Ohio Nonresident Hunting License and deer permits
Ohio keeps nonresident licensing simple: buy an annual hunting license, then buy one deer permit for each deer you plan to take. Everything is available online with no draw and no waiting period.
What a nonresident needs to buy
Ohio DNR sets these fees and adjusts them periodically. Unlike Kentucky, Ohio charges per deer, so a hunter planning to take a buck and a doe buys two permits.
| Item | Who needs it | Approximate cost |
|---|---|---|
| Nonresident annual hunting license | Every hunter 18 and over | $180 |
| Deer permit (either-sex) | One per deer harvested | $77 |
| Youth deer permit | Hunters 17 and under | $16 |
| Youth nonresident hunting license | Hunters 17 and under | $11 |
How to buy your license online
- Open the Ohio DNR Wild Ohio Customer Center and create a customer account
- Verify your identity and hunter education record
- Purchase the nonresident annual hunting license
- Add one deer permit per deer you intend to harvest
- Download the digital license to the HuntFish OH app before you travel
County bag limits matter in Ohio
Ohio sets a bag limit for each county, ranging from one to three or four deer, and no hunter may exceed one antlered deer statewide per season no matter how many counties they hunt. Check the limit for the county your hunt is in before buying a second permit.
Game check: reporting your harvest
Ohio requires game check by 11:30 p.m. on the day you recover your deer. You can do it in the HuntFish OH app, online, or at a licensed agent. You will receive a confirmation number that must stay with the carcass until it is processed.
How licensing works on a guided hunt
We do not bundle licenses into our prices. Buy before you travel and bring your confirmation. To pick the week and weapon that fits, start with our Ohio guided deer hunts page.
Common questions
Get Season Date Reminders
Season dates and open hunt weeks, emailed when they matter.