DMU Ross, Ohio
Unit info
- Game species
- White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkey
- Group
- Central Ohio
- Area
- N/A
- Public land
- N/A
White-tailed Deer — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 3,338
Draw odds for White-tailed Deeraren't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
Season & harvest data is published for White-tailed Deer so far. Wild Turkey also occur here — that data can be added as the community contributes.
About this unit
AI-compiled · sourcedRoss County sits in south-central Ohio centered on Chillicothe, where rolling forested ridges of the Appalachian foothills give way to broad Scioto River bottomland and productive agricultural fields. This mix of hardwood timber, corn and soybean farms, and river corridor makes it one of Ohio's most consistently productive whitetail counties — ranking 4th statewide in Pope & Young qualifying archery bucks recorded since 2010. Outfitter operations totaling over 2,400 acres operate across Ross, Vinton, Pike, and Jackson counties, reflecting strong private-land trophy potential. Public hunting access is limited but available at Ross Lake Wildlife Area (1,112 acres, 3 miles east of Chillicothe) and Kinnikinnick Wildlife Area (171 acres, 6 miles north of Chillicothe along U.S. 23). The 2024 weeklong gun season produced 1,241 deer checked in Ross County, above the three-year average of 1,030, signaling a healthy and growing herd. Hunting pressure is moderate on private ground and can be heavy on the limited public acres during gun week. Ross County is not in Ohio's CWD Disease Surveillance Area, so hunters follow standard statewide season dates.
South-central Ohio Appalachian foothills transitioning to Scioto River bottomland. Mix of hardwood ridges, creek drainages, corn and soybean fields, and riparian corridors. Elevation change moderate. County seat Chillicothe sits at confluence of forested hills and agricultural valley floor, creating classic farmland-fringe edge habitat.
Moderate on private ground with strong outfitter presence (2,400+ acres managed across Ross and adjacent counties). Public areas receive heavy pressure during gun week given limited acreage. Overall county hunting culture is active — the Buckeye Big Buck Club maintains multiple official scorers in Chillicothe, reflecting engaged local hunting community.
Statewide bag limit: 6 deer per license year, max 1 antlered. Ross County standard bag limit: 3 deer per license year (not in the elevated 4-deer urban-county tier, not in the reduced 2-deer tier). Deer management permits ($15 each) available statewide for antlerless deer; valid through Dec. 21, 2025 on 2025-26 license year. Public land antlerless limit increased to 2 deer for 2025-26 season. Ross County is NOT in CWD Disease Surveillance Area.
2025-26 Season Dates — Archery: Sept. 27 2025 – Feb. 1 2026. Youth Gun: Nov. 22–23 2025. Regular Gun: Dec. 1–7 2025 and Dec. 20–21 2025. Muzzleloader: Jan. 3–6 2026. Turkey spring season also available. Popular non-deer species: gray and fox squirrel, cottontail rabbit, raccoon, pheasant, waterfowl (Canada geese, mallards, wood ducks at Kinnikinnick).
Ranked 4th in Ohio for Pope & Young qualifying archery bucks since 2010 (17 entries). 2024 gun season: 1,241 deer checked, 20% above three-year average of 1,030 — herd trending upward. Classic Appalachian-fringe habitat with edge between hardwood ridges and ag fields produces mature bucks. Ohio Trophy Whitetail Outfitters based in Chillicothe. Non-typical bow buck green-scored 229 3/8 taken here in 2003. Proximity to Chillicothe makes the unit accessible with good food/lodging infrastructure.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about DMU Ross— or drop a tip or trick: access points, where game holds, glassing spots, conditions, crowding, gear that worked. This is where the unit's species-specific intel gets built, hunter by hunter.
Nothing posted yet about DMU Ross.
Be the first — ask a question (“Best public access on the north end?”) or share a tip (“Glass the burn scars off the main ridge at first light”).
Boundaries: ODNR official county-based deer management units. Community info last updated 16d ago.