Chapter 1501:31-15 | Hunting and Trapping

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

• Effective: July 1, 2020
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10, 1533.02
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2025
Prior Effective Dates: 6/1/1980, 5/31/1984, 5/28/2004, 5/27/2005, 7/1/2009, 11/27/2009

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

• Effective: May 1, 2022
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(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) Except as provided in section 2923.16 of the Revised Code and rule 1501:31-9-08 of the Administrative Code, 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. Shooting wild animals, except migratory game birds, is permitted from farm machinery when being used in normal farm operations. It shall be lawful to hunt small game and furbearers, except mink, muskrat, river otter and beaver from a powercraft if the motor has been completely shut off and the powercraft has come to rest.

(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.

(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) 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.

(P) 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.

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

It shall be unlawful to use a foothold trap or snare to trap a wild boar.

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

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

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

Last updated May 2, 2022 at 9:00 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10, 1533.02
Five Year Review Date: 5/1/2027
Prior Effective Dates: 5/1/1976, 6/1/1977, 6/1/1980, 6/1/1982, 9/15/1987, 7/18/1995, 7/1/2015

Rule 1501:31-15-03 | Nuisance wild animal control.

• Effective: July 7, 2018
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) General

(1) It shall be 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 shall be considered 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 shall be 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 operators 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 shall be 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.

(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 with body gripping traps less than six inches in diameter that are completely submerged in water, 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 shall be measured in the open set position, from the inside of the main trap jaws as produced by the manufacturer and shall not include jaw modifications or add-ons.

(a) Foothold traps. For the purposes of this rule, measurement of foot hold traps shall be made perpendicular to the frame at the widest location parallel with the dog. Measurement of foot hold traps without dogs shall 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.

(iii) 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 nuisance wild animal, that is not covered.

(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 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.

(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 shall be 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 shall be lawful to use a contraceptive chemical to control the population of common pigeons.

(5) It shall be unlawful to use a contraceptive chemical for the taking or control of nuisance wild birds contrary to or in violation of instructions on the label or the manufacturer's recommendations.

(G) Other methods

It shall be 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 shall 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 shall be lawful for any person to take crows which are found committing or about to commit depredations upon ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, livestock, or wildlife, or when concentrated in such numbers and manner as to constitute a health hazard or other nuisance.

(b) It shall be unlawful to take or attempt to take crows under paragraph (E) of 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

(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, unless exempted from certification in paragraph (J)(1) of this rule,

(c) It shall be unlawful to fail to inspect the structure for the presence of bats prior to performing bat exclusion. In addition, if no bats are observed when the structure is inspected, from May sixteenth of each year through July thirty-first of each year, it shall be unlawful to fail to perform or have performed a minimum of two bat watches over a seven day period prior to performing a bat exclusion.

(d) It shall be unlawful to perform a bat exclusion on a structure where fifteen or more bats are present or observed from May sixteenth of each year through July thirty-first of each year without prior written permission from the chief of the division of wildlife or their designee.

(e) For the purpose of this rule "bat eviction" or "bat exclusion" is defined as the act of installing a device or materials for the purpose of removing bats from a structure.

(f) For the purpose of this rule "bat watch" shall be defined as the act of observing a structure to document whether bats are emerging from or entering the structure. Such observations shall 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

(a) It shall be unlawful to use a body gripping trap with a jaw spread greater than seven inches across to take woodchucks.

(b) It shall be unlawful 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) It shall be unlawful 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) It shall be unlawful for any person except licensed commercial nuisance wild animal control operators to use snares without a relaxing lock for the purpose of taking woodchucks,

(7) Species designated as endangered or threatened

(a) 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.

(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 shall 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 shall 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 shall be 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 shall 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 shall be conducted statewide.

(6) Courses shall 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 shall include passing of an examination and receiving a certificate prescribed by the chief of the division of wildlife.

(9) Renewal of certification shall 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.

Last updated August 4, 2023 at 10:43 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10, 1531.40
Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10, 1531.40, 1533.02
Five Year Review Date: 7/7/2023
Prior Effective Dates: 7/1/1983, 6/1/1997, 5/27/2005

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

• Effective: July 1, 2020
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) As listed on wildohio.gov, areas administered by divisions of the Ohio department of natural resources are hereby designated as public hunting areas upon which hunting and trapping are permitted as prescribed by the Revised Code or the Administrative Code.

