DMU Muskingum, Ohio

Muskingum County covers 665 square miles of unglaciated Appalachian Plateau in east-central Ohio, defined by rolling ridges, steep hollows, and river valleys. Elevations range from roughly 666 feet along valley floors to 1,285 feet on upland ridges. The Muskingum River bisects the county north-to-south; major tributaries — the Licking River joining at Zanesville, Wills Creek south of Zanesville, and Wakatomika Creek near Dresden — create a network of hardwood-lined bottomlands. Upland cover is mixed oak-hickory and mixed mesophytic forest with agricultural fields on ridge tops, transitioning to dense second-growth timber on steep slopes. The broken terrain channels deer movement along ridge spines and creek drainages, concentrating animals in predictable funnels.

Moderate to high. Muskingum consistently ranks among Ohio top five counties for annual deer harvest, drawing hunters from across the state. Dillon Wildlife Area and Tri-Valley see heavy foot traffic on opening weekend of gun season. AEP and Appalachian Hills tracts absorb some pressure due to sheer acreage, and hunters willing to hike deep into hollows find noticeably less competition. Archery season is more manageable; mid-week gun season days and inclement weather reduce crowding significantly. Expect full trailhead parking on opening day but genuine solitude with effort.

Muskingum County allows a total bag limit of 3 deer per license year with no more than 1 antlered deer. Antlerless deer may be taken with over-the-counter deer management permits valid statewide from season open through Dec. 21 each year. On public hunting areas, the antlerless limit was raised to 2 deer and deer management permits are now valid on public land. No county-specific antlerless lottery or quota applies — permits are available over the counter without drawing. The county operates under standard Ohio statewide antlerless framework.

Deer (2025-26 season): archery Sept. 27, 2025 through Feb. 1, 2026; youth gun Nov. 22-23, 2025; regular gun Dec. 1-7 and Dec. 20-21, 2025; muzzleloader Jan. 3-6, 2026. Turkey: spring South Zone season with youth days April 18-19, 2026 and regular season April 25 through May 24, 2026 (limit 1 bearded bird per season); fall turkey Oct. 1-26, 2025. Muskingum ranked 5th statewide for spring turkey harvest in 2025 with 406 birds. Additional game includes squirrel, rabbit, ruffed grouse (limited), and waterfowl along the Muskingum River and Wills Creek corridors. Coyote and fox hunting are popular during the off-season.

Muskingum County delivers some of the most consistent big-deer hunting in Ohio within a classic Appalachian setting, regularly finishing in the state top five counties for total annual deer harvest and producing multiple Boone and Crockett class whitetails off AEP and private timber tracts. The combination of Tri-Valley Wildlife Area, Blue Rock State Forest, Dillon Wildlife Area, and AEP lands gives public-land hunters genuine access across diverse terrain without entering a lottery. Muskingum River and Wills Creek bottomlands provide agricultural edges that concentrate deer through the late season cold. Turkey hunting ranks among the best in the state, with the county placing fifth statewide in 2025 spring harvest. Archery hunters who scout ridge saddles and creek-bottom funnels inside Tri-Valley or Blue Rock State Forest stand the best chance at a mature buck without paying outfitter fees.