Though it may not fill the woods like deer-gun season, Ohio’s muzzleloader season will attract thousands that seek that after-Christmas gift.

Set to open statewide Dec. 27-30, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

“The popularity of muzzleloader season increases among hunters each year.” stated Jim Marshall, district manager for the Division of Wildlife.

“We look for participation in this year’s hunt to be better than ever.”

Last year, hunters checked 27,749 deer during the statewide muzzleloader season.

Hunters checked 116,855 deer during the statewide deer-gun season held Nov. 28 through Dec. 4. Lawrence County hunters checked in 1,625 kills, down from 1,633 in 2004.

So far this year, archery hunters have taken 41,859 deer during the first six weeks of the statewide archery season, which began October 1 and continues through January 31.

The special youth season, held November 19-20, resulted in young hunters bagging 8,722 deer.

Another 226 deer were taken during the early muzzleloader deer season held in October on the Shawnee, Salt Fork, and Wolf Creek wildlife areas.

Prior to the start of the hunting season, Ohio’s deer population was estimated at 650,000. The Division of Wildlife expects as many as 200,000 hunters will hunt deer during the muzzleloader season.

Ohio deer hunters must possess the proper permits, and regardless of zone, method of taking or season, hunters may take only one antlered deer.

Legal hunting hours during the statewide muzzleloader deer season are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Deer must be checked by 8 p.m. on the day after harvest, except those killed on Dec. 30, which must be brought to a deer check station by 8 p.m. that day.

Ohio’s small game, furbearer and waterfowl seasons will also be open during the muzzleloader season. During those overlapping four days, small game hunters and deer hunters must visibly wear a coat, jacket, vest or coveralls that are either solid hunter orange or camouflage hunter orange in color during the statewide muzzleloader deer season.