Seneca County hunters harvested 603 white-tailed deer during the first week of deer-gun season last week, a decrease from 849 in 2010.
Number increased from first-day totals of 148 deer Monday, compared to 329 on the first day of deer-gun season last year,
Totals for the week in nearby counties also were down, according to Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife - Crawford County, 441 (568 in 2010); Hancock, 402 (576); Huron, 925 (1,007); Sandusky, 195 (214); Wood, 208 (305); and Wyandot, 661 (838).
Statewide, hunters checked in 90,282 deer, compared to 105,034 deer during the same time period last year.
"Hunters clearly took advantage of the weather as the week progressed. They trimmed the deficit from last season from 39 percent on opening day, to 14 percent by the close of the season on Sunday," said Mike Tonkovich, Division of Wildlife deer project leader in a news release. "While other factors may have been at work, it is clear that extreme weather - good or bad - on key harvest days can have a significant impact on the bottom line."
Counties reporting the highest numbers of deer included Coshocton, 3,690; Muskingum, 3,223; Tuscarawas, 3,180; Guernsey, 2,982; Harrison, 2,772; Licking, 2,678; Knox, 2,480; Belmont, 2,431; Carroll, 2,252; and Washington, 2,225.
Hunters have one weekend remaining of deer-gun hunting, Dec. 17-18.
Hunters and birdwatchers are reminded they should be aware of one another as they pursue deer and birds on the shared weekend. While hunters are required to wear hunter orange in the field, birders should consider wearing a hunter orange vest or hat during deer-gun weekend.
Hunters also had nine weeks of archery hunting left before the season ends Feb. 5.
Statewide muzzleloader deer-hunting season will be Jan. 7-10.
A detailed listing of deer-hunting rules is contained in the 2011-12 Ohio Hunting Regulations, available where licenses are sold. It may also be viewed online at www.wildohio.com.
