Whether you use a crossbow, shotgun, handgun or other equipment for hunting, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has the specs covered. (Source: ODNR, Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2021-22.)
Archery season (Sept. 25, 2021 to Feb. 6, 2022)
• Longbow or bow: The minimum draw weight is 40 pounds. This includes compound bows and recurve bows. The arrow tip needs a minimum of two cutting edges, which may be exposed or unexposed, and a minimum 3/4-inch width. Expandable and mechanical broadheads are legal.
• Crossbow: The minimum draw weight is 75 pounds. The arrow tip needs a minimum of two cutting edges, which may be exposed or unexposed and a minimum 3/4-inch width. Expandable and mechanical broadheads are legal.
Gun season
Youth gun season is Nov. 20-21. Adult gun season is Nov. 29 to Dec. 5 and Dec. 18-19. Muzzleloader season is Jan. 8-11, 2022.
• Shotgun: Use a 10-gauge or smaller shotgun using one ball or one rifled slug per barrel (rifled shotgun barrels are permitted when using shotgun slug ammunition).
• Straight-walled cartridge rifles: All straight-walled cartridge calibers from a minimum of .357 to a maximum of .50. Shotguns and straight-walled cartridge rifles can be loaded with no more than three shells in the chamber and magazine combined.
• Muzzleloading rifle: Use .38 caliber or larger.
• Muzzleloading shotgun: Use 10-gauge or smaller using one ball per barrel.
• Handgun: Use a handgun with a 5-inch minimum length barrel, using straight-walled cartridges of .357 caliber or larger. The barrel is measured from the front of the cylinder or chamber to the end of the barrel.
