COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The state is attributing a large drop in the number of deer bagged by Ohio hunters to the effect of liberal bag limits in past years meant to bring down the number of deer.
The Department of Natural Resources says hunters took 191,459 white-tailed deer during the 2013-2014 season, down from 218,910 deer the previous season.
The state says deer populations in nearly all Ohio counties were above target levels in the past but those numbers have been brought closer to lower goals thanks to increased harvests.
Division of Wildlife Chief Scott Zody says this year's harvest indicates the state is on track to maintain a high-quality deer herd.
