Guys, I live in NY and thining about hunting Ohio with the bow next year. Looking for advice on (locations, guide services and best times, lease land, public land, etc) before I go out there. Any and all information would be appreciated. Just starting to do my research now so Idon't know of any specific parts of the state yet.

Thanks.

Here is a link to maps of some ofOhio" hunting areas .
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/Hunting/wildlifeareas/wildare.htm

There is also Mead paper , Ohio Power and Wayne National Forest amoung others

Call 1 800 wildlife and the will send you 10 maps for free .
You can call several times a day LOL

Johnch

THE WAY I WENT ABOUT FINDING PROPERTY TO HUNT ON IN OHIO WAS TO CALL THE DNR AND ASK FOR HUNTING BY PERMISSION ONLY LAND ANDTHEY WILL SEND YOU OUT A LIST OF 3 COUNTIES WITH ALL THE LANDOWNERS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM. I DID THAT ABOUT 8 YEARS AGO AND I THROUGH TWO CONTACTS ON THE LISTS I NOW HAVE ABOUT 1000 ACRES OF FARM THAT I HUNT ON400 OF IT IS ONLY MYSELF AND WHOMEVER I TAKE. IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT GOING ON A GUIDED HUNT I WOULD TELL YOU FOR THE LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA MONEY MAKE SOME CALLS TO OUTFITTERS IN KANSAS. OHIO IS AWESOME BUT KANSAS IS A DREAM FOR A DEER HUNTER, THE OPPORTUNITY TO PASS UP 130" CLASS BUCKS HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY. BUT WHERE EVER YOU GO DO YOUR HOME WORK IF YOU ARE GOING WITH AN OUTFITTER. I MYSELF REFUSE TO GO WITH AN OUTFITTER, I ALWAYS GO THE EXTRA MILE AND MAKE CONTACTS WITH LANDOWNERS, THE PRICE IS ALOT CHEAPER AND IT IS MORE FULFILLING THAT YOU DID IT ON YOUR OWN BUT THATS ME. GOOD LUCK ON YOUR DECISION AND I HOPE THIS HELPED YOU A LITTLE BIT.

Something else to think about, There are many state parks in Ohio that only allow bow hunting... Delaware state park and Alum creek are two in my area of north central ohio that offer this, Every year more then a couple nice bucks are taken in these state parks, The other advantage is that they keep the campgrounds open. They can get crowded on weekends but during the week you will see little pressure. I hope that helps.....

I am hunting with a new outfitter in Muskingum Co. which is suppose to be one of the best in Ohio. I'm going out for next weeks shotgun week. I can let you know how I do when I get back. This is the outfitters 2nd season.

check out www.lazyshuntclub.org. It's not the goodest but it's not the badest.

I've also been planning to bowhunt Ohio this year. Usually hunt Georgia, but it's just too darn hot and humid there during bow season (got a heat stroke there last year). My son lives in Cincinnati, so I'm considering something in the southern part of the state, especially since I don't know anyone else there. Usually entirely self sufficient (tent, food, drinks, dishes, water, shower, ATV, etc.) on GA lease, but that might betoo difficult hauling all that gear all the way to Ohio. Perhaps blowing the bucks on an outfitter is the preferable way to go for a nonresident from a long way off?

From the nati neveggieman head east about 75 miles stop the car and get out and hunt!

mahoningbuck,

would that be in the area of the forests I've read about--Wayne Nat'l, Dean State, Shawnee? Any suggestions on where to stay/camp and maps/topos thatI cancheck out whileI'm stuck down here in the plywood state? My son's coming down this month, so I'm trying to gather together what I'll need to pester him to find out locally when he gets back to Cincy. Lastly, he doesn't bowhunt, so thus far I'm planning for just myself and hope to find partners up there....thx.......don

ok, well the best area for hunting ohio is the eastern side, down twards the southeastern but upa couple of countys, that southeastern area of ohio is fantastic, get a crossbow to hunt here, easierbut i hunt in wayne, stark, harrison, and athens. some good deer round here. but kansas would be good too