(1) The listed state forests administered by the division of forestry,

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

(B) The areas administered by the division of parks and watercraft listed on wildohio.gov are hereby designated as public hunting areas. Hunting and trapping are permitted when done in accordance with the Revised Code and the Administrative Code. It shall be lawful to hunt game birds, game quadrupeds and furbearing animals, and trap furbearing animals in the division of parks and watercraft areas named on wildohio.gov when done in accordance to the official hunting maps for the parks listed. Official hunting maps indicate those areas of the park open and closed to hunting and trapping and any restrictions on hunting or trapping in those areas. The official copies of the maps are filed with the chief of the division of parks and 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. Parks that have areas open to hunting and trapping are listed on wildohio.gov.

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

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

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

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

Last updated August 4, 2023 at 10:43 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2025
Prior Effective Dates: 6/1/1979 (Temp.), 6/1/1982 (Temp.), 5/3/1983 (Temp.), 6/1/1986 (Temp.), 11/21/1986 (Emer.), 7/31/1990, 8/15/1995, 6/1/1997, 6/1/1999, 5/27/2005, 7/1/2012, 7/11/2013

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

• Effective: August 10, 1996
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Last updated August 4, 2023 at 10:43 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: –
Amplifies: –
Five Year Review Date:
Prior Effective Dates: 8/25/1975, 6/1/1980, 8/1/1984, 7/31/1989, 6/7/1993, 10/14/1994, 8/15/1995

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

• Effective: June 30, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Deer may be hunted by persons who receive a controlled access opportunity permit in all portions of Mosquito creek wildlife area designated as "state game refuge". It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt deer without a controlled access opportunity permit on any portion of the Mosquito creek wildlife area designated as "state game refuge".

(B) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt wild turkeys during the spring turkey season on lake La Su An wildlife area without a permit issued by the chief of the division of wildlife or in violation of the rules or provisions of said permit.

(C) It shall be unlawful to hunt at any time on the Urbana wildlife area without permit issued by the chief of the division of wildlife or in violation of the rules or provisions of said permit.

(D) It shall be unlawful for any person to buy, sell, trade, or barter any controlled access opportunity permit issued by the division of wildlife. It is lawful to exchange any controlled access opportunity permit issued by the division of wildlife with another successful applicant selected for the same controlled access opportunity.

(E) Within the Ottawa national wildlife refuge in Ottawa and Lucas counties, it shall be unlawful for any person:

(1) To hunt without first obtaining a permit issued by the division of wildlife;

(2) To violate the rules or provisions of the permit issued by the division of wildlife.

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

Last updated August 4, 2023 at 10:43 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Five Year Review Date: 6/30/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 8/25/1975, 6/1/1981, 6/1/1982, 6/1/1986, 7/1/1989, 5/16/1994, 5/28/2004, 7/11/2013

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

• Effective: June 30, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt:

(1) Within any area posted with division of wildlife "No Hunting Zone" signs;

(2) Within any area posted with "Safety Zone" signs on a cooperative or a restricted hunting area, without the prior permission of the landowner or tenant in control of such safety zone.

(B) Deer creek reservoir located in Lexington township, Stark county.

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

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

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

(D) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt waterfowl at any time that is not in conformity with the regulations on the posted division of wildlife signs on portions of the Shenango, Salt Fork, and Killbuck wildlife areas.

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

(F) City of Akron, Mogadore property located in Brimfield and Suffield townships in Portage county:

(1) It shall be unlawful to 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;

(2) Wild quadrupeds and wild turkey may be hunted on this area 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;

(3) Persons legally trapping furbearing animals on this area may use a rimfire firearm to kill a furbearing animal caught in a trap.

(G) It shall be unlawful to hunt waterfowl on the Wendell R. LaDue reservoir 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.

(H) Areas having limited or no firearm use.

It shall be unlawful to:

(1) Use a rifle, pistol, or revolver at any time on the Lake park, Aquilla, state public hunting areas;

(2) Use a rifle, pistol, revolver or shotgun at any time on the Greenfield dam, Auburn marsh and Grant lake state public hunting areas, except:

(a) Shotguns using shot may be used to take migratory birds, rabbits, pheasants, squirrel, and quail during the open season prescribed for such species;

(b) On designated target range areas.

(3) Hunt at the Marsh wetlands nature preserve in Portage county and the Elm road public hunting area in Trumbull county with anything other than archery equipment, except:

(a) Persons legally trapping furbearing animals on the Marsh wetlands nature preserve and the Elm road public hunting area may use a rimfire firearm to kill a wild animal caught in a trap;

(4) 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.

