The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife has officially opened the Online Public Comment Period for the 2026–2027 hunting, fishing, and trapping regulations.
As the boots on the ground and on the water, your observations and support for science-based management are critical to keeping Ohio a premier destination for hunters and anglers. The comment window is short. You have until Wednesday, April 1, 2026, to review the proposal and submit your feedback.
Why Your Feedback Matters for Ohio Regulations
Decisions regarding bag limits, gear restrictions, and access are being made now with this open comment period. If we don’t provide the sportsmen’s perspective, we leave a vacuum for anti-hunting groups to fill with emotional rhetoric rather than sound science.
Proposed Changes: What’s at Stake?
Several major changes have been proposed that will directly impact your time in the woods and on the water:
- Fishing & Waterway Access: A proposal to redefine the boundaries of the Maumee River seasonal restrictions, shifting the landmark to the easternmost point of Missionary Island. Additionally, new rules would modernize bait trap specifications and prohibit the commercial sale or trade of wild-caught turtles.
- Deer Management: Changes to bag limits in six counties and a significant expansion of the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Surveillance Area into Allen, Hancock, and Crawford counties.
- Gear Restrictions: A proposal to restrict fall turkey hunting to shotguns only.
- Ruffed Grouse: A move to end open grouse hunting, shifting it entirely to a limited controlled hunt format.
- Aquatic & Species Status: A major review of the state’s endangered list, which includes downlisting the blackchin shiner and adding 16 aquatic invertebrates to the protected list.
How to Review & Submit Comments
Visit the official ODNR portal to take action:
The Importance of Sportsman Participation
Anti-sportsmen organizations are more organized than ever. They monitor these comment periods to pressure the Ohio Wildlife Council into restrictive policies that aren’t based on biological necessity. Your voice is the counter-balance.
Share This Alert with the Outdoor Community
Numbers matter. Once you’ve submitted your comments, please forward this email to your hunting buddies, fishing partners, and local clubs. Sharing this alert on social media or in your outdoor groups ensures that Ohio’s sportsmen and women present a united front. Our heritage depends on our collective voice, let’s make sure it’s heard loud and clear.
