Ohio deer hunting continues to top the list of trophy whitetail destinations, primarily due to an excellent deer management program. Ohio's deer management program controls Ohio's deer herd by harvesting does, while maintaining a conservative buck harvest. Hunters are allowed to harvest one buck in Ohio per year. This allows for a balanced population of whitetails, while maintaining the necessary conditions to allow Ohio to produce world-class deer. Ohio is home to the biggest whitetail bucks in the world, including the second non-typical of all time, the legendary "Hole in the Horn" buck. This gargantuan whitetail buck was found dead in Portage county, Ohio in 1940, scoring an unheard of 328 inches! Another massive whitetail buck, over 300 inches, was harvested in Greene county, Ohio in 2000. The “Beatty” buck was 4.5 years old; a combination of genetics, herd management, and much agriculture and cover, makes Ohio one of the best choices for snagging a trophy whitetail! While you can find whitetails in every corner of Ohio, Coshocton, Licking, and Muskingum counties (in east-central Ohio) top the list of Ohio deer hunting destinations. These counties consistently produce massive whitetail bucks, and offer superb opportunities for public deer hunting. For trophy whitetail bucks, three Ohio public deer-hunting areas are your best bets: Dillon Wildlife Area, Woodbury Wildlife area, and the Conesville Coal Lands. Many experienced hunters will tell you that, if you look closely, you can find unpressured whitetail. Study maps for places that other hunters would overlook, and you won’t be disappointed in the Ohio whitetail scene. The Woodbury Wildlife Area is almost 20,000 acres of prime whitetail habitat in east central Ohio, the perfect environment for whitetails and humans alike, as there are plenty of publicly accessible roads nearby, as well! The best way to get your hands on a trophy whitetail buck is to gain access to private land by hiring an Ohio deer-hunting outfitter. Sign on with a reputable outfitter, who can provide you with unpressured, private land to hunt – whether you bring your own tree stand, or use one provided for you! In overview, there are many reasons you should try your hand at Ohio whitetail deer hunting: Ohio has the right terrain, habitat, crops and genetics that consistently produce big bucks; the state has a short gun season, after the rut, allowing shotguns only. Additionally, Ohio sells hunting licenses and deer tags over the counter for only $149. The buckeye state also has a one-buck per year limit (with any weapon), any county or any zone on the same deer permit. Lastly, it features a four-month deer season, and officials there have very consistent regulations.