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

Last updated August 4, 2023 at 10:43 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Five Year Review Date: 6/30/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 5/31/1984, 6/1/1985, 8/11/1991, 6/7/1993, 6/1/1997, 7/1/2017, 7/7/2018

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

• Effective: July 1, 2016
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(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

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 1531.08
Amplifies: 1531.08
Five Year Review Date: 10/14/2025
Prior Effective Dates: 3/1/1973, 6/1/1978, 7/19/2002, 7/1/2008

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

• Effective: January 1, 2015
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(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

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Five Year Review Date: 10/14/2025
Prior Effective Dates: 8/25/1975, 6/1/1977, 6/1/1979, 6/1/1982, 6/1/1984, 1/1/2012, 7/1/2014

Rule 1501:31-15-10 | Wild turkey regulations.

• Effective: July 1, 2022
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(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 shall be defined as Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Trumbull counties. Spring wild turkey season is open in the northeast zone from April 29, 2023 through May 28, 2023.

(b) The south zone for turkey shall be the remaining eighty-three counties not included in the northeast zone. Spring wild turkey season is open in the south zone from April 22, 2023 through May 21, 2023.

(c) Youth spring wild turkey season is open on April 15 and 16, 2023 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 the second Saturday of October through the second Sunday of November 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 April 29, 2023 through May 7, 2023 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 22, 2023 through April 30, 2023 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 8, 2023 through May 28, 2023 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 May 1, 2023 through May 21, 2023 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 certificate for legal ownership issued by a law enforcement officer within their jurisdiction.

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

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

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

(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) Special areas

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

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

Last updated August 4, 2023 at 10:43 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10, 1533.02
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2027
Prior Effective Dates: 6/1/1979, 6/1/1980, 3/1/2000, 4/21/2002, 6/4/2003, 6/30/2004, 7/1/2006, 7/1/2008, 11/24/2008, 7/1/2010, 7/1/2011, 1/1/2013, 7/1/2014, 7/1/2015, 7/1/2019, 7/1/2021

Rule 1501:31-15-11 | Deer regulations.

• Effective: June 30, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

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 7 through October 9, 2023. All deer gun season rules apply to these dates within established disease surveillance areas.

(4) Youth deer gun season is open November 18 and 19, 2023 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 16 and 17, 2023.

(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: Butler, Clinton, Fayette, Greene, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Madison, Pickaway, 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: Butler, Clinton, Fayette, Greene, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Madison, Pickaway, 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, Carroll, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Columbiana, Coshocton, Crawford, Darke, Defiance, Delaware, Erie, Fairfield, Fulton, Gallia, Geauga, Guernsey, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Henry, Highland, Holmes, Huron, Jefferson, Knox, Lake, Licking, Logan, Lorain, Mahoning, Marion, Medina, Meigs, Mercer, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Ottawa, Paulding, Perry, 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, Carroll, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Columbiana, Coshocton, Crawford, Darke, Defiance, Delaware, Erie, Fairfield, Fulton, Gallia, Geauga, Guernsey, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Henry, Highland, Holmes, Huron, Jefferson, Knox, Lake, Licking, Logan, Lorain, Mahoning, Marion, Medina, Meigs, Mercer, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Ottawa, Paulding, Perry, 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 hunt, 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 hunts.

(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 hunts.

(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

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take deer at any time except from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

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

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

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

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

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

(E) Permits

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to 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) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt with or carry an electronic or printed deer permit or deer management permit of another.

(3) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take deer or aid another person in the hunting of deer, while having in their possession a hunting implement, while being solely in possession of a deer permit or 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) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take a deer under the authority of a deer management permit, except from the first day of the archery season through the Sunday following Thanksgiving day. Deer management permits may be used at any time in division of wildlife administered or authorized controlled hunts.

(F) Tagging and game checking

(1) It shall be unlawful 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) It shall be unlawful to attach a deer permit, deer management permit, landowner deer tag, or a game check confirmation number to a deer or parts of a deer, taken by another person.

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

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

(5) It shall be unlawful to manufacture, counterfeit, sell, trade, distribute, forge and/or falsify a deer permit, deer management permit, landowner deer tag, or a game check confirmation number.

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

(8) It shall be unlawful 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) It shall be unlawful to leave a deer that has been killed unattended, or with another person, without first attaching 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) It shall be unlawful to fail to immediately attach 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) It shall be unlawful 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) It shall be unlawful 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 affixed to the deer.

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

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

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

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

(17) It shall be unlawful, 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 deer after it has been game checked.

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

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

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

(21) With the exception of naturally shed antlers, and a hunter harvested deer prior to reaching a personal or temporary abode, it shall be unlawful to possess a dead deer, or any part thereof, unless such deer, or parts thereof, are accompanied by an attached valid permit, tag, seal, certificate of legal ownership, statement or receipt. 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) It shall be unlawful 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 valid permit, tag, seal, certificate for legal ownership, statement or receipt or game check confirmation number.

