowl may be trapped, captured, or taken. It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any stipulation set forth on their permit. A violation of any permit stipulation is a violation of this rule, and such permit is the subject to revocation by the chief or his designee.

(E) Persons possessing a nuisance wild animal trapping permit may charge a fee for removal of nuisance wild animals. It shall be unlawful for any nuisance wild animal trapper to sell any wild animals that he/she traps. Except, the nuisance wild animal trapper may sell the carcass of raccoon, opossum, beaver, and muskrat at any time. Hides of furbearers acquired during the open season under the nuisance wild animal trapping permit may be sold only during open season for furbearing animals.

(F) Notwithstanding any other provision in this rule, it shall be lawful for persons to destroy nests, and render eggs of nuisance waterfowl unviable, after authorization is given by the chief of the division of wildlife, or his designee in a manner approved by the chief.

(G) It shall be lawful for a landowner, his agent or tenant to trap or take raccoons, opossums, coyote, fox and skunk which are causing damage, are a nuisance, or are sick in accordance with paragraphs (A) and (B) of this rule. Any raccoon, opossums, coyote, fox or skunk which is trapped or taken shall be euthanized within twenty-four hours. Provided further, it shall be unlawful to take raccoon, opossums, coyote, fox or skunk with the use of dogs during closed season.

(H) Notwithstanding any other provision in this rule, it shall be lawful for any person to take crows which are found committing or about to commit depredations upon ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, livestock, or wildlife, or when concentrated in such numbers and manner as to constitute a health hazard or other nuisance, provided:

It shall be unlawful to take or attempt to take crows under paragraph (H) of this rule with the aid or assistance of any calls, artificially placed bait or decoys.

(I) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code shall apply to this rule.

Effective: 01/01/2012
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 08/25/2011 and 10/31/2016
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Rule Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Prior Effective Dates: 8/25/75, 6/1/80, 7/1/83, 6/1/88, 5/11/92, 5/16/94, 11/29/94, 11/15/95, 6/1/97, 7/15/98, 9/1/99, 5/3/00, 9/24/02, 5/27/05, 11/24/2008, 11/27/2009, 7/1/2011

1501:31-15-04 State-owned or administered lands designated as public hunting areas.

(A) The following areas administered by divisions of the Ohio department of natural resources are hereby designated as public hunting areas upon which hunting and trapping are permitted as prescribed by the Revised Code or the Administrative Code.

(1) The following state forests administered by the division of forestry:

Blue Rock

Brush creek

Beaver creek

Dean

Fernwood

Gifford

Harrison

Hocking

Maumee

Perry

Pike

Richland Furnace

Scioto Trail

Shade river

Shawnee

Sunfish creek

Tar Hollow

West Shade

Yellow creek

Zaleski

*Mohican Memorial, except for the following described two-hundred-seventy-acre tract: Beginning at the intersection of the center line of route 97 and the west edge of the air strip, thence along the west edge of the air strip continuing in a straight line across Pine Run to a point on the ridge where a westerly line will intersect the west line of the Memorial forest west of Pine Run and about one-half mile south of route 97, thence north with the forest boundary to the middle of route 97, thence with said center line to the point of beginning.

(2) The following lands owned, administered by or under agreement with the division of wildlife are hereby designated as public hunting areas or wildlife areas:

Acadia cliffs

Aldrich pond

Ales run

American Electric Power recreational area

Aquilla lake

Auburn marsh

Avondale

Bayshore fishing access

Beach City

Beaver creek (Greene county)

Beaver (Marion county)

**B & N Coal, Inc.

Berlin lake

Big island

Bott

Broken Aro wildlife area

Brush creek (Jefferson county)

Buffalo Fork

Caesar creek reservoir

Camp Belden

Cascade Wayside

City of Akron LaDue/Mogadore

Circleville canal

**Charlemont reservation ( Lorain county park district)

Clarence J. Brown reservoir

Clark lake

Clouse lake

Coalton wildlife area

Collier scenic river area

Conneaut

Conant

**CONSOL Energy, Powhatten Point

Cooper Hollow

Crown City wildlife area

Dan & Margaret James

Darke

Deer creek

Deer creek reservoir (Stark county)

Delaware

Dempsey

Dillon lake

Dorset

East Fork lake

**Edge of Appalachia

Egypt valley

Elmon Richards Scioto river fishing access

Fallsville

Fayette county area 015

Fayette county area 016

Fayette county area 017

Fayette county area 025

Fayette county area 038

Fayette county area 053

Fayette county area 056

Fayette county area 057

Fayette county area 060

Fish creek

Flint Run

Firestone/Yeagley wildlife area

Five mile creek access

Florida

Fox lake

Fulton pond

Funk bottoms

Gavin

Goll woods

Grand river

Grant lake

Greenfield lake

Hambden orchard

Hammertown

Hanby

Hancock county area 009

Hancock county area 024

Hancock county area 032

Hancock county area 041

Hancock county area 043

Hancock county area 045

Hancock county area 046

Hardin county area 01

Hellbender Bluff wildlife area

Henry county area 012

Henry county area 028

Henry county area 029

Highlandtown lake

Honey point

Huron fishing access

Indian creek

Jackson county line

Jackson city reservoir

Jackson lake agreement

Jockey Hollow

Keen

K.H. Butler

Killbuck marsh

Killbuck-Walhonding access

Killdeer plains

Kinnikinnick wildlife area

Knobby's prairie

Knox lake

Kokosing

Kuehnle

Lake La Su An

Lake park

Lake Rupert

Lake Snowden

Lake White Tail Waters

Leesville lake

Liberty

Little Portage

Lover's Portage river access

Lower Killbuck creek

Luthman wildlife area

Mackey Ford

Madison county area 036

Madison county area 055

Magee marsh

Mallard Club wildlife area

Mansfield City reservoir

Mazurik fishing access

Meilke Road Savanna

Meiners

Mercer

Metzger marsh

Meyerholtz

Michigan wildlife area

Milan

Miller Blue Hole

Missionary island group (including Missionary, Indian, Butler, and Grave islands)

Mohican River wildlife area

Mohler-Holmes

Mohler-Richland

Monroe basin

Monroe lake

Mosquito creek

Muskingum watershed conservancy district

Nettle lake fishing access

New Lyme

North Bass island

Oberlin reservoir

Ohio river access - Forked Run wildlife area

Ohio river access - Oldtown wildlife area

Ohio river access - Racine wildlife area

Ohio river access - Shade River wildlife area

Ohio river lock & dam #15 wildlife area

Ohio river lock & dam #18 wildlife area

Ohio river lock & dam #19 wildlife area

Ohio river lock & dam #21 wildlife area

Ohio river lock & dam #23 wildlife area

Oldaker

Old Woman creek

Orwell

Ottawa county area 022

Ottawa county area 065

Ottawa national refuge

Ottoville quarry

Oxbow lake

Paint creek

Parkersburg

Pater

Pickaway co. area 004

Pickaway co. area 010

Pickaway co. area 013

Pickaway co. area 019

Pickaway co. area 026

Pickaway co. area 027

Pickaway co. area 034

Pickaway co. area 037

Pickaway co. area 039

Pickaway co. area 049

Pickerel creek

Pipe creek

Pleasant valley

Portage river fishing access

Poston

Powelson

Portage Path wildlife area

Prairie creek

Putnam county area 051

Putnam county area 052

Putnam county area 054

REMA

Resthaven

Rockmill lake

Ross county area 001

Ross county area 023

Ross county area 033

Ross county area 035

Ross county area 048

Ross lake

Ruff pond

**Rush creek conservancy district

Rush Run lake

Salt Fork lake

Sandusky bay bridge access

Sandusky co. area 014

Sandusky co. area 018

Sandusky co. area 030

Sandusky co. area 031

Sandusky co. area 050

Sandusky co. area 059

Sandusky co. area 063

Samuels wildlife area

Saint Joseph river

Scenic Vista wildlife area

Seneca county area 047

Seneca county area 061

Seneca county area 062

Seneca county area 064

Senecaville

Shenango

Shreve lake

Silver creek marsh

Simco wetlands

Spencer lake

Springvalley

Szabo buckeye furnace

Sugar creek

**Sunday creek

Superior wildlife area

Symmes township wildlife area

Tiffin river

Toussaint

Tranquility

Trimble township community forest

Tri-valley

Trump wildlife preserve

Turkey Ridge

Turtle creek access

Tycoon lake

Upper Deer creek reservoir (Walborn reservoir)

Valley Run wildlife area

Van Tassel

Veto lake

Wallace H. O'Dowd wildlife area

Warren

Waterloo

Wayne national forest

Wellington

Wellston

West harbor

Whitey case wildlife production area

Wingfoot lake wildlife area

Willard marsh

Willow Point

Wilson wetlands

Wolf creek

Woodbury

Wood county area 003

Wood county area 006

Wood county area 007

Wood county area 008

Wood county area 011

Wood county area 019

Wood county area 020

Wood county area 042

Wood county area 044

Wood county area 058

Woodland trails

Wyandot

Zepernick lake

**Note: Areas indicated with double asterisks (**) will be operated only if appropriate agreements or leases are signed and such areas are posted with signs.

(B) The areas administered by the division of parks and recreation listed in paragraphs (B) and (C) of this rule are hereby designated as public hunting areas. Hunting and trapping are permitted when done in accordance with the Revised Code and the Administrative Code.

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt any wild animal on any public hunting area listed in paragraphs (B) and (C) of this rule with any device or by any means other than shotguns; falconry; longbow and arrow; muzzleloading rifles and shotguns; and crossbows and arrows. However, rifles and handguns may be used to take furbearing animals from six p.m. to six a.m., handguns may also be used to take squirrels during open seasons and handguns may be used to take deer during the deer gun season in accordance with rule 1501:31-15-11 of the Administrative Code.

