This website publishes administrative rules on their effective dates, as designated by the adopting state agencies, colleges, and
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| Rule |
Rule 1501:31-15-01 | Permits for special hunts.
(A) White-tailed deer. The chief of the division of wildlife or their
designee may issue a special hunt 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 persons seventeen years of age and younger and/or handicapped
persons. All applications will be received by August first immediately
preceding the requested hunting opportunity. (B) Wild turkey. The chief of the division of wildlife or their
designee may issue a special hunt permit to hunt or take wild turkey during a
period specified on the permit between the dates of April eighth through April
twentieth. Such permit may only be issued to bona-fide not-for-profit
organizations conducting a special hunt for a minimum of twelve persons
seventeen years of age and younger and/or handicapped persons. All applications
will be received by January first immediately preceding the requested hunting
opportunity. (C) Game birds (other than turkey or
migratory game birds). The chief of the division of wildlife or their
designee may issue a special hunt 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 persons seventeen years of age and
younger and/or handicapped persons. All applications will be submitted a
minimum of fifteen days preceding the requested hunting opportunity. (D) It shall be unlawful for a person
acting under the authority of a special hunt permit issued in accordance with
this rule to hunt or take any wild animal: (1) 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. (E) A special hunt permit issued in
accordance with this rule does not alter or supersede the requirements for any
applicable hunting license or permit. (F) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the
Administrative Code apply to this rule.
Last updated July 2, 2024 at 9:42 AM
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Rule 1501:31-15-02 | General hunting and trapping provisions.
Effective:
January 1, 2025
(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, including the berm, shoulder and road right
of way. (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, including aerial
drones, or any motor-driven conveyance or its attachments, except: (1) As provided in
section 2923.16 of the Revised Code and rule 1501:31-9-08 of the Administrative
Code; (2) Wild animals, except migratory game
birds, may be shot from farm machinery when being used in normal farm
operations; (3) Small game and furbearing animals,
except mink, muskrat, river otters, and beaver, may be hunted from a powercraft
if the motor has been completely shut off and the powercraft has come to
rest; (4) Aerial drones may be used to aid in
the recovery of a deer after the taking has occurred, provided that no one
involved in the recovery is employing a hunting device at the time. If said
deer is found to be still alive, the use of the drone will be discontinued
before hunting can resume. In this limited case, the drone operator may provide
the location where the deer was last located by the drone. (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 and groundhogs or woodchucks 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; (6) Hides of bobcats may
be bought or sold with proof of purchasing a non-resident license or some other
proof that the animal was acquired legally, and conforms to current United
States fish and wildlife service rules and regulations. (D) It shall be unlawful for any person
to use a 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
shoulder-mount stock. 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 have any mechanical, electrical or
electronic device attached to a longbow or crossbow while hunting, which is
capable of projecting a visible beam or ray of light on a wild
animal. (K) 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. (L) 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. (M) 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. (N) 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 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 if not Ohio, and if applicable, the official tag or
seal number or certificate of ownership number or game check confirmation
number. Any person authorized to enforce this rule may enter such establishment
or plants at all reasonable hours and inspect the records and premises where
operations are being carried on unless the owner or person in charge objects.
If the owner or person in charge refuses to permit the inspection, upon filing
an affidavit in accordance with law with a court having jurisdiction and upon
receiving a warrant, the officer authorized to enforce this section may proceed
with the inspection. 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. (O) Propagated game birds may be held in
captivity and possessed alive for up to ten days without obtaining a
noncommercial propagating license otherwise required under section 1533.71 of
the Revised Code, provided the game birds are accompanied by a receipt that
includes all the following: (1) The date of
sale; (2) The number and type
of game birds; (3) The name and address
of the seller; (4) The commercial
propagating license number of the seller, if applicable. (P) It shall be unlawful for any person to release wild
quadrupeds, furbearing animals, or wild turkey into the wild that were raised
pursuant to a license issued under section 1533.71 of the Revised
Code. (Q) It shall be unlawful for any person to release a deer
or 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. (R) Wild boar and woodchucks or groundhogs may be hunted
year-round unless otherwise provided by division rule. (S) Wild boar may be live-trapped at any time. Provided further, it shall be unlawful to:
(1) Use a foothold trap
or snare to trap a wild boar or feral swine; (2) Fail to immediately
euthanize wild boar or feral swine at trap location. (T) It shall be unlawful for any person to: (1) Hunt or take a
bear; (2) Hunt or take a
porcupine; (3) Take or possess a
Hungarian partridge at any time except when taken from a commercial bird
shooting preserve, a bona fide dog training area, or a shooting field
trial. (U) 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. (V) It shall be unlawful for the responsible adult,
eighteen years of age or older, to allow a hunter aged fifteen or under to hunt
unaccompanied during any hunting season. (W) A blowgun or blow tube is not a gun
for hunting purposes as specified under section 1533.16 of the Revised
Code. (X) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the
Administrative Code apply to this rule.
Last updated May 1, 2025 at 10:44 AM
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Rule 1501:31-15-03 | Nuisance wild animal control.
Effective:
January 1, 2024
(A) General (1) It is lawful for any
person to trap or take live, nuisance wild animals. It shall be unlawful for
any person to trap or take nuisance wild animals, except as provided in this
rule. (2) It shall be unlawful
for any person who traps or takes a nuisance wild animal in accordance with
paragraph (A) of this rule, who is not a licensed commercial nuisance wild
animal control operator to charge a fee or receive compensation. For the
purposes of this rule a fee or compensation is a requested or required payment
of money, or exchange of material goods or services. (3) It shall be unlawful
for any person who is not a licensed commercial nuisance wild animal control
operator to sell, use, or give to another person any live nuisance wild animal
trapped or taken for removal in accordance with paragraph (A) of this rule.
Nuisance wild animals may be transferred to another for disposition in
accordance with this rule. (4) It shall be unlawful
for any person to trap or take nuisance wild animals on the lands of another
without first obtaining permission from the owner or their authorized
agent. (5) It shall be unlawful
for any person who is not a licensed commercial nuisance wild animal control
operator to possess such trapped or taken nuisance wild animals longer than
twenty-four hours from the time of capture. (6) It shall be unlawful
to fail to euthanize nuisance wild animals trapped or taken whose injuries
affect normal biological or physiological functions. (B) Commercial nuisance wild animal control operator (1) Notwithstanding any
other provision in this rule, it is lawful for any person applying for and
receiving a commercial nuisance wild animal control operators license, and any
person acting under the authority of a commercial nuisance wild animal control
operators license, to trap or take nuisance wild animals. Such trapping or
taking shall be in accordance with the following provisions: (a) It shall be unlawful to possess for more than four days any
live nuisance wild animals trapped or taken under the authority of a commercial
nuisance wild animal control operator's license. (b) It shall be unlawful to sell any nuisance wild animals
trapped or taken under the authority of a commercial nuisance wild animal
control operator license. Except, carcasses or parts not to include hides, of
the following nuisance wild animals may be sold: (i) Raccoon, (ii) Opossum, (iii) Beaver, (iv) Muskrat, (v) Red or gray
fox, (vi) Coyote, (vii) Skunk, (viii) Woodchuck or
groundhog, (ix) Mink. (c) It shall be unlawful to sell hides of furbearing animals
taken under the authority of a commercial nuisance wild animal control
operators license, except those acquired during the open season as specified
under rule 1501:31-15-17 of the Administrative Code may be held and sold from
from the first day of the respective open season through June fifteenth of the
following year. (d) It is lawful to sell hides and tails of red, gray and fox
squirrels trapped or taken under the authority of a commercial nuisance wild
animal control operator license. (e) Licensed falconers may provide nuisance wild animal
removal and control services for hire under the authority of a commercial
nuisance wild animal control operator license provided the control services are
authorized and follow the conditions of their federal special-purpose abatement
permit. (C) Monitoring traps, snares or other
devices (1) Traps, snares or any
other devices used to take or capture nuisance wild animals may be monitored
with an operational electronic device or by personal observation by the person
setting the trap or a designated agent. It shall be unlawful for any person to
fail to monitor traps, snares or any other device used to take or capture
nuisance wild animals, and remove all animals from their traps, snares or other
devices once every calendar day, except: (a) It shall be unlawful for any person engaged in trapping
muskrats, beaver or river otters under ice to fail to monitor and remove all
animals from their traps or snares at least once in every seventy-two hour
period. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person engaged in trapping
muskrats, beaver, or river otters with body gripping traps, colony traps, or
cage traps that are completely submerged in water or set in the water to
function in a lethal manner to fail to monitor and remove all animals from
their traps at least once in every seventy-two hour period. (c) Traps or other devices used for control of nuisance rats,
mice, moles, shrews or voles are exempt from trap monitoring
requirements. (2) It shall be unlawful
for any person to disturb or molest a legally set trap, snare, or other device
used to take or capture nuisance wild animals or remove any nuisance wild
animal from a trap or snare of another without permission from the trap, snare
or device owner or user. (D) Identification of traps, snares or
other unattended devices (1) Unless otherwise
