Welcome to TheOhioOutdoors
Wanting to join the rest of our members? Login or sign up today!
Sign up

2025 EHD?

2017 in Jefferson Co. we lost around 66% of the herd per ODNR. Club found around 15 dead heads trolling the Creeks over 150” that year. We killed 3 that year. 4-5 years later we recovered. 2025 produces deer sightings every hunt. 2011 produced about 20 deer sightings per hunt which was best season ever.
 
From a reliable source:

"Opening weekend harvest totals for Washington, Athens and Meigs Counties…

Total harvest across the 3 counties was 37 deer. Last year opening weekend was 153. Down about ~76%.

There’s no way to gauge how many people hunted in comparison…but certainly not surprising at the same time!"

I talked to 20 or so hunters at our local fair this weekend. No one was hunting, or had plans to hunt, for the foreseeable future. A few have bucks they'll chase, but in general, most folks are playing it safe until the first frost. Tonight was the best night on our farm since January for deer sightings, so patterns are shifting and things look a little better than expected. Our house remains devastated and we won't be shooting anything back there this year.

That's my current approach, as well. I've decided I'm not shooting a doe for sure until after we've had a frost and see where things stand. Got some bucks on camera I'd love to stick but I'm not blowing stuff out right now with this hot weather. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
 
Ross county found today
1000005082.webp
 
2017 in Jefferson Co. we lost around 66% of the herd per ODNR. Club found around 15 dead heads trolling the Creeks over 150” that year. We killed 3 that year. 4-5 years later we recovered. 2025 produces deer sightings every hunt. 2011 produced about 20 deer sightings per hunt which was best season ever.
Great to read.

Were you guys on a changed/droughty weather pattern when it hit? rebounded?

Any advice for folks on the front or backside of a hard hit like seOH?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Buckmaster
Great to read.

Were you guys on a changed/droughty weather pattern when it hit? rebounded?

Any advice for folks on the front or backside of a hard hit like seOH?
From Jeff Co.: Spoke to neighbor club rep today. He was out pulling another dead buck out of a pond. 5 deer found so far. Not a report I wanted to hear from Jeff Co. I smelled a dead one there Friday but did not investigate. My assumption is Jeff Co. has fallen victim again.
 
I reported the 2 dead bucks on our farm in Morgan Co a few days ago on the ODNR website. I haven’t been contacted yet but will let you know when and what they respond with on my photos I sent them.
 
I reported the 2 dead bucks on our farm in Morgan Co a few days ago on the ODNR website. I haven’t been contacted yet but will let you know when and what they respond with on my photos I sent them.
Our warden said they arent doing any visits to see them just send him pics if you want the rack and he would issue a tag. And to report it on the website. I doubt they even reach out to you.
 
I was hoping reporting with proof would bring them to the decision to limit the number of antlerless tags in Morgan County. Our deer sightings, sign and cell cam photos have been totally decimated and nonexistent. No rubs and fresh tracks is alarming. Neighbors who live there substantiated our findings as well. Sad state of affairs 😳😕
 
I was hoping reporting with proof would bring them to the decision to limit the number of antlerless tags in Morgan County. Our deer sightings, sign and cell cam photos have been totally decimated and nonexistent. No rubs and fresh tracks is alarming. Neighbors who live there substantiated our findings as well. Sad state of affairs 😳😕
You hold the power to take or not take. Continue talking with your neighbors and do you guys. You dont need the man micro managing you.