COLUMBUS, Ohio – Hunting and fishing licenses for 2023-24 are on sale now, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Spring weather is here, and with it comes plentiful outdoor recreation opportunities.
Licenses can be purchased with ease at wildohio.gov, on the HuntFish OH mobile app, or at participating agents statewide. A hunting or fishing license opens the door to boundless hunting and fishing in Ohio and contributes financially to wildlife conservation.
License sales fund the Division of Wildlife’s projects and programs that benefit wildlife and people. The Division of Wildlife manages or cooperatively manages more than 2 million acres of water and 750,000 acres of diverse wildlife areas. These habitats support popular game species such as deer, turkey, and walleye as well as key species such as bald eagles and monarch butterflies.
In 2023, the Division of Wildlife celebrates 150 years of professional fish and wildlife conservation since it was founded as the Ohio Fish Commission in 1873. Ohioans were first required to purchase a hunting license in 1913. In 1925, a resident fishing license was added to the regulations. Since then, license sales have helped make possible the return of deer and turkey, saugeye and muskie fishing opportunities on inland lakes, steelhead fishing on Lake Erie tributaries, and much more.
Ohio’s resident fishing licenses are $25, are valid for one year from the date of purchase, and can be purchased up to 30 days prior to the expiration date. A fishing license is required to fish in Ohio public waters for anyone 16 and older.
Ohio’s annual resident hunting licenses for the 2023-24 seasons are $19 for adults ($10 for youth) and are available now. Hunting licenses are valid immediately after purchase through Feb. 29, 2024. All hunters, regardless of age, are required to carry a valid hunting license to hunt or trap in Ohio.
Customers also have the option of choosing automatic renewal when purchasing a license online or when using a smartphone. The selected license renews automatically once the previous year expires. Multiyear hunting and fishing licenses are also available, with three-year, five-year, 10-year, and lifetime licenses on sale.
Download the free HuntFish OH mobile app to buy your license. Deer and turkey hunters can use the app to check their harvest, even without a cell phone signal. Anglers can find boat ramps, public waters, and wildlife areas on the map. App users can also purchase permits, report wildlife sightings, and read current regulations.
Funds from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, along with excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment, directly benefit wildlife management and habitat conservation efforts here in Ohio. Funds also support improvements to fishing access, shooting ranges, and wildlife areas. Visit wildohio.gov to learn more.