specified, it shall be unlawful for any person to set, use, or maintain a trap,
snare or other device, used to take a nuisance wild animal, unless such trap,
snare or other device: (a) Has attached thereto a durable, waterproof tag, written in
English letters, legible at all times, identifying the owner or user by one of
the following means: (i) Name and mailing
address, (ii) Unique division of
wildlife customer identification number, (iii) Unique division of
wildlife commercial nuisance wild animal control operator's license
number, or (b) Has stamped into or is permanently marked with information
written in English letters, legible at all times, identifying the owner or use
by one of the following means: (i) Name and mailing
address, (ii) Unique division of
wildlife customer identification number, (iii) Unique division of
wildlife commercial nuisance wild animal control operator's license
number. (c) Traps or devices used to take moles, shrews, voles or house
mouse (Mus musculus), Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) or roof rat (Rattus
rattus) are not required to be marked. (E) Trapping (1) For the purposes of
this rule, traps will be measured in the open set position, from the inside of
the main trap jaws as produced by the manufacturer and will not include jaw
modifications or add-ons. (a) Foothold traps. For the purposes of this rule, measurement of
foot hold traps will be made perpendicular to the frame at the widest location
parallel with the dog. Measurement of foot hold traps without dogs will be made
perpendicular to the frame at the widest location parallel with the pan
shank. (i) It shall be unlawful
for any person to set, use, or maintain a foothold trap, on land, for the
purpose of taking a nuisance wild animal, that has an inside diameter jaw
spread greater than five and five eighths inches, except foothold traps with a
jaw spread not larger than six inches may be utilized when they meet the
following: (a) The jaws have a
minimum of five-sixteenths inch gripping surface. (b) Each trap has a
minimum of three swiveling points. (ii) It shall be unlawful
for any person to set, use, or maintain a foothold trap, submerged in the
water, for the purpose of taking a nuisance wild animal, that has an inside
diameter jaw spread greater than eight and one-quarter inches. (b) Foot encapsulating traps. (i) It shall be unlawful
for any person to set, use, or maintain a foot encapsulating trap, for the
purpose of taking a nuisance wild animal, that has an opening that is greater
than two inches in diameter or two inches along any one side. (ii) It shall be unlawful
to set a foothold or foot encapsulating trap on land, for the purpose of taking
a nuisance wild animal, that has less than two swiveling points. (c) Body gripping traps. For the purposes of this rule, body
gripping traps will be measured from the inside of the main jaw at the trigger
assembly to the inside of the opposing jaw across the entrance
window. (i) It shall be unlawful
for any person other than a licensed commercial nuisance wild animal control
operator to set, use, or maintain a body gripping trap, on land for the purpose
of taking a nuisance wild animal, that has an inside diameter jaw spread larger
than five inches in diameter, except as provided in paragraph (H) of this
rule. (ii) It shall be unlawful
for any licensed commercial nuisance wild animal control operator to set, use,
or maintain a body gripping trap, on land for the purpose of taking a nuisance
wild animal, that has an inside diameter jaw spread larger than six inches in
diameter, except as provided in paragraph (H) of this rule. (iii) It shall be
unlawful for any person to set, use, or maintain a body gripping trap, for the
purpose of taking a nuisance wild animal, with a jaw measurement of greater
than five inches or less than or equal to seven inches unless partially or
completely submerged in a natural body of water, except as provided in
paragraph (H) of this rule. (iv) 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
nuisance wild animal, that has a jaw spread larger than seven inches except
while completely submerged. (d) Snares (i) It shall be unlawful
to use any snare that is constructed of any material other than multi or single
strand steel cable. (ii) It shall be unlawful
for a person to set, use, and maintain snares, except for a spring-loaded, or
spring-assisted or a snare with a mechanical device to assist in capturing or
closing around a wild animal, for the purpose of taking a nuisance wild animal
that does not have: (a) 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, (b) A relaxing lock
system with a breaking point of not greater than three hundred fifty
pounds. (iii) It shall be
unlawful to set a snare with a loop diameter of greater than fifteen
inches. (iv) It shall be unlawful
to use a snare attached to a drag. (v) It shall be unlawful
for any person, except a licensed commercial nuisance wild animal control
operator, to have attached to or use a spring-loaded, spring-assisted or
mechanical device on a snare to assist the snare in capturing or closing around
a nuisance wild animal. (a) It shall be unlawful
for any person to use a spring-loaded, spring-assisted or mechanical device on
a snare that is designed or marketed as a lethal snare that has a loop diameter
greater than five inches on land. (b) It shall be unlawful
for any person to use a spring-loaded, spring-assisted or mechanical device on
a snare that is designed or marketed as a lethal snare that has a loop diameter
greater than eight inches in water. (2) Except as otherwise
provided, it shall be unlawful for any person to place, set, or maintain any
type of unattended trap other than a cage or box trap, body gripping trap,
snare, or spring assisted snare, foot hold trap, foot-encapsulating trap, mole
trap, snap trap or glue board for the purpose of taking a nuisance wild animal.
(3) It shall be unlawful
to fail to euthanize, or release on site, any nuisance raccoon, skunk, beaver,
coyote, red fox, or opossum that is captured, trapped or taken. Except as otherwise provided, it shall be
unlawful to fail to release all other nuisance wild animals: (a) Outside the limits of any incorporated city or
village, (b) On public or private property without the permission of the
landowner, (c) Squirrels, chipmunks, woodchucks, mice, shrews, voles, rats,
rabbits, mink, muskrats or moles may be released or may be
euthanized. (4) Nuisance wild animals
which cannot be live-trapped because of certain conditions may be killed only
after applying for and receiving written permission from the chief of the
division of wildlife or their designee. No such written permission is required
to kill or use lethal means of control for the following nuisance wild animals
unless otherwise provided in paragraph (H) of this rule: (a) Beaver (b) Chipmunk (c) Mice, excepting Eastern harvest mouse (d) Shrews (e) Voles (f) Moles (g) Muskrat (h) Opossum (i) Raccoon (j) Rats, excepting woodrats (k) Red, gray, fox and flying squirrels (l) Skunks (m) Woodchucks (n) Coyote (o) Red fox (p) Thirteen-lined ground squirrel (q) Mink (r) Feral swine (s) Rabbits (t) Weasel (5) It shall be unlawful
for any person to use traps, for the purpose of taking a nuisance wild animal,
having teeth on the jaws except mouse, rat or mole traps as designed by the
manufacturer. (6) It shall be unlawful
to use any flesh bait that is not totally covered or concealed unless such bait
is encapsulated by the trap. (7) It shall be unlawful
to set, use, or maintain any trap or snare on any area designated as a public
hunting area for the purpose of removing nuisance wild animals without
permission of the chief of the division of wildlife or their designee.
(8) It shall be unlawful
to take a raccoon, opossum, skunk or fox with the use of dogs outside of a
structure during the closed season. (9) It shall be unlawful
to fail to euthanize a trapped nuisance feral swine at the trap
location. (F) Toxicants or chemical
control (1) It is lawful to use a
toxicant or chemical substance, excepting contraceptive chemicals, as a means
of control for nuisance wild animals. (2) It shall be unlawful
to use a toxicant or chemical substance for the taking or control of a nuisance
wild animal contrary to or in violation of instructions on the label or
manufacturer recommendations. (3) It shall be unlawful for a licensed
commercial wild animal control operator as defined in section 1531.40 of the
Revised Code to use a toxicant or chemical substance for the taking or control
of a nuisance wild animal without first possessing the appropriate license
under Chapter 921. of the Revised Code. (4) It is lawful to use a contraceptive
chemical to control the population of common pigeons and rats. (5) It shall be unlawful
to use a contraceptive chemical for the taking or control of nuisance wild
animals contrary to or in violation of instructions on the label or the
manufacturer's recommendations. (G) Other methods It is lawful for a licensed commercial nuisance
wild animal control operator to use a gun equipped with a silencer or
muffler. (H) Species specific limitations (1) White-tailed deer (a) White-tailed deer which are causing damage or have become a
nuisance may be captured or killed by licensed commercial nuisance wild animal
control operator or other persons, only after such landowner or agent of the
landowner, where the damage or nuisance is occurring has received a permit from
the chief of the division of wildlife or their designee. (b) The division of wildlife representative approving a permit
for a landowner or agent of the landowner, to take, trap or capture
white-tailed deer may include specific stipulations on that permit under which
white-tailed deer 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 their
designee. (c) All nuisance white-tailed deer immobilized with chemicals or
drugs will be euthanized. (2) Black bear (a) Black bear which are causing damage or have become a nuisance
may be captured or killed by licensed commercial nuisance wild animal control
operators or other persons, only after such landowner or agent of the
landowner, where the damage or nuisance is occurring has received a permit from
the chief of the division of wildlife or their designee. (b) The division of wildlife representative approving a permit
for a landowner or agent of the landowner, to take, trap or capture a black
bear, may include specific stipulations on that permit under which a black bear
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 their designee. (3) Wild turkey (a) Wild turkey, which are causing damage or have become a
nuisance may be captured or killed by licensed commercial nuisance wild animal
control operators or other persons, only after such landowner or agent of the
landowner, where the damage or nuisance is occurring has received a permit from
the chief of the division of wildlife or their designee. (b) The division of wildlife representative approving a permit
for a landowner or agent of the landowner, to take, trap or capture wild turkey
may include specific stipulations on that permit under which 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 their designee. (4) Migratory
birds (a) It shall be unlawful to capture or kill nuisance migratory
birds without first obtaining a permit to do so from the United States
department of interior, fish and wildlife service, except for the
following: (i) Crows (a) Notwithstanding any
other provision in this rule, it is 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. (b) It shall be unlawful
to take or attempt to take crows under this rule with the aid or assistance of
any calls, artificially placed bait or decoys. (ii) Canada
goose (a) Canada geese which
are causing damage or have become a nuisance from March eleventh through August