(2) It shall be lawful to hunt game birds, game quadrupeds and fur bearing animals, and trap furbearing animals in the division of parks and recreation areas named in this rule when done in accordance to the official hunting maps for the parks listed. Official hunting maps indicate those areas of the park open and closed to hunting and trapping and any restrictions on hunting or trapping in those areas. The official copies of the maps are filed with the chief of the division of parks and recreation. At least thirty days prior to the effective date copies of the maps are posted in accordance with the Administrative Code and filed at the respective parks and recreation area headquarters office.

Parks that have areas open to hunting and trapping:

Alum Creek state park

A.W. Marion state park

Barkcamp state park

Beaver Creek state park

Blue Rock state park

Buck Creek state park

Buckeye lake state park

Burr Oak state park

Caesar Creek state park

Cowan lake state park

Crane Creek state park

Deer Creek state park

Delaware state park

Dillon state park

East Fork state park

East Harbor state park

Findley state park

Forked Run state park

Geneva state park

Grand lake St. Marys state park

Great Seal state park

Guilford lake state park

Hocking Hills state park

Hueston Woods state park

Indian lake state park

Jackson lake state park

Jefferson lake state park

John Bryan state park

Kelleys Island state park

Kiser lake state park

Lake Alma state park

Lake Hope state park

Lake Logan state park

Lake Loramie state park

Lake Milton state park

Madison lake state park

Malabar state park

Maumee Bay state park

Mosquito state park

Mount Gilead state park

Mary Jane Thurston state park

North Bass Island state park

Paint Creek state park

Portage lakes state park

Punderson state park

Pymatuning state park

Rocky Fork state park

Salt Fork state park

Scioto Trail state park

Shawnee state park

Stonelick state park

Strouds Run state park

Sycamore state park

Tar Hollow state park

Tinkers Creek state park

Van Buren state park

West Branch state park

Wolf Run state park

(C) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or trap at any time, on the following lands or waters administered by the division of parks except when permitted by the division of parks:

Adams lake state park

Catawba island state park

Cleveland lakefront state park

Harrison lake state park

Headlands beach state park

Independence dam state park

Lake White state park

Little Miami state park

Muskingum river state park

Nelson Kennedy ledges state park

Pike lake state park

Quail Hollow state park

South Bass island state park

(D) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt within a public hunting area posted with signs showing "No Hunting," or "Safety Zone-No Hunting," "No Trapping," or "No Hunting and No Trapping."

(E) It shall be unlawful for any person to take, kill or harass a wild animal in any state park at any time unless authorized by the chief of the division of wildlife, except during the open season.

(F) The chief of the division of wildlife may issue special permits for any activity on any property owned or under control of the division of wildlife.

(G) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code shall apply to this rule.

Effective: 07/01/2012
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 02/06/2012 and 04/17/2017
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Rule Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Prior Effective Dates: 8/25/76 (Temp.), 6/1/77 (Temp.), 6/1/78 (Temp.), 6/1/79 Temp.), 6/1/80 (Temp.), 6/1/81(Temp.), 6/1/82 (Temp.), 11/12/82 (Temp.), 5/3/83 (Temp.), 5/31/84 (Temp.), 6/1/86 (Temp.), 11/21/86 (Emer.), 6/1/87(Temp.), 6/1/88, 10/13/88 (Emer.), 7/1/89, 7/31/90, 7/31/92, 10/31/92, 8/15/95, 8/10/96, 1/25/97, 6/1/97, 6/1/99, 3/1/00, 7/5/00, 7/22/01, 2/1/02, 7/19/02, 6/4/03, 5/28/04, 5/27/05, 1/1/06, 7/1/06, 7/1/07, 7/1/08, 11/24/08, 1/1/10, 7/1/10, 7/1/2011

1501:31-15-05 Magee marsh; special regulations.

(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take or possess any game except ducks, geese, and coots, and deer on Magee marsh.

(B) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt on the Magee Marsh without first obtaining a special hunting permit from the chief of the division of wildlife; however, it shall be unlawful for any person to hunt more than one time per-season during the first segment of the waterfowl season, except during the special teal season.

(C) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt waterfowl as permitted by this rule at any time except from the designated opening time established by rule 1501:31-7-05 or 1501:31-7-06 of the Administrative Code to the closing time indicated on their permit. Provided, further, all hunters must check in for inspection at a waterfowl checking station not later than two hours following the indicated time on their permit.

(D) It shall be unlawful for any person to trespass at any time on the Magee Marsh where posted with signs reading "Controlled Hunting Area, Permit Required."

(E) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt from any position farther than seventy-five yards from the assigned blind, except for the purpose of killing a duck or coot which has been crippled.

(F) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess more than twenty-five shotgun shells at any time while hunting on said area.

(G) Trapping is prohibited on the Magee marsh and Crane creek beach state public hunting areas except when authorized in writing by the chief of the division of wildlife.

(H) It shall be unlawful for any person to shoot from a dike at any time unless from within an assigned blind located thereon.

(I) All definitions set forth in section 1531.01 of the Revised Code shall apply to this rule.

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 06/22/2011 and 06/15/2016
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 1531.08
Rule Amplifies: 1531.08
Prior Effective Dates: 8/25/75, 6/1/80, 8/1/84, 7/31/89, 6/7/93, 10/14/94, 8/15/95, 8/10/96

1501:31-15-06 Areas requiring permit to hunt thereon.

(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or trap on the AMC-Hollow Rock, AMC-McIntyre creek, Avondale, "American electric power", "B & N Coal, Inc." and the Sunday creek wildlife areas, at any time, without first securing a special permit from the division of wildlife or the owner's authorized agent.

(B) Deer may be hunted by persons who receive a controlled deer hunting permit in all portions of Mosquito creek wildlife area designated as "state game refuge". It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt deer without a controlled deer hunting permit on any portion of the Mosquito creek designated as "state game refuge". It shall be unlawful for any person taking a deer during a controlled deer hunt on the Mosquito creek area to fail to take such deer to the checking station on the area for final tagging prior to leaving the area. It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to check back through the checking station at the termination of a controlled deer hunt on the day for which such permit was issued.

(C) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt wild turkeys during the spring turkey season on Paint creek state park or on lake La Su An wildlife area without a valid permit authorizing such activity. Said permit shall be issued by the chief of the division of wildlife and shall provide conditions whereby individuals may hunt or fish when complying with the conditions of the permit.

(D) It shall be unlawful for any person to buy, sell, trade, or barter any controlled hunting, fishing or trapping permit issued by the division of wildlife.

(E) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code shall apply to this rule.

Effective: 07/01/2011
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 02/04/2011 and 04/22/2016
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Rule Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Prior Effective Dates: 8/25/75, 6/1/80, 6/1/81, 6/1/82, 5/31/83, 5/31/84, 6/1/86, 4/20/87, 6/1/88, 11/1/88, 7/1/89, 7/31/92, 11/1/93, 5/16/94, 8/15/95, 8/10/96, 6/1/97, 7/5/00, 7/19/02, 6/4/03, 5/28/04, 6/01/06, 7/1/2008

1501:31-15-07 Areas having limited hunting.

(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt on that part of the Resthaven wildlife area or the Magee marsh state public hunting area posted with state signs reading, "No Hunting Zone."

(B) Clear Fork reservoir located in Troy and Springfield townships in Richland county and Troy township in Morrow county.

(1) Game birds and wild quadrupeds may be taken during the open seasons, in such manner and in such numbers as are prescribed by the Revised Code or the Administrative Code.

(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt on that part of the land area in the northwest section, also that part of the area in the southeast section of said reservoir which are posted with "No Hunting" signs.

(3) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt on this area with any firearm or device other than a shotgun or longbow and arrow. However, rifles may be used to take furbearing animals from six p.m. to six a.m. during the open season.

(1) Game birds and wild quadrupeds may be taken during the open season, in such manner and in such numbers as prescribed by the Revised Code or the Administrative Code.

(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt on that part of the land area in the northwest section and also that part of the land area in the southeast section of said reservoir which is posted with "No Hunting" signs.

(D) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt a wild animal on or within an area owned or used by the division of wildlife for propagating fish.

(E) It shall be unlawful for any person to trap beaver on the "American Electric Power" recreation public hunting area without a special permit from the "American Electric Power."

(F) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt waterfowl at any time other than the legal starting time until twelve noon on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the duck season on portions of the Shenango, Salt Fork, and Killbuck wildlife areas when posted with division signs so stating "Waterfowl Hunting Permitted Beyond this Sign on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. During the Waterfowl Season Hours: Legal Shooting Time Until Twelve Noon."

(G) It shall be unlawful to hunt waterfowl on Mosquito creek wildlife area, or on those areas of Grand river posted as "Controlled Waterfowl Hunting Area Permit Required" without a valid daily permit issued by the division of wildlife.

(H) It shall be unlawful for any person at any time to take or hunt a groundhog or woodchuck on the "American Electric Power" recreation public hunting area.

(I) It shall be unlawful for any person without a permit issued by the chief of the division of wildlife or his agent to hunt at any time on the Urbana wildlife area.

(J) It shall be unlawful for any person eighteen years of age or older to hunt, trap or fish on camp Belden wildlife area. Provided further, persons younger than eighteen years of age may hunt, trap or fish when accompanied by a non-hunting, non-trapping or non-fishing adult.

(K) It shall be unlawful to hunt on camp Belden wildlife area during the youth season for deer without a controlled deer hunting permit issued by the division of wildlife.

(L) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code shall apply to this rule.