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

(G) Sales

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 June 30, 2023 at 12:24 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10, 1533.02
Five Year Review Date: 6/30/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 6/1/1976, 6/1/1977, 6/1/1985, 11/21/1986 (Emer.), 6/7/1993, 8/10/1997, 8/13/1999, 11/12/1999, 12/21/2011 (Emer.), 7/11/2013, 11/9/2015

Rule 1501:31-15-12 | Management permits.

• Effective: July 1, 2020
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

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.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10, 1533.113
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2025
Prior Effective Dates: 7/1/2019

Rule 1501:31-15-14 | Youth hunting season regulations.

• Effective: June 30, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(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 June 30, 2023 at 12:24 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10, 1533.02
Five Year Review Date: 6/30/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 6/1/1977, 6/1/1979, 7/1/1989, 6/1/1997, 7/19/2002, 6/4/2003, 7/1/2006, 7/1/2010

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

• Effective: July 1, 2022
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

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

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

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

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

(E) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take, or possess grouse, except during the open hunting season set forth in this paragraph.

(1) Grouse may be hunted, taken, or possessed from the second Saturday in October through the Sunday immediately following Thanksgiving on any state-owned or administered lands designated as public hunting areas in rule 1501:31-15-04 of the Administrative Code.

(2) Grouse may be hunted, taken, or possessed from the second Saturday in October through the first day of January on lands not designated as public hunting areas in rule 1501:31-15-04 of the Administrative Code.

(F) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take, or possess rabbits, except from the first Friday in November through the last day of February.

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

(H) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take or possess quail except from the first Friday in November through the Sunday immediately following Thanksgiving on lands not designated as public hunting areas in rule 1501:31-15-04 of the Administrative Code in the following counties: Adams, Athens, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Montgomery, Muskingum, Pike, Preble, Ross, Scioto, Vinton, and Warren.

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take or possess quail on any state-owned or administered lands designated as public hunting areas in rule 1501:31-15-04 of the Administrative Code, except as provided in paragraph (H)(2) or (H)(3) of this rule.

(2) It shall be unlawful to hunt, take, or possess quail in Muskingum county, except on the Tri Valley wildlife area.

(3) It shall be unlawful to hunt, take, or possess quail in Gallia or Lawrence county, except:

(a) On the Crown City wildlife area.

(b) When authorized by the chief of the division of wildlife.

(I) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take crows at any time except on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from June 3, 2022 through March 5, 2023 and from June 2, 2023 through March 3, 2024, one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(2) The following counties are in river otter zone A: This zone is closed season to river otter trapping.

(3) The following counties are in river otter zone B: Adams, Allen, Ashland, Athens, Auglaize, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Darke, Defiance, Delaware, Erie, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Gallia, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Highland, Hocking, Huron, Jackson, Knox, Lawrence, Licking, Logan, Lorain, Lucas, Madison, Marion, Medina, Meigs, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Morrow, Ottawa, Paulding, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Preble, Putnam, Richland, Ross, Sandusky, Scioto, Seneca, Shelby, Summit, Union, Van Wert, Vinton, Warren, Williams, Wood and Wyandot. The river otter bag limit is one per season in this zone.

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

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

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

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

(1) On any property or area not listed on the permit

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

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

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

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

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

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

(U) The chief of the division of wildlife or their designee may issue a permit to hunt or take wild turkey, during a period specified on the permit between the dates of April eight through April twenty. 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 must be received by January first immediately preceding the requested hunting opportunity. This permit does not supersede requirements for any applicable hunting license or wild turkey permits.

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

(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.

(V) There shall be a youth hunting season on the two Saturdays and Sundays immediately prior to the first Friday in November whereby cottontail rabbits, pheasants, chukar partridge and bobwhite quail may be taken according to division rule. Provided further, quail may only be taken in accordance with paragraph (H) of this rule.

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

Last updated August 16, 2023 at 9:32 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10
Amplifies: 1531.06, 1531.08, 1531.10, 1533.02
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2027
Prior Effective Dates: 6/1/1978 (Temp.), 6/1/1980 (Temp.), 7/1/2010, 7/1/2012, 7/11/2013, 7/1/2016, 7/1/2020

Rule 1501:31-15-19 | Fur dealer reports.

• Effective: July 1, 2008
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(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

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 1531.08, 1533.23, 1533.24
Amplifies: 1531.08, 1533.23, 1533.24
Five Year Review Date: 7/2/2026
Prior Effective Dates: 7/19/2002