thirty-first may be captured or taken by licensed commercial wild animal
control operators, landowners, or agents of the landowner, only after such
landowner where the damage or nuisance is occurring has received a permit from
the chief of the division of wildlife or their designee. (b) Canada geese which
are causing damage or have become a nuisance from September first through March
tenth may be captured or taken by licensed commercial wild animal control
operators, landowners, or agents of the landowner, only after such landowner
where the damage or nuisance is occurring has received a permit from the United
States department of the interior, fish and wildlife service. (c) The division of
wildlife representative approving a goose damage permit for a landowner may
include specific stipulations on the permit under which geese, their nests or
eggs may be trapped, captured, taken or destroyed. 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 their designee. (iii) Mute
swan (a) Mute swans may be
captured or taken by licensed commercial nuisance wild animal control
operators, landowners, or agents of the landowner, only after such landowner
where the damage or nuisance is occurring has received a permit from the chief
of the division of wildlife or their designee. (b) The division of
wildlife representative approving a mute swan removal permit for a landowner
may include specific stipulations on the permit under which mute swans, their
nests or eggs may be trapped, captured, taken or destroyed. 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 their
designee. (b) It shall be unlawful to take nuisance migratory birds in
violation of the United States Code of Federal Regulations. (c) Inactive nests of non-colonial migratory birds may be
removed. (5) Bats Notwithstanding rules 1501:31-23-01 and
1501:31-23-02 of the Administrative Code, bats may be excluded from structures,
killed, or euthanized only in accordance with this rule. (a) It shall be unlawful to euthanize or kill a bat unless a bite
or potential exposure to rabies has occurred. Any bat killed or euthanized must
be reported to the local health department by the affected landowner or their
designated agent by the end of the next business day. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person who is not a licensed
commercial nuisance wild animal control operator to charge a fee or receive
compensation to perform bat exclusion or bat eviction, unless exempted from
certification in paragraph (J)(1) of this rule. (c) It shall be unlawful to perform bat exclusion or bat
eviction without first obtaining written permission from the chief of the
division of wildlife or their designee from: (i) May sixteenth through
July thirty-first, when five or more bats are present or observed during the
inspection and bat watch or bat watches; (ii) October fifteenth
through March thirty-first. (d) It shall be unlawful to fail to inspect the structure
for the presence of bats prior to performing bat exclusion. In addition, from
May sixteenth through July thirty-first, it shall be unlawful to fail to
inspect the structure for the presence of bats and perform two bat watches in a
seven-day period prior to performing bat exclusion or bat eviction. If five or
more bats are present or observed during this process, the remaining bat
watches are not required. (e) For the purpose of this rule, "bat exclusion" or
"bat eviction" is defined as the act of installing a device or
materials for the purpose of removing bats from a structure. Provided further,
installing materials that close secondary access points while still allowing
bats to enter and exit the structure through a main access point is not
considered bat exclusion or bat eviction. (f) For the purpose of this rule "bat watch" is defined
as the act of observing a structure to document whether bats are emerging from
or entering the structure. Such observations will be for the period of one-half
hour before sunrise to one hour after sunrise or the period of one-half hour
before sunset to one-half hour after sunset. (6) Woodchucks or
groundhogs It shall be unlawful: (a) To use a body gripping trap with a jaw spread greater than
seven inches across to take woodchucks; (b) To set, use, or maintain a body gripping trap to take
woodchucks which is set more than three feet from the hole, or structure the
woodchuck is inhabiting; (c) For any person who is not a licensed commercial nuisance wild
animal control operator to set, use, or maintain a body gripping trap greater
than five inches to take woodchucks that does not have an enclosure or
structure around the trap which prohibits other animals from getting into the
trap from the outside; (d) For a licensed commercial nuisance wild animal control
operator to set, use, or maintain a body gripping trap greater than six inches
to take woodchucks that does not have an enclosure or structure around the trap
which prohibits other animals from getting into the trap from the
outside; (e) For any person except licensed commercial nuisance wild
animal control operators to use snares without 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 for the purpose of taking
woodchucks. (7) Species designated as endangered or
threatened It shall be unlawful to capture or kill nuisance wild animals
listed as endangered in rule 1501:31-23-01 of the Administrative Code or listed
as threatened in rule 1501:31-23-02 of the Administrative Code without a permit
to do so issued by the chief of the division of wildlife or their designee,
except as provided in paragraph (H)(5)(a) of this rule. (I) Procedures for issuing, denying, suspending and revoking a
license issued under section 1531.40 of the Revised Code (1) The chief of the
division of wildlife or their designee will issue a commercial nuisance wild
animal control operator license to any person who applies in writing, with the
following conditions: (a) The application is made on a form and in a manner as
prescribed by the chief of the division of wildlife, (b) The application is made in good faith and all required
information is provided as indicated on the application, including but not
limited to the name and address of the applicant, (c) Payment of the fee for the license is made, in the amount as
specified in section 1531.40 of the Revised Code. (d) Such license will not be considered valid unless the licensee
or an employee of the licensee has a current certification as required under
division (C)(1) of section 1531.40 of the Revised Code. (2) The chief of the
division of wildlife or their designee may deny an application for a commercial
nuisance wild animal control operators license if the application does not meet
the requirements listed or if payment is not received or if any check, money
order or other instrument of payment is of insufficient funds. (3) The chief of the
division of wildlife or their designee may suspend or revoke any commercial
nuisance wild animal control operators license if: (a) The licensee or the employee of the licensee is convicted of
or pleads guilty to a violation of Chapter 1531. or 1533. of the Revised
Code, (b) The payment received for said license is paid with any check,
money order or other method of payment that is returned for insufficient
funds. (4) Notification of
suspension or revocation of a commercial nuisance wild animal control operators
license shall be made by certified mail or personal service of a letter of
suspension or revocation. (5) No fees paid for said
revoked license will be refunded. (J) Requirements for a certification course required by division
(C)(1) of section 1531.40 of the Revised Code (1) Employees of a
licensed commercial nuisance wild animal control operator under on-site
supervision of a certified operator or employee are exempt from certification.
For the purpose of this rule, under on-site supervision means while staying
within a distance from the person that enables uninterrupted, unaided visual
and auditory communications. (2) All certification courses will be
conducted and administered in accordance with policies and procedures
established by the chief of the division of wildlife. Minimum content of the
course will include but is not limited to: (a) Public safety, (b) Public health, (c) Nuisance wild animal life history, (d) The use of nuisance wild animal removal and control
devices, (e) Laws and rules governing nuisance wild animal
removal. (3) Certification courses may be
instructed by any division of wildlife qualified instructor. Course material
may be presented on-line and conducted as home-study or may be presented
in-person. (4) Instructors will obtain student
manuals and other training materials for their courses from the division of
wildlife. (5) Courses will be conducted statewide.
(6) Courses will be free of charge with
the exception that instructors may charge nominal fees, in accordance with
policies established by the chief, to cover training costs such as facility
fees. (7) The division may charge participants
nominal fees for special training courses, home study, certification testing,
educational materials, and other programs as approved by the
chief. (8) Completion of the course will include
passing of an examination and receiving a certificate prescribed by the chief
of the division of wildlife. (9) Renewal of
certification will be through passing of an examination of knowledge of
continuing education material presented from the division of wildlife on-line
or in-person. (K) Airports (1) Any wild animal,
excepting migratory birds, which poses a threat or hazard to aircraft
operations for airports meeting FAA standards (FAA CertAlert 16-03) or that are
14 C.F.R. Part 139 certified, and are within the fenced area or any wild
animal, excepting migratory birds, which poses an immediate threat or hazard to
aircraft operations or that are within an FAA designated runway safety area may
be captured or killed at any time, provided: (a) It shall be unlawful to fail to report any wild animal,
excepting migratory birds, captured or killed under paragraph (K)(1) of this
rule to the division of wildlife within twenty-four hours of the animal being
captured or killed (b) It shall be unlawful to fail to surrender any threatened or
endangered species captured or killed under paragraph (K)(1) of this rule to
the division of wildlife. (c) It shall be unlawful to fail to obtain a receipt from a
wildlife officer for a white-tailed deer carcass to be given away for
consumption which was killed under paragraph (K)(1) of this rule (d) It shall be unlawful to transfer the carcass any wild animal
killed under paragraph (K)(1) of this rule to any other person without the
permission of the chief of division of wildlife or their designee. (L) It shall be unlawful for a person
operating under authority of a commercial nuisance wild animal control operator
license to fail to carry proof of successfully completing the certification
course as required by division (C)(1) of section 1531.40 of the Revised Code
while working under the authority of a commercial nuisance wild animal control
operator license. Such certification shall be exhibited upon demand to any
wildlife officer or other person with like authority. (M) It shall be unlawful for a person
operating under the authority of a commercial nuisance wild animal control
operator's license to fail to carry a copy of the valid commercial
nuisance wild animal control operator's license under which they operate.
Such license shall be exhibited upon demand to any wildlife officer or other
person with like authority. (N) All definitions set forth in rule
1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code apply to this rule.
Last updated January 2, 2024 at 10:08 AM
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Rule 1501:31-15-04 | State-owned or administered lands designated as public hunting areas.