Effective: 07/01/2012
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 02/06/2012 and 04/17/2017
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Rule Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Prior Effective Dates: 5/1/76, 6/1/78, 6/1/79, 6/1/81, 6/1/82, 5/31/84, 6/1/85, 6/1/88, 7/13/88 (Emer), 10/17/ 88, 7/31/90, 8/11/91, 7/31/92, 6/7/93, 6/1/97, 7/15/98, 7/5/00, 7/19/02, 5/28/04, 6/1/2006, 7/1/.2011

1501:31-15-08 Deer damage control permits.

(A) The chief of the division of wildlife hereby establishes free deer damage control permits. Persons having sustained actual and substantial nursery, orchard, farm crop or other property damage by deer shall apply for a permit, which may be issued according to individual circumstances and need and for such length of time as determined by personnel of the division of wildlife or the chief's designee. Failure to comply with the provisions set forth in the application for a deer damage control permit shall result in the immediate revocation of the permit and the person violating the provisions will be subject to prosecution under existing laws.

(B) It shall be unlawful to sell, barter or trade any part of a deer killed under authority of a deer damage control permit.

(C) It shall be unlawful for any person not listed on a deer damage control permit to aid or assist in the taking or killing of deer.

(D) It shall be unlawful to take or attempt to take deer at any time during the closed season, except when taken under the authority of a deer damage control permit. Provided further, it shall be unlawful to take deer at any time other than within the dates listed on the deer damage control permit.

(E) It shall be unlawful to dispose of any parts of a deer except as specified on the deer damage control permit.

(F) It shall be unlawful to take or attempt to take a deer at any time of the day or night except during the times specifically listed on the deer damage control permit.

(G) It shall be lawful to take or attempt to take a deer on a deer damage control permit with any rifle, shotgun, pistol, revolver, bow or crossbow and arrow unless otherwise prohibited on the issued permit.

(H) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code shall apply to this rule.

(I) It shall be unlawful to sell, barter, or trade a deer damage control permit obtained under this section.

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 06/22/2011 and 06/15/2016
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 1531.08
Rule Amplifies: 1531.08
Prior Effective Dates: 3/1/73, 6/1/78, 6/1/79, 6/1/84, 7/31/89, 7/15/98, 7/5/00, 01/01/01, 7/19/02, 8/17/07, 07/01/08

1501:31-15-09 Hunting and trapping regulations for furbearing animals.

(A) Throughout the state, it shall be unlawful for a person to hunt, trap, take, or possess furbearing animals except according to this rule and other rules in the Administrative Code or the Revised Code.

(B) There is no bag or possession limit on fox, skunk, weasel, raccoon, opossum, mink, coyotes, beaver or muskrat. All furbearing animals shall be immediately killed and reduced to the person's possession.

(C) It shall be unlawful for any person engaged in trapping to fail to visit and remove all wild animals from their traps once every twenty-four hours.

(D) It shall be unlawful for any person to set, use, or maintain a foot hold trap, on land for the purpose of taking a wild animal, that has an inside diameter jaw spread larger than five and five-eighths inches, or a body gripping trap having a jaw spread larger than five inches in diameter, except as provided in paragraph (BB) of this rule.

(E) It shall be unlawful for any person at any time to set, use, or maintain a body gripping trap, in the water for the purpose of taking a wild animal, that has a jaw spread larger than seven inches in diameter except while completely submerged.

(F) It shall be unlawful for any person to use traps, for the purpose of taking a wild animal, having teeth on the jaws.

(G) It shall be unlawful for any person to set, use or maintain a 330 connibear, a twelve-inch bigelow or similar sized body gripping trap for the purpose of taking a wild animal, at any time except when set completely submerged in water and then only during the beaver season.

(H) It shall be unlawful for any person to trap, trap for or take beaver or river otter on state public hunting areas except B & N coal public hunting area unless such person has a special beaver or river otter trapping permit for that specific public hunting area issued by the wildlife chief or his representative.

(I) It shall be unlawful to trap beaver or river otter on American electric power lands without written permission from the company or its authorized representative.

(J) It shall be unlawful for any person to remove, disturb, or destroy a beaver dam located on any division owned, administered or controlled area without permission from the chief of the division of wildlife or on any private land without permission of the landowner.

(K) It shall be unlawful for any person to place, set, or maintain any type of trap other than a live trap, body gripping trap, snare, or foot hold trap, for the purpose of taking a wild animal. Provided further, it shall be unlawful to set a body gripping trap with a diameter greater than five inches or a foot hold trap having a jaw spread of greater than five and five-eights inches in diameter in a tile, den, or burrow on land.

(L) It shall be unlawful for any person to set, use, or maintain on land or in water, for the purpose of taking a wild animal, any foot hold trap that is not covered. Provided further, it shall be unlawful to use any flesh bait that is not totally covered.

(M) It shall be unlawful for any person at any time to shoot a mink, muskrat, river otter or beaver unless a permit has been issued by the chief of the division of wildlife or his representative.

(N) It shall be unlawful for any person to disturb or molest a legally set trap, or remove a furbearing animal from a trap of another without permission from the trap owner or user.

(O) It shall be unlawful for any person to set, use, or maintain any type of a trap on land, except a live trap, for the purpose of taking a wild animal within one hundred fifty feet of an occupied residence without advising a person residing therein. Persons trapping on land that they own or where they reside are exempt from the provisions in this paragraph.

(P) It shall be unlawful for any person to pursue, hunt, or trap furbearing animals from sunset to sunrise, without carrying a continuous white light visible for a distance of at least one-quarter of a mile. However, persons hunting fox, raccoon or coyote with a call from a stationary position may use a continuous single beam light of any color. When two or more persons are hunting or trapping together for such animals, one light only is required and may be carried by any member of the party.

(Q) It shall be unlawful for any person to use or possess climbers, or any other device that may be used for climbing trees except tree stands, while hunting, trapping or pursuing furbearing animals. Provided further, it shall be unlawful for any person to train dogs pursuing furbearing animals during the closed season except from six p.m. to six a.m. daily.

(R) It shall be unlawful for any person to set, use, or maintain a trap or snare to take a wild animal, unless such trap or snare has attached thereto a durable waterproof tag bearing the name and mailing address or unique division of wildlife customer identification number of the user in English letters legible at all times, or which has the name and mailing address or unique division of wildlife customer identification number of the user stamped into such trap in English letters legible at all times.

(S) It shall be unlawful for any person to set, maintain, or use a trap or snare in or upon any cart or wagon road, in or upon any path ordinarily used by domestic animals or human beings.

(T) It shall be lawful for persons to take coyotes without a fur taker permit. Provided further, any person hunting coyotes shall have a valid hunting license.

(U) It shall be unlawful for a person to set, use, and maintain snares for the purpose of taking furbearing animals that does not have a relaxing lock and a stop to prevent the opening of the snare from closing to a diameter of less than two and one half inches in diameter, or a relaxing lock system with a breaking point of not greater than three hundred fifty pounds.

(V) It shall be unlawful to use a snare attached to a drag. Provided further, snares may be affixed to immovable objects, or staked.

(W) It shall be unlawful to set, use, or maintain any snare on any area designated as a public hunting area except on those areas listed in paragraph (H) of this rule and then only when beaver or river otter trapping. The minimum diameter snare loop shall be at least ten inches and the bottom of the snare must be covered with not less than one inch of water at all times while set on public hunting areas.

(X) It shall be unlawful to use any snare that is constructed of any material other than multi or single strand steel cable.

(Y) It shall be unlawful to set a snare with a loop diameter of greater than fifteen inches.

(Z) It shall be unlawful to have attached to a snare any spring loaded or mechanical device to assist the snare in closing.

(AA) It shall be unlawful for any persons to set, use, or maintain any snare that does not comply with the requirements set forth in this rule.

(BB) It shall be lawful to set, use, and maintain a body gripping trap to take groundhogs from March first through September thirtieth each year. Provided further, it shall be unlawful to use a body gripping trap with a jaw spread greater than seven inches by seven inches to take groundhogs.

(CC) It shall be unlawful to set, use, or maintain a body gripping trap to take groundhogs which is set more than three feet from the hole, or structure the groundhog is inhabiting.

(DD) It shall be unlawful to set, use, or maintain a body gripping trap to take groundhogs that does not have an enclosure or structure around the trap which prohibits other animals from getting into the trap from the outside.

(EE) Every river otter pelt taken or possessed during the river otter trapping season must be delivered to a division of wildlife representative, during normal business hours, for mandatory checking and tagging within seventy-two hours of harvest.

(FF) It shall be unlawful for any person other than the person who trapped a river otter to present the river otter to a division of wildlife representative for mandatory checking and tagging.

(GG) Each person delivering a river otter for mandatory checking and tagging must report the date, time, location and any other information requested by the division of wildlife.

(HH) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code shall apply to this rule.

(II) For the purposes of this rule, traps shall be measured in the open set position, from the inside of the main trap jaws as produced by the manufacturer and shall not include jaw modifications or add-ons.

(1) Measurement of foot hold traps shall be made perpendicular to the frame at the widest location parallel with the dog.

(2) Measurement of foot hold traps without dogs shall be made perpendicular to the frame at the widest location parallel with the pan shank.

(3) Body gripping traps shall be measured from the inside of the main jaw at the trigger assembly to the inside of the opposing jaw across the entrance window.

Effective: 01/01/2012
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 08/25/2011 and 10/31/2016
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Rule Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Prior Effective Dates: 8/25/75, 2/5/77, 6/1/77, 6/1/78, 6/1/79, 6/1/80, 6/1/81, 6/1/82, 6/1/84, 6/1/85, 6/1/87, 9/15/87, 7/31/92, 6/30/94, 8/15/95, 8/10/96, 3/1/00, 7/22/01, 4/21/02, 6/4/03, 5/28/04, 5/27/05, 6/01/06, 7/1/08, 11/24/08, 7/1/09, 7/1/2010, 7/1/2011

1501:31-15-10 Wild turkey regulations.

