COLUMBUS — Columbiana County hunters checked nearly 2,000 white-tailed deer during Ohio’s weeklong gun season, ranking ninth statewide, according to figures released by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.

Hunters in Columbiana County reported harvesting 1,968 deer during the seven-day season that ended Dec. 7, well above the county’s three-year average of 1,579. The county finished among the state’s top 10 for total deer harvested, trailing only several traditionally high-volume eastern Ohio counties.

Across Ohio, hunters checked 85,448 deer during the gun season, slightly below last year’s total of 87,191 but well above the three-year average of 76,409. Antlerless deer accounted for 67% of the statewide harvest, while antlered deer made up the remaining 33%.

Mahoning County hunters also saw a strong season, checking 905 deer, an increase from the county’s three-year average of 642. Trumbull County led the Mahoning Valley with 1,852 deer harvested, followed by Columbiana County and Mahoning County.

Coshocton County led the state with 3,037 deer checked, followed closely by Ashtabula County at 3,031. Tuscarawas, Muskingum and Knox counties rounded out the top five.

Through Dec. 16, Columbiana County has seen 4,241 total deer harvested between the archery and gun methods.

ODNR officials noted that harvest totals in southeastern Ohio counties such as Athens, Meigs, Morgan and Washington were significantly lower than average due to an outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease, which reduced deer populations and prompted bag-limit reductions prior to the gun season.

Straight-walled cartridge rifles continued to be the most commonly used firearm statewide, accounting for 67% of the harvest. Shotguns were used for 27%, while muzzleloaders, archery equipment and handguns made up the remainder.

Since the opening of archery season in September, Ohio hunters have checked 187,283 deer statewide. Hunters had additional opportunities during the bonus gun weekend Dec. 20-21. The muzzleloader season is Jan. 3-6. Archery season remains open through Feb. 1, 2026.