Effective:
February 1, 2024
(A) The areas administered by divisions
of the Ohio department of natural resources that are listed within this rule
are hereby designated as public hunting areas upon which hunting and trapping
may occur as prescribed by the Revised Code or the Administrative
Code. (1) The following lands
or wildlife areas owned, administered, or controlled by the division of
wildlife are public hunting areas: Acadia cliffs Aldrich pond Ale's run Andreoff Appalachian hills Aquilla Auburn marsh Beach city Beaver creek Berlin lake Big island Black fork bottom Bott Braceville Broken aro Brook Brush creek Buffalo fork Caesar creek Camp Belden Canal road Cascade way side Castalia state fish hatchery Charles O. Trump Cherp's eagle valley Circleville canal Clark lake Clouse lake Coalton Conant Conneaut Consol Holloway area Cooper hollow Creek road Crown city Dan and Margaret James Darke Deer creek Deer creek reservoir (Stark county park
district) Delaware Delaware Strine Delaware Wetstone Dempsey's Sandusky bay Dillon Dorset Eagle creek East fork Egypt valley Elm road Elmon Richards Scioto river Fallsville Fayette county wildlife area 1 Fayette county wildlife area 3 Fayette county wildlife area 4 Fayette county wildlife area 5 Fayette county wildlife area 6 Fayette county wildlife area 7 Fayette county wildlife area 8 Fayette county wildlife area 9 Fayette county wildlife area 10 Firestone Yeagley Fish creek Flint run Florida Fox lake Fox's marsh Fulton pond Funk bottoms Grand river Grant lake Great Miami river Greenfield dam Hambden orchard Hammertown reservoir Hanby Hancock county wildlife area 1 Hancock county wildlife area 2 Hancock county wildlife area 3 Hancock county wildlife area 4 Hancock county wildlife area 5 Hancock county wildlife area 6 Hancock county wildlife area 7 Hebron state fish hatchery Hellbender bluff Henry county wildlife area 1 Henry county wildlife area 2 Henry county wildlife area 3 Highlandtown Honey point Indian creek Jackson county line Jesse Owens Jockey hollow Keen Killbuck marsh Killbuck Wallhonding Killdeer plains Kincaid springs state fish hatchery Kinnikinic Knobbys prairie Knox lake Kokosing lake Kuehnle Lake La Su An Lake park Lake white tailwaters Lawrence woods Leesville Liberty Little Chickasaw Little portage Long lake Lower killbuck creek Mackey Ford Mad river Madison county wildlife area 1 Madison county wildlife area 2 Magee marsh Mallard club Marion and Fred Conkel Maumee river weir rapids Meilke road savanna Meiners Mercer Mesopotamia Metzger marsh Milan Millers blue hole Missionary island Mogadore reservoir Mohican river Mohler Monroe lake Mosquito creek Munro basin New lyme North turkeyfoot Ohio river access - Forked run Ohio river access - Old Town creek Ohio river access - Shade river Ohio river lock and dam 15 Ohio river lock and dam 18 Ohio river lock and dam 21 Ohio river lock and dam 23 Oldaker Orwell Ottawa county wildlife area 1 Ottawa county wildlife area 2 Oxbow lake (including western agreement
parcel) Paint creek fishing access Paint creek lake Parkersburg Pater Pickaway county wildlife area 1 Pickaway county wildlife area 2 Pickaway county wildlife area 3 Pickaway county wildlife area 4 Pickaway county wildlife area 5 Pickaway county wildlife area 6 Pickaway county wildlife area 7 Pickaway county wildlife area 8 Pickaway county wildlife area 9 Pickaway county wildlife area 10 Pickerel creek Pipe creek Pleasant valley Portage path Powelson Prairie creek nature park Putnum county wildlife area 1 Putnum county wildlife area 2 Putnum county wildlife area 3 Racine Resthaven Richland county wildlife area 1 Rock mill lake Ross county wildlife area 1 Ross county wildlife area 2 Ross county wildlife area 3 Ross county wildlife area 4 Ross county wildlife area 5 Ross lake Rush creek conservancy district Rush run Salt fork Samuels Sandusky county wildlife area 1 Sandusky county wildlife area 2 Sandusky county wildlife area 3 Sandusky county wildlife area 4 Sandusky county wildlife area 5 Sandusky county wildlife area 6 Sandusky county wildlife area 7 Scenic vista Seneca county park district conservation
area Seneca county wildlife area 1 Seneca county wildlife area 2 Seneca county wildlife area 3 Seneca county wildlife area 4 Shenango Shreve lake Silver creek Simco Six mile dam - Walhonding reservoir Spencer lake Spring valley St. Joseph river St. Mary's state fish hatchery Stillwater Sugar creek Superior Symmes township Taylor ridge Three locks road - Scioto river Tiffin river Toussaint creek Tranquility Tri-valley Turkey ridge Tycoon lake Urbana Valley run Van Tassel Vernon A. Luthman Tecumseh Veto lake Vinton furnace Walborn reservoir Wallace H. O'Dowd Warren Waterloo Wellington Wellston Wendell R. LaDue West branch West farmington West harbor Whitey case Willard marsh Willow point Wingfoot Wolf creek Wood county wildlife area 1 Wood county wildlife area 2 Wood county wildlife area 4 Wood county wildlife area 5 Wood county wildlife area 6 Wood county wildlife area 7 Wood county wildlife area 8 Wood county wildlife area 9 Wood county wildlife area 10 Woodbury Woodland trails Wyandot Zepernick (2) The following areas
administered by the division of parks and watercraft are public hunting
areas: Adams lake Alum creek A.W. Marion Barkcamp Beaver creek Blue rock Buck creek Buckeye lake Burr oak Caesar creek Cowan lake Deer creek Delaware Dillon East fork Findley Forked run Geneva Grand lake St. Marys Great seal Guilford lake Hocking hills Hueston woods Indian lake Jefferson lake Jesse Owens Kelley's island Kiser lake Lake Alma Lake Logan Lake Loramie Lake Milton Madison lake Mary Jane Thurston Mosquito lake North bass island Paint creek Portage lakes Pymatuning Rocky fork Salt fork Stonelick Strouds run Sycamore Tar hollow Van Buren West branch Wolf run (3) The following areas
administered by the division of forestry are public hunting areas: Beaver creek Blue rock Brush creek Dean Fernwood Gifford Harrison Hocking Maumee Mohican memorial Perry Pike Richland furnace Scioto trail Shade river Shawnee Sunfish creek Tar hollow Vinton furnace West blue rock Willow grove Yellow creek Zaleski (B) All definitions set forth in rule
1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code apply to this rule.
Last updated May 1, 2025 at 10:46 AM
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Rule 1501:31-15-05 | Public hunting areas; general provisions.
Effective:
February 1, 2024
(A) No hunting, no trapping, no
trespassing, and safety zones. On any public hunting area, unless otherwise
authorized by the chief of the division of wildlife or their designee, it shall
be unlawful for any person to: (1) Hunt within any area
posted with signs or buoys indicating no hunting or safety zone; (2) Trap within any area posted with
signs or buoys indicating no trapping; (3) Enter into or trespass at any time
within any land or water of any public hunting area posted with signs or buoys
indicating no trespassing, trespassing unlawful, controlled access area,
controlled hunting area, restricted area, refuge, or any other signs that
indicate that a permit is required for entry; (4) Violate the
provisions of any permit or written authorization to access, hunt, or trap in
an area restricted under this rule; (5) Train, work or
exercise a dog, or permit a dog to run at large, within any area posted with
signs or buoys indicating no hunting; (6) Hunt or shoot from a
parking area, boat ramp, dock, observation deck, or boardwalk. (B) State parks designated as public
hunting areas. (1) Hunting and trapping
are allowed in the public hunting areas administered by the division of parks
and watercraft when done in accordance with the Revised Code and the
Administrative Code. Provided further, it is lawful to hunt game birds, game
quadrupeds and furbearing animals, and trap furbearing animals in these areas
when done in accordance with 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 watercraft. 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 watercraft area headquarters
office. (2) Unless otherwise
authorized by the chief of the division of wildlife or their designee, it shall
be unlawful to: (a) Hunt or trap in any way that is contrary to the
official hunting map for a public hunting area administered by the division of
parks and watercraft; (b) Take, kill, or harass a wild animal in any state park
at any time except during the open season. (C) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the
Administrative Code apply to this rule.
Last updated February 1, 2024 at 9:11 AM
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Rule 1501:31-15-06 | Controlled access and special opportunity areas.