(A) Season dates

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take wild turkeys at any time except in accordance with this rule or any provisions of this rule:

(a) Spring wild turkey season is open statewide from April 22, 2013 through May 19, 2013.

(b) Youth spring wild turkey season is open on April 20 and 21, 2013 for persons holding a valid youth hunting license and turkey permit. All spring wild turkey season rules apply to these dates with the following exceptions:

(i) It shall be unlawful for any youth to hunt or take more than one wild turkey.

(ii) It shall be unlawful for any youth, regardless of age, who participates in the youth spring wild turkey season to hunt if they are not accompanied by a non-hunting adult eighteen years of age or older.

(iii) It shall be unlawful for a non-hunting adult eighteen years of age or older to accompany more than two persons holding a valid youth hunting license and turkey permit.

(iv) It shall be unlawful for any non-hunting adult eighteen years of age or older who is accompanying any person holding a valid youth hunting license and turkey permit to hunt or possess any hunting implements.

(v) It shall be unlawful for the responsible, non-hunting adult, eighteen years of age or older, to allow a person holding a valid youth hunting license and turkey permit to hunt unaccompanied during the youth turkey season.

(c) Fall wild turkey season is open from the second Saturday of October through the last Sunday of November in the following counties: Adams, Ashland, Ashtabula, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Carroll, Clermont, Columbiana, Coshocton, Cuyahoga, Defiance, Gallia, Geauga, Guernsey, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lake, Lawrence, Licking, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pike, Portage, Richland, Ross, Scioto, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Vinton, Washington, Wayne and Williams counties.

(B) Bag limits

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to take or possess a wild turkey during the spring wild turkey season that does not have a visible beard.

(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take or possess more than one wild turkey per day.

(3) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take or possess more than two bearded wild turkeys during the spring wild turkey season.

(4) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take or possess more than one wild turkey of either sex during the fall wild turkey season.

(1) Archery:

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take a wild turkey with any archery equipment except:

(i) A longbow and arrow.

(ii) A crossbow and arrow.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt wild turkey while being in possession of, or take a wild turkey with, explosive or poisoned arrows.

(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take wild turkey with a longbow having a draw weight less than forty pounds, or with a crossbow having a draw weight less than seventy-five pounds.

(d) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take a wild turkey with a broadhead having less than two cutting edges measuring less than three quarters inch wide.

(2) Firearms:

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take wild turkeys with any firearm except:

A shotgun using shot.

(3) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess more than one firearm, longbow or crossbow while hunting wild turkey.

(D) Hunting methods and hours

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person during the spring wild turkey season to hunt or take a wild turkey at any time other than from one half hour before sunrise to twelve p.m. during the period of April 22, 2013 through May 5, 2013.

(2) It shall be unlawful for any person during the spring wild turkey season to hunt or take a wild turkey at any time other than from one half hour before sunrise to sunset during the period of May 6, 2013 through May 19, 2013.

(3) It shall be unlawful for any person during the spring youth wild turkey season to hunt or take a wild turkey at any time other than from one half hour before sunrise to sunset.

(4) It shall be unlawful for any person during the fall wild turkey season to hunt or take a wild turkey at any time other than from one half hour before sunrise to sunset.

(5) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take a wild turkey by the aid of baiting or on or over any baited area.

(6) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take a wild turkey by the use or aid of live birds as decoys.

(7) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or use any electronic calling device capable of producing recorded turkey or other wild animal calls or sounds, or recorded and/or electronically amplified imitations of turkey or other wild animal calls or sounds, while hunting wild turkey.

(8) It shall be unlawful for any person to take a wild turkey when it is in a tree.

(9) It shall be unlawful for any person during the spring wild turkey season to hunt or take a wild turkey with the aid of a dog, except wounded wild turkeys may be tracked using a dog that is leashed.

(E) Permits

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take a wild turkey during the spring wild turkey season without possessing a valid spring turkey permit.

(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take a wild turkey during the fall turkey season without possessing a valid fall turkey permit.

(3) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or use a spring turkey permit or a fall turkey permit of another while hunting wild turkey.

(4) It shall be unlawful for any person, during the spring wild turkey season, to hunt or take wild turkey or aid another person in the hunting or taking of wild turkey, while having in their possession a hunting implement, while being solely in possession of a spring turkey permit for which a game check confirmation number has been issued or the associated game tag has been validated.

(5) It shall be unlawful for any person, during the fall wild turkey season, to hunt or take wild turkey or aid another person in the hunting or taking of wild turkey, while having in their possession a hunting implement, while being solely in possession of a fall turkey permit for which a game check confirmation number has been issued or the associated game tag has been validated.

(F) Tagging and game check

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person required to have a turkey permit under section 1533.11 of the Revised Code, after having killed a turkey, to fail to immediately attach a validated game tag to the dead turkey at the place where the turkey fell. A game tag is considered validated when the hunter has written on the tag, legibly in the English language, their name, the date, time, and county of kill and also written in the spaces provided on the corresponding turkey permit.

(2) It shall be unlawful for any person exempt from having a turkey permit under section 1533.11 of the Revised Code, to fail to immediately attach a valid game tag to the dead turkey at the place where the turkey fell. Persons covered by this section shall provide their own game tag. Such game tag is considered valid when the hunter has written on the tag, legibly in the English language their full name, the date, time and county of kill.

(3) It shall be unlawful to remove a game tag from any turkey until the turkey has been game checked and a valid game check confirmation number has been affixed to the turkey.

(4) It shall be unlawful for any person to attach a game tag to any wild turkey which was taken by another person.

(5) It shall be unlawful to attach a game check confirmation number to a turkey or parts thereof taken by another person.

(6) It shall be unlawful to attach a game tag associated with or use a turkey permit on or for any turkey that was taken before the permit was purchased or otherwise obtained.

(7) It shall be unlawful to manufacture, counterfeit, sell, trade, distribute, forge and/or falsify a turkey permit or game tag for a turkey.

(8) It shall be unlawful to manufacture, counterfeit, sell, trade distribute, forge and/or falsify a game check confirmation number for a turkey.

(9) It shall be unlawful to possess, attach, affix or otherwise use a counterfeit or falsified turkey permit or game tag on or for any turkey.

(10) It shall be unlawful to possess, attach, affix or otherwise use a counterfeit or falsified game check confirmation number on or for any turkey.

(11) It shall be unlawful to possess any turkey, or part thereof, which has attached or affixed a counterfeit or otherwise falsified game tag.

(12) It shall be unlawful to possess any turkey, or part thereof, which has attached or affixed a counterfeit or otherwise falsified game check confirmation number.

(13) It shall be unlawful to attach a game tag from an invalid or voided turkey permit to any turkey. A turkey permit is void after it has been used to game check a turkey.

(14) It shall be unlawful to use or attempt to use an invalid or voided turkey permit to obtain a game check confirmation number through the game check process.

(15) It shall be unlawful to attach, affix or otherwise use a game check confirmation number for a turkey, or parts thereof, other than for the turkey the game check confirmation number was issued to at the time of game checking.

(16) It shall be unlawful for any person to leave the state of Ohio with a turkey that was taken by hunting that has not been game checked and the game check confirmation number permanently attached.

(17) It shall be unlawful to attach a game check confirmation number from a spring wild turkey permit to a wild turkey taken during the fall wild turkey season.

(18) It shall be unlawful to attach a game check confirmation number from a fall wild turkey permit to a wild turkey taken during the spring wild turkey season.

(19) It shall be unlawful to remove the feet, beard and feathers of a turkey until the turkey has been game checked and tagged with a valid game check confirmation number. It shall be lawful to eviscerate or field dress the turkey prior to game checking and attaching the game check confirmation number.

(20) It shall be unlawful for each person who kills a wild turkey to fail to game check and permanently attach the game check confirmation number to the turkey, regardless of the season, by eleven-thirty p.m. on the same day the wild turkey is killed.

(21) It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to immediately and permanently attach their valid game check confirmation number to the turkey after it as been game checked. A game check confirmation number is valid when the owner has attached their division of wildife game check confirmation number to the turkey. Writing the game check confirmation number on the existing game tag will validate the game check process.

(22) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess a wild turkey or parts thereof unless such person has a tag, seal, certificate, permanent tag number, game check confirmation number or license showing the turkey or parts thereof were taken or acquired legally.

(23) It shall be unlawful to provide any false information or data when game checking any turkey.

(24) It shall be unlawful at any time to possess a wild turkey or wild turkey parts that were taken in violation of any Administrative Code rule or the Ohio Revised Code.

(25) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess a dead wild turkey, or any part thereof, unless such wild turkey, or parts thereof, are accompanied by an attached valid tag, game check confirmation number, seal, certificate of legal ownership, statement or receipt. For the purposes of this section a valid tag, seal, permanent tag number, game check confirmation number, certificate for legal ownership, statement or receipt for any wild turkey, or part thereof, is any one or more of the following:

(a) A valid Ohio division of wildlife temporary wild turkey tag, permanent wild turkey tag, permanent wild turkey tag number or game check confirmation number.

(b) An Ohio division of wildlife tag or seal approved under the authority of section 1533.74 of the Revised Code if the wild turkey or parts thereof were sold for food.

(c) A signed statement or receipt, legible in the English language, which states the previous owners name, address and phone number and the valid commercial propagation permit number if the wild turkey or parts thereof were sold or given away under the authority of section 1533.71 of the Revised Code.

(d) A tag or certificate as described in section 1533.731 of the Revised Code.

(e) A signed statement or receipt, legible in the English language, which lists the owner or previous owners name, address and phone number, the state and county of kill, the date of kill and the assigned permanent wild turkey tag number or game check confirmation number, if applicable.

