First time deer hunting in Ohio... Tips? Advice?

[cbwellsworth]

Hey y'all ,

I'm planning on coming down to Ohio this year for a public land hunt (I'm from Michigan). This would be my first time hunting in Ohio and I was hoping I could get some tips and advice from you guys. What areas or regions? Hotels, motels, campgrounds/sites? I'm trying to make this as cost effective as possible while still giving myself the best chance to be successful. Any and all info would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!

 

[giles]

Welcome! This place is covered with good info. I’d suggest looking around and using the search feature. I’m sure you’ll find everything you’re looking for and then some! Kind of a slow time around here right now for this kind of info. As you get an area narrowed down we can help you along.

Plenty of good public land in all corners of the state. I wouldn’t get stuck on traveling 5 hours to NE Ohio. NW has plenty to offer just over the boarder from you. Day trip kind of places. SE just has the most public land with AEP and Wayne National. More isn’t always better.

 

[OhioWhiteTails]

Welcome! Strap on the boots and scout as many properties as you can. Good luck and I look forward to hearing about the journey.

 

[Jackalope]

Hi and welcome. Lots of places as options. Like Dave said don't overlook the NW and central western part of the state. Remember with E-scouting if it looks awesome online it looks that way to a ton of other people too. Find those small hard to get to spots that have a barrier like a creek or big hollow to reduce other hunting pressure.

 

[hickslawns]

I'm in Lima. Roughly 1.5hrs to the border of Ohio and Michigan. I think there is some public land up in the northern portion of the state. Not sure of anything close in Lima. Maybe Killdeer? I've heard there is some decent hunting in that area. Not a horrible drive from MI.

 

[Clay Showalter]

Don’t go around wearing a Michigan shirt. Lol

 

[giles]

Gun/bow?
Any deer/buck only?

I’m a nut for late season hunting. I love it! Give me that cold January day with some snow on the ground. You’ll have the place to yourself and should be able to find and pattern deer within a couple of hunts. Hunt the wind and thermals.

Made me smile just thinking about it!

 

[mike hunt]

Google amish communities and go the other direction

 

[jagermeister]

Welcome to TOO!

There is a public area in extreme NW Ohio called Lake La Su An Wildlife Area... The north side is bordered by a private (no-hunting) Boy Scout Camp called Pioneer. That camp is loaded with deer. They do cross back and forth from the public to the private and vice versa quite frequently, because the wildlife area has quite a few acres of food plots and quality forage. If you do your homework and you're smart about your approach, I'd bet you could find some high quality opportunities there.

 

[giles]

I used to hunt that one back in the late 90’s. Back before NW Ohio had deer

Had good crappie fishing back then. Not sure now, been a bunch of years.

 

[Buckkillr]

Hey y'all ,

I'm planning on coming down to Ohio this year for a public land hunt (I'm from Michigan). This would be my first time hunting in Ohio and I was hoping I could get some tips and advice from you guys. What areas or regions? Hotels, motels, campgrounds/sites? I'm trying to make this as cost effective as possible while still giving myself the best chance to be successful. Any and all info would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!

I think it's been mentioned but Wayne national forest is a huge area and I see deer often while out riding dirt bikes, yep parts of Wayne has atv, dirt bike trails that covers something like 60 miles and I promise you the wildlife don't care and are not afraid. Point being it would allow you to cover thousands of acres as easy or quick as you like. You will need a permit that can be bought at the local gas station $30 if I remember right but the trails close mid December. If you do I would leave a note on four-wheeler or else you'll have a search party find you in the tree Good Luck