(A) Controlled access opportunity
permits. The following areas require a controlled access
opportunity permit to hunt upon: Castalia state fish hatchery, Eagle creek,
Hebron state fish hatchery, Kincaid springs state fish hatchery, Magee marsh,
Marion and Fred Conkel, Mercer, Pipe creek, St. Mary's state fish
hatchery, and Urbana. Provided further, it shall be unlawful to: (1) Hunt upon any area
where a controlled access opportunity permit is required without first
obtaining said permit; (2) Violate any of the
rules or provisions of a controlled access opportunity permit; (3) Buy, sell, trade, or
barter any controlled access opportunity permit issued by the division of
wildlife; (4) Apply more than one
time for a specific controlled access opportunity administered by the division
of wildlife unless otherwise authorized by the chief of the division of
wildlife. (B) Special opportunity
areas. (1) Beaver creek wildlife
area. It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or
trap on Beaver creek wildlife area other than for waterfowl, deer, and
furbearing animals during the open season prescribed for such species. (2) Camp Belden and
Steinen wildlife areas. It shall be unlawful for any person eighteen
years of age or older to hunt, trap, or fish on the camp Belden and Steinen
wildlife areas. Provided further, persons younger than eighteen years of age
may hunt, trap or fish when accompanied by a non-hunting, non-trapping, and
non-fishing adult. (3) City of Akron, Mogadore property
located in Brimfield and Suffield townships in Portage county. It shall be unlawful to: (a) Hunt waterfowl on this area without a valid permit
authorizing such activity, except for the last forty-five days of the north
zone goose season as established in rule 1501:31-7-06 of the Administrative
Code when no permit is required; (b) Hunt wild quadrupeds and wild turkey except with a longbow or
crossbow during the open seasons in such manner and in such numbers as are
prescribed by the Revised Code or the Administrative Code; (c) Hunt with a shotgun, rifle, pistol, or revolver except
persons legally hunting waterfowl may use shotguns and persons legally trapping
furbearing animals may use a rimfire firearm to kill a furbearing animal caught
in a trap. (4) City of Akron, Wendell R. LaDue
reservoir located in Auburn and Troy townships in Geauga county. It shall be unlawful to hunt waterfowl east of
state route 44 without a valid permit authorizing such activity, except for the
last forty-five days of the north zone goose season as established in rule
1501:31-7-06 of the Administrative Code when no permit is required. No permit
is required to hunt waterfowl on the remainder of the LaDue property, including
the portion of the Wendell R. LaDue reservoir west of state route 44. (5) Clark lake wildlife
area, Grand lake St. Mary's state park, and Spring valley wildlife
area. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to place, construct,
maintain, or use a permanent waterfowl blind on state property at Grand lake
St. Marys state park, Clark lake wildlife area or Spring valley wildlife area
without first obtaining a written permit from the chief of the division of
wildlife or their designee, or without written permission from the permit
holder. For the purpose of this rule a "permanent waterfowl blind" is
a structure that is taken to, placed, or built for the purpose of concealment
of waterfowl hunters and is left at the same place of concealment for more than
one calendar day. (b) It shall be unlawful to violate any of the rules or
provisions of the written permit required by this rule. (6) Lake La Su An
wildlife area in Williams county. It shall be unlawful to hunt turkey on the lake
La Su An wildlife area without written authorization from the chief of the
division of wildlife. (7) Ottawa national
wildlife refuge. Portions of the Ottawa national wildlife refuge
are posted by signs or buoys designating such areas require a permit to hunt
thereon. Provided further, it shall be unlawful: (a) To hunt within these restricted areas without first obtaining
a permit issued by the division of wildlife; (b) To violate the rules or provisions of the permit issued by
the division of wildlife. (C) Areas having limited or no firearm
use. It shall be unlawful to: (1) Use a shotgun, rifle,
pistol, or revolver at any time on the Greenfield dam, Auburn marsh, Grant
lake, and Aquilla public hunting areas, except: (a) Shotguns using shot may be used to take migratory birds,
rabbits, pheasants, squirrel, and turkey during the open season prescribed for
such species; (b) Persons legally trapping furbearing animals may use a rimfire
firearm to kill a furbearing animal caught in a trap. (2) Hunt on the Elm road,
Marsh wetlands nature preserve, and Warren public hunting areas, or the portion
of Wingfoot public hunting area designated with signs as archery only,
except: (a) With a longbow or crossbow during the open seasons in such
manner and in such numbers as are prescribed by the Revised Code or the
Administrative Code; (b) Persons legally trapping furbearing animals may use a rimfire
firearm to kill a furbearing animal caught in a trap. (3) Hunt with or possess
any shot except non-toxic shot on Metzger marsh wildlife area, Mallard Club
wildlife area, Pipe creek wildlife area, Magee marsh wildlife area, Toussaint
wildlife area, and Little Portage wildlife area. (D) All definitions set forth in rule
1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code apply to this rule.
Last updated May 1, 2025 at 10:46 AM
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Rule 1501:31-15-07 | Wildlife refuges; waterfowl refuges.
Effective:
February 1, 2024
(A) State wildlife refuges. (1) Green island is hereby designated as a state wildlife refuge until March 1, 2049. Provided further, it shall be unlawful to enter into green island wildlife refuge without authorization from the chief of the division of wildlife or their designee. (2) All state wildlife refuges established by the chief of the division of wildlife will be posted with signs or buoys designating such areas. Provided further, it shall be unlawful to enter into any land or water designated as a state wildlife refuge without authorization from the chief of the division of wildlife or their designee. (B) State waterfowl refuges. Muddy creek bay is hereby designated as a state waterfowl refuge until March 1, 2049. It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take ducks, geese, or any other migratory bird at any time from any watercraft or floating conveyance on or within the unimpounded water area of Muddy creek bay in Ottawa and Sandusky counties, bounded by the following: | Longitude | Latitude | Name | | -82.974526 | 41.463878 | Canvasback Point | | -82.977094 | 41.454805 | South Point | | -83.003076 | 41.428134 | South Creek East | | -83.003442 | 41.428151 | South Creek West | | -83.012935 | 41.442307 | Green Creek South | | -83.013080 | 41.442949 | Green Creek North | | -83.024160 | 41.450201 | Sandusky River Southeast | | -83.025157 | 41.451868 | Sandusky River Northwest | | -83.040721 | 41.452093 | Muddy Creek South | | -83.040771 | 41.453165 | Muddy Creek North |
(C) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code apply to this rule.
Last updated February 1, 2024 at 9:12 AM
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Rule 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. (B) It shall be unlawful for any person acting under
authority of a permit mentioned in this rule to take, possess, or transport any
white tailed deer or part thereof contrary to any condition or specification
set forth within the permit or established by the chief of the division of
wildlife. (C) It shall be unlawful for any person issued a permit
mentioned in this rule to fail to comply with any condition or specification
set forth within the permit or established by the chief of the division of
wildlife. Failure to comply with the provisions set forth in a deer damage
control permit shall result in the immediate revocation of the
permit. (D) It shall be unlawful to sell, barter or trade any part
of a deer killed under authority of a deer damage control permit. (E) 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. (F) It shall be unlawful to take or attempt to take deer
under the authority of a deer damage control permit at any time other than
within the dates listed on the deer damage control permit. (G) It shall be unlawful to dispose of any parts of a deer
except as specified on the deer damage control permit. (H) 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. (I) 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. (J) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the
Administrative Code shall apply to this rule. (K) It shall be unlawful to sell, barter, or trade a deer
damage control permit obtained under this rule.
Last updated February 27, 2023 at 10:57 AM
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Rule 1501:31-15-09 | Hunting and trapping regulations for furbearing animals.
Effective:
January 1, 2015
(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 limit or possession limit on fox, skunk, weasel, raccoon, opossum, mink, coyotes, beaver or muskrat. (C) 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. (D) 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. (E) 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. (F) It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to immediately kill and reduce to the person's possession or immediately release at the capture site any trapped furbearing animal. (G) It shall be unlawful for any person engaged in trapping to fail to visit and remove all animals from their traps once every calendar day. (H) It shall be unlawful for any person to set, use, or maintain a trap or snare for the purpose of taking 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. (I) It shall be unlawful for any person to disturb or molest a legally set trap, dispatch or remove a furbearing animal from a trap of another person without permission from the trap owner or user. (J) It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, post, or place any stake, flagging or any other type of marker for the purpose of identifying a proposed trap set location on any area designated as public hunting area unless authorized by the chief of the division of wildlife. (K) Trapping methods: (1) It shall be unlawful for any person to place, set, or maintain any type of trap other than a cage trap, body gripping trap, foot encapsulating trap, foothold trap, or snare for the purpose of taking a wild animal. (2) It shall be unlawful for any person to use a trap, for the purpose of taking a wild animal, having teeth on the gripping surface. (3) It shall be unlawful to use any flesh bait for the purpose of trapping a wild animal that is not totally covered. (4) It shall be unlawful for any person to set, use, or maintain, a trap or snare in or upon any path, or road ordinarily used by domestic animals or human beings. (5) Except as provided in rule 1501:31-15-03 of the Administrative Code, it shall be unlawful for any person at any time to shoot a mink, muskrat, river otter or beaver that is not caught in a trap or snare. (6) It shall be unlawful for any person to set, use, or maintain any type of a trap on land, except a cage 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. (7) Foothold traps: (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to set, use, or maintain a foothold trap, on land, for the purpose of taking a wild animal, that has an inside diameter jaw spread greater than five and three eights inches, except foothold traps with a jaw spread not larger than six inches may be utilized when they meet the following: (i) The jaws have a minimum of five-sixteenths inch gripping surface. (ii) Each trap has a minimum of three swiveling points. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to set, use, or maintain a foothold trap, submerged in the water, for the purpose of taking a wild animal, that has an inside diameter jaw spread greater than eight and one-quarter inches. (c) It shall be unlawful for any person to set, use, or maintain any foothold trap on land or in water, for the purpose of taking a wild animal, that is not covered. (d) It shall be unlawful for any person to set, use, or maintain a foot encapsulating trap that has an opening that is greater than two inches in diameter or two inches along any one side. (e) It shall be unlawful to set a foothold or foot encapsulating trap on land that has less than two swiveling points. (8) Body gripping traps: (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to set, use, or maintain a body gripping trap for the purpose of taking a wild animal with a jaw measurement greater than five inches on land. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to set, use, or maintain a body gripping trap for the purpose of taking a wild animal, with a jaw measurement of greater than five inches or less than or equal to seven inches unless partially or completely submerged in a natural body of water, except as provided in paragraph (N) of this rule. (c) It shall be unlawful for any person to set, use, or maintain a body gripping trap for the purpose of taking a wild animal with a jaw measurement of greater than seven inches unless completely submerged in water and only during the open trapping season for beaver or river otter. (9) Snares: (a) It shall be unlawful for a person to set, use, and maintain a snare 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. (b) It shall be unlawful to use a snare that is not securely attached or affixed to an immovable object or securely staked. (c) 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 (L)(1) of this rule and then only when beaver or river otter trapping. A snare shall have a minimum loop diameter of 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 those areas listed in paragraph (L)(1) of this rule. (d) It shall be unlawful to use any snare that is constructed of any material other than multi strand steel cable. (e) It shall be unlawful to set a snare with a loop diameter of greater than fifteen inches. (f) It shall be unlawful to have attached to a snare any spring loaded or mechanical device to assist the snare in closing. (L) Special area regulations: (1) It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in trapping for beaver or river otter on any state public hunting area area unless such person has a special beaver or river otter trapping permit for that specific public hunting area issued by the chief of the division of wildlife or their representative. (2) 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. (3) 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. (M) River otter regulations: (1) 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 five business days following harvest. (2) 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. (3) 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. (N) For the purposes of this rule, traps shall be measured in the open set position, from the inside of the main trap jaws including 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. (4) Measurement of foot-encapsulating traps with round or oblong openings shall be made across the opening at the widest location. Measurement of foot-encapsulating traps with square or rectangular openings shall be made along the longest side of the opening. (O) It shall be lawful for persons to take coyotes without a fur taker permit. (P) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code shall apply to this rule.