(f) An official tag, seal or other official documentation to show legal ownership and an accompanying valid hunting license issued by another state or province if the wild turkey was killed outside of Ohio.

(g) A certificate for legal ownership issued by a law enforcement officer within their jursidiction.

(h) A valid tag, seal, permanent tag number, game check confirmation number, certificate for legal ownership, statement or receipt for the purposes of this rule is considered attached if it is physically affixed to the wild turkey, or parts thereof, in the following manner:

(i) The valid tag, seal, permanent tag number, game check confirmation number, certificate for legal ownership, statement or receipt must remain attached to the wild turkey until the wild turkey has been processed into a taxidermy product. At this time the valid tag, seal, permanent tag number, game check confirmation number, certificate for legal ownership, statement or receipt may be removed from the wild turkey and placed in another location on the taxidermy product which allows for visual inspection. However the tag, permanent tag number, game check confirmation number, seal, certificate for legal ownership, statement or receipt must remain affixed permanently to the taxidermy product.

(ii) If through the butchering process one or more packages of meat are produced the tag, game check confirmation number, seal, certificate for legal ownership, statement or receipt shall be maintained and available for inspection until the entire wild turkey is consumed.

(26) It shall be unlawful for any person to place or leave a wild turkey, or any part thereof, in the custody of another person for the purpose of skinning, processing, taxidermy, transportation, shipping, storage, including temporary storage, or any other reason, unless such wild turkey or parts thereof are accompanied by an attached valid tag, permanent tag number, game check confirmation number, seal, certificate for legal ownership, statement or receipt.

(G) Sales of turkey parts

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to buy, sell or offer for sale any wild turkey, or part thereof, taken from the wild, except:

(a) Legally acquired and possessed turkey feathers, bones, spurs, feet, skin and beards may be bought and sold at any time individually or as a wildlife ornamental product by the legal owner.

(b) Wild turkey taxidermy products may be bought or sold at any time. At the time of the purchase or sale the taxidermy product must be accompanied by a signed statement or receipt, legible in the English language, which lists the previous owner's name, address and phone number, the state of kill(s) and the assigned tag, game check confirmation number, seal, certificate for legal ownership or permit number(s), if applicable, and the number of wild turkey, from which the said wild turkey parts originated, that were sold during the transaction. This information must remain with the taxidermy product unless said product(s) are disassembled and manufactured into a wildlife ornamental product(s).

(H) Special areas

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person not possessing a valid youth hunting license and turkey permit to hunt or take a wild turkey during the spring or fall wild turkey season on any area designated youth hunting only.

(I) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code shall apply to this rule.

Effective: 01/01/2013
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 08/27/2012 and 11/01/2017
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Rule Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Prior Effective Dates: 6/25/75, 2/5/77, 6/1/77, 6/1/78, 6/1/79, 6/1/80, 6/1/81, 6/1/82, 6/1/84, 6/1/85, 6/1/87, 9/15/87, 7/31/92, 6/30/94, 8/15/95, 6/10/96, 3/1/00, 7/22/01, 4/21/02, 6/4/03, 6/30/04, 5/27/05, 7/1/06, 7/1/07, 7/1/08, 11/24/08, 7/1/09, 7/1/10, 7/1/11, 1/1/12, 7/1/12

1501:31-15-11 Deer regulations.

(A) Season dates

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take deer at any time except in accordance with this rule or any other provisions of this rule:

(a) Deer archery season is open statewide from the last Saturday of September through the first Sunday of February.

(b) Early muzzleloading deer season is open from October 15, 2012 through October 20, 2012 on the following areas: Salt Fork, Wildcat Hollow and Shawnee as described in rule 1501: 31-15-13 of the Administrative Code.

It shall be unlawful to take more than one deer during the early muzzleloader season in designated areas.

(c) Youth deer gun season is open November 17 and 18, 2012 for persons holding a valid youth hunting license and deer permit. All deer gun season rules apply to these dates with the following exceptions:

(i) It shall be unlawful for any person holding a valid youth hunting license and deer permit, regardless of age, who participates in the youth deer gun season to hunt if they are not accompanied by a non-hunting adult eighteen years of age or older.

(ii) It shall be unlawful for more than two persons holding a valid youth hunting license and deer permit to be accompanied by one non-hunting adult eighteen years of age or older.

(iii) It shall be unlawful for any non-hunting adult eighteen years of age or older who is accompanying any person holding a valid youth hunting license and deer permit to hunt or possess any hunting implements.

(iv) It shall be unlawful for the responsible, non-hunting adult, eighteen years of age or older, to allow a person holding a valid youth hunting license and deer permit to hunt unaccompanied during the youth gun season.

(d) Deer gun season is open from the first Monday after Thanksgiving through the following Sunday and the third Saturday and Sunday in December.

(e) Statewide muzzleloading deer season is open from the first Saturday after New Years Day through the following Tuesday.

(f) The chief of the division of wildlife may provide a permit which allows the taking of deer from division owned or administered lands to young or handicapped hunters prior to or after the opening of deer gun season. Provided further, all provisions of this rule or any other division of wildlife rule shall apply to all persons issued said permit.

(B) Zones and bag limits

(1) It shall be unlawful to take more than one antlered deer per license year. For purposes of this rule an antlered deer shall be any deer with antlers three inches in height or greater. An antlerless deer shall be any deer with no antlers or antlers less than three inches in height.

(2) The following counties make up deer zone A: Erie, Fayette, Madison, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Wood.

(a) It shall be unlawful to hunt or take more than two deer from deer zone A.

(b) It shall be unlawful to hunt or take more than one deer per license year in deer zone A under the authority of a deer permit outside of an urban unit or division of wildlife controlled hunt.

(c) It shall be unlawful to hunt or take more than one antlerless deer per year in deer zone A under the authority of an antlerless deer permit outside of an urban unit or division of wildlife controlled hunt.

(3) The following counties make up deer zone B: Allen, Ashland. Ashtabula, Auglaize, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Darke, Defiance, Fulton, Geauga, Greene, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Huron, Lake, Logan, Lorain, Lucas, Mahoning, Marion, Medina, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Paulding, Portage, Preble, Putnam, Seneca, Shelby, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Union, VanWert, Wayne, Warren, Williams and Wyandot.

(a) It shall be unlawful to hunt or take more than four deer from deer zone B.

(b) It shall be unlawful to hunt or take more than two deer per license year in deer zone B under the authority of deer permits outside of an urban unit or division of wildlife controlled hunt.

(c) It shall be unlawful to hunt or take more than two antlerless deer per year in deer zone B under the authority of an antlerless deer permit outside of an urban unit or division of wildlife controlled hunt.

(4) The following counties make up deer zone C: Adams, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Carroll, Clermont, Columbiana, Coshocton, Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Hamilton, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lawrence, Licking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Morrow Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Richland, Ross, Scioto, Tuscarawas, Vinton and Washington.

(a) It shall be unlawful to hunt or take more than six deer from deer zone C.

(b) It shall be unlawful to hunt or take more than three deer per license year from deer zone C under the authority of deer permits outside of an urban unit or division of wildlife controlled hunt.

(c) It shall be unlawful to hunt or take more than three antlerless deer per year in deer zone C under the authority of an antlerless deer permit outside of an urban unit or division of wildlife controlled hunt.

(5) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take a deer with an antlerless deer permit, outside of an urban unit or division of wildlife controlled hunt, except from the last Saturday in September through the last Sunday in November.

(6) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take more than six deer per license year from any urban unit or division of wildlife controlled hunt combined.

(1) Archery

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt deer with any archery equipment except;

(i) A longbow and arrow

(ii) Crossbow and arrow having a working safety and a stock twenty-five inches or longer. Cocking levers and other cocking devices may be used on crossbows.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take deer while being in possession of, or take a deer with, explosive or poisoned arrows.

(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take deer with a longbow having a draw weight less than forty pounds, or with a crossbow having a draw weight less than seventy-five pounds.

(d) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take a deer with a broadhead having less than two cutting edges measuring less than three quarters inch wide.

(e) It shall be unlawful for any person hunting deer with a longbow or crossbow to possess any firearm. Persons possessing a valid Ohio concealed carry license issued pursuant to sections 2923.125 and 2923.123 of the Revised Code or a valid conceal carry license from a state with a reciprocity agreement with Ohio to carry concealed handguns, or who comply with federal legislation HR218, "The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004" are exempted.

(f) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take a deer during the deer archery season with any hunting implement other than the archery equipment described in paragraph (C)(1) of this rule.

(2) Firearms;

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take deer with any firearm except:

(i) A shotgun no larger than 10-gauge or smaller than .410 caliber firing a single projectile per barrel.

It shall be unlawful for any person hunting deer to use any shell casing which is necked down or made totally of metal for any of the shotguns listed

(ii) A muzzleloading rifle or muzzleloading shotgun, .38 caliber or larger using a single projectile per barrel.

(iii) A handgun with the following criteria:

(a) Chambered for .357 caliber magnum or larger.

(b) Using a straight walled cartridge.

(c) Single barrel not less than five inches in length, as measured from the front of the cylinder or chamber to the end of the barrel.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person hunting deer during any deer gun season, to possess any shotgun originally capable of holding more than three shells, unless the magazine has been cut off, altered, or plugged with a one piece filler incapable of removal without disassembling the gun, so as to reduce the capacity of said gun to not more than three shells in the magazine and chamber combined.

(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take deer during the deer gun season with any hunting implement other than described in paragraph (C) of this rule.

(d) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or carry a rifle, pistol, revolver or any other type of firearm while hunting deer or when assisting or accompanying a person that is hunting deer, during the archery season, outside of the early muzzleloading season in designated areas, youth deer gun season, deer gun season and statewide muzzleloading season

(e) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess rifle cartridges while hunting during the early muzzleloading season in designated areas, deer gun season or the statewide muzzleloading season.

