The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife has reported that hunters in Knox County recorded the fifth-highest total of white-tailed deer during the 2023-24 deer hunting season, which concluded on Feb. 4. The ODNR Division of Wildlife confirmed that a total of 213,928 deer were checked.

According to an ODNR Division of Wildlife press release, Knox County saw 5,625 deer harvested during the hunting season that ended on Feb. 4. Coshocton County led the state with a harvest of 7,740 deer, maintaining its lead from the previous year.

The same press release from ODNR Division of Wildlife also revealed that hunters brought in an estimated 12 million pounds of venison during the Ohio deer seasons. This final figure accounts for all deer taken since Sept. 9, 2023.

In another update from the ODNR Division of Wildlife press release, it was noted that archer hunters surpassed a significant milestone by checking over 100,000 deer for the first time - specifically harvesting 100,951. The weeklong and two-day gun seasons concluded with a harvest of 85,587 deer. The four-day muzzleloader season ended with a check-in count of 12,712 deer. There were also reports of 10,039 and 4,639 deer checked during the two-day youth season and controlled firearms hunts respectively.

The ODNR Division of Wildlife press release further highlighted that the crossbow was the most popular hunting implement used this season with a harvest count of 75,462 deer attributed to its use. Straight-walled cartridge rifles followed closely behind with a tally of 60,333 deer while shotguns accounted for another 31,901. The vertical bow was used to bring in approximately 29,696 deer; muzzleloaders contributed an additional count of approximately16,010; and handguns accounted for a harvest count of 526.