Last updated February 27, 2023 at 10:57 AM
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Rule 1501:31-15-10 | Wild turkey regulations.
Effective:
January 1, 2025
(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) The northeast zone for turkey consists of Ashtabula,
Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Trumbull counties. Spring wild turkey season is open
in the northeast zone from May 3, 2025 through June 1, 2025. (b) The south zone for turkey consists of the remaining
eighty-three counties not included in the northeast zone. Spring wild turkey
season is open in the south zone from April 19, 2025 through May 18,
2025. (c) Youth spring wild turkey season is open on April 12 and 13,
2025 for persons seventeen years of age and younger. All spring wild turkey
season rules apply to these dates. (d) Fall wild turkey season is open from October 1, 2024, through
October 27, 2024, in the following counties: Adams, Allen, Ashland, Ashtabula,
Athens, Belmont, Brown, Butler, Carroll, Champaign, Clermont, Columbiana,
Coshocton, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Defiance, Delaware, Erie, Fairfield, Franklin,
Fulton, Gallia, Geauga, Guernsey, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Henry,
Highland, Hocking, Holmes, Huron, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lake, Lawrence,
Licking, Logan, Lorain, Lucas, Mahoning, Medina, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Morrow,
Muskingum, Noble, Paulding, Perry, Pike, Portage, Preble, Putnam, Richland,
Ross, Scioto, Seneca, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Vinton, Warren,
Washington, Wayne, Williams and Wyandot 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 one bearded wild turkey
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. (C) Hunting implements (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: 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 hunting implement, singly or in the
aggregate, to include a firearm, longbow or crossbow while hunting wild
turkey. This paragraph does not prohibit a person from
legally carrying a concealed firearm in accordance with law. (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 May 3, 2025 through May 11, 2025 in the northeast
zone. (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 twelve p.m.
during the period of April 19, 2025 through April 27, 2025 in the south
zone. (3) 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 12, 2025 through June 1, 2025 in the northeast
zone. (4) 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 April 28, 2025 through May 18, 2025 in the south
zone. (5) 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. (6) 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. (7) 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. (8) It shall be unlawful
for any person to hunt or take a wild turkey by the use or aid of live birds as
decoys. (9) 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. (10) It shall be unlawful
for any person to take a wild turkey when it is in a tree. (11) 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 electronic or printed 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 electronic or printed 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 date, time and county of kill have been written on the
spring turkey permit. (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 date, time and county of kill has been written on the fall turkey
permit. (F) Tagging and game check (1) It shall be unlawful,
after killing a turkey, to fail to immediately complete a spring turkey permit,
fall turkey permit, or landowner turkey tag, with the hunters name, date, time,
and county of kill prior to moving the carcass from the place where it fell or
fail to game check your turkey prior to moving the carcass from the place it
fell. (2) It shall be unlawful
to leave a turkey that has been killed unattended without first attaching a
completed spring turkey permit, fall turkey permit or landowner turkey tag with
the hunters name, date, time and county of kill to the turkey, or attaching a
game check confirmation number to the turkey. (3) It shall be unlawful
to remove a spring turkey permit, fall turkey permit or a landowner turkey 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 spring turkey permit, fall turkey permit or a
landowner turkey tag, or a game check confirmation number to any wild turkey or
parts thereof which was taken by another person. (5) It shall be unlawful
to attach or use a turkey permit on or for any turkey that was taken before the
permit was purchased or otherwise obtained. (6) It shall be unlawful
to manufacture, counterfeit, sell, trade, distribute, forge and/or falsify a
spring turkey permit, fall turkey permit, landowner turkey tag, or game check
confirmation number for a turkey. (7) It shall be unlawful
to possess, attach, affix or otherwise use a counterfeit or falsified or
invalid spring turkey permit, fall turkey permit, landowner turkey tag, or game
check confirmation number on or for any turkey. (8) It shall be unlawful
to possess any turkey, or part thereof, which has attached or affixed a
counterfeit or otherwise falsified spring turkey permit, fall turkey permit,
landowner turkey tag or game check confirmation number. (9) It shall be unlawful
to fail to immediately attach your spring turkey permit, fall turkey permit, or
landowner turkey tag with the hunters name, date, time and county of kill, or
the game check confirmation number to a harvested turkey upon arrival at a
personal or temporary abode. (10) 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. (11) 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. (12) 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. (13) 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. (14) 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. (15) It shall be unlawful
to remove the feet, beard, meat or feathers of a turkey until the turkey has
been game checked and tagged with a valid game check confirmation
number. (16) 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. (17) It shall be
unlawful, while at any personal or temporary abode, 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. (18) It shall be unlawful
to provide any false information or data when game checking any
turkey. (19) 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. (20) With the exception
of a hunter harvested turkey prior to reaching a personal or temporary abode,
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 permit, 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 wild turkey, or part thereof, is
any one or more of the following: (a) A valid Ohio division of wildlife spring wild turkey permit,
fall wild turkey permit, landowner 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 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. (21) It shall be unlawful
for any person to place or leave a wild turkey, or any part thereof, unattended
or 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 permit, tag, permanent tag number, game check confirmation
number, seal, certificate for legal ownership, statement or
receipt. (G) Sales of turkey parts 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: (1) 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. (2) 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) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the
Administrative Code apply to this rule.
Last updated May 1, 2025 at 10:44 AM
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Rule 1501:31-15-11 | Deer regulations.