(f) It shall be unlawful to possess shotgun shells, containing shot, while hunting during the early muzzleloading season in designated areas, youth deer gun season, deer gun season from the first Monday after Thanksgiving through the following Sunday and statewide muzzleloading season except:

(i) Persons hunting waterfowl may possess shotgun shells containing non-toxic shot.

(ii) Persons hunting other legal game may possess shotgun shells containing shot not larger than number four.

(iii) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take a coyotes and wild boar during the youth deer gun season or the deer gun season without using a hunting implement described in paragraph (C) of this rule.

(g) It shall be unlawful for any person hunting during the early muzzleoading season in designated areas and during the statewide muzzleloading season to possess shotgun slugs.

(h) It shall be unlawful for any person to be in possession of shotgun slugs while hunting during the youth deer gun season, except youth hunters hunting deer.

(i) It shall be unlawful for any person hunting game other than deer, coyotes or wild boar on the third Saturday and Sunday of December to possess shotgun slugs.

(j) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take deer during the early muzzleloading season in designated areas or the statewide muzzleloading season with any hunting implement other than the archery equipment described in paragraph (C)(1) of this rule or a muzzleloader as described in paragraph (C)(2)(a)(ii) of this rule.

(3) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess more than one firearm, longbow or crossbow while hunting deer. Persons carrying a concealed firearm under the authority of and possessing a valid Ohio concealed carry license issued pursuant to sections 2923.125 and 2923.123 of the Revised Code or a valid conceal carry license from a state with a reciprocity agreement with Ohio to carry concealed handguns, or who comply with federal legislation HR218, "The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004" are exempted.

(D) Hunting methods and hours

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take deer during the archery season at any time except from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, outside of the early muzzleloading season in designated areas, youth deer gun season, deer gun season and statewide muzzleloading season.

(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take wild animals from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except deer, waterfowl, wild boar, and coyotes from the first Monday after Thanksgiving through the following Sunday.

(3) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take deer, wild boar or coyotes at any time other than from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset during early muzzleloading season in designated areas, youth deer gun season, deer gun season and statewide muzzleloading season.

(4) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take coyotes and wild boar from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset during the early muzzleloading season in designated areas, youth deer gun season, deer gun season and the statewide muzzleloading season without possessing both a valid hunting license and valid deer permit or antlerless deer permit.

(5) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take coyotes and wild boar during the early muzzleloader season in designated areas, or the statewide muzzleloading season without using a muzzleloader as described in paragraph (C)(2)(a)(ii) of this rule or any archery equipment described in paragraph (C)(1) of this rule.

(6) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess a loaded hunting implement while going to or coming from hunting deer, wild boar or coyote at any time except between one-half hour before sunrise to sunset during the early muzzleloading season in designated areas, youth deer gun season, deer gun season or the statewide muzzleloading season.

(7) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take deer, coyotes, or other wild animal except waterfowl, from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset, during the early muzzleloading season in designated areas, youth deer gun season, deer gun season or the statewide muzzleloading season, unless such person is visibly wearing a vest, jacket or coveralls colored solid hunter orange, or camouflage hunter orange.

(8) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take deer by the aid of dog, except wounded deer may be tracked using a dog that is leashed.

(9) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take coyotes by the aid of a dog during the deer gun season from one- half hour before sunrise to sunset.

(10) It shall be unlawful to use any device capable of transmitting or receiving a person's voice to aid in the hunting or taking of deer.

(11) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take a deer that is in the water.

(12) It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, place, or use permanent-type tree stands, or place spikes, nails, wires, or other metal objects to hold tree stands or as steps to tree stands on any property except with the landowners' permission.

(E) Permits

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take a deer without possessing a valid deer permit or antlerless deer permit during any of the open deer seasons.

(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt with or carry a deer permit or antlerless deer permit of another.

(3) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take deer or aid another person in the hunting of deer, while having in their possession a hunting implement, while being solely in possession of a deer permit or antlerless deer permit for which a game check confirmation number has been issued or the associated game tag has been validated.

(4) The fee for antlerless deer permits shall be fourteen dollars plus a one dollar writing fee.

(F) Tagging and game checking:

(1) It shall be unlawful to hunt or take a subsequent deer before a game tag has been attached to the previous deer taken that day and the date, time and county of kill are written in the spaces provided on the corresponding deer permit or antlerless permit for the deer that was taken.

(2) It shall be unlawful to attach a game tag to a deer taken by another person.

(3) It shall be unlawful to attach an antlerless game check confirmation number to an antlered deer.

(4) It shall be unlawful to attach or otherwise use a deer permit or antlerless deer permit on or for any deer that was taken before the permit was purchased or otherwise obtained.

(5) It shall be unlawful to manufacture, counterfeit, sell, trade, distribute, forge and/or falsify a deer permit, antlerless deer permit, or forge or falsify any game tag.

(6) It shall be unlawful to possess, attach, affix or otherwise use a counterfeit or falsified deer permit, antlerless deer permit or any game tag on or for any deer.

(7) It shall be unlawful to possess any deer, or part thereof, which has attached or affixed a counterfeit or otherwise falsified game tag.

(8) It shall be unlawful for any person required to have a deer permit under section 1533.11 of the Revised Code, after having killed a deer, to fail to immediately attach a validated game tag to the dead deer at the place where the deer fell. Persons covered by this section shall provide their own game tag. A game tag is considered validated when the hunter has written on the tag, legibly in the English language, their name, the date, time and county of kill and also written in the spaces provided on the corresponding deer permit or antlerless deer permit the date, time and county of kill.

(9) It shall be unlawful for any person exempt from having a deer permit under section 1533.11 of the Revised Code, to fail to immediately attach a valid game tag to the dead deer at the place where the deer fell. Persons covered by this section shall provide their own game tag. A game tag is considered valid when the hunter has written on the tag, legibly in the English language their full name, the date, time and county of kill.

(10) It shall be unlawful to attach an invalid game tag to any deer.

(11) It shall be unlawful to use or attempt to use an invalid or voided deer permit to obtain a game check confirmation number through the game check process.

(12) It shall be unlawful to remove a game tag from any deer until the deer has been game checked and a valid game check confirmation number has been affixed to the deer.

(13) It shall be unlawful to skin or remove the head of a deer until the deer has been game checked and tagged with a valid check confirmation number. It shall be lawful to eviscerate or field dress the deer prior to game checking and affixing a game check confirmation number.

(14) It shall be unlawful to fail to game check and affix a game check confirmation number to a deer, taken during any open deer season, by noon of the day following the date the deer was killed. Provided further, it shall be unlawful to fail to game check and affix a game check confirmation number to a deer taken by eleven-thirty p.m. on the final day of the archery season, early muzzleloading season, youth deer gun season, deer gun season and statewide muzzleloading season.

(15) It shall be unlawful to provide false information or data when game checking any deer.

(16) It shall be unlawful to game check a deer that has been killed within a wild animal hunting preserve as described in section 1533.731 of the Revised Code.

(17) It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to immediately and permanently attach their valid game check confirmation number to the deer after it has been game checked. A game check confirmation number is valid when the owner has attached their assigned division of wildlife game check confirmation number to the deer. Writing the game check confirmation number on the existing game tag and deer permit or antlerless deer permit will validate the check process.

(18) It shall be unlawful to attach an invalid or falsified game check number to any deer.

(19) It shall be unlawful to attach a game check confirmation number to a deer or parts thereof taken by another person.

(20) It shall be unlawful to manufacture, counterfeit, sell, trade, distribute, forge and/or falsify a game check confirmation number.

(21) It shall be unlawful to possess, attach, affix or otherwise use a counterfeit or falsified game check confirmation number on or for any deer.

(22) It shall be unlawful to possess any deer, or part thereof, which has attached or affixed a counterfeit or otherwise falsified game check confirmation number.

(23) It shall be unlawful to attach, affix or otherwise use a game check confirmation number for a deer, or parts thereof, other than for the deer the game check confirmation number was issued to at the time of game checking.

(24) It shall be unlawful for any person to leave the state of Ohio with a deer that was taken by hunting that has not been game checked and the game check confirmation number permanently attached.

(25) With the exception of naturally shed antlers, it shall be unlawful to possess a dead deer, or any part thereof, unless such deer, or parts thereof, are accompanied by an attached valid tag, seal, certificate of legal ownership, statement or receipt. For the purposes of this section a valid tag, seal, certificate for legal ownership, statement or receipt for any deer, or part thereof is any one or more of the following:

(a) A valid Ohio division of wildlife game tag, permanent deer tag or permanent deer tag number or game check confirmation number.

(b) An Ohio division of wildlife deer damage control permit temporary tag or a receipt for deer carcass-deer damage control tag or the tag number.

(c) An Ohio division of wildlife approved tag or seal under the authority of section 1533.74 of the Revised Code if the deer or parts thereof were sold for food.

(d) A signed statement or receipt, legible in the English language, which states the previous owners name, address and phone number and the valid commercial propagation permit number if the deer or parts thereof were sold or given away under the authority of section 1533.71 of the Revised Code.

(e) A certificate for legal ownership issued under the authority of section 1533.121 of the Revised Code.

(f) A tag as described in division ( G) of section 1533.731 of the Revised Code.

(g) A signed statement or receipt, legible in the English language, which lists the owner or previous owners name, address and phone number, the state and county of kill, the date of kill and the assigned permanent deer tag number or game check confirmation number, if applicable.

(h) An official tag or seal, and an accompanying valid hunting license issued by another state or province if the deer was killed outside of Ohio.

(i) A valid Ohio division of wildlife food pantry stamp or seal on each package of meat distributed by a bona fide food pantry or charitable organization.

(j) A certificate for legal ownership issued by a law enforcement officer within their jurisdiction.

