COLUMBUS, Ohio - Hunters in the Mahoning Valley recorded harvest numbers well above recent averages during the opening day of Ohio’s white-tailed deer gun hunting season Monday, with Trumbull County ranking seventh statewide for total deer checked.

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, hunters checked 23,149 deer statewide on Dec. 1. While this marks a decrease from the 26,670 deer taken on opening day in 2024, it remains above the three-year opening day average of 21,075.

Locally, Trumbull, Mahoning, and Columbiana counties all surpassed their three-year harvest averages.

Trumbull County hunters checked 678 deer on Monday, placing it among the top 10 counties in the state. This represents a significant increase over the county’s three-year average of 418 deer.

Columbiana County reported 548 deer checked, compared to a three-year average of 466. Mahoning County hunters checked 270 deer, surpassing the three-year average of 171.

Ashtabula County led the state with 1,122 deer checked. The top counties following Ashtabula were Coshocton (1,010), Muskingum (801), Tuscarawas (795), Knox (784), and Carroll (692).

The Division of Wildlife uses the three-year average to provide a baseline comparison, eliminating year-to-year variables such as weather conditions, crop harvest timing, and calendar shifts.

Statewide, the opening day total included 8,315 antlered deer and 14,834 antlerless deer.

The gun season continues through Sunday, Dec. 7. A designated gun hunting weekend is also scheduled for Dec. 20-21.

ODNR reported that residents and nonresidents have purchased a combined 354,052 deer permits this year. Pennsylvania remains the top state for nonresident hunters, with 6,358 licenses sold to residents of the commonwealth.

Following the gun seasons, a muzzleloader season will take place Jan. 3-6, 2026. The archery season remains open statewide until Feb. 1, 2026.

Hunters are required to check their game using the HuntFish OH mobile app, by visiting ohiogamecheck.com, or by calling 1-877-TAG-IT-OH (1-877-824-4864).