It shall be unlawful to hunt, take, or possess deer
except in accordance with Chapter 1531 or 1533 of the Revised Code, division
1501:31 of the Administrative Code, or as otherwise authorized by the chief of
the division of wildlife or the chief's designee. (A) Season dates (1) Deer archery season
is open in disease surveillance areas established under rule 1501:31-19-03 of
the Administrative Code from the second Saturday in September through the first
Sunday in February. (2) Deer archery season
is open statewide from the last Saturday of September through the first Sunday
of February. (3) Deer gun season is
open in established disease surveillance areas from October 12 through October
14, 2024. All deer gun season rules apply to these dates within established
disease surveillance areas. (4) Youth deer gun season
is open November 16 and 17, 2024, for persons seventeen years of age and
younger. All deer gun season rules apply to these dates. (5) Deer gun season is
open from the first Monday after Thanksgiving through the following Sunday and
is open on December 21 and 22, 2024. (6) Deer muzzleloading
season is open from the first Saturday after New Years day through the
following Tuesday. (7) 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 apply to all persons issued
said permit. (B) Bag limits (1) It shall be unlawful
to take more than six deer per license year, regardless of method of take or
location taken, except as provided in paragraphs (B)(7), (B)(8) and (B)(9) of
this rule. (2) It shall be unlawful
to take more than one antlered deer per license year, regardless of method of
take or location. For purposes of this rule an antlered deer is any deer with
antlers three inches in height or greater. An antlerless deer is any deer with
no antlers or antlers less than three inches in height. (3) It shall be unlawful
to take an antlered deer with a deer management permit. (4) It shall be unlawful
to hunt or take more than two deer per license year from the following
counties: Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Vinton, and Warren counties, provided
further, (a) It shall be unlawful to hunt or take more than two deer
per license year under the authority of a deer permit or deer management permit
outside of a division of wildlife authorized controlled hunt, from the
following counties: Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Vinton, and Warren
counties. (5) It shall be unlawful
to hunt or take more than three deer per license year from the following
counties: Adams, Allen, Ashland, Ashtabula, Athens, Auglaize, Belmont, Brown,
Butler, Carroll, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Columbiana, Coshocton,
Crawford, Darke, Defiance, Delaware, Erie, Fairfield, Fayette, Fulton, Gallia,
Geauga, Greene, Guernsey, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Henry, Highland, Holmes,
Huron, Jefferson, Knox, Lake, Licking, Logan, Lorain, Madison, Mahoning,
Marion, Medina, Meigs, Mercer, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Morrow,
Muskingum, Noble, Ottawa, Paulding, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Portage, Preble,
Putnam, Richland, Ross, Sandusky, Scioto, Seneca, Shelby, Stark, Trumbull,
Tuscarawas, Union, Van Wert, Washington, Wayne, Williams, Wood, and Wyandot
counties, provided further, (a) It shall be unlawful to hunt or take more than three
deer per license year under the authority of a deer permit or deer management
permit, outside of a division of wildlife authorized controlled hunt, from the
following counties: Adams, Allen, Ashland, Ashtabula, Athens, Auglaize,
Belmont, Brown, Butler, Carroll, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton,
Columbiana, Coshocton, Crawford, Darke, Defiance, Delaware, Erie, Fairfield,
Fayette, Fulton, Gallia, Geauga, Greene, Guernsey, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison,
Henry, Highland, Holmes, Huron, Jefferson, Knox, Lake, Licking, Logan, Lorain,
Madison, Mahoning, Marion, Medina, Meigs, Mercer, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery,
Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Ottawa, Paulding, Perry, Pickaway, Pike,
Portage, Preble, Putnam, Richland, Ross, Sandusky, Scioto, Seneca, Shelby,
Stark, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Union, Van Wert, Washington, Wayne, Williams, Wood
and Wyandot counties. (6) It shall be unlawful
to hunt or take more than four deer per license year from the following
counties: Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Lucas, and Summit, counties, provided
further, (a) It shall be unlawful to hunt or take more than four
deer per license year under the authority of a deer permit or deer management
permit, outside of a division of wildlife authorized controlled access
opportunity, from the following counties: Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Lucas,
and Summit counties. (7) It shall be unlawful
for any person to hunt or take more than six deer per license year from
controlled access opportunities where the taking of additional deer has been
authorized by the chief of the division of wildlife. Said deer may be taken in
addition to any other deer taken in that county and in addition to the limit of
six deer taken per license year as indicated in paragraph (B)(1) of this
rule. (8) It shall be unlawful
to take an antlerless deer under the authority of a deer management permit from
any state-owned or administered lands designated as public hunting areas in
rule 1501:31-15-04 of the Administrative Code, except: (a) The lake La Su An public hunting area. (b) Public hunting areas located within established disease
surveillance areas, except the Delaware wildlife area. (c) Division of wildlife authorized controlled access
opportunities. (9) It shall be unlawful
to take more than one antlerless deer per license year from state-owned or
administered lands designated as public hunting areas in rule 1501:31-15-04 of
the Administrative Code, except: (a) The lake La Su An public hunting area. (b) Public hunting areas located within established disease
surveillance areas, except the Delaware wildlife area. (c) Division of wildlife authorized controlled access
opportunities. (C) Hunting implements (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 shoulder-mount stock. 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 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 ten-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. (iv) A rifle with the
following criteria: Chambered for a straight-walled cartridge
with a minimum caliber of .357 to a maximum caliber of .515. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person hunting deer to use
in any rifle or possess any rifle cartridge which is necked down. (c) It shall be unlawful for any person hunting deer during
any deer gun season, to possess or use any shotgun or rifle which is loaded
with more than three shells or cartridges in the magazine and chamber
combined. (d) 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. (e) 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 youth deer gun season, deer gun season and deer
muzzleloading season. This paragraph does not prohibit a person
from legally carrying a concealed handgun in accordance with law. (f) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess rifle
cartridges while hunting during the deer muzzleloading season. (g) It shall be unlawful to possess shotgun shells,
containing shot, while hunting during the youth deer gun season, deer gun
season and deer 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. (h) It shall be unlawful for any person hunting during the
deer muzzleloading season to possess shotgun slugs or rifle
ammunition. (i) It shall be unlawful for any person to be in possession
of shotgun slugs or rifle ammunition while hunting during the youth deer gun
season, except youth hunters hunting deer. (j) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take
deer during the deer 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 hunting implement, singly or in the
aggregate, to include a firearm, longbow or crossbow while hunting deer.
This paragraph does not prohibit a person from
legally carrying a concealed handgun in accordance with law. (D) Hunting methods and
hours. It shall be unlawful to: (1) Hunt or take deer at
any time except from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after
sunset; (2) Hunt or take wild
animals from one-half hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset, except
deer, waterfowl, wild boar, and coyotes during the youth deer season, deer gun
season and muzzleloading season with any hunting implement other than a shotgun
using shot not larger then number four. Waterfowl may only be hunted during the
hours specified in rule 1501:31-7-06 of the Administrative Code; (3) Hunt or take wild
boar or coyotes at any time other than from one-half hour before sunrise to one
half- hour after sunset during the youth deer gun season, deer gun season and
deer muzzleloading season; (4) Hunt or take coyotes
and wild boar from one-half hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset
during the youth deer gun season, deer gun season and the deer muzzleloading
season without possessing both a valid hunting license and valid deer permit or
management permit; (5) Hunt or take coyotes
and wild boar during the deer 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) 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 one half-hour
after sunset during the youth deer gun season, deer gun season or the deer
muzzleloading season; (7) Hunt or take any wild
animal except waterfowl, from one-half hour before sunrise to one half-hour
after sunset, during the youth deer gun season, deer gun season or the deer
muzzleloading season, unless such person is visibly wearing a vest, jacket or
coveralls colored solid hunter orange, or camouflage hunter
orange; (8) Hunt or take deer by
the aid of dog, except wounded deer may be tracked using a dog that is
leashed; (9) Hunt or take coyotes
by the aid of a dog during the deer gun season and deer muzzleloading season
from one-half hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset; (10) Hunt or take a deer
that is in the water; (11) 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 landowner's permission. (E) Permits. It shall be unlawful for any person to: (1) Hunt or take a deer
without possessing a valid electronic or printed deer permit or deer management
permit during any of the open deer seasons; (2) Hunt with or carry an
electronic or printed deer permit or deer management permit of
another; (3) 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 deer
management permit for which a game check confirmation number has been issued or
the date, time and county of kill have been written on the deer permit or deer
management permit; (4) Hunt or take a deer
under the authority of a deer management permit, except from the first day of
the deer archery season through the last day of the deer gun season. Deer
management permits may be used at any time in division of wildlife administered
or authorized controlled hunts. (F) Tagging and game
checking. It shall be unlawful: (1) To hunt or take a
subsequent deer before the date, time and county of kill are written on the
corresponding deer permit, deer management permit or landowner deer tag or the
date, time and county of kill have been submitted to the game check system for
the deer that was taken; (2) To attach, affix, or
otherwise use a deer permit, deer management permit, landowner deer tag, or a
game check confirmation number on or for a deer or parts of a deer, taken by
another person; (3) To attach, affix, or
otherwise use an antlerless game check confirmation number on or for an
antlered deer; (4) To attach, affix, or
otherwise use a deer permit or deer management permit on or for any deer that
was taken before the permit was purchased or otherwise obtained; (5) To manufacture,
counterfeit, sell, trade, distribute, forge and/or falsify a deer permit, deer
management permit, landowner deer tag, or a game check confirmation
number; (6) To possess, attach,
affix or otherwise use a counterfeit or falsified deer permit, deer management
permit, landowner deer tag, or game check confirmation number on or for any
deer; (7) To possess any deer,
or part thereof, which has a counterfeit or otherwise falsified deer permit,
deer management permit, landowner deer tag or game check confirmation number
attached, affixed, or otherwise used on or for the deer or parts
thereof; (8) After killing a deer
to fail to immediately complete a deer permit, deer management permit, or
landowner deer tag with the hunters name, date, time, and county of kill prior
to moving the carcass from the place where it fell or fail to game check your
deer prior to moving the carcass from the place it fell; (9) To leave a deer that
has been killed unattended, or with another person, without first attaching or
affixing a completed deer permit, deer management permit, or landowner deer tag
with the hunters name, date, time and county of kill to the deer or a game
check confirmation number to the deer; (10) To fail to
immediately attach or affix your deer permit, deer management permit or
landowner deer tag with the hunters name, date, time and county of kill, or the
game check confirmation number to a harvested deer upon arrival at a personal
or temporary abode; (11) To obtain a game
check confirmation number with a deer management permit for any deer hunted or
taken in any county in which a deer management permit is not valid, outside of
a division of wildlife authorized controlled hunt; (12) To remove a deer
permit, deer management permit, or landowner deer tag from any deer until the
deer has been game checked and a valid game check confirmation number has been
attached or affixed to the deer; (13) To skin or remove
the head of a deer until the deer has been game checked and a valid game check
confirmation number has been attached or affixed to the deer; (14) For each person who
kills a deer to fail to game check and attach or 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 attach or affix a game check confirmation
number to a deer taken by eleven-thirty p.m. on the final day of the archery
season, youth deer gun season, deer gun season and deer muzzleloading
season; (15) To provide false
information or data when game checking any deer; (16) 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) While at any
personal or temporary abode, for any person to fail to immediately and
permanently attach or affix their valid game check confirmation number to the
deer after it has been game checked; (18) To attach, affix, or
otherwise use an invalid or falsified game check number on or for any deer or
parts thereof; (19) 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; (20) 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 or
affixed; (21) To possess a dead
deer, or any part thereof, unless such deer, or parts thereof, are accompanied
by an attached valid permit, tag, seal, certificate of legal ownership,
statement or receipt, except naturally shed antlers and a hunter harvested deer
prior to reaching a personal or temporary abode. For the purposes of this
section a valid permit, 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 deer permit, deer
management permit, landowner deer 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. (22) For any person to
place or leave a deer, or any part thereof, unattended or 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 or
affixed valid permit, tag, seal, certificate for legal ownership, statement or
receipt or game check confirmation number; (23) To possess a deer,
or parts thereof, that were taken in violation of any division rule or the Ohio
Revised Code. (G) Sales 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) All definitions set forth in rule
1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code apply to this rule.
