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COLUMBUS, OH - Hunters experienced among the safest seasons ever and enjoyed excellent hunting in taking 84,178 deer during Ohio^s statewide deer gun season. According to preliminary figures from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, the total represents a six percent increase, or 4,822 more deer than last year^s preliminary gun season total of 79,356.
Counties reporting the highest numbers of deer brought to Ohio check stations last week included Athens - 4,126; Washington - 3,708; Muskingum - 3,517; Gallia - 3,092; Meigs - 3,081; Guernsey - 2,971; Licking - 2,771; Hocking - 2,768; Tuscarawas - 2,579; and Coshocton - 2,552.
"Our agency is very pleased with this year^s safety record in which only four hunters were injured by others in a firearms-related incident," said Michael J. Budzik, Division of Wildlife Chief. "Increased hunter safety awareness along with recent rule changes may have made this a safer year for those who participated in the deer gun season."
Five other hunters were injured last week as a result of self-inflicted wounds involving a firearm bringing to nine the total number of hunting incidents occurring last week.
Wildlife officers said they found most hunters were in compliance with two new rule changes during this year^s deer gun season. Hunters were required to visibly wear a jacket, vest, coat or coveralls that are either solid hunter orange or camouflage hunter orange in color. Deer hunters also were not allowed to use shotguns capable of holding more than three deer slugs.
In previous years, there was no limit on the number of deer slugs that could be used in a shotgun and hunters could wear as little as a hunter orange hat or cap before the rules were amended this year.
Uploaded: 12/8/1999
Uploaded: 12/8/1999