Holmes County Posts Fifth-Highest Archery Deer Checks in Ohio This Fall
Through Nov. 2, Ohio bowhunters had checked 46,359 deer statewide, with Holmes County recording 1,442 checks—placing it fifth among counties. The tally, released by state officials as archery season continues through Feb. 1, 2026, signals ongoing hunting activity that will affect local wildlife management, rural safety and the county’s outdoor economy.
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Ohio Department of Natural Resources data released this week show that as of Nov. 2, bowhunters had checked a total of 46,359 deer, with Holmes County accounting for 1,442 of those checks. That put Holmes County fifth in the state behind Coshocton (1,829), Tuscarawas (1,600), Ashtabula (1,561) and Trumbull (1,475). Holmes County’s share represents roughly 3.1 percent of the statewide archery total.
The report covers only the archery component of the deer season; the archery season runs through Feb. 1, 2026, and additional youth and gun seasons remain on the calendar, meaning the statewide and county totals are expected to increase further. Local wildlife managers and hunters will be watching those numbers as cumulative harvest figures are used to gauge population trends and inform management decisions.
For Holmes County residents, the run of successful archery harvests has several direct local implications. Hunting contributes to rural economies through license purchases, equipment sales and spending on local services, and continued archery success suggests steady activity at local sporting goods stores, guide services and lodging providers that cater to hunters. At the same time, persistent deer abundance carries costs for farmers and property owners, who face crop and garden damage, and for public safety officials responding to deer-vehicle collisions on county roads.
Statewide totals provide context for local planning. Coshocton County’s 1,829 checks represent nearly 4 percent of the statewide archery total, underlining a concentration of harvest in a handful of counties in this region of Ohio. As the season progresses into youth- and gun-specific periods, those county rankings could shift depending on hunter effort, weather and deer movement patterns.
Longer-term, season-by-season harvest data are a key input for wildlife managers balancing objectives: maintaining healthy deer populations, minimizing agricultural damage and reducing collision risks while sustaining recreational hunting opportunities. Holmes County officials and landowners will be balancing those trade-offs this winter as more harvest data arrive and as agencies consider any management adjustments.
For residents, the immediate practical takeaway is to remain attentive on roads and to recognize that hunting activity will continue through February. Farmers and homeowners affected by deer can consult county extension services for non-lethal and lethal control options, while local businesses that serve hunters may see continued demand as youth and gun seasons begin. As additional check-ins are reported, county leaders will have a clearer statistical picture to inform planning and public-safety measures for the winter and into next year.
