Deer hunting limits may increase; trumpeter swans may be taken off threatened species list

Several regulations for Ohio wildlife are proposed starting next year, including good news for trumpeter swan populations as well as deer hunters.

Members of the Ohio Wildlife Council will host a hearing on potential changes to the 2024-25 Ohio hunting and trapping seasons on March 20, according to a news release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The council will vote on the changes April 10.

“Everyone who would like to comment on Division of Wildlife proposals can do so online at wildohio.gov from Feb. 10 – March 13,” the news release reads.

Biologists from ODNR submitted their requests to the wildlife council on Feb. 7.

The state monitors harvests so that animal populations remain consistent and healthy.

Ohio deer hunting season 2024-25

The proposal includes bag limit increases on white-tailed deer from two kills to three for hunters in six counties: Butler, Clinton, Fayette, Greene, Madison and Pickaway.

“Deer bag limit increases are designed to slow herd growth and increase hunting opportunities,” the news release reads.

Hunters next season will be allowed to harvest only one antlered deer, regardless of where or how it is taken.

The proposed statewide deer hunting dates for 2024-25 include:

• Deer archery: Sept. 28, 2024 – Feb. 2, 2025
• Youth deer gun: Nov. 16 – 17, 2024
• Deer gun: Dec. 2 – Dec. 8, 2024; Dec. 21 – 22, 2024
• Deer muzzleloader: Jan. 4 – 7, 2025

“The wildlife council also heard a proposal to allow deer management permits to be valid until Dec. 22, 2024, the last day of the bonus deer gun hunting weekend,” the news release reads. “Currently, deer management permits are only valid until the day before the statewide seven-day gun season.”

Hunting hours will remain 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

Other requested hunting changes would affect waterfowl and other migratory game birds, furbearers, small game and other species.

A complete list of proposal is online at ohiodnr.gov/rules-and-regulations/rule-changes/proposed-rule-changes/wildlife-proposed-rules.

‘Trumpeter swan populations have exceeded the division’s goals’

State biologists want the wildlife council to remove trumpeter swans from the Buckeye State’s threatened species list.

“The population has significantly increased, and the threatened designation is no longer needed,” the proposal reads. “After years of management and monitoring, trumpeter swan populations have exceeded the division’s goals for the species’ recovery.”

Trumpeter swans once faced extinction, according to an ODNR news release from 2021.”In 2020, wildlife biologists found 98 breeding pairs of trumpeter swans in Ohio, an encouraging increase in population,” the news release reads. “These birds nested in 20 counties, including public wildlife areas such as Killdeer Plains (Wyandot County) and Big Island (Marion County).”

Those Ohio swans had 235 young, called cygnets, in 2020.

Trumpeter swans depend on high-quality wetland habitats throughout the year, and face continued threats, including habitat loss and lead poisoning.

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