Ohio is one of the most rewarding states to hunt in the country, with rolling hardwood hills, productive farmland, and thriving populations of white-tailed deer, wild turkey, waterfowl, and small game. Before you step into the field, though, you need to make sure your paperwork is in order.
Whether you are a lifelong Ohio resident or an out-of-state hunter planning a trip to the Buckeye State, this guide walks you through every hunting license requirement you need to know — from who must carry a license and what exemptions exist, to exactly what things cost and where to buy them.
Who Needs a Hunting License in Ohio
All hunters, regardless of age, must carry a valid hunting license to hunt or trap game in Ohio. This applies whether you are pursuing deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game, or furbearers. The state makes no exceptions based on age alone — even youth hunters are required to hold a valid license.
Hunting deer, turkey, waterfowl, or hunting or trapping of furbearers requires the hunter to possess an additional, game-specific permit on top of the base hunting license. A general hunting license by itself is not sufficient for those species…