The three firearm hunts
Ohio's firearm deer seasons add up to thirteen days, in three pieces.
- Gun weekMonday, Nov. 30 through Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026. The busiest week of the deer year.
- December two-day seasonSaturday and Sunday, Dec. 19 and 20, 2026.
- MuzzleloaderJan. 2 to 5, 2027. Four days, usually the coldest hunt we guide.
How a gun hunt runs with us
Check zero
Confirm your gun still shoots where it did at home.
Orange on
Vest, jacket or coveralls in hunter orange before you leave the truck.
In before light
Seated ahead of legal time, when other hunters start moving deer.
Sit through midday
Pressure keeps deer on their feet all day in gun week.
Tag and check
Permit filled out before the deer moves, game check by noon the next day.
What affects the price of a gun or muzzleloader hunt?
Firearm hunts are quoted by which of the three seasons you want.
| What affects the price | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Which season | Gun week, the December weekend or muzzleloader. |
| Days | Opening days or the whole season. |
| Hunters per guide | One on one, a pair, or a small group. |
| License and permit | Paid to the state by you. |
Is there still a bonus gun weekend in Ohio?
The two extra gun days are on the calendar for 2026-27: Saturday, Dec. 19 and Sunday, Dec. 20. The state lists them as part of the deer gun season, with the same legal guns and the same orange rule as gun week.
It's a good booking for a hunter who can't take a week off after Thanksgiving, and the deer have had nearly two weeks to settle since gun week ended.
Gun season rules people miss
Legal guns for Ohio deer
Ohio is not a bottleneck-rifle state. These are legal in gun season.
- Shotguns.410 through 10 gauge, firing a single projectile. Shells loaded with shot may not be carried while deer hunting.
- Straight-walled cartridge rifles.357 to .515 caliber. A .45-70 fits; necked-down cartridges such as .30-06 don't.
- Handguns.357 Magnum or larger, straight-walled cartridge, barrel five inches or longer.
- Muzzleloaders.38 caliber or larger with a single projectile, legal in gun season and the only firearm legal in muzzleloader season.
No gun may hold more than three rounds in the magazine and chamber combined.
Gun and Muzzleloader Deer Hunts questions
Can I use a .45-70 for deer in Ohio?
What dates is Ohio deer gun season in 2026?
What caliber muzzleloader is legal for deer in Ohio?
How many shells can my shotgun hold for deer?
Ask about gun and muzzleloader dates
Send your name and phone number, then the season you want and how many hunters. We'll call to talk dates.