July 31 is deadline for applying for Ohio’s public land controlled hunts

Columbus — The Ohio DNR (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is accepting applications for public land-controlled hunts until Friday, July 31. These hunts provide special chances for people to pursue deer, waterfowl, doves, pheasants, and more on public lands during the 2026-27 seasons.

The ODNR Division of Wildlife, as well as the ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft, host controlled hunts on select areas around Ohio. Hunts for adults, youth, people with mobility impairments, and mentors with apprentices are available. Species-specific hunts are offered for deer, waterfowl, dove, ring-necked pheasant, ruffed grouse, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, and bobwhite quail. Firearm and archery hunts are available for some species.

Hunters may apply for controlled hunts by completing the application process online using Ohio’s Wildlife Licensing System or via phone by calling 1-866-703-1928. There is a $5.50 service fee for the phone option. Each hunt requires payment of a non-refundable $3 application fee. Customers may apply for more than one hunt but can only apply to each hunt once per year.

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All applicants, youth and adult, are required to possess a valid Ohio hunting license and meet age requirements. Youth hunters are required to be under the age of 18 at the time of the hunt to participate. Adults are required to be 18 years old or older at the time of the application. Those applying for deer hunts will also need a valid deer permit. Find more information on the controlled hunt page.

Participants may use a deer management permit during controlled deer hunts. Deer management permits cost $15 and are valid for antlerless deer throughout the deer season. Firearm and archery hunts are also available for some species.

New controlled permits

Ruffed grouse hunting is limited to controlled hunts on designated areas. Only hunters with a permit may hunt grouse during the 2026 season. Permits are available via controlled access lottery for Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area, Shawnee State Forest, Vinton Furnace and state forest, and Zaleski State Forest with the adjacent Waterloo Wildlife Area.

Also new this year, individuals interested in raccoon hunting and trapping should now apply in July. Previously, controlled raccoon hunting and trapping lotteries were conducted in-person in October.

Drawing and notification

Hunters are randomly drawn, lottery style, from submitted applications. Successful applicants will be notified the week after the application period ends and will be provided with additional hunt information, including a permit, rules, and a hunting area map. Each controlled hunt is unique, and applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review all site-specific information, including rules and requirements, before applying.

Application statuses can be viewed through Ohio’s Wildlife Licensing System. Successful applicants cannot buy, sell, exchange, or trade their permits, and can only transfer permits if nothing is received in return.