Last updated May 1, 2025 at 10:46 AM
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Rule 1501:31-15-12 | Management permits.
Deer management permits shall be valid only during
the period or in areas as specified in rule 1501:31-15-11 of the Administrative
Code. The fee for deer management permits shall be fourteen dollars and a one
dollar writing fee.
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Rule 1501:31-15-13 | Falconry hunting seasons.
(A) It shall be unlawful to hunt or take any wild animal
using a raptor, except properly licensed falconers may hunt, take, and possess
the following game during the respective open season or the extended falconry
hunting season: (1) Migratory game
birds; (2) Cottontail
rabbits; (3) Red, gray, black, and
fox squirrels; (4) Ringneck pheasants
and chukar partridge; (5) Furbearing animals; (6) Grouse; (7) Bobwhite
quail; (8) Crows. (B) The extended falconry hunting seasons
are open from September first through March tenth for the
following: (1) Cottontail
rabbit; (2) Red, gray, black, and
fox squirrels; (3) Ringneck pheasants
and chukar partridge; (4) Grouse; (5) Bobwhite
quail. (C) All possession and daily limits
listed for game animals apply, except for migratory birds of which the daily
limit is three, singly or in the aggregate. (D) All definitions set forth in rule
1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code apply to this rule.
Last updated July 2, 2024 at 9:44 AM
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Rule 1501:31-15-14 | Youth hunting season regulations.
(A) Youth hunting seasons are open only
to persons that are seventeen years of age or younger on the date of
participation in the hunting season. (B) It shall be unlawful for a person
seventeen years of age or younger to hunt in a youth hunting season if they are
not accompanied by a non-hunting adult eighteen years of age or older. Provided
further, on dates specified in paragraph (H) of rule 1501:31-7-06 of the
Administrative Code, persons eighteen years of age or older and eligible to
hunt under that paragraph may hunt and accompany a person hunting under this
chapter. (C) It shall be unlawful for a
non-hunting adult eighteen years of age or older to accompany more than two
persons seventeen years of age or younger during a youth hunting
season. (D) It shall be unlawful for the
responsible non-hunting adult eighteen years of age or older to allow a person
seventeen years of age or younger to hunt unaccompanied during a youth hunting
season. (E) It shall be unlawful during a youth
hunting season for an adult who accompanies a person seventeen years of age or
younger who is participation in a youth hunting season to hunt or possess a
device commonly used to take wild animals, except on dates specified in
paragraph (H) of rule 1501:31-7-06 of the Administrative Code an adult eligible
to hunt under that paragraph may hunt and accompany a person hunting under this
chapter. (F) All definitions set forth in section 1531.01 of the Revised
Code and rule 1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code apply to this
rule.
Last updated January 9, 2024 at 9:18 AM
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Rule 1501:31-15-15 | Squirrel seasons, hours, and bag limits.
The open season for red, gray, black, and fox
squirrels is from September 1, 2024, through January 31, 2025. (A) It shall be unlawful to: (1) Hunt or take a squirrel at any time, except between
one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily during the open season for
squirrels; (2) 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; (3) 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. (B) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the
Administrative Code apply to this rule.
Last updated May 1, 2025 at 10:46 AM
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Rule 1501:31-15-16 | Rabbit seasons, hours, and bag limit.
The open season for rabbits is from November 1,
2024 through February 28, 2025. The youth hunting season for rabbits is open
from October 19, 2024 through October 20, 2024, and from October 26, 2024
through October 27, 2024. (A) It shall be unlawful to: (1) Hunt or take a rabbit
at any time, except between sunrise to sunset daily during the open seasons for
rabbits; (2) Take more than four
rabbits, singly or in the aggregate, in any one day or possess more than four
rabbits taken in one day; (3) Possess more than
four rabbits, singly or in the aggregate, in the field while hunting or when
returning from hunting; (4) Hunt or take a
snowshoe hare at any time. (B) All definitions set forth in rule
1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code apply to this rule.
Last updated May 1, 2025 at 10:46 AM
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Rule 1501:31-15-17 | Ringneck pheasant and chukar partridge seasons, hours, and bag limits.
The open season for ringneck pheasants and chukar
partridge is from November 1, 2024 through January 12, 2025. The youth hunting
season for ringneck pheasants and chukar partridge is open from October 19,
2024 through October 20, 2024, and from October 26, 2024 through October 27,
2024. (A) It shall be unlawful to: (1) Hunt or take a
ringneck pheasant or chukar partridge at any time, except between sunrise to
sunset daily during the open seasons for ringneck pheasants and chukar
partridge; (2) Hunt or take more
than two ringneck pheasants in any one day; (3) Hunt or take more
than two chukar partridge in any one day; (4) Possess more than two ringneck
pheasants in the field while hunting or when returning from
hunting; (5) Possess more than two
chukar partridge in the field while hunting or when returning from
hunting; (6) 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; (7) Possess a pheasant of which the
exterior sex identity has been destroyed while in the field; (8) Transport, ship, or otherwise secure
the transportation of a pheasant of which the exterior sex identity has been
destroyed. (B) All definitions set forth in rule
1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code apply to this rule.
Last updated May 1, 2025 at 10:46 AM
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Rule 1501:31-15-18 | Furbearing animals seasons and bag limits.
(A) Unless otherwise provided by division
rule, it shall be unlawful to hunt, take, or possess a furbearing animal at any
time except during the respective open season. Provided further: (1) The open season for
hunting raccoon, opossum, skunk, fox, and weasel is from November tenth through
midnight, January thirty-first; (2) The open season for
trapping raccoon, opossum, skunk, fox, and weasel is from November tenth
through midnight, January thirty-first; (3) The open season for trapping mink or
muskrat is from November tenth through the last day of February; (4) The open season for trapping beaver
is from December twenty-sixth through the last day of February; (5) The open season for trapping river
otter is from December twenty-sixth through the last day of
February; (a) 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 river otter
zone B; (b) The following counties are in river otter zone
A: Ashtabula, Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana,
Coshocton, Geauga, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Lake, Mahoning,
Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Portage, Stark, Trumbull, Tuscarawas,
Washington, and Wayne; (c) The remainder of the state is in river otter zone
B. (6) The respective open
seasons for trapping furbearing animals, except fox, is extended through March
fifteenth in the following counties: Lucas east of the Maumee river, Ottawa,
Sandusky, and Erie; (7) Coyotes may be hunted
and trapped year-round unless otherwise provided by division rule; (8) The furbearing animals listed in this
rule may be possessed at any time during the respective open season through the
next immediate June fifteenth or by a person having a permit issued by the
division of wildlife. (B) All definitions set forth in rule
1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code apply to this rule.
Last updated July 2, 2024 at 9:45 AM
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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. (C) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code shall apply to this rule.
Last updated February 27, 2023 at 10:57 AM
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Rule 1501:31-15-20 | Crow season and hours.
Crow season is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
from June 7, 2024, through March 2, 2025, and Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from
June 6, 2025, through March 1, 2026. (A) It shall be unlawful to hunt or take
a crow at any time, except between one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily
during the open season for crows. (B) There is no daily bag limit for
crows. (C) All definitions set forth in rule
1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code apply to this rule.
Last updated May 1, 2025 at 10:46 AM
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Rule 1501:31-15-21 | Bobwhite quail season, hours, and bag limit.
Bobwhite quail season is open from November 1,
2024, through December 1, 2024. The youth hunting season for bobwhite quail is
open from October 19, 2024, through October 20, 2024, and from October 26,
2024, through October 27, 2024. (A) It shall be unlawful to: (1) Hunt or take a
bobwhite quail at any time, except between sunrise to sunset daily during the
open seasons for bobwhite quail; (2) Hunt or take bobwhite
quail, except in: (a) Adams, Athens, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton,
Highland, Jackson, Meigs, Montgomery, Pike, Preble, Ross, Scioto, Vinton, and
Warren counties; (b) The Tri-Valley wildlife area in Muskingum
county; (c) The Crown City wildlife area in Gallia and Lawrence
counties. (3) Hunt or take bobwhite
quail on any public hunting area listed in rule 1501:31-15-04 of the
Administrative Code, except: (a) The Tri-Valley wildlife area; (b) The Crown City wildlife area; (c) When authorized by the chief of the division of
wildlife. (4) Hunt or take more
than two bobwhite quail in any one day; (5) Possess more than two
bobwhite quail in the field while hunting or when returning from
hunting; (6) Possess a bobwhite
quail in the field, except in the counties and on the public hunting areas that
are open to quail hunting unless, the bobwhite quail are legally acquired and
tagged in accordance with law. (B) All definitions set forth in rule
1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code apply to this rule.
Last updated May 1, 2025 at 10:46 AM
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Rule 1501:31-15-22 | Grouse season, hours, and bag limit.
The grouse season is open from November 1, 2024
through December 1, 2024. (A) It shall be unlawful to: (1) Hunt or take a grouse at any time, except between
one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily during the open season for
grouse; (2) Hunt or take a grouse in any county,
except: Adams, Athens, Belmont, Gallia, Guernsey,
Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Pike, Ross, Scioto,
Vinton, and Washington. (3) Hunt or take more than one grouse in any one
day; (4) Possess more than one grouse in the field while hunting
or when returning from hunting; (5) Possess a grouse in the field, except in the counties
that are open to grouse hunting, unless the grouse are legally acquired and
tagged in accordance with law. (B) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the
Administrative Code apply to this rule.
Last updated May 1, 2025 at 10:46 AM
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