(k) A valid tag, seal, certificate for legal ownership, statement or receipt or game check confirmation number for the purposes of this rule is considered attached if it is physically affixed to the deer, or parts thereof, in the following manner:

(i) In the case of antlers:

(a) The valid tag, permanent tag number, seal, certificate for legal ownership, statement or receipt or game check confirmation number must remain attached to the antlers until the deer has been processed into a taxidermy product. At this time the valid tag, seal, certificate for legal ownership, statement or receipt or game check confirmation number may be removed from the antlers and placed in another location on the taxidermy product which allows for visual inspection.

(b) If antlers are removed from the deer, but not processed into a taxidermy product, the permanent tag or game check confirmation number may be removed from the antlers provided the permanent deer tag number or game check confirmation number is legibly written in permanent ink or inscribed on the antlers in a location which allows for visual inspection. However, the valid tag, seal, certificate of legal ownership, statement or receipt shall be maintained by the owner and available for inspection.

(ii) When through the butchering process, multiple packages of meat are produced, the valid tag, permanent tag number, seal, certificate for legal ownership, statement or receipt or game check confirmation number shall be maintained and available for inspection until the entire deer has been consumed.

(iii) If through the taxidermy process multiple taxidermy products are produced the permanent deer tag or permanent tag number or game check confirmation number must remain attached to the taxidermy product to which the antlers are connected. Any other products from the same deer must have the permanent deer tag number or game check confirmation number written legibly in permanent ink or inscribed on the item in a location which allows for visual inspection.

(26) It shall be unlawful for any person to place or leave a deer, or any part thereof, in the custody of another person for the purpose of skinning, processing, taxidermy, transportation, shipping, storage, including temporary storage, or any other reason, unless such deer or parts thereof are accompanied by an attached valid tag, seal, certificate for legal ownership, statement or receipt or game check confirmation number.

(27) It shall be unlawful to possess a deer, or parts thereof, that were taken in violation of any division rule or the Ohio Revised Code.

(G) Sales

(1) It shall be unlawful to buy, sell or offer for sale any deer, or part thereof, taken from the wild, except:

Legally acquired and possessed deer hides, feet, and antlers may be bought or sold at any time. At the time of the purchase or sale these deer parts must be accompanied by a signed statement or receipt, legible in the English language, which lists the previous owner's name, address and phone number, the state of kill(s) and the assigned game check confirmation number or tag, seal, certificate for legal ownership or permit number(s), if applicable, and the number of deer, from which the said deer parts originated, that were sold during the transaction. This information must remain with these parts until said deer parts are manufactured into a wildlife ornamental product.

(H) Special areas

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or transport a deer off the Plum Brook station, Ottawa national wildlife refuge, or Ravenna training and logistics site unless the deer has affixed a game check confirmation number. This provision does not apply to deer legally possessed because of being killed by a vehicle on any of these areas.

(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt on Plum Brook station at any time other than from eight a.m. to five p.m.

(3) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt on Plum Brook station, Ravenna training and logistics site or Ottawa national wildlife refuge without an area permit. Such area permit shall specify the specific area assigned to the hunter on the day they are authorized to hunt and the type of deer permitted to be taken. It shall be unlawful to take or attempt to take a deer other than the type specified on the area permit. If the area permit does not specify otherwise, either antlered or antlerless deer may be taken.

(I) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code shall apply to this rule.

Effective: 01/01/2013
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 08/27/2012 and 11/01/2017
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10, 1533.113
Rule Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10, 1533.113
Prior Effective Dates: 6 /1/76, 6/1/77, 6/1/78, 6/1/79, 6/1/80, 6/1/81, 10/16/81, 6/1/82, 5/31/83, 5/31/84, 6/1/85, 6/1/86, 11/21/86 (Emer.), 4/20/87, 9/12/87, 6/1/88, 7/1/89, 7/31/90, 8/11/91, 7/31/92, 10/31/92, 6/7/93, 6/30/94, 8/15/95, 10/10/96, 8/10/97, 8/13/99, 11/12/99, 8/1/00, 7/22/01, 7/19/02, 6/4/03, 6/30/04, 5/27/05, 7/1/06, 7/1/07, 7/1/08, 7/1/09, 7/1/10, 7/1/11, 7/1/12

1501:31-15-12 Urban deer units.

(A) Located in portions of Lorain, Medina, Summit, Stark, Portage, Geauga, and Wayne counties, and all of Lake and Cuyahoga counties beginning at a point in Lorain county where state route 58 would intersect lake Erie shore, thence south on state route 58 to state route 113, thence east on state route 303 to interstate 71, thence south on interstate 71 to state route 18, thence east on state route 18 to state route 21, thence south on state route 21 to U.S. route 30, thence east on U.S. route 30 to state route 44, thence north on state route 44 to the Lake Erie county line, then following the lake county line north easterly to the lake Erie shoreline.

(B) Located in portions of Trumbull and Mahoning counties, beginning at a point on the Ohio and Pennsylvania state line and the Ohio turnpike, thence northwest on the Ohio turnpike to state route 5, thence east on state route 5 to state route 82, thence east on state route 82 to the Ohio and Pennsylvania state line, thence south along the state line to the point of beginning.

(C) Located in all of Lucas county and that portion of Wood county between interstate 75 and interstate 475 intersection north to the Maumee river and west to the intersection of interstate 475 and state route 25, thence southwest on state route 25 to the intersection of state route 25 and Five Points road, thence west to the intersection of state route 65 and Five Points road, thence southwest to the intersection of state route 65 and state route 64, thence west to the Maumee river.

(D) All of Franklin county in addition to that portion of Delaware county south of state route 36 beginning at a point at the Union-Delaware county line, thence easterly to the junction of state route 36 and state route 36-37, thence easterly along state route 36-37 to the junction of state route 36-37 and 36-3, thence northeasterly along state route 36-3 and ending at the Delaware-Knox county line. All portions of Delaware county south of this line are included.

(E) All of Hamilton, county and those portions of Warren and Butler counties bounded on the west by the great Miami river and on the east by state route 48 and that portion of Montgomery county which lies east of interstate 75 and state route 48 starting at the southern county line, heading north to where interstate 75 meets state route 48 and then heading north on state route 48 to the north county line and Clermont county west of state route 132 and south of state route 48.

(F) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code shall apply to this rule.

Effective: 07/01/2009
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 01/30/2009 and 06/30/2014
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10, 1533.113
Rule Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10, 1533.113
Prior Effective Dates: 5-16-94; 10-14-94; 8-15-95; 8-10-96; 10-22-96; 7-15-98; 7-5-00; 10-4-00; 7-22-01; 6-4-03, 9-24-07

1501:31-15-13 Early muzzleloading deer hunting areas.

(A) There are hereby established three early muzzleloading deer hunting areas where deer may be taken after first applying for and receiving an early muzzleloading deer hunting area permit from the division of wildlife, said areas being more particularly described as follows:

Located in Trimble township in Athens county; Deerfield, Malta, Penn and Union townships in Morgan county; and Bear- field, Monroe, and Pleasant townships in Perry county, Ohio. Beginning at the intersection of state route 13 and Athens county road 107, thence easterly on Athens county road 107 to the intersection with Trimble township road 665, thence northerly on Trimble township road 665 and Monroe township road 229 in Perry county to the intersection with Perry county road 69, thence northeasterly on Perry county road 69, and Morgan county road 58 in Morgan county to the intersection with state route 78, thence southeasterly on state route 78 to the intersection with Union township road 101, thence southeasterly on Union township road 101 and Union township road 102 to the intersection with Morgan county road 4, thence northeasterly on Morgan county road 4, to the intersection with Morgan county road 40, thence northerly on Morgan county road 40 to the intersection with state route 78, thence northeasterly on state route 78 to the intersection with Morgan county road 98, thence northwesterly on Morgan county road 98 to the intersection with state route 37, thence westerly to the intersection with Perry county road 22, thence southwesterly on Perry county road 22 to the intersection with state route 13, thence southeasterly on state route 13 to the point of beginning. This area will be called Wildcat Hollow early muzzleloading deer hunting area.

(B) The second area is located in Guernsey county and includes all property managed by the division of parks and recreation and the division of wildlife except no hunting or trapping is permitted in that portion of the Salt Fork lake area located in Center, Jefferson and Liberty townships described as follows:

Beginning at the junction of state route 22 and the main park entrance road, DNR road 1, thence northeasterly on US 22 to its junction with Salt Fork lake, thence starting north- westerly along the shore of said lake to the junction with state route 22, thence northeasterly on state route 22 to the point of beginning; and also except all state lands within the area bounded by a line beginning at the junction of DNR road 1 and DNR road 55, thence in a northwesterly direction and a northeasterly direction along DNR road 1 to its junction with Salt Fork lake, thence in a westerly direction along the shoreline and continuing along the shoreline to its junction with DNR road 1, thence north- westerly along DNR road 1 to the point of beginning. This area will be called Salt Fork early muzzleloading deer hunting area.

(C) The third area is located in Scioto and Adams counties and includes all property owned or managed by the state of Ohio, division of forestry and division of parks and recreation that lies within or adjoins the area described as follows:

Beginning at the junction of US route 52 and Carey run road, thence following Carey run road northwesterly to the junction of Carey run road and Pond creek road, thence westerly on Pond creek road to the junction of Tempevale road, thence northerly on Tempevale road to the junction of state route 73, thence westerly on state route 73 to the junction of Bear creek road, thence southwesterly on Bear creek road to the junction with Big run road, thence south then westerly on Big run road to the junction with Rocky Fork road, thence south on Rocky Fork road to the junction with Upper Twin creek road, thence northwesterly on Upper Twin creek road in Scioto county to the junction with Adams county road 7, thence on Adams county road 7 to the junction with township road T202, thence westerly on T202 road to the junction with Adams county road 4, thence southeasterly on Adams county road 4 on Lower Twin creek road to the junction with US 52, thence northeasterly on US 52 to the point of beginning. This area will be called Shawnee Forest early muzzleloading deer hunting area.

(D) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess a deer taken from within the early muzzleloading deer hunting area after eight p.m. on the day taken that does not have a division of wildlife permanent tag attached.

(E) It shall be unlawful for any person to take more than one deer at each of the early muzzleloading deer hunting areas.

(F) It shall be unlawful for any person to take more than one antlered deer during the early muzzleloading deer season regardless of what type deer is designated on the early muzzleloading deer hunting area permit.

(G) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code shall apply to this rule.

Effective: 07/01/2011
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 02/04/2011 and 04/22/2016
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Rule Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Prior Effective Dates: 5/1/76, 6/1/77, 6/1/78, 6/1/79, 5/31/83, 6/1/86, 10/17/88, 7/1/89, 5/16/94, 8/10/96, 6/1/99, 7/19/02, 5/28/04, 5/27/05, 6/01/06, 7/1/2008

1501:31-15-14 Youth hunters season.

(A) These seasons are open only to persons possessing a valid youth hunting license. The youths must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult, eighteen years of age or older. Not more than two youths are permitted to accompany one adult.

It shall be unlawful for an adult who accompanies a youth to hunt or possess a device commonly used to take wild animals.

(B) There shall be a special youth hunting season on the two Saturdays and Sundays immediately prior to the first Friday in November whereby cottontail rabbits, pheasants, chukar partridge and bobwhite quail may be taken. Provided further, quail may only be taken in counties open to quail hunting.

(C) All definitions set forth in section 1531.01 of the Revised Code and rule 1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code shall apply to this rule.

Effective: 07/01/2010
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 01/29/2010 and 06/30/2015
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Rule Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Prior Effective Dates: 5/1/76, 6/1/77, 6/1/78, 6/1/79, 6/1/81, 6/1/84, 6/1/88, 7/1/89, 7/31/92, 8/15/95, 6/1/97, 7/1/06, 7/1/07, 7/1/08, 7/1/09

1501:31-15-17 Seasons for game birds, game quadrupeds and furbearing animals.

(A) There shall be no open hunting season on wild animals unless expressly set forth in this rule or other rules of the Administrative Code or the Revised Code.

(B) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take a bobcat, bear, badger, fisher, porcupine or a snowshoe hare at any time.

(C) Hungarian partridge may not be taken or possessed at any time except when taken from a commercial bird shooting preserve, a bona fide dog training area, or a shooting field trial.

(D) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take, or possess red, gray, black and fox squirrels, except from September first through January thirty-first.

(E) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take, or possess grouse, except from the second Saturday in October through the last day of January.

(F) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take, or possess rabbits, except from the first Friday in November through the last day of February. Except in portions of Geauga and Ashtabula counties in an area bounded on the north by United States route 6, and on the west by Geauga county road 44 (Kile road), and on the south by United States route 322, and on the east by state route 534 and in Ashtabula county in an area bounded on the north by Cork Cold Springs road and on the west by Windsor Mechanicsville road, and on the south by New Hudson road, and on the east by United States route 45, where the season shall be the first Monday after the first Sunday in December through the last day of February.

(G) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take, or possess pheasants or chukar partridge, except cock pheasants and chukar partridge may be hunted, taken or possessed from the first Friday in November through the first Sunday in January.

(H) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take or possess quail except from the first Friday in November through the last Sunday in November in the following counties: Adams, Athens, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Highland, Jackson, Meigs, Montgomery, Pike, Preble, Ross, Scioto, Vinton, and Warren.

(I) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take crows at any time except on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from June 1, 2012 through March 10, 2013 and from June 7, 2013 through March 9, 2014, one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

(J) Wild boar and woodchucks or groundhogs may be hunted year-round and coyotes may be hunted and trapped year-round unless otherwise prohibited by division rule.

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to release wild boar in Ohio without first obtaining written permission from the chief of the division of wildlife or his representative, except on a licensed wild animal hunting preserve.

(2) It shall be lawful to live trap wild boar at any time provided that the wild boar are immediately euthanized at the trap location.

(3) It shall be unlawful to use a foot hold trap or a snare to live trap wild boar.

(K) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or possess a raccoon, opossum, skunk, or weasel at any time except from November tenth through midnight, January thirty-first. The furbearing animals listed in this chapter may be possessed during the respective season through the next immediate June fifteenth or may be possessed by a person having a permit issued by the division of wildlife.

(L) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take, or possess a fox at any time other than from November tenth through January thirty-first.

(M) It shall be unlawful for any person to trap a raccoon except from November tenth through January thirty-first. However the trapping season for all furbearing animals except fox is extended through March fifteenth in the following counties: Lucas (east of the Maumee river), Ottawa, Sandusky, and Erie.

(N) It shall be unlawful for any person to trap fox, opossum, skunk, or weasel at any time except from November tenth through January thirty-first.

(O) It shall be unlawful for any person to trap or possess a beaver except from December twenty-sixth through the last day of February.

(P) It shall be unlawful to trap or possess mink or muskrat except from November tenth through the last day of February. The trapping season for all furbearing animals except fox is extended through March fifteenth in the following counties: Lucas east of the Maumee river, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Erie.

(Q) The falconry seasons shall correspond with the dates for each game animal mentioned in this rule. It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take any of the animals mentioned in this rule while using a raptor on any date other than those listed in this rule. Except properly licensed falconers may hunt, take, and possess the following wild animals during the following extended season:

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take or possess quail except from September first through March tenth in the following counties: Adams, Athens, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Highland, Jackson, Meigs, Montgomery, Pike, Preble, Ross, Scioto, Vinton and Warren.

(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take or possess pheasants except cock pheasants may be hunted, taken, or possessed from September first through March tenth.

(3) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take or possess red, gray, black and fox squirrels, except from September first through March tenth.

(4) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take or possess grouse, except from September first through March tenth.

(5) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take or possess rabbits, except from September first through March tenth.

(6) All possession and daily limits listed for game animals shall apply except migratory birds of which the daily limit is three, singly or in the aggregate.

(7) It shall be lawful to take all legal wild birds or wild quadrupeds by falconry during all deer seasons.

(R) It shall be unlawful to trap or possess river otter at any time except in accordance with this paragraph and other provisions of wildlife rules.

(1) River otter season opens December twenty-sixth through the last day of February.

(2) The following counties are in river otter zone A: Allen, Auglaize, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Drake, Defiance, Erie, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Hardin, Hancock, Henry, Highland, Huron, Logan, Lorain, Lucas, Madison, Marion, Medina, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Ottawa, Paulding, Preble, Putman, Sandusky, Seneca, Shelby, Summit, Union, Van Wert, Warren, Williams, Wood and Wyandot. This zone is closed season to river otter trapping.

(3) The following counties are in river otter zone B: Adams, Ashland, Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Knox, Licking, Morrow, Pickaway, Pike, Richland, and Ross. The river otter bag limit is one per season in this zone.

(4) The following counties are in river otter zone C: Athens, Ashtabula, Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Gallia, Geauga, Guernsey, Harrison, Hocking, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lake, Lawrence, Mahoning, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Portage, Scioto, Stark, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Vinton, Washington and Wayne. The river otter bag limit is three per season in this zone.

(5) It shall be unlawful to take or trap more than three river otters per season of which no more than one may be taken in zone B.

(S) The chief of the division of wildlife or their designee may issue a permit to hunt or take deer with a firearm listed in paragraph (C) of rule 1501:31-15-11 of the Administrative Code on the third Saturday and Sunday in October. Such permit may only be issued to bona-fide not-for-profit organizations conducting a special hunt for a minimum of twelve youth and/or handicapped persons. All applications must be received by August first immediately preceding the requested hunting opportunity. This permit does not supersede requirements for any applicable hunting license or deer permits.

It shall be unlawful for persons acting under the authority of said permit issued by the chief of the division of wildlife or their designee to hunt or take deer:

(1) On any area listed in rule 1501:31-15-04 of the Administrative Code or on any property or area not listed on the permit

(2) Contrary to or in violation of any conditions or terms listed on the permit.

(T) The chief of the division of wildlife or their designee may issue a permit to hunt or take game birds, other than turkey and migratory game birds, during a period specified on the permit between the dates of September first through the last day of February. Such permit may only be issued to bona-fide not-for-profit organizations conducting a special hunt for a minimum of twelve youth and/or handicapped persons. All applications must be received by August first immediately preceding the requested hunting opportunity. This permit does not supersede requirements for any applicable hunting license or permits.

It shall be unlawful for persons acting under the authority of said permit issued by the chief of the division of wildlife or their designee to hunt or take game birds:

(1) On any area listed in rule 1501:31-15-04 of the Administrative Code or on any property or area not listed on the permit

(2) Contrary to or in violation of any conditions or terms listed on the permit

(3) Or other wild animals not listed on the permit or for which there is no current open season.

(U) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code shall apply to this rule.

1501:31-15-19 Fur dealer reports.

(A) All persons dealing in green or dried furs, skins, or parts thereof and licensed pursuant to section 1533.23 of the Revised Code shall keep accurate daily records of all species of furbearing animals which are bought or sold. Such records shall be open to inspection by any employee of the division of wildlife.

(B) All daily records are to be maintained at the place of business for a period of two years. Failure to properly and accurately complete daily record forms and the fur dealer summary report shall constitute a violation of section 1533.24 of the Revised Code.

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 06/22/2011 and 06/15/2016
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 1531.08, 1533.23, 1533.24
Rule Amplifies: 1531.08, 1533.23, 1533.24
Prior Effective Dates: 08/10/96, 7/19/02, 7/1/08